Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697645179825.pdf (Belize)
BELIZE No.

HR19/1/12 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Thursday, 22 nd ​ March 2018 10:24 A.M. ---*--- Pursuant to the Order of the House on the 9 March 2018, the House met on Thursday, nd March 2018, in the National Assembly 22 Chamber, Belmopan, at 10:24 A.M. th Members Present: The Hon.

Laura Tucker-Longsworth, Speaker The Rt.

Hon.

Dean O. Barrow (Queen’s Square) Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Natural Resources The Hon.
Patrick J. Faber (Collet), Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports The Hon.

Erwin R. Contreras (Cayo West), Minister of Economic Development, Petroleum, Investment, Trade and Commerce The Hon.

John Saldivar (Belmopan), Minister of National Security The Hon.

Michael Finnegan (Mesopotamia), Minister of Housing and Urban Development The Hon.

Anthony Martinez (Port Loyola), Minister of Human Development, Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation The Hon.
Manuel Heredia Jr. (Belize Rural South), Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation The Hon.

Rene Montero (Cayo Central), Minister of Works The Hon.

Wilfred P. Elrington (Pickstock), Minister of Foreign Affairs The Hon.

Pablo S. Marin (Corozal Bay), Minister of Health The Hon.

Hugo Patt (Corozal North), Minister of Local Government, Labour, Rural Development, Public Service, Energy and Public Utilities The Hon.

Edmond G. Castro (Belize Rural North), Minister of Transport and NEMO The Hon.
Dr. Omar Figueroa (Cayo North), Minister of State in the Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Development and Immigration and Deputy Speaker The Hon.

Frank Mena (Dangriga), Minister of State in the Ministry of Public Service, Energy and Public Utilities The Hon.

Beverly Williams (Belize Rural Central), Minister of State in the Ministry of Immigration The Hon.

Tracy Taegar-Panton (Albert), Minister of State in the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Commerce The Hon.
Elodio Aragon Jr. (Orange Walk East), Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security The Hon.

Dr. Angel Campos (Corozal South West), Minister of State in the Ministry of Health The Hon.

John Briceño (Orange Walk Central), Leader of the Opposition The Hon.

Cordel Hyde (Lake Independence) The Hon.

Francis Fonseca (Freetown) The Rt.

Hon.

Said Musa (Fort George) The Hon.

Rodwell Ferguson (Stann Creek West) ​ ​ ​ 2 The Hon.

Jose Mai (Orange Walk South) The Hon.

Julius Espat (Cayo South) The Hon.


Kareem Musa (Caribbean Shores) The Hon.

Michael Espat (Toledo East) The Hon.

Florencio Marin Jr. (Corozal South East) The Hon.

Oscar Requena (Toledo West) The Hon.

Orlando Habet (Cayo North East) Member Absent: The Hon.

Gaspar Vega (Orange Walk North) MADAM SPEAKER in the Chair.

PRAYERS by Pastor Alvan Gentle Jr.

PRESENTATION OF REPORTS FROM SELECT COMMITTEES The Honourable Chairman of the Finance and Economic Development Committee: No.
HR138/1/12 - Report from the Finance and Economic Development Committee on the Customs and Excise Duties (Amendment) Bill, 2018.

No.

HR139/1/12 - Report from the Finance and Economic Development Committee on the Central Bank of Belize (Amendment) Bill, 2018.

Reports were ordered to lie on the Table.

The Honourable Chairman of Committee: the National Security and Immigration No.

HR140/1/12 - Report from the National Security and Immigration Committee on the Immigration (Amendment) Bill, 2018.

No.
No.

HR141/1/12 - Report from the National Security and Immigration Committee on the Belizean Nationality (Amendment) Bill, 2018.

No.

HR142/1/12 - Report from the National Security and Immigration Committee on the Passports (Amendment) Bill, 2018.

No.

HR142A/1/12 - Report from the National Security and Immigration Committee on the Firearms (Amendment) Bill, 2018.

No.

HR143/1/12 - Report from the National Security and Immigration Committee on the Police (Amendment) Bill, 2018.

3 No.
3 No.

HR144/1/12 - Report from the National Security and Immigration Committee on the Crime Control and Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill, 2018.

