On Friday, 12th September 2025, at 10:25 A.M., a special Meeting of the House of Representatives was held at the George Price Centre, Belmopan. It started with a prayer led by Mr. Robert Mossiah and came to order as Members gathered to deliberate on matters of national importance. The meeting underscored Parliament’s vital role in shaping policies, strengthening institutions, and advancing the interests of the Belizean people.

The second item on the agenda was the Oath of Allegiance that was administered to the Honourable Hugo Patt, Member for Corozal North, by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Mrs. Clarita Pech.  Thereafter, the Deputy Speaker Marconi Leal Jr. gave an announcement.

Bill brought from the Senate:

The People’s Constitution Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2025, was sent back to the House of Representatives after the Senate agreed on a set of amendments for consideration and review.  The House approved the amendments as recommended by the Senate.

Papers:      

A total of FOUR (4) House Papers were presented by the Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Investment, Economic Transformation, Civil Aviation, and E-Governance as follows:

  1. HR18/1/14 – Report of the Auditor General for the year April 2015 to March 2016;
  2. HR19/1/14 – The Twenty-Second Annual Report of the Ombudsman of Belize for the period January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024;
  3. HR20/1/14 – Central Bank of Belize – Annual Report and Statement of Accounts for the Year 2024; and
  4. HR21/1/14 – Central Bank of Belize – Revised Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for Fiscal Year 2025.

The first two Papers were referred to House Committees while the other two were ordered to lie on the Table.

Meanwhile, ONE (1) House Paper was presented and laid on the Table by the Honourable Minister of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour and Local Government) as follows:

  1. HR21A/1/14 – Submission of International Labour Standards adopted by the International Labour Conference at twenty-four (24) sessions held between 1990 to 2025.

Reports from Select Committees:

SIX (6) important reports were presented laid on the Table during the sitting, signalling that these pieces of legislations have completed the Committee review stage:

  1. Finance and Economic Development Committee
  • Sessional Paper No. HR22/1/14 – Report on the Gaming and Lotteries Control Bill, 2025;
  • Sessional Paper No. HR24/1/14 – Report on the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) – Subscription Motion, 2025;
  • Sessional Paper No. HR25/1/14 – Report on the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) – Amendment No.1 to Loan Agreement No. 6020236013 – Loan Amendment Motion, 2025;
  • Sessional Paper No. HR26/1/14 – Report on the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development Through its International Development Association (IDA) – Belize Development Policy Credit With Catastrophe Drawdown Option – US$20 Million – Loan Motion, 2025.

 

  1. Education, Sports, and Housing Committee:
  • Sessional Paper No. HR23/1/14 – Report on the School Teachers’  Pension (Amendment) Bill, 2025.

 

  1. Public Service, Labour, Industry and Trade Committee:
  • Sessional Paper No. HR27/1/14 – Report on the Trade Licensing (Amendment) Bill, 2025.

Legislation on the Move:

TWO (2) new Bills were introduced and referred to their respective House Committees for further examination, consideration and report:

  1. Trade Licensing (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (was referred to the Public Service, Labour, Industry and Trade Committee) – The new amendment to the Trade Licensing Bill changes the start date of the law; this gives more time to inform and educate the public about what the law covers and how it will affect them.

 

2. Climate Change and Carbon Market Initiatives Bill, 2025 (as referred to the Natural Resources and Environment Committee_ – This Bill creates Belize’s comprehensive               climate law that would help the country prepare for climate change impacts, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and develop sustainably while meeting international climate commitments. It             also establishes a carbon credit trading system that would allow Belize to earn money by protecting its environment and selling those credits to other countries or companies looking to offset             their pollution.

Motions:

In continuance, a total of 5 Motions were read and presented in the meeting being:

  1. Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) – Subscription Motion, 2025;
  2. Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund – Program to Improve the Labour Force Participation and Employability in Belize – US$7 Million – Loan Motion, 2025;
  3. Inter-American Development Bank – Program to Improve the Labour Force Participation and Employability in Belize – US$7 Million Loan Motion, 2025;
  4. Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) – Amendment No.1 to Loan Agreement No. 6020236013 – Loan Amendment Motion, 2025;
  5. International Bank for Reconstruction and Development Through its International Development Association (IDA) – Belize Development Policy Credit With Catastrophe Drawdown Option – US$20 Million – Loan Motion, 2025.

 

Furthermore TWO (2) Bills were read for a Second time and a Third time, and these are:

 

  1. Trade Licensing (Amendment) Bill, 2025 – The new Amendment to the Trade Licensing Bill changes the start date of the law; this gives more time to inform and educate the public about what the law covers and how it will affect them.

 

  1. School Teachers’ Pensions (Amendment) Bill, 2025 – The School Teachers’ Pensions (Amendment) Bill, 2025, amends the School Teachers’ Pensions Act to implement the 2021–2024 Collective Bargaining Agreement; it clarifies that, for teachers in government-aided schools, pension calculations are based on the portion of salary covered by grant-in-aid under the Education Act.

Meanwhile, the Gaming and Lotteries Control Bill, 2025, was listed to be debated, but its second reading was deferred to a later date.

 

Bills and Motions Debated and Passed:

After the second reading, the Bills were thoroughly reviewed in the Committee of the Whole House and were ultimately read for a Third time, marking the final stage in the legislative process in the House.

  1. Trade Licensing (Amendment) Bill, 2025, Passed without Amendment;

 

  1. School Teachers’ Pensions (Amendment) Bill, 2025, Passed without Amendment;

 

  1. Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) – Subscription Motion, 2025, Passed without Amendment;

 

  1. Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) – Amendment No.1 to Loan Agreement No. 6020236013 – Loan Amendment Motion, 2025, Passed without Amendment; and

 

  1. International Bank for Reconstruction and Development Through its International Development Association (IDA) – Belize Development Policy Credit With Catastrophe Drawdown Option – US$20 Million – Loan Motion, 2025, Passed without Amendment.

What’s Next in Parliament?

The House adjourned at 4:01 p.m. to a date to be fixed by the Speaker.

Stay Engaged

This sitting reflects the National Assembly’s continued work to strengthen Belize’s legislative framework and advance national priorities. Members of the public are encouraged to stay informed, follow proceedings, and access sessional papers, Bills, and Hansards via the Assembly’s official website.

Together, let’s build a more informed and engaged Belize.

 

Rewatch the Sitting of the House of Representatives: HERE

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