Yesterday, March 27, 2018, the Senate assembled in the Chamber of the National Assembly Building , Belmopan, for a Special Sitting that was called to order at 10:12 A.M. Each Senator had the opportunity of sharing their views and opinions on the General Revenue Appropriation (2018/2019) Bill, 2018. All Senators were present except for Senator Rev. Ashley Rocke who was replaced by Rev. Henry Brown, Temporary Senator.

After the Senators had debated the General Revenue Appropriation (2018/2019) Bill, 2018, they then debated on 9 more Bills that were passed. However, a division was called on the Crime Control and Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill, 2018, by Senator Osmany Salas resulting in 8 Senators voting in favour, 4 Senators voted against it, and one Senator abstained.

At the end, 1 Motion and 10 Bills were passed. They are:

MOTION

  1. Official Charities Fund Motion, 2018.

BILLS

  1. General Revenue Appropriation (2018/2019) Bill, 2018;
  2. Central Bank of Belize (Amendment) Bill, 2018;
  3. Customs and Excise Duties (Amendment) Bill, 2018;
  4. Immigration (Amendment) Bill, 2018;
  5. Belizean Nationality (Amendment) Bill, 2018;
  6. Passports (Amendment) Bill, 2018;
  7. Firearms (Amendment) Bill, 2018;
  8. Police (Amendment) Bill, 2018;
  9. Crime Control and Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill, 2018; and
  10. Protection of Witnesses Bill, 2018.

The Special Sitting was adjourned at 9:55 P.M.