No.

HR145/1/12 - Report from the National Security and Immigration Committee on the Protection of Witness Bill, 2018.

Reports were ordered to lie on the Table.


MOTIONS RELATING TO THE BUSINESS OR SITTINGS OF THE HOUSE The Right Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Natural rd March Resources moved that at its rising today, the House adjourn to Friday, 23 2018, at 9:00 A.M.

Question put and agreed to.

PUBLIC BUSINESS A.


Government Business ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER Madam Speaker made the following announcement: “Honourable Members, the debate on the second reading of the General Revenue Appropriation (2018/2019) Bill, 2018, is about to be resumed.

Before we begin, I should like to draw Honourable Members’ attention to Standing Order No.
64, ‘Presentation and the second reading of the Appropriation Bill’, especially paragraph 5 which reads: ‘ After the Motion for the second reading of the Appropriation Bill has been resumed, under paragraph 4 of this Standing Order, the debate shall be confined to the financial and economic state of the country and the general principles of Government policy and administration as indicated by the Appropriation Bill and the Estimates.’ Members are therefore ask to confine their debate within the prescribed limits of the Standing Orders.
I would like to remind Honourable Members of other sections or parts of Standing Orders, specifically Standing Order No.

42 (b), which states that an Honourable Member shall maintain silence while another Member is speaking, and shall not in accordance with these Standing Orders.

Honourable Members are fully aware of the need for the Chair to voice this at this time.
interrupt, except I would also want to remind visitors in the Galleries that they must preserve silence and must conduct themselves in a fit and proper manner during a Sitting.

​ ​ 4 We now have the resumption of the debate on the General Revenue Appropriation (2018/2019) Bill, 2018.” (Resumption of the debate on the General Revenue Appropriation (2018/2019) Bill, 2018.)

(Suspension of the debate on the General Revenue Appropriation (2018/2019) Bill, 2018.)
In accordance with Standing Order 12 (8), the Right Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Natural Resources moved that the proceedings on the matter on the Order Paper be entered upon and proceeded with at the Sitting at any hour though opposed.

Question put and agreed to.

(Resumption of the debate on the General Revenue Appropriation (2018/2019) Bill, 2018.)
rd ​ March 2018, at 9:00 A.M. Meeting was suspended at 6:15 P.M. to Friday, 23 Friday, 23 rd ​ March 2018 9:12 A.M. ---*--- Members Present: The Hon.

Laura Tucker-Longsworth, Speaker The Rt.

Hon.

Dean O. Barrow (Queen’s Square) Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Natural Resources The Hon.

Patrick J. Faber (Collet), Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports The Hon.
Erwin R. Contreras (Cayo West), Minister of Economic Development, Petroleum, Investment, Trade and Commerce The Hon.

John Saldivar (Belmopan), Minister of National Security The Hon.

Michael Finnegan (Mesopotamia), Minister of Housing and Urban Development The Hon.

Anthony Martinez (Port Loyola), Minister of Human Development, Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation The Hon.

Manuel Heredia Jr. (Belize Rural South), Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation The Hon.
Rene Montero (Cayo Central), Minister of Works The Hon.

Wilfred P. Elrington (Pickstock), Minister of Foreign Affairs The Hon.

Pablo S. Marin (Corozal Bay), Minister of Health The Hon.

Hugo Patt (Corozal North), Minister of Local Government, Labour, Rural Development, Public Service, Energy and Public Utilities The Hon.

Edmond G. Castro (Belize Rural North), Minister of Transport and NEMO The Hon.
Dr. Omar Figueroa (Cayo North), Minister of State in the Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, ​ ​ ​ ​ 5 Development and Immigration and Deputy Speaker The Hon.

Frank Mena (Dangriga), Minister of State in the Ministry of Public Service, Energy and Public Utilities The Hon.

Beverly Williams (Belize Rural Central), Minister of State in the Ministry of Immigration The Hon.
Tracy Taegar-Panton (Albert), Minister of State in the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Commerce The Hon.

Elodio Aragon Jr. (Orange Walk East), Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security The Hon.

