Wednesday, 22nd March 2023, Members of the House of Representatives came together in the Chamber of the National Assembly Building in the City of Belmopan for what was referred to as Day 1 of the debates on the General Revenue Appropriation (2023/2024) Bill, 2023. The most anticipated event on the parliamentary calendar.  The meeting began at 10:25 A.M. with the National Prayer of Belize offered by Pastor David Shaw.

 

Immediately after was an announcement by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Honourable Valerie Woods, who extended condolences to the Member for Cayo South, the Honourable Julius Espat on the passing of his dear beloved mother. The Honourable Speaker Woods further gave a brief announcement addressing the students of Holy Angels Roman Catholic Primary School from the Pomona Village who were present in the public gallery.

Proceeding with the matters on the Orders of the Day, the Speaker acknowledged the Chairperson of the Finance and Economic Development Committee who presented and laid on the Table Sessional Paper No. HR159/1/13 – Report from the Finance and Economic Development Committee on the Customs Regulation Bill, 2023.

 

Next, was the Chairperson of the Public Service, Labour, Industry and Trade Committee presented and laid on the Table the following Reports:

 

No. HR160/1/13    –                Report from the Public Service, Labour, Industry and Trade Committee on the Supplies Control (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

 

No. HR161/1/13    –                Report from the Public Service, Labour, Industry and Trade Committee on the Non-Profit Organisations Bill, 2023.

 

Immediately after, was the Chairperson of the Tourism, Archaeology and Immigration Committee who presented and laid on the Table Sessional Paper No. HR161A/1/13 -Report from the Tourism, Archaeology and Information Committee on the Retired Persons (Incentives) (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

 

Before the announcement of the second reading on the General Revenue Appropriation (2023/2024) Bill, 2023, Madam Speaker reminded Members of their roles as Representatives, the authority of the Chair in the House, and the importance of respecting the Standing Orders while in the House.

As is customary, the debates on the General Revenue Appropriation (2023/2024) Bill, 2023, started with the Leader of the Opposition, Member for Mesopotamia, who delivered a synopsis, thereafter, stated that he was not in support of the Bill.  Following the Leader of the Opposition was the Deputy Prime Minister, Member for Lake Independence. Subsequently, the Honourable Members for Freetown, Corozal South West, Cayo North, Belize Rural South, Cayo North East, and Toledo East all rose and gave their presentation in support. This all led to the suspension of Day 1 of the Budget Debates at 6:13 P.M.

    

Entering Day 2 of the Special Sitting, the meeting began at 10:30 A.M. with the National Prayer of Belize by Pastor David Shaw. In short, Madam Speaker quickly addressed the visitors in the public galleries and the students of Our Lady of Guadalupe High School.

Opening the floor for the debates was the Honourable Member for Corozal South East, followed by the Honourable Members for Albert, Pickstock, Toledo West, Orange Walk East, Corozal North, Cayo West, Dangriga and lastly, the Honourable Member for Belmopan. This summarizes the events of the Sitting of the House of Representatives on Thursday, 23rd March 2023 resulting in the meeting’s suspension at 6:40 P.M.

Friday, 24th of March 2023 was scheduled as the last day of the budget debates. The meeting began with Belizean National Prayer delivered by Pastor Marjorie Shaw, at 10:30 A.M. Leading the debates was the Honourable Member for Collet followed by the Honourable Members for Corozal Bay, Stann Creek West, Orange Walk North, Cayo Central, Belize Rural North, Member for Port Loyola ad finally was the wrap-up by the Honourable Prime Minister. This concludes the debates on the second reading of the General Revenue Appropriation (2023/2024) Bill, 2023.

 

On the matter of Motions, the House of Representatives adopted the following namely:

  1. Official Charities Fund Motion, 2023; and
  2.  Resolution to Support Democratic Taiwan Motion, 2023.

 As it relates to the Resolution to Support Democratic Taiwan Motion, 2023, both sides of the House wholeheartedly expressed their strong support in passing this Motion.

 

Lastly on the Orders of Business, was the approval of FIVE (5) Bills:

  1. General Revenue Appropriation (2023/2024) Bill, 2023.
  2.  Customs Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
  3.  Supplies Control (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
  4.  Non-Profit Organisations Bill, 2023.
  5. Retired Persons (Incentives) (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

 

This meeting concluded at 6:40 P.M. on Friday, 24th March 2023.

 

For further information on the Orders of the Day, please see the links below:

http://BELIZE (nationalassembly.gov.bz)

http://Supplementary-Orders-of-the-Day-22.3.23-1.pdf (nationalassembly.gov.bz)

http://Supplementary-2-March-22-2023.pdf (nationalassembly.gov.bz)

 

For access to the live broadcast, kindly see the links below:

Day 1 – https://www.youtube.com/live/OS7jfRXtA1U?feature=share

Day 2 – https://www.youtube.com/live/OS7jfRXtA1U?feature=share

Day 3 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8ojWIEQek0