On Wednesday, 19th April 2023, Senators came together in the National Assembly Chamber in Belmopan City for a Special Sitting of the Senate. The meeting began at 9:07 A.M. with the Belizean National Prayer offered by the Vice-President of the Senate, the Honourable, Senator Collet Montejo.

 

For this Special Sitting, Temporary Senator the Honourable Dr. Elma Kay subscribed to the Affirmation of Allegiance.

 

Hereinafter, the Honourable President of the Senate, Senator Carolyn Trench-Sandiford, congratulated in her announcement two Belizean athletes, Oscar Quiroz Jr., Champion of Holy Saturday Cross Country Classic Race, and Demetri Myers, Gold Medallist of the 1,500- and 3,000-meters race at the 50th Anniversary CARIFTA games.

 

 

After Madam President’s remarks, the Leader of Government Business, Senator Eamon Courtenay introduced THREE (3) Bills as follows:

  1.  Legal Aid Bill, 2023;
  2. Extradition Bill, 2023; and
  3. Non-Profit Organisations Bill, 2023.

The Senior Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which was introduced at a previous Sitting of the Senate finally went for its second reading taken with the Legal Aid Bill, 2023.

Unlike the other bills that were read a second time, the Extradition Bill, 2023 was deferred for its second reading until a further date.

This resulted in the Senior Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2023, being passed without amendment, and the Legal Aid Bill, 2023 and Non-Profit Organisations Bill, 2023 being passed with amendments.

The Non-Profit Organisations Bill, 2023 was subjected to extreme scrutiny due to the requirements imposed on it hence being passed with amendments after Members agreed it was satisfactory.

 

This takes into account the event of today’s Special Sitting of the Senate leading up to the meeting’s adjournment at 12:44 PM.