Today the House of Representatives convened in the Chambers of the National Assembly of Belize, in Belmopan, shortly after 10:00 A.M. The below measures were on today’s agenda.

PAPERS

 No. HR113A/1/13  –   Supplementary Appropriation (No.1) Schedule for Fiscal Year 2022/2023.

No. HR113B/1/13  –    Central Bank of Belize Fortieth Annual Report and Statement of Accounts for the Year Ending 31st December 2021.

The above mentioned two (2) Papers were ordered to lie on the Table.

 

BILLS INTRODUCED

  1. General Revenue Supplementary Appropriation (2022/2023) (No. 1) Bill, 2022.

Bill for an Act to appropriate further sums of money for the use of the Public Service of Belize for the financial year ending on the thirty-first day of March, two thousand and twenty-three.

  1. Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters (Amendment) Bill, 2022.

Bill for an Act to amend the Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters Act, Chapter 103:03 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2020; to increase the statutory period for retention of records by reporting financial institutions; to impose civil sanctions on reporting financial institutions for failure to apply due diligence procedures on persons for providing false self-certifications; to provide a threshold for controlling persons; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

(The Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment) 

  1. Hotels and Tourist Accommodation (Amendment) Bill, 2022.

 Bill for an Act to amend the Hotels and Tourist Accommodation Act, Chapter 285 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2020; to provide for the Minister to make regulations to adjust the rate of accommodation tax to encourage tourism among certain classes of persons; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

  1. Accommodation Tax (Remission of Arrears) Bill, 2022.

Bill for an Act to provide for the remission of arrears of accommodation tax under the Hotels and Tourist Accommodation Act; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

(The Honourable Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations) 

  1.  The People’s Constitution Commission Bill, 2022.

    Bill for an Act to provide for the establishment of a People’s Constitution Commission to draft and guide the process of promulgating a new Constitution for Belize or amendments to the Belize Constitution; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

(The Honourable Minister of Public Service, Constitutional and Political Reform, Religious Affairs)

  1. Digital Government Bill, 2022.

Bill for an Act to establish the E-Governance and Digitalization Department and provide for its powers, duties and functions; to promote and regulate the provision of electronic government (e-government) services; to enhance service delivery, citizen’s access, and the efficiency and effectiveness of government administrative procedures; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

(The Honourable Minister of Public Utilities, Energy, Logistics and E-Governance)

7. Public Sector Emoluments and Allowances Reduction (Repeal) Bill, 2022.

Bill for an Act to repeal the Public Sector Emoluments and Allowances Reduction Act, Act No. 14 of 2021; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

8.  Trade Marks (Amendment) Bill, 2022.

Bill for an Act to amend the Trade Marks Act, Chapter 253 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2020; to give effect to the Protocol relating to the Madrid Agreement concerning the International Registration of Marks (“the Madrid Protocol”); and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

(The Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment)

 

BILLS FOR SECOND READING

  1. Belizean Nationality (Amendment) Bill, 2022.

Bill for an Act to amend the Belizean Nationality Act, Chapter 161 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2020; to provide for an amnesty program for irregular migrants; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

(The Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment) 

  1. Defamation Bill, 2022.

Bill for an Act to repeal the Libel and Defamation Act and to make new provisions relating to the tort of defamation; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

  1. Married Persons (Protection) (Amendment) Bill, 2022.

Bill for an Act to amend the Married Persons (Protection) Act, Chapter 175 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2020; to remove the fault grounds for application for judicial separation, and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

(The Honourable Minister of Education, Culture, Science and Technology)

 

BILLS PASSED

  1. General Revenue Supplementary Appropriation (No. 1) (2022/2023) Bill, 2022.
  2. Public Sector Emoluments and Allowances Reduction (Amendment) Bill, 2022.
  3. Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters (Amendment) Bill, 2022.
  4. Belizean Nationality (Amendment) Bill, 2022.
  5. Defamation Bill, 2022.
  6. Married Persons (Protection) (Amendment) Bill, 2022.
  7. Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Bill, 2022.

The above mention seven (7) Bills passed the House.

MOTIONS

  1. Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) – Loan Commitment Under Bilateral Cooperation Program (US$75,000,000) Loan Motion, 2022.
  2. Central American Bank for Economic Integration – Expansion and Rehabilitation of the Philip Goldson Highway Loan Motion, 2022.

The above mentioned two (2) Motions were adopted by the House.

Links to more information:

Orders of the Day:https://www.nationalassembly.gov.bz/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Orders-of-the-Day-15-July-2022.pdf

Supplementary Orders of the Day: https://www.nationalassembly.gov.bz/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Supplementary-15th-Juy-2022-1.pdf