MK Ruchama Avraham (Kadima), who chairs the Knesset's House Committee, initiated the special session, and says she plans to "change the rules regarding the Arrangements Law." She said she plans a series of House Committee sessions on the matter.
The Arrangements Law is a long series of clauses - each of which could be a law unto itself - that are approved every year in one package deal together with the Budget Law. Critics say that the various clauses do not undergo the rigorous legislative process applied to other laws. They are instead formulated by Finance Ministry clerks and hastily approved under the pressure of the annual budget deadline.
First enacted in 1986 in light of a severe financial crisis which saw triple-digit inflation rates, the first version of the Arrangements Law had 42 different clauses. It hovered around the 20-40 rate for the next 15 years, reaching 100 clauses in 2002. The next year, 2003, saw a record high of no fewer than 169 different clauses,while the current 2007 version includes 86.
Former Supreme Court Deputy Chief Justice Mishael Heshin told the Knesset yesterday that the law "makes a mockery" of the Knesset. "The very process of this law comprises a mortal blow to democracy - I repeat, a mortal blow to democracy." He added that Knesset Members are essentially giving up their authority to legislate in their consent to the existence of the Arrangements Law.
A Hebrew weblog called Social Pressure has begun a campaign to nullify the Arrangements Law, noting several examples of laws that are scheduled to be hastily passed in its framework for the coming year: The cancellation of a law passed in 2002 calling for a hospital to be built in Ashdod; the privatization of the National Forensic Institute (possibly allowing it to fall into the hands of criminal elements, with far-reaching ramifications), and agricultural reform: increases in the prices of water and foreign-worker employment, as well as lessened protection for produce.
Opponents of the law say it often includes "far-reaching reforms" that summarily override legislation that was worked on for months in Knesset committees.
Supporters of the law say it is an important economic tool that enables the State to meet its budgetary goals.
A bill proposed of late by MK Orit Noked (Labor), which was approved by the ministerial committee on legislation, would limit the Arrangements Law only to matters that stem directly from the budget bill. In addition, the clauses would have to be debated in their relevant committees and not the Finance Committee, as is the case now.