Opposition lawmakers on Friday used their majority to send an amendment directly to the second reading that would require legislative approval for any change to electricity prices.
The move comes after the government on Tuesday said it would maintain an already-instated electricity price hike, despite the legislature passing a non-binding motion earlier in the day calling for a freeze on rates.
In response, the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) caucus on Friday proposed moving six amendments directly to the second reading, including one to Article 49 of the Electricity Act (電業法) that governs rate adjustments.
Photo: Tien Yu-hua, Taipei Times
The KMT-proposed amendment would require legislative approval for any rate changes put forth by the electricity price committee, which by law convenes twice a year to determine prices based on a stipulated formula.
The Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) expressed support for the amendment before the day’s session, calling for greater transparency and public oversight of the committee.
In Taiwan’s legislature, bills must pass three readings. If a motion is cosigned or seconded by at least 20 legislators and passes a vote, it may be sent straight through to the second reading without being referred to committee for examination.
In the second reading, bills are read clause-by-clause in the relevant committees.
The motion passed 58-51 with support from KMT and TPP lawmakers. All 51 Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmakers voted against the motion.
DPP caucus whip Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘) said the party opposes the change because it relates to overall energy policy, which should be handled by specialists.
If the KMT wants to “change the rules of the game,” the impacts will be enormous, he said, cautioning them to be careful.
Even if the amendment passes, it cannot be retroactively applied, meaning that the price hikes that went into effect last month would remain, as well as the formula for determining prices that has already been set by the legislature, Ker added.
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