From Monday, 23rd March 2026 to Wednesday, 25th March 2026, the House of Representatives convened at the National Assembly Chamber in Belmopan for three consecutive days of debate on the General Revenue Appropriation (2026/2027) Bill, 2026, marking the official Budget Debate for the upcoming fiscal year.

The meeting commenced on Monday, 23rd March 2026, with prayers offered by Pastor David Shaw, followed by announcements from Speaker Valerie Woods. The resumption of the debate continued over the course of three days, allowing Members of the House to examine the financial and economic state of the country and the general principles of Government policy and administration as indicated by the General Revenue Appropriation Bill and the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for Fiscal Year 2026/2027.

PAPERS

THREE (3) Sessional Papers were presented and laid on the Table –

Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Investment and Economic Transformation, Civil Aviation, and E-Governance:

• No. HR69/1/14 – Fiscal Strategy Plan Fiscal Year 2025–2026 to Fiscal Year 2027–2028 – Ministry of Finance, Government of Belize;

Honourable Deputy Prime Minister, on behalf of the Minister of Infrastructure Development and Housing:

• No. HR69A/1/14 – Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing – Eighth Road Project (George Price Highway: Belize City to Hattieville) and Belcan Bridge Replacement Project

Honourable Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and New Growth Industries:

• No. HR69B/1/14 – Supplies Control (Prices) (Amendment) (No.8) Regulations, 2026

REPORTS FROM SELECT COMMITTEES

FOUR (4) Committee Reports were presented and laid on the Table by the Chairperson of the Finance and Economic Development Committee as follows:

• No. HR70/1/14 – Report on the Internal Audit Bill, 2026;

• No. HR71/1/14 – Report on the Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill, 2026;

• No. HR72/1/14 – Report on the Contractor-General (Amendment) Bill, 2026; and

• No. HR73/1/14 – Report on the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) – CLIMA Loan and Guarantee Motion, 2026.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

ONE (1) new Bill was introduced:

Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence (Prohibition) Bill, 2026, which was referred to the Health and Human Development Committee:

o This Bill seeks to recognize the right of all persons to live free of domestic violence and intimate partner violence, expand the powers of the court to make orders to support survivors, increase accessibility to justice services, fulfil Belize’s commitments under international conventions, repeal the Domestic Violence Act, Chapter 178, and provide for matters connected therewith.

BUDGET DEBATE

The House resumed the debate on the General Revenue Appropriation (2026/2027) Bill, 2026, with the contributions of the Honourable Leader of the Opposition, following the opening of the debate by the Honourable Prime Minister on Tuesday, 10th March 2026. A total of 29 Members made interventions during the three days of the budget debate, addressing national priorities, areas of urgency for their respective constituencies and recommendations for the fiscal year ahead. Member for Orange Walk South and Member of Corozal North were absent.

COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY

Following the debate, the House resolved into a Committee of Supply, chaired by the Honourable Prime Minister in his capacity as Minister of Finance, to further discuss the General Revenue Appropriation Bill and the Official Charities Fund Motion, 2026. In accordance with Standing Orders, the deliberations of the Committee of Supply were held in camera, and members of the media and visitors in the public galleries were asked to leave during this portion of the Sitting.

REPORTING AND THIRD READING

Upon completion of deliberations in Committee of Supply, the House resumed, and the Honourable Prime Minister moved the Third Reading of the General Revenue Appropriation (2026/2027) Bill, 2026.

The Bill was read a third time and was passed by the House.

MOTIONS

TWO (2) Motions were approved:

o Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) – CLIMA – Strengthening Marine Ecosystem Resilience by Enhancing Wastewater Infrastructure in Caye Caulker (US$12.25 Million) – Loan and Guarantee Motion, 2026; and

o Official Charities Fund Motion, 2026, approving the expenditure of $2,595,089 from the Official Charities Fund as detailed in Appendix A of the Draft Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the year ending 31st March 2027.

BILLS FOR SECOND READING

THREE (3) Bills were read a second time:

1. Internal Audit Bill, 2026;

2. Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill, 2026; and

3. Contractor-General (Amendment) Bill, 2026.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE HOUSE

The House resolved into a Committee of the Whole House, chaired by the Deputy Speaker Marconi Leal Jr., to consider the Bills that were read a second time. In accordance with Standing Orders, members of the media and visitors were asked to leave again during this portion of the Sitting.

Members again deliberated and examined, clause by clause, and proposed amendments to the Internal Audit Bill, the Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill and the Contractor-General (Amendment) Bill, 2026.

BILLS FOR THIRD READING

Following consideration in Committee of the whole House, THREE (3) Bills were read a third time:

1. Internal Audit Bill, 2026 – Passed with amendments;

2. Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill, 2026 – Passed without amendment;

3. Contractor-General (Amendment) Bill, 2026 – Passed without amendments.

 

ADJOURNMENT

Following the completion of business at 7:42 PM on Wednesday, 25th March 2026, the House concluded the Budget Debate proceedings after three days of deliberations in the House of Representatives. The parliamentary Easter break begins on 28th March 2026.

STAY ENGAGED

Members of the public are encouraged to follow parliamentary proceedings and access Bills, sessional papers, and Hansards through the National Assembly’s official channels.

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