Today, Thursday, 30th May 2024, approximately 60 Std I students, 5 parents and 3 teachers from the Kuxlin Ha Government Primary School visited the National Assembly for a tour of the Legislature before the Honourable Members gathered in the Chambers of the National Assembly Building in Belmopan for a Special Sitting of the House of Representatives. The meeting began at 10:21 A.M. with the Belizean National Prayer offered by Ms. Keily Keme, a student and member of the Leadership Club from Escuela Secundaria Tecnica/Mexico.
Deputy Speaker, Honourable Marconi Leal on behalf of the Honourable Speaker Woods acknowledged the students from the Escuela Secundaria Tecnica/Mexico in the Corozal District, students and teachers from Stella Maris School Belize, representatives from the Special Olympics, students from the visually impaired community, persons in wheelchairs, parents and advocates, approximately 62 students from classes Std I to VI in the company of 5 teachers and the Principal of San Jose RC present in the galleries.
In addition, Honourable Marconi Leal announced that he will be taking the Chair for this Special Sitting since the Honourable Speaker Woods is on Parliamentary Duties attending the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) held by the UN Women and the Caribbean Development Bank.
Following the National Prayer, the Honourable Minister of Public Utilities, Energy, Logistics, and E-Governance and the Honourable Minister of the Blue Economy and Disaster Risk Management both rose to make Statements on matters of importance relative to their particular portfolio.
*For more information on the Statements, please see the link with the live broadcast*
Hereon was the introduction of Bills by the Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Economic Development, Investment, Civil Aviation; the Honourable Minister of Human Development, Families, and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs; the Honourable Minister of Public Service, Constitutional and Political Reform and Religious Affairs; and the Honourable Minister of Public Utilities, Energy, Logistics, and E-Governance respectively.
The following FIVE (5) Bills were introduced:
- Insurance (Amendment) Bill, 2024;
- Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill, 2024;
- Disabilities Bill, 2024;
- Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill, 2024; and
- Southern Deep Port Development Facility Bill, 2024.
All of the above-mentioned Bills were referred to their appropriate Committees. Moving on, several Members of the House rose to speak at the adjournment of the meeting on several matters of urgent public importance.
Hereafter the Special Sitting of the House of Representatives was adjourned at 12:10 P.M.
For further information on the Orders of the Day, please see the link below:
https://www.nationalassembly.gov.bz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Orders-of-the-Day-30th-May-2024.pdf
For access to the Draft Bills introduced, please see the link below:
https://www.nationalassembly.gov.bz/draft-bills-2024/
For access to the broadcast of the Sitting, kindly see the link below:
https://www.youtube.com/live/mjHzwodrED8?si=vsYAg0vS3Rh0qfsV
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/cWmXGt1vbM9ESdgJ/?mibextid=w8EBqM