The House of Representatives met today in the Chambers of the National Assembly Building in Belmopan today. The meeting began shortly after 10:00 A.M with an opening prayer by Ms. Vashti Lamb.

On the days agenda was one (1) Paper, No. HR5A/1/13 – House of Representatives (Amendment) Standing Orders, 2021, that was ordered to lie on the Table.

As well, there were two (2) Motions. The Amendment of Standing Orders of the House of Representatives Motion, 2021, and the Establishment of the National Assembly Staff Committee Motion, 2021, which was referred to the Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee for examination, consideration and report.

There were also four (4) Bills for Second Reading. However, the General Revenue Supplementary Appropriation (2020/2021) (No.6) Bill, 2021, got differed, and the other three (3) passed at today’s Sitting.

 BILLS FOR SECOND READING

1. General Revenue Supplementary Appropriation (2020/2021) (No.6) Bill, 2021.  (DIFFERED)

Bill for an Act to appropriate further sums of money for the use of the Public Service of Belize for the financial year ending on the thirty-first day of March, two thousand and twenty-one.

2. Central Bank of Belize (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

Bill for an Act to amend the Central Bank of Belize Act, Chapter 262 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011; to provide for emergency programs and facilities in unusual and exigent economic, financial or systemic circumstances; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

3. Finance and Audit (Reform) (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

Bill for an Act to amend the Finance and Audit (Reform) Act, Chapter 15 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011, to provide for the establishment of a Contingencies Fund to be used for urgent and unforeseen expenditure for which no other provision exists; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

(The Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment)

4. Public Contracts Commission Bill, 2021.

Bill for an Act to establish the Office of the Public Contracts Commission to monitor the award and implementation of public contracts for the purpose of ensuring that such contracts are awarded impartially and on merit; to investigate fraud, corruption, mismanagement, waste or abuse in the award of public contracts; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

(The Honourable Minister of Education, Culture, Science & Technology)

Several Members spoke on the adjournment. The House was adjourned at 5:15 p.m.