The House of Representatives met today in the Chambers of the National Assembly Building in Belmopan. The meeting began shortly after 10:00 A.M with an opening prayer by Ms. Mellissa Bennett.

On the days agenda were (3) Papers, No. HR32A/1/13    –      Social Security Board – Actuarial Valuation of the Social Security Scheme (at 31 December 2020);  No. HR32B/1/13    –  Social Security Board – Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 and Independent Auditors’ Report; and No. HR32C/1/13    –           Civil Works Contract Agreements for Haulover Bridge Replacement Project, that were ordered to lie on the Table.

As well, there were two (3) Motions.

1.         Resolution Authorizing the Transfer of Carbon Rights and Credits to the Belize Maya Forest Trust Motion, 2021.

2.         Resolution Authorizing the Transfer of Carbon Rights and Credits to the Maya Forest Corridor Trust Motion, 2021.

3.         Reparatory Justice for the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and Slavery in British Honduras Motion, 2021.

However, only Motions No. 1 and No. 2 were adopted and the Reparatory Justice for the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and Slavery in British Honduras Motion, 2021, got deferred.

There were 5 Bills that were introduced:

1.         Securities Industry Bill, 2021.

Bill for an Act to provide for the regulation of securities business and activities and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

2.         Stamp Duties (Amendment) (No.2) Bill, 2021.

Bill for an Act to amend the Stamp Duties Act Chapter 64 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011; to exempt public officers from the charge of stamp duties on certain instruments; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

3.         Money Laundering and Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

Bill for an Act to amend the Money Laundering and Terrorism (Prevention) Act, Chapter 104 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011; to allow for payments out of the Fund to be paid to the Attorney General’s Ministry for expenses in relation to mutual legal assistance and the fight against transnational organized crimes; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

4.         Court of Appeal (Amendment) (No. 3) 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 enlarge the time limits for appealing; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

5.         Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

Bill for an Act to amend the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act, Chapter 98 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011; to increase the penalty for the offence of spreading or publishing false news; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

 

BILLS FOR SECOND READING

1.         Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

Bill for an Act to amend the Companies Act, Chapter 250 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011; to remove the fee for certifying documents as in compliance with the Act; to allow for certain fees to be prescribed by Order published in the Gazette; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

2.         Stamp Duties (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

Bill for an Act to amend the Stamp Duties Act Chapter 64 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011; to exempt certain documents of a company from the payment of stamp duties; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

3.         Electronic Transfer of Funds Crimes Bill, 2021.

Bill for an Act to provide the regulation of the transfer of money through electronic means; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

4.         Electronic Transactions Bill, 2021.

Bill for an Act to give legal effect to all electronic documents, records and signatures; to repeal the Electronic Transactions Act, Chapter 229:03 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

5.         Tax Administration and Procedure (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

Bill for an Act to amend the Tax Administration and Procedure Act, Act No. 8 of 2019; to   authorize the Director General to publish the names of tax defaulters in the Gazette and any local newspaper; to amend the general provisions of Part X Criminal Proceedings pertaining to the prosecution of tax offences; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

6.         Immigration (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

 

Bill for an Act to amend the Immigration Act Chapter 156 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011; to provide for the addition of a new category of visitor permit to allow visitors to work remotely from Belize; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

8.         Belize Constitution (Tenth 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 an additional ground for vacating the office of a member of the Belize Advisory Council, the Election and Boundaries Commission, the Public Services Commission, and the Security Services Commission; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

9.         Electronic Evidence Bill, 2021.

Bill for an Act to make provision from electronic evidence; to repeal the Electronic Evidence Act, Chapter 95:01 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

10.       Data Protection Bill, 2021.

Bill for an Act to regulate the collection, keeping, use and dissemination of personal data; to protect the privacy of individuals in relation to their personal data; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

9.         Public Sector Data Sharing Bill, 2021.

Bill for an Act to facilitate the sharing of data between public sector agencies and other entities; to provide for an Office for Data Analytics; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

11.       Stamp Duties (Amendment) (No.2) Bill, 2021.

Bill for an Act to amend the Stamp Duties Act, Chapter 64 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011; to exempt public officers from the charge of stamp duties on certain instruments; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

12.       Money Laundering and Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

Bill for an Act to amend the Money Laundering and Terrorism (Prevention) Act, Chapter 104 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011; to allow for payments out of the Fund to be paid to the Attorney General’s Ministry for expenses in relation to mutual legal assistance and the fight against transnational organized crimes; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

13.       Court of Appeal (Amendment) (No. 3) 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 enlarge the time limits for appealing; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

However, the Belize Constitution (Tenth Amendment) Bill, 2021, was deferred.

Several Members spoke on the adjournment. The House was adjourned at 5:05