The House of Representatives met today Friday, October 4, 2019, at 10:20 A.M. in the Chamber of the National Assembly Building, Belmopan. At today’s meeting, students from the St. Martin’s Government School (Belmopan) and the Holy Ghost Primary School (Dangriga), as well as some students from the University of Belize were present to get a first hand view of the meeting. They were welcomed at the foot of the National Assembly Building by Mr. Eddie Webster, Clerk of the National Assembly and the the Honourable Laura Tucker-Longsworth, Speaker of the House of Representatives and were escorted up to the galleries. The below summarizes the proceedings on the agenda.
PAPER
No. HR210/1/12 – Social Investment Fund of Belize – Letter of Recommendations For Year Ended March 31, 2019.
BILLS INTRODUCED
- Customs Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2019.
Bill for an Act to amend the Customs Regulation Act, Chapter 49 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011; to facilitate the provision of advance information relating to passengers and cargo of a conveyance; to share the information with other States with a view to identifying the passengers and cargo that may pose risks to security while facilitating Trade through Electronic Data Interchange; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
- Hydro Maya Power Project Bill, 2019.
Bill for an Act to comply with and give effect to certain undertakings and obligations of the Government of Belize, under and in connection with a concession agreement for the establishment and operation of a hydroelectric generating facility in Belize; to provide for certain exemptions from taxes and duties; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
- Contractor-General (Amendment) Bill, 2019.
Bill for an Act to amend the Contractor-General Act, Chapter 6 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011, to remove the restriction on the eligibility for appointment in the public service after holding office as the Contractor-General; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
- Excise (Management and Tariff) Bill, 2019.
Bill for an Act to make provision for the control of the manufacture of excisable goods, for the collection of excise duties and for related and connected matters.
- Economic Substance Bill, 2019.
Bill for an Act to make improved provisions for substantial economic presence to be fulfilled by certain entities; to provide for reporting requirements in certain instances; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
- International Business Companies (Amendment) (No.2) Bill, 2019.
Bill for an Act to amend the International Business Companies Act, Chapter 270 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011; to clarify the status of physical presence as a component of Economic Substance which an international business company that is a commercial entity must satisfy; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
- International Financial Services Commission (Amendment) (No.2) Bill, 2019.
Bill for an Act to amend the International Financial Services Commission Act, Chapter 272 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011; to substitute the criteria for physical presence with substantial economic presence in Belize; to indemnify the Commission, Director General and officers from legal liability for actions taken in good faith; to set disciplinary measures and criminalise the unauthorised disclosure by officers of document, paper or information; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
- Income and Business Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2019.
Bill for an Act to amend the Income and Business Tax Act, Chapter 55 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011; to clarify that international business companies who are not persons resident in Belize may file a return of income; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
- Stamp Duties (Amendment) Bill, 2019.
Bill for an Act to amend the Stamp Duties Act, Chapter 64 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011; to clarify the circumstances when an international business company is required to pay stamp duties; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
MOTIONS ADOPTED
- Write-Off (No. 1) Motion, 2019.
- Write-Off (No. 2) Motion, 2019.
- Write-Off (No. 3) Motion, 2019.
- Write-Off (No. 4) Motion, 2019.
- Write-Off (No. 5) Motion, 2019.
- Caribbean Development Bank Seventh Power Project – Belize Electricity Limited Loan (US$6,840,000.00) Guarantee Motion, 2019.
BILLS PASSED
The following Bills were passed:
Contractor-General (Amendment) Bill, 2019.
Economic Substance Bill, 2019.
International Business Companies (Amendment) (No.2) Bill, 2019.
International Financial Services Commission (Amendment No.2) Bill, 2019
Stamp Duties (Amendment) Bill, 2019.
The Income and Business Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2019, was withheld in the Committee of the Whole House on Bills.
At today’s Sitting, the Honourable Erwin Contreras, Honourable Gaspar Vega, Honourable Cordel Hyde and the Rt. Honourable Said Musa were absent. The meeting came to an end at 3:02 P.M.
