On Friday, 17th October 2025, at 10:21 A.M., a Meeting of the House of Representatives was held at the George Price Centre, Belmopan. It started with a prayer led by Ms. Margaret McGaan 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 Announcement by the Speaker, who acknowledged that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time when we come together in compassion, remembrance, and hope.   Deputy Speaker Marconi Leal Jr., who presided over the House Meeting, said the National Assembly was heartened to learn that Speaker Valerie Woods has completed her prescribed cancer treatment.

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:

No. HR27/1/14 -The Twenty-Third Annual Report from the Contractor General for the Period – April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025;

No. HR27A/1/14 -The Development Finance Corporation’s Annual Report for the Year 2024;

No. HR27B/1/14 – Belize Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Plan 2025-2030; and

No. HR27C/1/14 – Belize Social Investment Fund – Financial Statements for the Years ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 and Independent Auditors’ Report.

 

Reports from Select Committees:

There were SEVEN (7) important Committee Reports that were presented and laid on the Table during the meeting, signaling that these pieces of legislation have completed the Committee review stage:

  1. Finance and Economic Development Committee
    1. HR28/1/14 – Report from the Finance and Economic Development Committee on the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund – Program to Improve the Labour Force Participation and Employability in Belize – US$7 Million – Loan Motion, 2025; and

 

  1. HR29/1/14 – Report from the Finance and Economic Development Committee on the InterAmerican Development Bank – Program to Improve the Labour Force Participation and Employability in Belize – US$7 Million Loan Motion, 2025.

 

  1. Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee
    1. HR29A/1/14  – Report from the Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee on the Civil Registry and Vital Statistics Bill, 2025.

 

  1. Ombudsman Reports Committee
    1. HR30/1/14  –  Report from the Ombudsman Reports Committee on The Twenty-Second Annual Report of the Ombudsman of Belize for the period January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024.

 

  1. Finance and Economic Development Committee
    1. HR31/1/14 – Report from the Finance and Economic Development Committee on the Belize Electricity Investments Bill, 2025; and

 

  1. HR32/1/14 – Report from the Finance and Economic Development Committee on the Fiscal Incentives (Amendment) (No.2) Bill, 2025.
  1. Natural Resources and Environment Committee
    1. HR33/1/14 -Report from the Natural Resources and Environment Committee on the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Management Bill, 2025.

FIVE (5) new Bills were introduced and referred to their respective House Committees for examination, consideration and report:

  1. Belize Electricity Investments Bill, 2025– This Bill was referred to the Finance and Economic Development Committee; the Bill aims to ratify and give effect to the FBL Share Purchase Agreement for the acquisition of all issued and outstanding shares in Fortis Belize Limited and the purchase of 22,984,662 shares in Belize Electricity Limited from Fortis Cayman Inc.; it provides for the use of public funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to finance these transactions and empowers the Financial Secretary to make the necessary payments and to raise financing through the issuance of Treasury Bills and Treasury Notes; and the Bill also makes provision for the eventual divestment of the acquired shares to members of the public and addresses all matters incidental to or connected with these purposes.

 

  1. Fiscal Incentives (Amendment) (No.2) Bill, 2025.– This  Bill was referred to the Finance and Economic Development Committee; this amends the Fiscal Incentives Act, Act No. 4 of 2023, to extend the deadline by which Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) must complete their formalization process in order to qualify for benefits under the Act. It also provides for any related or incidental matters necessary to give effect to this extension.

 

  1. Integrated Coastal and Ocean Management Bill, 2025. – This  Bill was referred to the Natural Resources and Environment Committee; this Bill repeals and replaces the Coastal Zone Management Act to modernize and expand Belize’s approach to coastal and ocean governance; it introduces integrated coastal zone management and marine spatial planning to align with international best practices; the Bill aims to protect and manage coastal and marine ecosystems, address human impacts, and strengthen climate resilience; it also promotes the fair use of resources, improves coordination across sectors, and supports science-based, participatory decision-making, while providing for related or incidental matters.

 

  1. Deoxyribonucleic Acid Bill, 2025.– This  Bill was referred to the Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee; this Bill seeks to establish a National DNA Database and create a legal framework for its operation. It is intended to support the collection, storage, and use of DNA samples to aid in the investigation and prosecution of serious criminal offences; the Bill also sets out rules for managing, retaining, and destroying DNA samples and profiles, provides for the use of DNA in identifying missing or unidentified deceased persons, and establishes an oversight body to ensure proper governance; and it also addresses any related or incidental matters necessary for the effective functioning of the database.

 

  1. Tobacco Control Bill, 2025.– This  Bill was referred to the Health and Human Development Committee; this Bill provides for the adoption and enforcement of tobacco control measures in line with the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control; its goal is to protect current and future generations from the harmful effects of tobacco use and exposure to tobacco smoke; the Bill aims to prevent tobacco use among children, safeguard the public and workers from secondhand smoke, raise awareness about the health risks of tobacco, and ensure people can make informed choices; and it also establishes a national coordinating mechanism for effective tobacco control and addresses related or incidental matters.

 

 Questions were put and agreed to that the next stages of the following three Bills be taken forthwith:

  • Belize Electricity Investments Bill, 2025;
  • Fiscal Incentives (Amendment) (No.2) Bill, 2025; and
  • Integrated Coastal and Ocean Management Bill, 2025.

Motions:

In addition, a total of 3 Motions were read and approved in the meeting being:

  1. Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund – Program to Improve the Labour Force Participation and Employability in Belize – US$7 Million – Loan Motion, 2025;
  2. Inter-American Development Bank – Program to Improve the Labour Force Participation and Employability in Belize – US$7 Million Loan Motion, 2025; and
  3. Adoption of the Report from the Ombudsman Reports Committee on The Twenty-Second Annual Report of the Ombudsman of Belize for the period January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024.

Furthermore FIVE (5) Bills were debated and read for a Second time, and these are:

 

  1. Belize Electricity Investments Bill, 2025;
  1. Fiscal Incentives (Amendment) (No.2) Bill, 2025; 
  1. Integrated Coastal and Ocean Management Bill, 2025; 
  1. Gaming and Lotteries Control Bill, 2025; and 
  1. Civil Registry and Vital Statistics Bill, 2025.

 

 Bills 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. Belize Electricity Investments Bill, 2025, (Passed without Amendment);
  1. Fiscal Incentives (Amendment) (No.2) Bill, 2025, (Passed without Amendment);
  1. Integrated Coastal and Ocean Management Bill, 2025, (Passed without Amendment);
  1. Gaming and Lotteries Control Bill, 2025, (Passed with Amendment); and
  1. Civil Registry and Vital Statistics Bill, 2025, (Passed with Amendment).

 

What’s Next in Parliament?

The House adjourned at 4:45 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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