On the 3rd February 2023, a Sitting of the House of Representatives was held in the Chamber of the National Assembly Building in Belmopan. The meeting began around 10:16 A.M. with the National Prayer of Belize offered by Mr. Richard Smith.
Starting off, the Honourable Minister of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management moved that the amendments to the Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Bill, 2023, as approved by the Senate, be considered by the House of Representatives.
Next, the Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment presented to the House of Representatives THREE (3) Sessional Papers, which were ordered to be laid on the Table:
No. HR141A/1/13 – Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure of the Central Bank of Belize for the Fiscal Year 2023.
No. HR141B/1/13 – The Twentieth Annual Report of the Contractor General – April 01, 2021, to March 31, 2022.
No. HR141C/1/13 – Civil Works Contract Agreement – Upgrading of the San Estevan Road (Banquitas Bridge – San Estevan Village).
Hereinafter, the Honourable Member for Dangriga, on behalf of the Chairman of the Finance and Economic Development Committee, presented and laid on the Table Reports as follows:
No. HR142/1/13 – Report from the Finance and Economic Development Committee on the Credit Reporting Bill, 2023.
No. HR143/1/13 – Report from the Finance and Economic Development Committee on the Financial Services Commission Bill, 2023.
No. HR144/1/13 – Report from the Finance and Economic Development Committee on the Fiscal Incentives Bill, 2023.
Following, the Chairman of the Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee presented and laid on the Table Report No. HR145/1/13 – Report from the Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee on the Notaries Public (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
Next on the Orders of the Day, the Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment introduced the following Bills:
- Caribbean Community (Free Movement of Skilled Persons) (Amendment) Bill, 2023;
- Immigration (Amendment) Bill, 2023; and
- Money Laundering and Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
Thereafter, the Honourable Minister of Education, Culture, Science and Technology introduced the following Bills:
- Senior Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2023;
- Extradition Bill, 2023; and
- Legal Aid Bill, 2023.
Lastly, the Honourable Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations introduced the Retired Persons (Incentives) (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
As it relates to Motions, the House of Representatives ratified THREE (3) Loan Motions as follows:
- Inter-American Development Bank – Trade and Investment Facilitation Program for Belize – US$8 Million Loan Motion, 2023.
- Inter-American Development Bank – Program for Digital Innovation to Boost Economic Development in Belize – US$10 Million Loan Motion, 2023.
- Inter-American Development Bank – Program for Sustainable and Inclusive Belize – US$15 Million Loan Motion, 2023.
The Appointment of Ombudsman Motion, 2023, which had already passed through the Senate on 14th December 2022, was also approved by the House of Representatives.
Lastly, the House of Representatives approved the following Bills:
- Financial Services Commission Bill, 2023;
- Credit Reporting Bill, 2023;
- Fiscal Incentives Bill, 2023; and
- Notaries Public (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
The Meeting of the House of Representatives concluded at 5:06 P.M.
For further information on the Orders of the Day, please see the links below:
https://www.nationalassembly.gov.bz/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Orders-of-the-Day-February-3-2023.pdf