Dr. Angel Campos (Corozal South West), Minister of State in the Ministry of Health The Hon.

John Briceño (Orange Walk Central), Leader of the Opposition The Hon.

Cordel Hyde (Lake Independence) The Hon.

Francis Fonseca (Freetown) The Hon.

Rodwell Ferguson (Stann Creek West) The Hon.


Jose Mai (Orange Walk South) The Hon.

Julius Espat (Cayo South) The Hon.

Kareem Musa (Caribbean Shores) The Hon.

Michael Espat (Toledo East) The Hon.

Florencio Marin Jr. (Corozal South East) The Hon.

Oscar Requena (Toledo West) The Hon.

Orlando Habet (Cayo North East) Members Absent: The Hon.

Gaspar Vega (Orange Walk North) The Rt.

Hon.

Said Musa (Fort George) MADAM SPEAKER in the Chair.
PRAYERS by Pastor Alvan Gentle Jr. (Resumption of the debate on the General Revenue Appropriation (2018/2019) Bill, 2018.)

(Suspension of the debate on the General Revenue Appropriation (2018/2019) Bill, 2018.)

In accordance with Standing Order 12 (8), the Right Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Natural Resources moved that the proceedings on the matter on the Order Paper be entered upon and proceeded with at the Sitting at any hour though opposed.

Question put and agreed to.


(Resumption of the debate on the General Revenue Appropriation (2018/2019) Bill, 2018.)

After the debate thereon, question put and agreed to.

Bill read a second time and, pursuant Committee of Supply.

to Standing Orders, committed to a I COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY Pursuant to Standing Orders, the House resolved itself into a Committee of 6 Supply and the Speaker ordered the withdrawal of visitors from the galleries.

MADAM SPEAKER left the Chair.


[In the Committee] The Right Honourable D. O. Barrow (Minister of Finance and Natural Resources) in the Chair.

1.

