On the 12th December 2022, a special meeting of the House of Representatives was held in the Chamber of the National Assembly Building in Belmopan. The meeting began around 10:25 A.M. with the National Prayer of Belize offered by Ms. Minerva Santos.
Thereafter, Speaker Valerie Woods expressed condolences on the passing of the former Speaker Sylvia Flores as well as commented on her life’s achievements. Former Speaker Flores was the first female Speaker of the House of Representatives who also served as the President of the Senate. She was the first person to have served in both Chambers of the National Assembly. A moment of silence was observed for former Speaker Flores. The Honourable Prime Minister John Briceño also spoke on former Speaker Flores’ character and the many things she did within her community.
Meanwhile, there were two Sessional Papers that were presented and laid on the Table of the House of Representatives:
No. HR135/1/13 – Social Investment Fund – Audited Financial Statements for Year Ended March 31, 2022; and
No. HR136/1/13 -Supplementary Appropriation (No.4) Schedule for Fiscal Year 2022/2023.
The following Bills were introduced by the Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment:
- General Revenue Supplementary Appropriation (No.4) (2022/2023) Bill, 2022;
- Auditor-General (Extension of Prescribed Age) Bill, 2022;
- Financial Services Commission Bill, 2022;
- Credit Reporting Bill, 2022; and
- Fiscal Incentives Bill, 2022.
The Honourable Minister of Education, Culture, Science and Technology also introduced for its first reading the Notaries Public (Amendment) Bill, 2022.
There were two Loan Motions which were ratified by the House as follows:
- Caribbean Development Bank and Development Finance Corporation (DFC) Loan Agreement – A Project to Support the Financing of Tertiary Education in Belize USD$6.0 Million Loan and Guarantee Motion, 2022; and
- International Cooperation and Development Fund Taiwan (ICDF Taiwan) Loan and Grant Agreement with the Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to Support the Sustainability of MSMEs in Belize USD$5.0 Million Loan, Grant and Guarantee Motion, 2022.
The House approved the following Bills:
- Customs and Excise Duties (Amendment) Bill, 2022;
- Auditor-General (Extension of Prescribed Age) Bill, 2022;
- Marriage (Amendment) Bill, 2022; and
- General Revenue Supplementary Appropriation (No.4) (2022/2023) Bill, 2022.
The meeting concluded at 4:27 P.M.
For further information on the Orders of the Day, please click the links below:
