On Friday, 3rd June 2022, the House of Representatives convened in the Chamber of the National Assembly, in Belmopan shortly after 10:00 A.M. There were a number of items on the Orders of the Day as follows:

Paper

No. HR112A/1/13 – Hol Chan Marine Reserve Annual Budget for financial year April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023.

The above mentioned Paper was ordered to lie on the table.

MOTIONS

1. International Bank for Reconstruction and Development – Belize COVID-19 Response Project – (US$6.2 Million) Loan Motion, 2022.

2. Central American Bank for Economic Integration – Expansion and Rehabilitation of the Philip Goldson Highway Loan Motion, 2022.

Loan Motion number was adopted, however Loan Motion number 2 was committed to the Finance and Economic Development Committee for examination, consideration and report.

Introduction of Bills

1. Belizean Nationality (Amendment) Bill, 2022.

Bill for an Act to amend the Belizean Nationality Act, Chapter 161 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2020; to provide for an amnesty program for irregular migrants; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

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

2. Senior Courts Bill, 2022.

Bill for an Act to repeal and replace the Supreme Court of Judicature Act, Chapter 91 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2020; and the Court of Appeal Act, Chapter 90 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2020; to provide for new positions within the judiciary to assist in the functioning and administration of the Senior Courts; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

3. Belize Constitution (Twelfth Amendment) Bill, 2022.

Bill for an Act to amend the Belize Constitution, Chapter 4 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2020; to establish the Senior Courts of Belize; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

4. Married Persons (Protection) (Amendment) Bill, 2022.

Bill for an Act to amend the Married Persons (Protection) Act, Chapter 175 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2020; to remove the fault grounds for application for judicial separation, and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

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

The above-mentioned four(4) Bills were only introduced.

BILL FOR SECOND READING

1. Belize Companies Bill, 2022.

Bill for an Act to repeal, replace and consolidate the International Business Companies Act, Chapter 270 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2020, and the Companies Act, Chapter 250 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2020; to further establish and facilitate a modernized framework for the registration, operation and regulation of companies; and to provide for matters connected therewith and incidental thereto.

The above-mentioned Bill was passed.

For more information on the Orders of the Day, kindly click the link below.

https://www.nationalassembly.gov.bz/orders-of-the-day/hor-orders-day-2022/