On Wednesday 24th August 2022, there was a Special Sitting of the House of Representatives in the Chamber of the National Assembly Building in Belmopan. The Meeting began shortly after 10:00 A.M. with the Belizean Prayer by Mr. Kenrick Francisco. On the Orders of the Day were the following business:
PAPERS:
No. HR120A/1/13 – Supplementary Appropriation (No.2) Schedule for Fiscal Year 2022/2023.
No. HR120B/1/13 – Supplementary Appropriation (No.3) Schedule for Fiscal Year 2022/2023.
The above mentioned two (2) Papers were ordered to lie on the Table.
BILLS INTRODUCED
1. General Revenue Supplementary Appropriation (No.2) (2022/2023) Bill, 2022.
Bill for an Act to appropriate further sums of money for the use of the Public Service of Belize for the financial year ending on the thirty-first day of March, two thousand and twenty-three.
2. General Revenue Supplementary Appropriation (No.3) (2022/2023) Bill, 2022.
Bill for an Act to appropriate further sums of money for the use of the Public Service of Belize for the financial year ending on the thirty-first day of March, two thousand and twenty-three.
3. Belize International Services Limited (Settlement) Bill, 2022.
Bill for an Act to facilitate the implementation of the terms of a deed of settlement between the Government and Belize International Services Limited arising from the debt owed by the Government in satisfaction of the Belize International Services Limited claims and the Belize International Services Limited litigation costs; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
(The Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment)
4. Patents (Amendment) Bill, 2022.
Bill for an Act to amend the Patents Act, Chapter 253 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2020; to remove the seat of Registrar of Intellectual Property from the Solicitor General; and to provide for the appointment of a Registrar of Intellectual Property; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
5. Non-Governmental Organisations (Amendment) Bill, 2022.
Bill for an Act to amend the Non-Governmental Organisations Act, Chapter 315 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2020; to provide for the appointment of a Registrar of Non-Governmental Organisations; to provide for the appointment of a Deputy Registrar of Non-Governmental Organisations; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
(The Honourable Minister of Education, Culture, Science and Technology)
Motions Introduced and Adopted:
- Resolution Recommending the Appointment of a Personto Act as Auditor-General Motion, 2022.
- Resolution Approving Statutory Instruments Formally Signed into Law and Published in the Gazette to Give Effect to the Conservation Commitments Specified in Clause 1, Milestone 1 and Clause 2, Milestone 2 of Exhibit A of the Conservation Agreement Motion, 2022.
(The Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment)
The above-mentioned two (2) Motions were adopted.
BILLS FOR SECOND READING:
1. General Revenue Supplementary Appropriation (No.2) (2022/2023) Bill, 2022.
2. General Revenue Supplementary Appropriation (No.3) (2022/2023) Bill, 2022.
3. Belize International Services Limited (Settlement) Bill, 2022.
4. Trade Marks (Amendment) Bill, 2022.
Bill for an Act to amend the Trade Marks Act, Chapter 257 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2020; to give effect to the Protocol relating to the Madrid Agreement concerning the International Registration of Marks (“the Madrid Protocol”); and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
(The Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment
5. Hotels and Tourist Accommodation (Amendment) Bill, 2022.
Bill for an Act to amend the Hotels and Tourist Accommodation Act, Chapter 285 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2020; to provide for the Minister to make regulations to adjust the rate of accommodation tax to encourage tourism among certain classes of persons; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
6. Accommodation Tax (Remission of Arrears) Bill, 2022.
Bill for an Act to provide for the remission of arrears of accommodation tax under the Hotels and Tourist Accommodation Act; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
(The Honourable Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations)
7. Digital Government Bill, 2022.
Bill for an Act to establish the E-Governance and Digitalization Department and provide for its powers, duties and functions; to promote and regulate the provision of electronic government (e-government) services; to enhance service delivery, citizen’s access, and the efficiency and effectiveness of government administrative procedures; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
The above-mentioned seven (7) Bills went through all their stages and passed.
For more information on the Orders of the day, kindly click link below:
https://www.nationalassembly.gov.bz/orders-of-the-day/hor-orders-day-2022/