Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1694879598686.pdf (Belize)
BELIZE No.
21/1/13 SENATE Tuesday, 27 th ​ March 2018 10:12 A.M. Pursuant to the direction of Mr. President, in writing, dated 23 rd March 2018, the Senate met in the National Assembly Chamber th ​ March 2018, at 10:12 A.M. in Belmopan on Tuesday, 27 ***-*** Members Present: Senator, the Honourable Lee Mark Chang – President Senator, the Honourable Godwin Hulse – Leader of Government Business the Fisheries, Forestry, and Minister Environment, Sustainable Development of Agriculture, Senator, the Honourable Dr. Carla Barnett – Vice-President and Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance and Natural Resources and Immigration ​ Senator, the Honourable Michael Peyrefitte – Attorney General Senator, the Honourable Macario Coy Sr.
Senator, the Honourable Stephen Duncan Senator, the Honourable Aldo Salazar Senator, the Honourable Eamon Courtenay Senator, the Honourable Valerie Woods Senator, the Honourable Paul Thompson Senator, the Honourable Markhelm Lizarraga Senator, the Honourable Rev.

Henry Brown – Temporary Senator Senator, the Honourable Elena Smith Senator, the Honourable Osmany Salas Member Absent: Senator, the Honourable Rev.

Ashley Rocke MR. PRESIDENT in the Chair.

PRAYERS by Rev.

Henry Brown.


OATH OF ALLEGIANCE OF A NEW SENATOR The Clerk administered the Oath, in accordance with section 65 of the Belize Constitution, to the new Senator, the Honourable Rev.

Henry Brown.

ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT Mr. President made the following announcement:- “Honourable Members, rd March recommendation has been signified to the following: dated letter by 23 2018, Cabinet’s 1.

General Revenue Appropriation (2018/2019) Bill, 2018; ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 2 2.
Central Bank of Belize (Amendment) Bill, 2018; 3.

Customs and Excise Duties (Amendment) Bill, 2018; and 4.

Official Charities Fund Motion, 2018.” BILLS BROUGHT FROM THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The Leader of Government Business and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, the Environment, Sustainable Development and Immigration signified his willingness to take charge of the following Bills: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.


General Revenue Appropriation (2018/2019) Bill, 2018; Central Bank of Belize (Amendment) Bill, 2018; Customs and Excise Duties (Amendment) Bill, 2018; Immigration (Amendment) Bill, 2018; Belizean Nationality (Amendment) Bill, 2018; Passports (Amendment) Bill, 2018; Firearms (Amendment) Bill, 2018; Police (Amendment) Bill, 2018; Crime Control and Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill, 2018; and 10.

Protection of Witnesses Bill, 2018.


The Leader of Government Business and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, the Environment, Sustainable Development and Immigration moved that the Bills be taken through all their stages forthwith.

Question put and agreed to.

PAPER The Leader of Government Business and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, the Environment, Sustainable Development and Immigration:- 41/1/13 - Draft Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for Fiscal Year 2018/2019.
Paper ordered to lie on the Table.

MOTION RELATING TO THE BUSINESS OR SITTINGS OF THE SENATE The Leader of Government Business and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, the Environment, Sustainable Development and Immigration moved that, at its rising, the Senate adjourn to a date to be fixed by the President.

​ 3 Question put and agreed to.

PUBLIC BUSINESS A.

GOVERNMENT BUSINESS I MOTION 1.

Official Charities Fund Motion, 2018.


The Leader of Government Business and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, the Environment, Sustainable Development and Immigration 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 st March, Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the year ending 31 2019.

After the debate thereon, question was put and agreed to.

II BILLS FOR SECOND READING 1.


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

The Leader of Government Business and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, the Environment, Sustainable Development and Immigration moved that the above-mentioned Bill be read a second time: Bill for an Act to appropriate certain sums of money for the use of the Public Service of Belize for the financial year ending March 31, 2019.
Suspension of the debate on the General Revenue Appropriation (2018/2019) Bill, 2018.)

In accordance with Standing Order 10 (8), the Leader of Government Business and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, the Environment, Sustainable Development and Immigration 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 and continuation of Appropriation (2018/2019) Bill, 2018.)
the debate on the General Revenue After the debate thereon, question was put and agreed to.

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

to Standing Orders, was 2.

Central Bank of Belize (Amendment) Bill, 2018.
The Leader of Government Business and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, the Environment, Sustainable Development and Immigration moved that the above-mentioned Bill be read a second time: ​ ​ ​ 4 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.
After the debate thereon, question was put and agreed to.

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

to Standing Orders, was 3.

Customs and Excise Duties (Amendment) Bill, 2018.
The Leader of Government Business and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, the Environment, Sustainable Development and Immigration 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.
After the debate thereon, question was put and agreed to.

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

to Standing Orders, was 4.

5.

6.

Immigration (Amendment) Bill, 2018.

Belizean Nationality (Amendment) Bill, 2018.

Passports (Amendment) Bill, 2018.

