28th OCTOBER 2021 – Special Sitting of the Senate

Today, Thursday, 28th October 2020, the Senate met in the Chambers of the National Assembly for a Special Sitting of the Senate. The meeting began with the Belizean Prayer by Madam President, followed by the Oath of Allegiance of Temporary Senators. Mr. Linsford Castillo was alternate for Senator Erica Jang, and Mr. Luis Luke Martinez was alternate for Senator Elena Smith. As well, Senator Shary Medina is still the alternate for Senator Sheena Pitts, since 7th July 2021.

The agenda was somewhat lengthy with the following government business that took place.

There were 2 Paper ordered to lie on the Table. Sessional Papers Nos.:

14/1/14 – Supplementary Appropriation (No.6) Schedule for Fiscal Year 2020/2021.

15/1/14 – Supplementary Appropriation (No.1) Schedule for Fiscal Year 2021/2022.

There were 15 Motions that were adopted which are:

1. Resolution Authorizing the Ratification by the Government of Belize of the Agreement Between the Government of Belize and the Government of the Russian Federation on Mutual Visa Exemption for Nationals of Belize and the Nationals of the Russian Federation Motion, 2021.

2. Government of The Republic of China (Taiwan) – Amendment No. 1 to Loan Agreement No. 025-106001 Loan Amendment Motion, 2021.

3. Government of The Republic of China (Taiwan) – Amendment No. 2 to Loan Agreement No. 6020236004 Loan Amendment Motion, 2021.

4. Government of The Republic of China (Taiwan) – Amendment No. 1 to Loan Agreement No. 6020236005 Loan Amendment Motion, 2021.

5. Government of The Republic of China (Taiwan) – Amendment No. 1 to Loan Agreement No. 6020236006 Loan Amendment Motion, 2021.

6. Government of The Republic of China (Taiwan) – Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Loan Agreement No. 6020236007 Loan Amendment Motion, 2021.

7. Government of The Republic of China (Taiwan) – Amendment No. 1 to Loan Agreement No. 6020236008 Loan Amendment Motion, 2021.

8. Government of The Republic of China (Taiwan) – Amendment No. 1 to Loan Agreement No. 6020236009 Loan Amendment Motion, 2021.

9. Government of The Republic of China (Taiwan) – Amendment No. 1 To Loan Agreement No. 6020236010 Loan Amendment Motion, 2021.

10. Government of The Republic of China (Taiwan) – Amendment No. 1 To Loan Agreement No. 6020236011 Loan Amendment Motion, 2021.

11. Government of The Republic of China (Taiwan) – Amendment No. 1 To Loan Agreement No. 6020236012 Loan Amendment Motion, 2021.

12. Inter-American Development Bank – Global Credit Program for Safeguarding the Productive Sectors and Employment US$15.0 Million Loan and Guarantee Motion, 2021.

13. Resolution Authorising the Purchase and Redemption of the GOB U.S. Dollar Bonds Due 2034, The Blue Loan Agreement, The Conservation Funding Agreement and The Ancillary Agreements Motion, 2021.

14. Reparatory Justice for the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and Slavery in British Honduras Motion, 2021.

15. Belize House of Representatives Resolution on Palestine Motion, 2021.

And last but not least, there were 19 Bills that were introduced. Those are:

1. General Revenue Supplementary Appropriation (2020/2021) (No. 6) Bill, 2021.

2. General Revenue Supplementary Appropriation (2021/2022) (No. 1) Bill, 2021.

3. Securities Industry Bill, 2021.

4. Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

5. Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

6. Blue Bonds Loan Bill, 2021.

7. National Liquefied Petroleum Gas Project (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

8. Public Health (Amendment) (No.3) Bill, 2021.

9. Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

10. Medical Services and Institutions (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

11. Medical Practice (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

12. Antibiotics (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

13. Quarantine (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

14. Social Security Board (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

15. Shops (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

16. Chemists and Druggists (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

17. Dentists (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

18. Opticians (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

19. Registration of Nursing Homes (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

Of the nineteen Bills that were introduced, only eighteen (18) passed and one (1) was held back at the Second Reading stage for further consultation, which was the Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

The Meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.