Today, 4th February 2022, the House of Representatives convened in the National Assembly’s Chamber for their first meeting for the year 2022. The meeting began with the Belizean Prayer by Ms. Yvette Gill. On the day’s agenda were 3 Papers, 9 Bills for introduction and 2 Motions. The 3 Papers were ordered to lie on the Table. From the 9 Bills that were introduced, only the General Revenue Supplementary Appropriation (2021/2022) (No. 3) Bill, 2022, passed through all its stages. As for the Motions, the Inter-American Development Bank – Program for Strengthening Public Expenditure Management in Belize – US$8 Million Loan Motion, 2022, was only introduced. The Domestic Violence in Belize Motion, 2022, was introduced and debated and a division was called by the Honourable Dolores Balderamos Garcia, after which the Motion was adopted.

BILLS:

  1. General Revenue Supplementary Appropriation (2021/2022) (No. 3) Bill, 2022.

Bill for an Act to appropriate further sums of money for the use of the Public Service of Belize for the financial year ending on the thirty-first day of March, two thousand and twenty-two.

  1. Development Finance Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2022.

Bill for an Act to amend the Development Finance Corporation Act, Chapter 279 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2020; to widen the scope of the Corporation’s purpose; to provide for a period of limitation; to provide for penalties and punishments for Directors and Officers of the Corporation; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

(The Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment)

  1. Defamation Bill, 2022.

Bill for an Act to repeal the Libel and Defamation Act and to make new provisions relating to the tort of defamation; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

  1. Inferior Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2022.

Bill for an Act to amend the Inferior Courts Act, Chapter 94 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2020; to allow for hearings or trials before the court to be conducted virtually; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

(The Honourable Minister of Education, Culture, E-Government, Science & Technology)

  1. Protection of Witnesses Bill, 2022.

Bill for an Act to provide for the protection of witnesses in criminal proceedings, by enhancing the ability of a witness to give testimony in judicial proceedings and to cooperate with law enforcement authorities; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

(The Honourable Minister of Home Affairs & New Growth Industries)

  1. Central Bank of Belize (Amendment) Bill, 2022.

Bill for an Act to amend the Central Bank of Belize Act, Chapter 262 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2020, to further capitalize the Central Bank of Belize; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

(The Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment)

  1. Indictable Procedure (Amendment) Bill, 2022.

Bill for an Act to amend the Indictable Procedure Act, Chapter 96 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2020; to expand the list of offences for trial without a jury in certain criminal cases; to allow for hearings or trials before the court to be conducted virtually; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

(The Honourable Minister of Education, Culture, E-Governance, Science and Technology)

  1. Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Bill, 2022.

Bill for an Act to give effect to the provisions of the CITES on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora; to promote the management, conservation and protection of threatened and endangered species; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

(The Honourable Minister of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management)

  1. Fisheries Resources (Amendment) Bill, 2022.

Bill for an Act to amend the Fisheries Resources Act, Chapter 210 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2020; to provide specific penalties for certain offences; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

(The Honourable Minister of The Blue Economy and Civil Aviation)

 

PAPERS:

 No. HR91/1/13   –         Supplementary Appropriation (No.3) Schedule for Fiscal Year 2021/2022.

No. HR92/1/13    –        Supply Agreement for Petroleum Products – Sol Belize Limited and the Government of Belize.

No. HR93/1/13    –        Central Bank of Belize Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for Fiscal Year 2022.

 

MOTIONS:

  1. Inter-American Development Bank – Program for Strengthening Public Expenditure Management in Belize – US$8 Million Loan Motion, 2022.
  2. Domestic Violence in Belize Motion, 2022.

At today’s Meeting, all Members were present except for the Honourable Ramiro Ramirez, the Honourable Denise Barrow and the Honourable Patrick Faber. The meeting was adjourned at 3:34 P.M.

For more information on the Orders of the Day, kindly click the link below.

https://www.nationalassembly.gov.bz/orders-of-the-day/hor-orders-day-2022/