On the 22nd and 23rd April 2021, the House of Representatives met in the Chambers of the National Assembly Building, in Belmopan, primarily to debate the long awaited General Revenue Appropriation (2021/2022) Bill, 2021, that was introduced on Friday, 9th April 2021. The debate was the highlight of the day as each of the 31 Members gave their speech on the Bill.
As well on the Orders of the Day were the following business:
PAPERS
No. HR14/1/13 – City and Town Councils Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for Fiscal Year 2021/2022.
No. HR14A/1/13 – Development Finance Corporation – Annual Report for the Year 2019.
Both papers were ordered to lie on the Table.
MOTIONS
1. Official Charities Fund Motion, 2021.
2. Adoption of the Report from the Ombudsman Reports Committee on The Twentieth Annual Report of the Ombudsman of Belize for the Year Ending 2020.
3. Caribbean Development Bank – Philip Goldson Highway and Remate Bypass Upgrading Project (US$34, 300,000.00) Loan Motion, 2021.
4. Inter-American Development Bank – Program to Support the Health Sector to Contain and Control Coronavirus and
to Mitigate its effect on Service Provision (US$5.0 Million) Loan Motion, 2021.
5. Adoption of the Second Report from the Committee of Selection Motion, 2021.
The above mentioned Motions were all adopted.
BILLS FOR SECOND READING
1. General Revenue Appropriation (2021/2022) Bill, 2021.
Bill for an Act to appropriate certain sums of money for the use of the Public Service of Belize for the financial year ending March 31, 2022.
(The Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment)
2. Land Utilization (Amendment) Bill, 2021.
Bill for an Act to amend the Land Utilization Act, Chapter 188 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011; to strengthen the membership of the Land Subdivision and Utilization Authority; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
(The Honourable Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources, Petroleum and Mining)
3. Supreme Court of Judicature (Amendment) Bill, 2021.
Bill for an Act to amend the Supreme Court of Judicature Act, Chapter 91 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition
2011; to allow for civil proceedings to be continued and determined by another judge if the judge before whom the proceedings took place has demitted office, is removed from office, retires from office or dies; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
4. Court of Appeal (Amendment) Bill, 2021.
Bill for an Act to amend the Court of Appeal Act, Chapter 90 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011; to allow for civil appeals to be continued and determined by another judge or the remaining panel of judges if a judge before whom the proceedings took place has demitted office, is removed from office, retires from office or dies; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
5. Court of Appeal Decisions (Validation) Bill, 2021.
Bill for an Act to validate the decisions of the Court of Appeal in instances where a judge has died or vacated office; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
6. Time Limit for Judicial Decisions Bill, 2021.
Bill for an Act to specify a time limit in accordance with sections 98 and 102 of the Belize Constitution within which a judge shall give a decision in a civil case and any appeal case; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
7. Belize Constitution (Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2021.
Bill for an Act to amend the Belize Constitution, Chapter 4 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011, to provide for additional grounds for the removal of a judge; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
(The Honourable Minister of Education, Culture, Science and Technology)
8. Public Health (Amendment) (No.2) Bill, 2021.
Bill for an Act to amend the Public Health Act, Chapter 40 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011; to provide for the control and regulation of vaccines; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
(The Honourable Minister of Health and Wellness)
The above-mentioned Bills were all passed.
The House adjourned at 7:25 P.M.