The Senate met today, Friday, 18th March 2022, in the Chambers of the National Assembly Building in Belmopan for a Special Sitting. The meeting began shortly after 10:00 A.M with the Belizean Prayer by Senator Erica Jang.  Following the prayer, the Honourable Madam President requested a moment of silence for the late Honourable Elito Omar Urbina, former Member of the House of Representatives, former President of the Senate, and former Ambassador. As well as Mr. Herbert Carton Panton, former Clerk of the National Assembly, former Magistrate and Attorney at law. Thereafter, the newly appointed thirteenth Senator, Janelle Chanona, representing the Non-Governmental Organizations took her oath of allegiance.

The proceedings of the began with the following on the agenda:

PAPERS

22/1/14    –       Supplementary Appropriation (No.4) Schedule for Fiscal Year 2021/2022.

23/1/14    –       Development Finance Corporation – Annual Report for the Year 2020.

Both Papers were ordered to lie on the Table.

 

MOTION

  1. Inter-American Development Bank – Program for Strengthening Public Expenditure Management in Belize – US$8 Million Loan Motion, 2022.

The abovementioned Motion was adopted.

 

BILLS INTRODUCED

  1. General Revenue Supplementary Appropriation (2021/2022) (No. 4) Bill, 2022.
  2. Central Bank of Belize (Amendment) Bill, 2022.
  3. Development Finance Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2022.
  4. Indictable Procedure (Amendment) Bill, 2022.
  5. Inferior Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2022.
  6. Protection of Witnesses Bill, 2022.
  7. Fisheries Resources (Amendment) Bill, 2022.

 

BILLS FOR SECOND READING 

  1. Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Bill, 2021.
  2. General Revenue Supplementary Appropriation (2021/2022) (No. 4) Bill, 2022.
  3. Central Bank of Belize (Amendment) Bill, 2022.
  4. Development Finance Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2022.
  5. Indictable Procedure (Amendment) Bill, 2022.
  6. Inferior Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2022.
  7. Protection of Witnesses Bill, 2022.
  8. Fisheries Resources (Amendment) Bill, 2022.

 

All the Bills passed without amendments, except for the Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Bill, 2021, which passed with amendments.

All Senators were present at today’s Sitting.