On Friday, 12th December 2025, at 10:38 A.M., the House of Representatives convened in the Chamber at the George Price Centre. It began with prayers led by Ms. Marjorie.

Following the opening prayers, Madam Speaker made announcements and recognized Members absent, giving light on the establishment of a Parliamentary Calendar, also giving notice that on Friday, 30th January 2026, will be the opening of the newly renovated National Assembly building, and the first ordinary sitting will be on Friday, 6th February 2026.

PAPERS

A total of FOUR (4) House Papers were presented and laid on the Table during the sitting:

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

  • HR43A/1/14 – Customs and Excise Duties (Amendment of Schedule I) Order, 2025.

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

  • HR44/1/14 – Supplies Control (Price) (Amendment) (No.34) Regulations, 2025;
  • HR45/1/14 – Supplies Control (Price) (Amendment) (No.35) Regulations, 2025;
  • HR46/1/14 – Supplies Control (Price) (Amendment) (No.36) Regulations, 2025.

 

REPORTS FROM SELECT COMMITTEES

SEVEN (7) Committee reports were presented and laid on the Table as follows:

  • HR46A/1/14 – Report from the Finance and Economic Development Committee on the Sugar Industry and Cogeneration Project (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
  • HR46B/1/14 –     Report from the Finance and Economic Development Committee on the Financial Services Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2025.

(The Honourable Chairperson of the Finance and Economic Development Committee)

  • HR47/1/14 – Report from the Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee on the Justices of the Peace (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
  • HR48/1/14 – Report from the Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee on the Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
  • HR48A/1/14 – Report from the Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee on the Judges Salaries and Pensions Bill, 2025.

(The Honourable Chairperson of the Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee)

  • HR49/1/14 – Report from the Joint Public Accounts Committee on the Report of the Auditor General for the Year April 2015 to March 2016.

(The Honourable Chairperson of the Joint Public Accounts Committee)

  • HR50/1/14 – Report from the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus Standing Committee for the period July 2025 to December 2025.

(The Honourable Minister of Human Development, Family Support, and Gender Affairs)

MOTIONS

  • Resolution to Adopt the Parliamentary Logo for the National Assembly of Belize Motion, 2025 – The Honourable Prime Minister moved to adopt a new Parliamentary Logo reflecting the National Assembly’s authority and identity, with Brand Manual Guidelines for consistent use across all communications. The Clerk of the National Assembly shall be responsible for its management and safeguarding. The motion was referred to the Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee for examination, consideration, and report.
  • Adoption of the Report from the Joint Public Accounts Committee on the Report of the Auditor General for the Year April 2015 to March 2016 – The Honourable Chairperson of the Joint Public Accounts Committee moved the adoption of the Committee’s Report of the Auditor General for the Year April 2015 to March 2016.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

THREE (3) new Bills were introduced and referred to their respective House Committees for examination, consideration, and report:

  1. Customs and Excise Duties (Amendment) (No.2) Bill, 2025 – A Bill for an Act to amend the Customs and Excise Duties Act, Chapter 48 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2020, to vary the rate of duty on soups and broths in solid or powder form including Ramen noodles and other related items in the Customs Tariff and Trade Classification; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. This Bill was referred to the Finance and Economic Development Committee.

 

  1. Money Laundering and Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Bill, 2025 – A Bill for an Act to amend the Money Laundering and Terrorism (Prevention) Act, Chapter 104 of the Substantive Laws of Belize; to satisfy the requirements of the Financial Action Task Force Recommendation with respect to digital assets and digital asset service providers; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. This Bill was referred to the Finance and Economic Development Committee.
  2. Trade Licensing (Amendment) (No.3) Bill, 2025 – A Bill for an Act to amend the Trade Licensing Act, Act No. 19 of 2024; to provide for the determination of annual licence fees for trades in towns and villages; to make transitional provisions respecting existing trades; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. This Bill was referred to the Public Service, Labour, Industry, and Trade Committee.

BILLS FOR SECOND READING

SEVEN (8) Bills were read a second time during the sitting, the last two being read together:

  1. Sugar Industry and Cogeneration Project (Amendment) Bill, 2025 – A Bill for an Act to amend the Sugar Industry and Cogeneration Project Act, Chapter 59:01 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2020; to extend exemptions from taxes and duties for the continued development of the cogeneration energy project; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
  2. Customs and Excise Duties (Amendment) (No.2) Bill, 2025 – A Bill for an Act to amend the Customs and Excise Duties Act, Chapter 48 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2020, to vary the rate of duty on soups and broths in solid or powder form including Ramen noodles and other related items in the Customs Tariff and Trade Classification; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
  3. Money Laundering and Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Bill, 2025 – A Bill for an Act to amend the Money Laundering and Terrorism (Prevention) Act, Chapter 104 of the Substantive Laws of Belize; to satisfy the requirements of the Financial Action Task Force Recommendation with respect to digital assets and digital asset service providers; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
  4. Financial Services Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2025 – A Bill for an Act to amend the Financial Services Commission Act, Act No. 8 of 2023; to provide for the grant of a special licence for trading in digital assets and other similar activities and operations; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
  5. Judges Salaries and Pensions Bill, 2025 – A Bill for an Act to provide for the salaries, pensions and other conditions of service of Judges of the High Court of Judicature and the Court of Appeal.
  6. Trade Licensing (Amendment) (No.3) Bill, 2025 – A Bill for an Act to amend the Trade Licensing Act, Act No. 19 of 2024; to provide for the determination of annual licence fees for trades in towns and villages; to make transitional provisions respecting existing trades; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
  7. Justices of the Peace (Amendment) Bill, 2025 – A Bill for an Act to amend the Justices of the Peace Act, Chapter 119:01 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2020; to empower select Senior Justices of the Peace to issue interim protection orders under the Domestic Violence Act, Chapter 178 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2020, in urgent and exceptional circumstances; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
  8. Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill, 2025 –The Justices of the Peace (Amendment) Bill seeks to amend the Justices of the Peace Act, Chapter 119:01 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2020; to empower select Senior Justices of the Peace to issue interim protection orders under the Domestic Violence Act, Chapter 178 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2020, in urgent and exceptional circumstances; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. The Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill seeks to amend the Domestic Violence Act, Chapter 178 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2020; to empower select Senior Justices of the Peace to issue interim protection orders under the Act in urgent and exceptional circumstances; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

BILLS FOR THIRD READING

EIGHT (8) Bills were read a third time:

Sugar Industry and Cogeneration Project (Amendment) Bill, 2025 – Passed with no amendments.

Customs and Excise Duties (Amendment) (No.2) Bill, 2025 – Passed with no amendments.

Money Laundering and Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Bill, 2025 – Passed with no amendments.

Financial Services Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2025 – Passed with no amendments.

Judges Salaries and Pensions Bill, 2025 – Passed with no amendments.

Trade Licensing (Amendment) (No.3) Bill, 2025 – Passed with no amendments.

Justices of the Peace (Amendment) Bill, 2025 – Passed with amendments.

Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill, 2025 – Passed with no amendments.

 

The House adjourned at 4:41 P.M. to a date to be fixed by the Speaker.