General Revenue Appropriation (2018/2019) Bill, 2018.
Schedule agreed to as follows: HEAD OF EXPENDITURE RECURRENT (PART I) 11017-11021 12017-12138 13017-13048 15017 - 15021 16017-16028 17017-17078, 25021, 31048 18017-18465, 23017-26711 19017-19298, 30241 20017-20229, 30066-33021 14058, 21017 - 21786, 25028 22017-22158, 22418, 28017, 23178 - 23338, 30258-30446 SCHEDULE MINISTRY DESCRIPTION 11 12 13 OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR GENERAL JUDICIARY LEGISLATURE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS AUDITOR GENERAL OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER MINISTRY OF FINANCE AND NATURAL RESOURCES MINISTRY OF HEALTH MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AND HOME AFFAIRS MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, YOUTH, SPORTS AND CULTURE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES, FORESTRY, THE ENVIRONMENT, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND IMMIGRATION 25017-25041, 26021 25 MINISTRY OF TOURISM AND CIVIL AVIATION PROPOSED ESTIMATES 2018/2019 BZ $ 457,202 10,061,754 2,859,033 2,301,515 2,329,800 5,420,027 320,057,384 139,165,889 105,036,889 270,796,979 27,184,096 2,388,661 16,106,057 27017-27251, 25081, 30451, 17028-17058, 26088, 26031, 26088, 29208, 29188, 29198, 33102-33146, 33157-33228 29017-29218 31017-31058 27 28 29 31 MINISTRY OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT AND NATIONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT 21,286,827 MINISTRY OF WORKS ATTORNEY GENERAL'S MINISTRY 21,257,899 7 23308, 24017, 24048, 28048, 32017, 32028 33017-33051 14017-14148, 35017-35037, 34048-34081, 36028 32 33 35 MINISTRY OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, PETROLEUM, INVESTMENT, TRADE AND COMMERCE MINISTRY OF HOUSING
 AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT MINISTRY OF LABOUR, LOCAL GOVERNMENT, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, PUBLIC SERVICE, ENERGY AND PUBLIC UTILITIES 30011-30051, 30331 38 MINISTRY OF DEFENCE TOTAL RECURRENT (PART I) 5,069,819 11,727,007 1,829,415 28,079,341 57,938,100 1,051,353,694 HEAD OF EXPENDITURE CAPITAL II (PARTII) 11017-11021 12017-12138 13017-13048 17017-17078, 25021, 31048 18017-18465, 23017-26711 19017-19298, 30241 20017-20229, 30066-33021 14058, 21017 - 21786, 25028 22017-22158, 22418, 28017, 23178 - 23338, 30258-30446
 25017-25041, 26021 27017-27251, 25081, 30451, 17028-17058, 26088, 26031, 26088, 29208, 29188, 29198, 33102-33146, 33157-33228 29017-29218 31017-31058 23308, 24017, 24048, 28048, 32017, 32028 33017-33051 SCHEDULE MINISTRY DESCRIPTION PROPOSED ESTIMATES 2018/2019 11 12 13 17 18 19 OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR GENERAL JUDICIARY LEGISLATURE OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER MINISTRY OF FINANCE AND NATURAL RESOURCES MINISTRY OF HEALTH 20 MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AND HOME AFFAIRS 21 22 MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, YOUTH, SPORTS AND CULTURE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES, FORESTRY, THE ENVIRONMENT, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND IMMIGRATION 25 MINISTRY OF TOURISM AND CIVIL AVIATION 27 28 29 31 32 33 MINISTRY OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT AND NATIONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT MINISTRY OF WORKS ATTORNEY GENERAL'S MINISTRY MINISTRY OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, PETROLEUM, INVESTMENT, TRADE AND COMMERCE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT 14,000 20,000 12,575 30,000 15,740,838 2,535,000 555,000 2,334,100 5,623,573 736,000 6,255,000 690,000 13,840,000 575,460 2,762,288 196,000 8 14017-14148, 35017-35037, 34048-34081, 36028 30011-30051, 30331 35 MINISTRY OF LABOUR, LOCAL GOVERNMENT, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, PUBLIC SERVICE, ENERGY AND PUBLIC UTILITIES 38 MINISTRY OF DEFENCE TOTAL CAPITAL II (PART II) 8,925,114 1,076,000 61,920,948 SCHEDULE MINISTRY DESCRIPTION PROPOSED ESTIMATES 2018/2019 HEAD OF EXPENDITURE CAPITAL III (PART III) 17017-17078, 25021,
 31048 18017-18465, 23017-26711 17 OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER 18 MINISTRY OF FINANCE AND NATURAL RESOURCES 19017-19298, 30241 19 MINISTRY OF HEALTH 14058, 21017 - 21786, 25028 22017-22158, 22418, 28017, 23178 - 23338, 30258-30446 21 22 MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, YOUTH, SPORTS AND CULTURE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES, FORESTRY, THE ENVIRONMENT, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND IMMIGRATION 25017-25041, 26021 25 MINISTRY OF TOURISM AND CIVIL AVIATION 27017-27251, 25081, 30451, 29017-29218 23308, 24017, 24048,
 28048, 32017, 32028 14017-14148, 35017-35037, 34048-34081, 36028 27 28 29 32 35 MINISTRY OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION MINISTRY OF WORKS MINISTRY OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, PETROLEUM, INVESTMENT, TRADE AND COMMERCE MINISTRY OF LABOUR, LOCAL GOVERNMENT, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, PUBLIC SERVICE, ENERGY AND PUBLIC UTILITIES TOTAL CAPITAL III (PART III) CAPITAL TRANSFERS AND NET LENDING (PART IV) 18 MINISTRY OF FINANCE TOTAL CAPITAL TRANSFER AND NET LENDING (PART IV) 254,100 3,050,000 450,000 9,927,113 14,566,149 4,994,167 1,456,000 45,381,000 8,701,840 4,363,767 93,144,136 2,298,624 2,298,624 9 AMORTIZATION (PART V) 18 MINISTRY OF FINANCE TOTAL AMORTIZATION (PART V) GRAND TOTAL 92,711,964 92,711,964 1,301,429,366 Clauses 1 to 3 agreed to.
Bill to be reported back to the House without amendment.

2.

Official Charities Fund Motion, 2018.

