The Senate met today, Tuesday March 9th, 2021, in the Chambers of the National Assembly Building in Belmopan for a Special Sitting. The meeting began shortly after 10:00 A.M with the Belizean Prayer by the Honourable Madam President. Madam President then made an announcement acknowledging Women’s Day and Women’s Month as we are in the Month of March, as well as wishing the nation a Happy Heroes and Benefactors Day with today being 9th March. She then bagen with the day’s agenda by listing the Members of the Sessional Select Committees as follows:
1. The Standing Orders Committee
Senator Carolyn Trench-Sandiford
Senator Collet Montejo
Senator Michael Peyrefitte
Senator Osmany Salas
2. The House Committee
Senator Carolyn Trench-Sandiford
Senator Erica Jang
Senator Michael Peyrefitte
Senator Kevin Herrera
3. The Committee of Privileges
Senator Carolyn Trench-Sandiford
Senator Bevin Cal
Senator Aldo Salazar
Senator Elena Smith
4. The Regulations Committee
Senator Carolyn Trench-Sandiford
Senator Isabel Bennett
Senator Sheena Pitts
Senator Alvin Benguche
Thereafter, there was a Paper that was ordered to lie on the Table which was Sessional Paper No. 2/1/14 – Senate (Amendment) Standing Orders, 2021. Following that was the Amendment of Standing Orders of the Senate Motion, 2021, which was referred to the Standing Orders Committee for examination, consideration and report. That Motion was adopted by the Senate.
As well on the Agenda were two Bills for seconding reading, Central Bank of Belize (Amendment) Bill, 2021, and Public Contracts Commission Bill, 2021. Senator Michael Peyrefitte called for a division on the Central Bank of Belize (Amendment) Bill, 2021, which resulted in 9 ayes, 3 no, and 1 abstain. Nevertheless, only the Central Bank of Belize (Amendment) Bill, 2021, passed at today’s sitting and the Public Contracts Commission Bill, 2021, got deferred.
All Senators were present at today’s Sitting.