On Thursday, 4th June 2026, the House of Representatives convened at 10:23 A.M. in the National Assembly Chamber in Belmopan for a Special Sitting. The Sitting opened with prayers led by Ms. Rubycela Paredes, followed by announcements from Deputy Speaker Marconi Leal Jr., who presided over the special meeting. Speaker Valerie Woods was absent as well as Member for Freetown, Member for Orange Walk South, Member for Corozal South East, Member for Belize Rural South, Member for Orange Walk North, Member for Toledo East, and Member for Cayo West.

 

BILLS BROUGHT FROM THE SENATE

TWO (2) Bills were brought from the Senate, which were Bills approved by the Senate with amendments.  As per Standing Order 60, the House considered and approved the Senate amendments to the following two Bills:

  • Deoxyribonucleic Acid Bill, 2025; and
  • Climate Change and Carbon Market Initiatives Bill, 2026.

 

PAPERS

SIX (6) Sessional Papers were laid on the Table.

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

  • No. HR73/1/14 – Supplies Control (Prices) (Amendment) (No. 9) Regulations, 2026;
  • No. HR74/1/14 – Supplies Control (Prices) (Amendment) (No. 10) Regulations, 2026;
  • No. HR75/1/14 – Supplies Control (Prices) (Amendment) (No. 11) Regulations, 2026;
  • No. HR76/1/14 – Supplies Control (Prices) (Amendment) (No. 12) Regulations, 2026;
  • No. HR77/1/14 – Supplies Control (Prices) (Amendment) (No. 13) Regulations, 2026;

The Honourable Minister of the Public Service and Disaster Risk Management, on behalf of the Honourable Minister of Public Utilities, Energy and Logistics:

  • No. HR77A/1/14 – Electricity Licensing and Consent Regulations, 2026.

 

PRESENTATION OF REPORTS FROM SELECT COMMITTEES

FOUR (4) Reports were presented by Chairpersons of House Committees and were ordered to lay on the Table:

  • No. HR78/1/14 – Report from the Health and Human Development Committee on the National Health Insurance Authority Bill, 2026;
  • No. HR79/1/14 – Report from the Health and Human Development Committee on the Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence (Prohibition) Bill, 2026;
  • No. HR80/1/14 – Report from the Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee on the Caribbean Community (Free Movement and Contingent Rights) Bill, 2026; and
  • No. HR81/1/14 – Report from the Joint Public Accounts Committee on the Report of the Auditor General for the Year April 2016 to March 2017.

STATEMENT BY MINISTER

A statement was delivered by the Honourable Minister of Sustainable Development, Climate Change, and Solid Waste Management.

 

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

SEVEN (7) Bills were introduced and referred to their respective Committees for examination, consideration, and report:

  1. Development Finance Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2026;
  2. National Security Council (Amendment) Bill, 2026;
  3. Belize International Financial Services Association (Amendment) Bill, 2026;
  4. Belize Electricity Investments Bill, 2026;
  5. Geographical Indications Bill, 2026;
  6. Alternative Sentencing (Amendment) Bill, 2026; and
  7. Criminal Code (Amendment) Bill, 2026.

These Bills seek, among other things, to rename and modernize existing institutions, strengthen national security procedures, provide for the acquisition of shares in Belize Electricity Limited, establish protections for geographical indications, expand alternative sentencing measures, and enhance provisions relating to the National Sex Offenders Database.

 

MOTIONS RELATING TO THE BUSINESS OR SITTINGS OF THE HOUSE

The Prime Minister moved a motion that, at its rising, the House adjourn to a date to be fixed by the Speaker. The question was put, and the motion was approved.