The Right Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Natural Resources moved: BE IT RESOLVED THAT this House approves the expenditure of $2,352,589 from the Official Charities Fund as detailed in Appendix A of the Draft Estimates of Revenue and st ​ March, 2019.

Expenditure for the year ending 31 Question put and agreed to.

The Chairman left the Chair.

MADAM SPEAKER in the Chair.


REPORT AND THIRD READING OF GENERAL REVENUE APPROPRIATION (2018/2019) BILL, 2018 1.

General Revenue Appropriation (2018/2019) Bill, 2018.

The Right Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Natural Resources reported that the Committee of Supply had gone through the Bill clause by clause, and directed him to report same without amendment.

Whereupon, the Right Honourable Prime Minister moved that the Bill be read a third time.

Question put and agreed to.


Bill read a third time.

II MOTIONS 1.

Official Charities Fund Motion, 2018.

The Right Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Natural Resources moved: th ​ March 2018) (referred 9 ​ ​ ​ 10 BE IT RESOLVED THAT this House approves the expenditure of $2,352,589 from the Official Charities Fund as detailed in Appendix A st of the Draft Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the year ending 31 March, 2019.

Question put and agreed to.


III BILLS FOR SECOND READING 1.

Central Bank of Belize (Amendment) Bill, 2018.
The Right Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Natural Resources moved that the above-mentioned Bill be read a second time: Bill for an Act to amend the Central Bank of Belize Act, Chapter 262 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011, to make additional provision in relation to the entities with whom the Central Bank of Belize may engage in foreign exchange transactions; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

Question put and agreed to.


Bill accordingly, read a second time and, pursuant to Standing Orders, committed to a Committee of the whole House.

2.

Customs and Excise Duties (Amendment) Bill, 2018.
The Right Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Natural Resources moved that the above-mentioned Bill be read a second time: Bill for an Act to amend the Customs and Excise Duties Act, Chapter 48 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011, to implement the Customs and Excise Trade Classification based on the Harmonised System of Classification Version 2017; to implement the fourth phase of reduction of duties in accordance with the Economic Partnership Agreement, to vary the rates of excise duty on certain items; to increase the scope of items subject to excise duty; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
Question put and agreed to.

Bill accordingly, read a second time and, pursuant to Standing Orders, committed to a Committee of the whole House.

3.

Immigration (Amendment) Bill, 2018.
The Right Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Natural Resources moved that the above-mentioned Bill be read a second time: Bill for an Act to amend the Immigration Act, Chapter 156 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011, to provide, as a companion ​ ​ 11 measure to amendments to the Belizean Nationality Act, Chapter 161, for the bifurcation of functions related to immigration and to regularize the use of the term used to nationality services, describe the head of the government department responsible for immigration; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
After the debate thereon, question put and agreed to.

Bill accordingly, read a second time and, pursuant to Standing Orders, committed to a Committee of the whole House.

4.

Belizean Nationality (Amendment) Bill, 2018.
The Right Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Natural Resources moved that the above-mentioned Bill be read a second time: Bill for an Act to amend the Belizean Nationality Act, Chapter 161 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011, to provide, as a companion measure to amendments to the Immigration Act, Chapter 156, for the bifurcation of functions related to nationality and immigration services; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
Question put and agreed to.

Bill accordingly, read a second time and, pursuant to Standing Orders, committed to a Committee of the whole House.

5.

Passports (Amendment) Bill, 2018.


The Right Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Natural Resources moved that the above-mentioned Bill be read a second time: Bill for an Act to amend the Passports Act, Chapter 164 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011, to provide for the bifurcation of functions related to nationality and immigration services; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

Question put and agreed to.


Bill accordingly, read a second time and, pursuant to Standing Orders, committed to a Committee of the whole House.

6.

Firearms (Amendment) Bill, 2018.
The Honourable Minister above-mentioned Bill be read a second time: of National Security moved that the Bill for an Act to amend the Firearms Act, Chapter 143 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011; to establish a framework for an heirloom firearm licence; to provide for facilitating the deposit of a firearm for safe keeping in a police station; to provide for new and 12 updated fines and fees; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
Question put and agreed to.

Bill accordingly, read a second time and, pursuant to Standing Orders, committed to a Committee of the whole House.

7.

