On Monday, 15th September 2025, at 9:00 A.M., a special Meeting of the Senate was held at the George Price Centre, Belmopan. It started with a prayer led by Senator Gabriel Zetina and came to order as Senators gathered to dissect matters of national importance.
On the agenda was the Oath of Allegiance, item No. 2, that was administered to the Attorney General, Hon. Anthony Sylvestre, who was sworn in as a temporary Senator, by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Mrs. Clarita Pech. Hon. Anthony Sylvestre served as the Leader of Government Business, as Senator Eamon Courtenay was absent from Monday’s proceedings. Thereafter, Madam President gave an announcement.
Bills brought from the House of Representatives:
- 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.
- Trade Licensing (Amendment) Bill, 2025 – The new Amendment to the Trade Licensing Act changes the start date of the law; this is to give more time to inform and educate the public about what the law covers and how it will affect them.
Papers:
A total of THREE (3) Papers were presented and laid on the Table by the Leader of Government Business as follows:
No. 2/1/15 – Central Bank of Belize – Annual Report and Statement of Accounts for the Year 2024.
No. 3/1/15 – Central Bank of Belize – Revised Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for Fiscal Year 2025.
No. 4/1/15 – Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour and Local Government – Submission of International Labour Standards adopted by the International Labour Conference at twenty-four (24) sessions held between 1990 to 2025.
Motions:
In continuance, a total of SIX (6) Motions were read and presented at the meeting being:
- Resolution Authorizing the Ratification of the Agreement Establishing the Advisory Centre on World Trade Organization Law (ACWL) Motion, 2025;
- Resolution Authorizing the Ratification of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (OPANAL) Motion, 2025;
- Resolution Authorizing the Accession of the Protocol on the Privileges and Immunities of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Motion, 2025;
- Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) – Subscription Motion, 2025;
- Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) – Amendment No.1 to Loan Agreement No. 6020236013 – Loan Amendment Motion, 2025; and
- 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.
The first THREE (3) Resolutions were debated and then referred to the Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee for examination, consideration and report. Thereafter, the Resolutions were adopted by the Senate without amendment. Meanwhile, the last THREE (3) Motions were debated and passed without amendments.
Furthermore TWO (2) Bills were debated and read for a Second time, and these are:
- 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.
- Trade Licensing (Amendment) Bill, 2025 – The new Amendment to the Trade Licensing Act changes the start date of the law; it gives more time to inform and educate the public about what the law covers and how it will affect them.
Bills Passed:
After the second reading, the two Bills were thoroughly reviewed in the Committee of the Whole Senate. Thereafter, the Bills were read for a Third time, marking the final stage in the legislative process in the Senate.
- School Teachers’ Pensions (Amendment) Bill, 2025, Passed without Amendment; and
- Trade Licensing (Amendment) Bill, 2025, Passed without Amendment.
What’s Next in Parliament?
The Senate adjourned at 7:34 p.m. to a date to be fixed by the President.
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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