 

PUBLIC BUSINESS – GOVERNMENT BUSINESS – MOTIONS

FIVE (5) Motions were presented, debated and referred to their respective Committees for examination, consideration and report:

International Development Association – Belize Early Childhood Development and Female Empowerment Project (US$23.5 Million) Loan Motion, 2026

This Motion sought approval for Belize to enter into a financing agreement with the International Development Association (IDA) for US$23.5 million to improve access to quality early childhood care and education, expand female employment opportunities, strengthen related systems and services, and provide emergency response support when necessary. The Motion was referred to the Finance and Economic Development Committee.

Inter-American Development Bank – Contingent Loan for Natural Disaster and Public Health Emergencies (US$25 Million) Loan Motion, 2026

This Motion sought approval for Belize to secure contingent financing of up to US$25 million to strengthen fiscal resilience and support rapid responses to severe natural disasters and public health emergencies. The Motion was referred to the Finance and Economic Development Committee.

CARICOM Development Fund – School Development Fund for Corozal and Cayo (US$3 Million) Loan Motion, 2026

This Motion sought approval for concessional loan financing from the CARICOM Development Fund to support the construction and improvement of safe, inclusive, and climate-resilient educational facilities for schools in Belmopan and Corozal, together with the provision of educational resources and teacher development initiatives. The Motion was referred to the Finance and Economic Development Committee.

Resolution Recommending the Appointment of a Contractor-General Motion, 2026

This Motion sought the House’s approval to recommend the appointment of Ms. Maria Arthurs as Contractor-General for a period of three years with effect from 3rd June 2026, following the approval of the Senate. The Motion was referred to the Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee.  The Honourable Prime Minister sought the indulgence of the House to have this Motion taken through all its stages forthwith.  The question was put, and the House agreed.

Adoption of the Report from the Joint Public Accounts Committee on the Report of the Auditor General for the Year April 2016 to March 2017, Motion, 2026

Afte the debate, the House adopted the Report from the Joint Public Accounts Committee on the Auditor General’s Report for the year April 2016 to March 2017.

 

MOTION TAKEN THROUGH ALL ITS STAGES FORTHWITH

The House suspended to allow the Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee to consider the Resolution Recommending the Appointment of a Contractor-General Motion, 2026. The Committee met and agreed to refer the Motion back to the House for its adoption.

The House resumed, and the Chairperson of the Committee presented the following report which was laid on the Table:

  • HR82/1/14 –    Report from the Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee on the Resolution Recommending the Appointment of a Contractor-General Motion, 2026

 

BILLS FOR SECOND READING

THREE (3) Bills were read a second time:

National Health Insurance Authority Bill, 2026

This Bill seeks to establish a comprehensive administrative framework for the delivery of equitable, accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare services, while supporting the attainment of universal health coverage in Belize.

Caribbean Community (Free Movement and Contingent Rights) Bill, 2026

This Bill seeks to give effect to CARICOM decisions regarding the free movement of nationals of participating Member States and provide for associated contingent rights.

Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence (Prohibition) Bill, 2026

This Bill seeks to strengthen protections for survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence, expand the powers of the courts, improve access to justice services, and repeal the existing Domestic Violence Act.

 

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE HOUSE ON BILLS

Following the debates and the second readings of the Bills, the House resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House to consider the following Bills clause by clause:

  • National Health Insurance Authority Bill, 2026;
  • Caribbean Community (Free Movement and Contingent Rights) Bill, 2026; and
  • Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence (Prohibition) Bill, 2026.

The meeting of the Committee of the Whole House is held in camera.

 

REPORTING AND THIRD READING OF BILLS

Following the reporting from the Committee of the Whole House, THREE (3) Bills were read a third time and passed by the House:

  • National Health Insurance Authority Bill, 2026;
  • Caribbean Community (Free Movement and Contingent Rights) Bill, 2026; and
  • Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence (Prohibition) Bill, 2026

 

ADJOURNMENT

On the motion for the adjournment, three Opposition Members stood up and raised different matters of public concern, which were responded to by Government Ministers.  The House adjourned 9:07 P.M. to a date to be fixed by the Speaker.

STAY ENGAGED

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