Police (Amendment) Bill, 2018.


The Honourable Minister above-mentioned Bill be read a second time: of National Security moved that the Bill for an Act to amend the Police Act, Chapter 138 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011; into conformity with the Public Service Regulations and to strengthen disciplinary control of persons holding or acting in offices in the security services; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
to bring the Police Act Question put and agreed to.

Bill accordingly, read a second time and, pursuant to Standing Orders, committed to a Committee of the whole House.

8.

Crime Control and Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill, 2018.
The Honourable Minister above-mentioned Bill be read a second time: of National Security moved that the Bill for an Act to amend the Crime Control and Criminal Justice Act, Chapter 102 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011; to make provision for better maintenance of public safety and order through discouraging membership of criminal gangs and the disruption and suppression of criminal gang activity; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
After the debate thereon, question put and agreed to.

Bill accordingly, read a second time and, pursuant to Standing Orders, committed to a Committee of the whole House.

9.

Protection of Witness Bill, 2018.


The Honourable Minister above-mentioned Bill be read a second time: of National Security moved that the 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 a judicial proceedings and to cooperate with law enforcement authorities; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

13 Question put and agreed to.


Bill accordingly, read a second time and, pursuant to Standing Orders, committed to a Committee of the whole House.

IV COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE HOUSE ON BILLS Pursuant to Standing Orders, the House, without question put, resolved itself into a Committee of the whole House to consider the Bills that were read a second time and Madam Speaker left the chair.

The Deputy Speaker in the Chair.

[In the Committee] 1.

Central Bank of Belize (Amendment) Bill, 2018.


Clauses 1 and 2 agreed to.

Bill to be reported back to the House without amendment.

2.

Customs and Excise Duties (Amendment) Bill, 2018.

Clauses 1 to 3 agreed to.

Bill to be reported back to the House without amendment.

3.

Immigration (Amendment) Bill, 2018.


The Long Title agreed to with the following amendments: In the Long Title, insert immediately after the words “Belizean Nationality Act, Chapter 161,” the words “and the Passports Act, Chapter 164”.

Clauses 1 to 11 agreed to.

The Schedule agreed with the following amendment: Delete the heading “(Section 7)” and substitute therefor the words “(Section 10)”.

Bill to be reported back to the House with amendments.

4.

Belizean Nationality (Amendment) Bill, 2018.


The Long Title agreed to with the following amendments: In the Long Title, insert immediately after the words “Immigration Act, Chapter 156,” the words “and the Passports Act, Chapter 164”.

Clauses 1 to 8 agreed to.

​ ​ ​ ​ 14 Bill to be reported back to the House with amendments.

5.

Passports (Amendment) Bill, 2018.


The Long Title agreed to with the following amendment: In the Long Title, insert immediately after the words “to provide” first occurring the words “, as a companion measure to amendments to the Immigration Act, Chapter 156, and the Belizean Nationality Act, Chapter 161”.

Clauses 1 to 3 agreed to.

Bill to be reported back to the House with amendment.

6.

Firearms (Amendment) Bill, 2018.

Clauses 1 and 2 agreed to.


Clause 3 agreed to with the following amendments: In paragraph (a), proposed subsection (2), (i) (ii) the figures In paragraph (d), under the heading “Farmer Gun Licence”, delete column “NON-BELIZEAN, NON-CARICOM NATIONAL, OR FOREIGN COMPANY” and substitute therefor the figures “$25.00”.
“$250.00” the in In paragraph (h), under the heading “Heirloom Firearm Licence”, insert immediately under the figures “$300.00” and “$600.00” the following: “One-time fee not requiring renewal” Clauses 4 to 6 agreed to.

Clause 7 agreed to with the following amendments: 1.

Renumber clauses 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13, as clauses 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 respectively.

2.

Insert next after clause 6 the following as clause 7 – “ Repeal and replacement of section .

8 7.
8 7.

The principal Act is amended by repealing section 8, and replacing it with the following – ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 15 .

licences of Duration 8.– (1) Subject to subsection (2), a licence granted under this Act shall be for such period not exceeding three years as may be approved by the Commissioner, but may be renewed subject to such conditions and on payment of such fees as may be prescribed.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply in relation to a licence for an require licence does not heirloom firearm, which type of renewal.”.”.

