On Friday, 8th March 2024, Honourable Members gathered in the Chambers of the National Assembly Building in Belmopan for a Sitting of the House of Representatives. The meeting began at 10:23 A.M. with the Belizean National Prayer offered by Mr. Richard Smith.
Following prayers, Honourable Speaker Woods made an announcement making remarks in regard to International Women’s Day as the fourth Female Presiding Officer for the House of Representatives. The Honourable Speaker Woods also recognized the visitors in the gallery, some of who were the Mayors elected in the recent Municipal elections.
After the announcements, the following TWO (2) Bills were brought from the Senate with amendments are were considered by the House:
- Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) (Amendment) Bill, 2023; and
- Criminal Code (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2023. National Women’s Commission Bill, 2023;
Next, the following THREE (3) Papers were presented and ordered to be laid on the Table:
No. HR245 /1/13 – Draft Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for Fiscal Year 2024/2025.
No. HR246/1/13 – Contract between Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment and Overseas Engineering and Construction Co., Ltda, S.A.
No. HR247/1/13 – Electricity (Tariffs, Fees, and Charges) (Amendment) Byelaws, 2024.
A total of SIX (6) Bills were introduced at this Sitting of the House of Representatives between the Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Economic Development, Investment, Blue Economy, Civil Aviation and Immigration and the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Education, Culture, Science and Technology:
- General Revenue Appropriation (2024/2025) Bill, 2024;
- Customs and Excise Duties (Amendment) Bill, 2024;
- Finance Belize (Recognition and Exemption) Bill, 2024;
- Criminal Records (Rehabilitation of Offenders) Bill, 2024;
- Alternative Sentencing Bill, 2024; and
- Criminal Procedure (Plea Discussion and Plea Agreement) Bill, 2024.
At this Sitting of the House of Representatives, the Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Economic Development, Investment, Blue Economy, Civil Aviation and Immigration gave his Speech on the Budget for the Fiscal Year 2024/2025.
The Sitting was briefly suspended to allow the Finance and Economic Development Committee to conduct their business. After resuming, the following Report, No. HR248/1/13 – Report from the Finance and Economic Development Committee on the Customs and Excise Duties (Amendment) Bill, 2024. was presented and ordered to be laid on the Table.
Of the SIX (6) Bills introduced, only the Customs and Excise Duties (Amendment) Bill, 2024, was debated and passed without amendment.
This summarizes the events of this Sitting of the House of Representatives with the meeting adjourning at 1:15 P.M.
For further information on the Orders of the Day, please see the links below:
https://www.nationalassembly.gov.bz/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Supplementary-1-8th-March-2024.pdf
https://www.nationalassembly.gov.bz/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Supplementary-2-8th-March-2024.pdf
For access to the Draft Bills introduced, please see the link below:
Draft Bills – National Assembly
For access to the Budget Speech, Kindly see the link below:
For access to the broadcast of the Sitting, kindly see the link below:
https://www.youtube.com/live/8b21nVcRZBE?si=FEjyDJRHos5cNX8q
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/iPjDqh1oFZzUwRGS/?mibextid=w8EBqM