On Monday, 20th October 2025, at 9:14 A.M., a special Meeting of the Senate was held at the George Price Centre, Belmopan. It started with a prayer led by Senator Brittney Galvez and came to order as Senators gathered to dissect matters of national importance. Thereafter, Madam President gave an announcement.

The Bills brought from the House of Representatives were:

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

Papers:

A total of FIVE (5) Papers were presented and laid on the Table by the Leader of Government Business as follows:

  • 5/1/15 – The Twenty-Second Annual Report of the Ombudsman of Belize for the period January 1, 2024, to December 31,2024;
  • 6/1/15 – The Twenty-Third Annual Report from the Contractor General for the Period – April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025;
  • 7/1/15 – Development Finance Corporation’s Annual Report for the Year 2024;
  • 8/1/15 – Belize Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Plan 2025-2030; and
  • 9/1/15 – Belize Social Investment Fund – Financial Statements for the Years ended March 31, 2025, and 2024 and Independent Auditors’ Report.

Motions:

In continuance, a total of TWO (2) Loan Motions were presented, debated, and approved at the meeting being:

  • Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund – Program to Improve the Labour Force Participation and Employability in Belize – US$7 Million – Loan Motion, 2025; and
  • Inter-American Development Bank – Program to Improve the Labour Force Participation and Employability in Belize – US$7 Million – Loan Motion, 2025.

Furthermore THREE (3) Bills were debated and read for a Second time, and these are:

  1. Belize Electricity Investments Bill, 2025 – This Bill is aimed 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.
  2. Fiscal Incentives (Amendment) (No.2) Bill, 2025 –This Bill 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; and it also provides for any related or incidental matters necessary to give effect to this extension.
  3. Integrated Coastal and Ocean Management Bill, 2025  – 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.

Bills Passed:

After the debate on the second reading of the Bills, the Senators thoroughly reviewed, clause by clause, the below-mentioned three Bills 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.

  1. Belize Electricity Investments Bill, 2025, Passed without Amendment;
  2. Fiscal Incentives (Amendment) (No.2) Bill, 2025, Passed without Amendment; and
  3. Integrated Coastal and Ocean Management Bill, 2025, Passed without Amendment.

 

What’s Next in Parliament?

The Senate adjourned at 3:51 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 Senate: HERE

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