The Senate met today, 6 December, 2019, at 10:10 A.M. in the Chamber of the National Assembly Building, Belmopan for a Special Sitting. The meeting began with a word of prayer by Senator Isabel Bennett followed by the swearing in of the two temporary Senators, Herbert Panton and Lee Mark Chang. Senator Herbert Panton was alternate for Senator Michael Peyrefitte and Senator Lee Mark Chang was alternate for Senator Stephen Duncan, who was unable to attend today’s sitting.
Mr. President then rose and made a short statement in commemoration of Garifuna Settlement Day and the National Anthem of Belize was song in Garifuna. He also gave his Christmas Greetings.
The order of business then began with the Land Tax (Partial Remission of Arrears) (Extension of Duration) Order, 2019, ordered to lie on the Table. Furthermore, the Inter-American Development Bank – Education Quality Improvement Program (EQIP) II (US$10,000,000) Loan Motion, 2019, was adopted. As well, three Bills were passed, namely:
1. Hydro Maya Power Project Bill, 2019;
2. Customs Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2019;
3. Supplies Control (Amendment) Bill, 2019; and
4. Firearms (Amendment) Bill, 2019.
On the adjournment, the Leader of Government Business, the Honourable Senator Godwin Hulse made a short intervention with his Christmas Greetings anticipating that this would be the last Senate Meeting for the year 2019. The meeting was adjourned at 1:49 P.M.
