The House of Representatives met today Wednesday, December 4, 2019, at 10:15 A.M. in the Chamber of the National Assembly Building, Belmopan. The Special Sitting was scheduled in order for the below business to be transacted.

PAPER

Sessional Paper No. HR223/1/12 – Land Tax (Partial Remission of Arrears) (Extension of Duration) Order, 2019, was ordered to lie on the table.

BILLS INTRODUCED

The following Bills were all introduced:

1. Deposit Insurance Bill, 2019.

Bill for an Act to provide for the establishment of a Deposit Insurance Corporation and a Deposit Insurance Fund for the protection of insured deposits against the risk of loss within an insured limit; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

2. International Banking (Amendment) Bill, 2019.

Bill for an Act to amend the International Banking Act, Chapter 267 of Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011; to improve the measures for supervision and oversight of international banks; to enhance procedures for intervention in the affairs of and other resolution action in relation to international banks; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

3. Customs and Excise (Amendment) (No.2) Bill, 2019.

Bill for an Act to provide for the change of name of the Customs and Excise Duties Act to the Customs Act and to make consequential amendments to the Act to remove the provisions relating to excise duties; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

4. Supplies Control (Amendment) Bill, 2019.

Bill for an Act to amend the Supplies Control Act, Chapter 293 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011; to increase the penalties that may be imposed on contravention of any subsidiary laws made under the Act; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

5. Chief of Defence Staff Bill, 2019.

Bill for an Act to provide for the appointment of a person to be the Chief of Defence Staff who shall be responsible for the co-ordination of activities as between the Armed Forces and the Ministry of National Security; for the establishment of the committee of the Chief of Defence Satff; to provide for the functions of the Chief of Defence Staff; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

6. Firearms (Amendment) Bill, 2019.

Bill for an Act to amend the Firearms Act, Chapter 143 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011, to provide for new licensing fees; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

MOTION ADOPTED

  1. Inter-American Development Bank – Education Quality Improvement Program (EQIP) II (US$10,000,000) Loan Motion, 2019.

BILLS PASSED

The following Bills were passed:

  1. 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.

2.  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.

3. Supplies Control (Amendment) Bill, 2019.

Bill for an Act to amend the Supplies Control Act, Chapter 293 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011; to increase the penalties that may be imposed on contravention of any subsidiary laws made under the Act; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

4. Firearms (Amendment) Bill, 2019.

Bill for an Act to amend the Firearms Act, Chapter 143 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011, to provide for new licensing fees; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

 

The meeting came to an end at 4:00 P.M.