The House of Representative’s Budget Debate began yesterday, March 23, 2017,  in the Chambers of the National Assembly Building, Belmopan. The debate on the General Revenue Appropriation (2017/2018) Bill, 2017, commenced with the Leader of the Opposition being the first person to debate the Bill. As the day progressed, only eight Members got a chance to give their support, or for some their deliberations as to why they cannot support the Bill.

From the  days Agenda,  4 Bills  were introduced and were scheduled to pass in one days sitting, however, due to the budget debate, the second and third reading  of the Bills were read today March 24, 2017. They are:

BILLS INTRODUCED

  1. Criminal Code (Amendment) Bill, 2017;
  2. Evidence (Amendment) Bill, 2017;
  3. Indictable procedure (Amendment) Bill, 2017; and
  4. Parole Bill, 2017.

The meeting started at 10:17 A.M and was adjourned at 6:05 P.M.

   

 

So today, March 24, 2017, the Budget debate continued in order for the other Members that didn’t get a chance to share their views on  the General Revenue Appropriation (2017/2018) Bill, 2017 to do so.

 

At the end of the day, 12 Bills were passed. They are:

BILLS PASSED

  1. General Revenue Appropriation (2017/2018) Bill, 2017;
  2. Central Bank of Belize (Amendment) Bill, 2017;
  3. Customs and Excise Duties (Amendment) Bill, 2017.
  4. Stamp Duties (Amendment) Bill, 2017.
  5. General Sales Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2017.
  6. Environmental Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2017.
  7. Statutory Bodies (Development Contribution) Bill, 2017.
  8. Protected Areas Conservation Trust (Amendment) Bill, 2017.
  9. Criminal Code (Amendment) Bill, 2017;
  10. Evidence (Amendment) Bill, 2017;
  11. Indictable procedure (Amendment) Bill, 2017; and
  12. Parole Bill, 2017.

Absent at both Meetings was the Honourable Gaspar Vega.

The meeting began at 10:06 A.M.  and was adjourned at 11:25 P.M.