Pykälämuutos

Pykälämuutos is a term used in Finnish legislative drafting to denote amendments to individual clauses or paragraphs (pykälä) of a bill, act, or other legal text. It describes changes to the wording, not a wholesale revision of the entire act. Pykälämuutokset are a common mechanism for refining legislation during the lawmaking process.

Definition and scope: A pykälämuutos targets a specific section of the text, such as a subsection or definitions, and may add, delete, or modify wording. It is distinct from a full repeal or passage of a new act; it operates within the existing legal framework of the proposal.

Procedure: In the Finnish Parliament (Eduskunta), amendments are proposed as muutosesitykset by government or Members of Parliament. A pykälämuutos is typically attached to the relevant bill and considered in committees and in plenary; it must reference the exact pykälä or section to modify, and the language must be precise to avoid ambiguity. Amendments are decided by a majority vote according to parliamentary rules.

Impact and examples: Pykälämuutokset can clarify definitions, adjust eligibility criteria, align with other parts of the bill, or address legal uncertainty. Example: changing a time limit or adding a definition of a key term to improve interpretation and application of the legislation.

Record and transparency: Amendments are published in the official records and tracked in the legislative dossier; they are accessible via the Parliament's online services, providing a transparent view of how the bill evolves.