The Leader of Government Business and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, the Environment, Sustainable Development and Immigration moved that the above mentioned Bills be read all together.
Motion was seconded by Senator Eamon Courtenay.
Thereafter the Leader of Government Business and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, the Environment, Sustainable Development and Immigration moved that the Bills 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 measure to amendments to the Belizean Nationality Act, Chapter 161, and the Passports Act, Chapter 164, for the bifurcation of functions related to immigration and nationality services, to regularize the use of the term used to describe the head 5 of the government department responsible for immigration; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
---------- 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, and the Passports Act, Chapter 164, the bifurcation of functions related to nationality and immigration services; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
for ---------- Bill for an Act to amend the Passports Act, Chapter 164 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011, to provide, as a companion measure to amendments to the Immigration Act, Chapter 156, and the Belizean Nationality Act, Chapter 161, for the bifurcation of functions related to nationality and immigration services; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

After the debate thereon, question was put and agreed to.
Bills accordingly read a second time and, pursuant to Standing Orders, were committed to a Committee of the whole Senate.

7.

Firearms (Amendment) Bill, 2018.
The Leader of Government Business and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, the Environment, Sustainable Development and Immigration moved that the above-mentioned Bill be read a second time: 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 updated fines and fees; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
After the debate thereon, question was put and agreed to.

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

to Standing Orders, was 8.

Police (Amendment) Bill, 2018.
The Leader of Government Business and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, the Environment, Sustainable Development and Immigration moved that the above-mentioned Bill be read a second time: Bill for an Act to amend the Police Act, Chapter 138 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011; to bring the Police Act into conformity with the Public Service Regulations and to strengthen disciplinary control of persons holding or acting in offices in the 6 security services; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
After the debate thereon, question was put and agreed to.

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

to Standing Orders, was 9.

Crime Control and Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill, 2018.
The Leader of Government Business and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, the Environment, Sustainable Development and Immigration moved that the above-mentioned Bill be read a second time: 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 a division was requested by Senator Osmany Salas.

The Senators voted as follows: Senator Godwin Hulse Senator Dr. Carla Barnett Senator Michael Peyrefitte Senator Macario Coy Sr.

Senator Stephen Duncan Senator Aldo Salazar Senator Eamon Courtenay Senator Valerie Woods Senator Paul Thompson Senator Markhelm Lizarraga Senator Rev.
Henry Brown Senator Elena Smith Senator Osmany Salas - - - - - - - - - - - - - Aye Aye Aye Aye Aye Aye No No No Aye Aye Abstained No Thereon, the result was that eight (8) Senators voted “Aye”, four (4) Senators voted “No” and one (1) Senator abstained.

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

to Standing Orders, was 10.

Protection of Witnesses Bill, 2018.
The Leader of Government Business and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, the Environment, Sustainable Development and Immigration moved that the above-mentioned Bill be read a second time: 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 7 enforcement authorities; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
After the debate thereon, question was put and agreed to.

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

to Standing Orders, was III COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE SENATE ON BILLS In accordance with Standing Order 54, the Senate, without question put, resolved itself into a Committee of the whole Senate to examine and consider the Bills that were read a second time.

(In the Committee of the whole Senate) MR. PRESIDENT in the Chair.

1.
1.

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

Clauses 1 to 3 agreed to.

Schedule agreed to.

2.

Central Bank of Belize (Amendment) Bill, 2018.

Clauses 1 and 2 agreed to.

3.

Customs and Excise Duties (Amendment) Bill, 2018.

Clauses 1 to 3 agreed to.

4.

Immigration (Amendment) Bill, 2018.

Clauses 1 to 11 agreed to.

5.

Belizean Nationality (Amendment) Bill, 2018.

Clauses 1 to 8 agreed to.

6.

Passports (Amendment) Bill, 2018.

Clauses 1 to 3 agreed to.

7.


Firearms (Amendment) Bill, 2017.

Clauses 1 to 14 agreed to.

8.

Police (Amendment) Bill, 2017.

8 Clauses 1 to 19 agreed to.

9.

Crime Control and Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill, 2017.

Clauses 1 to 4 agreed to.

10.

Protection of Witnesses Bill, 2018.

Clauses 1 to 37 agreed to.

Schedules 1 and 2 agreed to.

Bills to be reported back to the Senate without amendment.

IV REPORTING AND THIRD READING OF BILLS 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.


General Revenue Appropriation (2018/2019) Bill, 2018; Central Bank of Belize (Amendment) Bill, 2018; Customs and Excise Duties (Amendment) Bill, 2018; Immigration (Amendment) Bill, 2018; Belizean Nationality (Amendment) Bill, 2018; Passports (Amendment) Bill, 2018; Firearms (Amendment) Bill, 2018; Police (Amendment) Bill, 2018; Crime Control and Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill, 2018; and 10.

Protection of Witnesses Bill, 2018.


The Leader of Government Business and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, the Environment, Sustainable Development and Immigration reported that the Committee of the whole Senate has considered the above-mentioned Bills, clauses by clauses, and has agreed upon them without amendment.

Whereupon the Senator moved that the Bills be read a third time.

Question was put and agreed to.

Bills were read a third time.


ADJOURNMENT The Leader of Government Business and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, the Environment, Sustainable Development and Immigration moved that the Senate be adjourned.

9 The Senate adjourned at 9:55 P.M. to a date to be fixed by the President.

PRESIDENT ***---***---***