On Thursday, 7th December 2023, 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 10:34 A.M. with the Belizean National Prayer offered by Pastor Irvin Thimbriel.

Following prayers, Honourable Speaker Woods made several announcements with the first stating the start of using certified sign interpreters during House meetings so that those who communicate by sign can participate during the meetings.

The next announcement acknowledged the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence. This was followed by Members standing for a moment of silence for those who are victims of gender-based violence.

Lastly, the Honourable Speaker Woods acknowledged the support of the Minster of Finance, the Honourable Prime Minister, and his team on the proposal for the temporary relocation of the National Assembly for the renovation works to commence as soon as possible.

 

The following TWO (2) Papers were presented and ordered to be laid on the Table:

No. HR225A/1/13 – Supplementary Appropriation (No. 2) Schedule for Fiscal Year 2023/2024.

No. HR226/1/13 – Twenty-First Annual Report of the Contractor General for the period 1st April 2022 to 31st March 2023.

 

 

Hereon, the following SIX (6) Reports were presented and ordered to lie on the Table:

No. HR227/1/13 – Report from the Finance and Economic Development Committee on the Municipal Securities Bill, 2023.

 No. HR228/1/13 – Report from the Finance and Economic Development Committee on the Fiscal Incentives (Decisions of the Minister) (Validation) Bill, 2023.

No. HR229/1/13 – Report from the Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee on the Criminal Code (Amendment) (No.2) Bill, 2023.

 No. HR230/1/13 – Report from the Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee on the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

No. HR231/1/13 – Report from the National Security and Immigration Committee on the Belizean Nationality (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

 No. HR232/1/13 – Report from the National Security and Immigration Committee on the Economic Citizenship (Abolition of Rights) Bill, 2023.

 

A total of ELEVEN (11) Bills were introduced between the Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment, the Honourable Minister of Human Development, Families and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, The Honourable Minister of Public Utilities, Energy, Logistics and E-Governance, the Honourable Minister of Education, Culture, Science & Technology, namely:

  1. Families and Children (Amendment) Bill, 2023;
  2.  Harbours and Merchant Shipping (Amendment) Bill, 2023;
  3.  Financial Services Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2023;
  4.  Limited Liability Companies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2023;
  5.  Money Laundering and Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2023;
  6.  International Foundations (Amendment) Bill, 2023;
  7.  Non-Profit Organisations (Amendment) Bill, 2023;
  8.  Belize City Port Acquisition and Settlement Deeds Bill, 2023;
  9.  General Revenue Supplementary Appropriation (2023/2024) (No. 2) Bill, 2023;
  10.  Education and Training (Amendment) Bill, 2023; and
  11.  National Women’s Commission Bill, 2023.

The Sitting was briefly suspended to allow the Finance and Economic Development Committee to conduct their business. After resuming, the following Reports were presented and ordered to be laid on the Table:

No. HR234/1/13 – Report from the Finance and Economic Development Committee on the Belize City Port Acquisition and Settlement Deeds Bill, 2023.

No. HR235/1/13 – Report from the Finance and Economic Development Committee on the Financial Services Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

 No. HR236/1/13 – Report from the Finance and Economic Development Committee on the Limited Liability Companies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2023.

 No. HR237/1/13 – Report from the Finance and Economic Development Committee on the Money Laundering and Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2023.

 No. HR238/1/13 – Report from the Finance and Economic Development Committee on the International Foundations (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

 No. HR239/1/13 – Report from the Finance and Economic Development Committee on the Non-Profit Organisations (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

 

Of the ELEVEN (11) Bills introduced at this Sitting of the House, the following SIX (6) Bills were debated:

  1. Financial Services Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2023;
  2.  Limited Liability Companies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2023;
  3.  Money Laundering and Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2023;
  4.  International Foundations (Amendment) Bill, 2023;
  5.  Non-Profit Organisations (Amendment) Bill, 2023; and
  6.  Belize City Port Acquisition and Settlement Deeds Bill, 2023.

 

The following SEVEN (7) Bills were also listed for Second Reading:

  1.  Belizean Nationality (Amendment) Bill, 2023;
  2.  Economic Citizenship (Abolition of Rights) Bill, 2023;
  3.  Municipal Securities Bill, 2023;
  4.  Fiscal Incentives (Decisions of the Minister) (Validation) Bill, 2023;
  5.  Criminal Code (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2023;
  6.  Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) (Amendment) Bill, 2023; and
  7.  National Accreditation Council of Belize (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

 

Of the THIRTEEN (13) Bills debated, ONE (1) Bill was passed with amendment, namely:

  1. Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

 

This summarizes the events of this Sitting of the House of Representatives with the meeting adjourning at 8:48 P.M.

 

For further information on the Orders of the Day, please see the links below:

https://www.nationalassembly.gov.bz/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Orders-of-the-Day-for-the-House-7-Dec.-2023.pdf

https://www.nationalassembly.gov.bz/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Supplementary-Orders-of-the-Day-1-December-7-2023.pdf

https://www.nationalassembly.gov.bz/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Supplementary-Orders-of-the-Day-2-7th-December-2023.pdf

 

For access to the Draft Bills introduced, please see the link below:

https://www.nationalassembly.gov.bz/draft-bills-2023/

 

For access to the broadcast of the Sitting, kindly see the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/live/KkVDNVy-X08?si=EJIZRG6n1I3ZzztE