Renumbered Clauses 8 to 14 agreed to.

Bill to be reported back to the House with amendments.

7.

Police (Amendment) Bill, 2018.

Clauses 1 to 8 agreed to.


Clause 9 agreed to with the following amendments: In the proposed section 24, subsection (8), delete the words “a suitably qualified person delegated by the Commissioner” and substitute therefor the words “or a person delegated by the Commissioner whom the Commissioner determines to be suitably qualified for the purpose”.

Clauses 10 to 19 agreed to.

Bill to be reported back to the House with amendments.

8.

Crime Control and Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill, 2018.
Clauses 1 to 4 agreed to.

Bill to be reported back to the House without amendment.

9.

Protection of Witness Bill, 2018.

Clauses 1 to 37 agreed to.

Schedules One and Two agreed to without amendment.

Bill to be reported back to the House without amendment.

MADAM SPEAKER in the Chair.

V BILLS FOR THIRD READING 1.

Central Bank of Belize (Amendment) Bill, 2018.


The Right Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Natural Resources reported that the Committee of the whole House has gone through the Bill, clause by ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 16 clause, and directed him to report same without amendment.

Whereupon the Right Honourable Prime Minister moved that the Bill be read a third time.

Question put and agreed to.

Bill read a third time.

2.

Customs and Excise Duties (Amendment) Bill, 2018.


The Right Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Natural Resources reported that the Committee of the whole House has gone through the Bill, clause by clause, and directed him to report same without amendment.

Whereupon the Right Honourable Prime Minister moved that the Bill be read a third time.

Question put and agreed to.

Bill read a third time.

3.

Immigration (Amendment) Bill, 2018.


The Right Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Natural Resources reported that the Committee of the whole House has gone through the Bill, clause by clause, and directed him to report the same with amendments.

Whereupon the Right Honourable Prime Minister moved that the Bill be read a third time.

Question put and agreed to.

Bill read a third time.

4.

Belizean Nationality (Amendment) Bill, 2018 .


The Right Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Natural Resources reported that the Committee of the whole House has gone through the Bill, clause by clause, and directed him to report the same with amendments.

Whereupon the Right Honourable Prime Minister moved that the Bill be read a third time.

Question put and agreed to.

Bill read a third time.

5.

Passports (Amendment) Bill, 2018.


The Right Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Natural Resources reported that the Committee of the whole House has gone through the Bill, clause by clause, and directed him to report the same with amendments.

Whereupon the Right Honourable Prime Minister moved that the Bill be read a third time.

​ ​ 17 Question put and agreed to.

Bill read a third time.

6.

Firearms (Amendment) Bill, 2018.


The Honourable Minister of National Security reported that the Committee of the whole House has gone through the Bill, clause by clause, and directed him to report the same with amendments.

Whereupon the Honourable Minister of National Security moved that the Bill be read a third time.

Question put and agreed to.

Bill read a third time.

7.

Police (Amendment) Bill, 2018.


The Honourable Minister of National Security reported that the Committee of the whole House has gone through the Bill, clause by clause, and directed him to report the same with amendments.

Whereupon the Honourable Minister of National Security moved that the Bill be read a third time.

Question put and agreed to.

Bill read a third time.

8.

Crime Control and Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill, 2018.
The Honourable Minister of National Security reported that the Committee of the whole House has gone through the Bill, clause by clause, and directed him to report the same without amendment.

Whereupon the Honourable Minister of National Security moved that the Bill be read a third time.

Question put and agreed to.

Bill read a third time.

9.

Protection of Witness Bill, 2018.


The Honourable Minister of National Security reported that the Committee of the whole House has gone through the Bill, clause by clause, and directed him to report the same without amendment.

Whereupon the Honourable Minister of National Security moved that the Bill be read a third time.

Question put and agreed to.

Bill read a third time.


18 ADJOURNMENT The Right Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Natural Resources moved that the House be adjourned.

After debate thereon, question put and agreed to.

The House adjourned at 11:26 P.M. to a date to be fixed by the Speaker.

Speaker.

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