Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1694865590883.pdf (Belize)
BELIZE No.

HR25/1/13 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Friday, 21st April 2023 10:00 AM -*- -*- -*- S U P P L E M E N T A R Y (1) ORDERS OF THE DAY 4.

Bills brought from the Senate.

1.

Non-Profit Organisations Bill, 2023.

(The Honourable Prime Minister and Minister Finance, Economic Development, and Investment) 2.

Legal Aid Bill, 2023.

(The Honourable Minister of Education, Culture, Science and Technology) 6.

Papers.

No.
Papers.

No.

HR164/1/13 - Social Security (Collection of Contributions) (Amendment) Regulations, 2003.

No.

HR165/1/13 - Social Security (Financial and Accounting) (Amendment) Regulations, 2003.

No.

HR166/1/13 - Social Security (Non-Contributory Pension for Women 65 Years or Over) (Amendment) Regulations, 2008.

No.

HR167/1/13 - Social Security (Financial and Accounting) (Amendment) Regulations, 2009.

No.
No.

HR168/1/13 - Social Security (Non-Contributory Pension for Persons 65 Years or Over) (Amendment) Regulations, 2009.

No.

HR169/1/13 - No.

HR170/1/13 - Social Security Regulations, 2011.

Social Security Regulations, 2016.

(Benefit) (Amendment) (Benefit) (Amendment) No.

HR171/1/13 - Social Security (Financial and Accounting) (Amendment) Regulations, 2019.

2 No.

HR172/1/13 - Social Security Regulations, 2019.

(Benefit) (Amendment) No.


HR173/1/13 - Social Security (Non-Contributory Pension for Persons 65 Years or Over) (Amendment) Regulations, 2019.

No.

HR174/1/13 - Social Security (Claims and Payments) (Amendment) Regulations, 2019.

No.

HR174A/1/13 - Social Security (Registration of Employers (Amendment) and Employed Persons) Regulations, 2019.

No.

HR175/1/13 - Social Security (Benefit) (Amendment) (No.

2) Regulations, 2019.

No.


HR176/1/13 - Social Security (Collection of Contributions) (Amendment) Regulations, 2019.

No.

HR176A/1/13 - Social Security (Registration of Employers and Employed Persons) (Amendment) (No.

2) Regulations, 2019.

No.

HR177/1/13 - Social Security (Claims and Payments) (Amendment) (No.

2) Regulations, 2019.

No.

HR178/1/13 - Social Security Regulations, 2020.

(Benefit) (Amendment) No.

HR179/1/13 - Social Security (Collection of Contributions) (Amendment) Regulations, 2020.
No.

HR180/1/13 - House of Representatives (Amendment) Standing Orders, 2023.

(The Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment) 12.

Introduction of Bills.

1. Credit Unions (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
Bill for an Act to amend the Credit Unions Act, Chapter 314 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2020, to satisfy the requirements of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Recommendations; to provide for the chief executive officer, senior executive officer, and members of the Board of Directors, Supervisory Committee and Credit Committee to be fit and proper; to provide for publication of sanctions at the discretion of the Central Bank of Belize; to provide for credit unions to comply with all requirements of the Money Laundering and Terrorism (Prevention) Act; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
2.

Central Bank of Belize (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
Bill for an Act to amend the Central Bank of Belize Act, Chapter 262 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2020, to satisfy the requirements of the Financial 3 the exchange of Action Task Force (FATF) Recommendations; to provide for information between financial supervisors; to allow for reinforcement of the Central Bank to ensure financial institutions comply with AML/CFT/CPF international standards and to avoid any real or perceived conflicts of interest; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
3.

Domestic (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
Banks and Financial Institutions Financial Bill for an Act to amend the Domestic Banks and Financial Institutions Act, Chapter 263 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2020, to satisfy the requirements of the (FATF) Force the operational Recommendations; independence of the Central Bank to have full discretion to take actions and decisions on supervised banks and banking groups; to provide for the publication of sanctions for non- compliance at the Central Bank’s discretion; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
Action to provide Task for 4. International Banking (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
Bill for an Act to amend the International Banking Act, Chapter 267 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2020, to satisfy the requirements of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Recommendations; to align the definition of shell bank with the definition in the Domestic Banks and Financial Institutions Act and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Recommendations; to prohibit the licensing of shell banks; to provide for the publication of sanctions for non-compliance at the discretion of the Central Bank of Belize; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
5.

Moneylenders (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

Bill for an Act to amend the Moneylenders Act, Chapter 260 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2020, to satisfy the requirements of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Recommendations; to increase the Central Bank’s effectiveness in supervising moneylenders by enabling publication of enforcement actions; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

6.

Money Laundering and Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
Bill for an Act to amend the Money Laundering and Terrorism (Prevention) Act, Chapter 104 of the Substantive Laws of Belize Revised Edition 2020; to satisfy the requirements of the Financial Action Task Force Recommendations with respect to laws regarding national anti-money financing of terrorism and combatting proliferation financing; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

laundering, combatting the 4 7.

National Payment System (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
Bill for an Act to amend the National Payment System Act, Chapter 266:01 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2020, to satisfy the requirements of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Recommendations; to provide that payment service providers and agents are licensed or registered to operate; to sanction the operation without a license or registration of payment service providers and agents; to provide for the publication of sanctions for non- compliance by payment service providers and agents; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
(The Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment) 8.

Special Prosecutor Bill, 2023.

Bill for an Act to prescribe matters necessary for the appointment and duties of a special prosecutor who has an independent status within the scope of a specific case in the investigation of crime and institution of public prosecution; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

(The Honourable Minister of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries) 14.
Public Business.

A.

Government Business I MOTIONS (For Text of Motions see Notice Papers attached) 1.

Development Finance Corporation Loan Facility from the Social Security Board to Provide Financing Primarily for the on-going Mortgage Finance Program-Belize $20 Million Loan Motion, 2023.

Cabinet’s recommendation to be signified.

(The Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment) 2.
Motion Parliamentarian Caucus Standing Committee, 2023. the Establishment of for the Women’s Cabinet’s recommendation to be signified.

(The Honourable Minister of Human Development, Families and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs)  NOTICES OF QUESTIONS AND MOTIO 5 BELIZE No.

HR25/1/13 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Friday, 21st April 2023 10:00 AM.

-*- -*- -*- S U P P L E M E N T A R Y (1) NOTICES OF QUESTIONS AND MOTIONS M O T I O N S 1.
Development Finance Corporation Loan Facility from the Social Security Board to Provide Financing Primarily for the on-going Mortgage Finance Program-BZE$20 Million Loan Motion, 2023.

Notice given on 18th April 2023.

WHEREAS, section 15(1) of the Development Finance Corporation Act, Chapter 279, Revised Edition.
2020, provides that the Development Finance Corporation (DFC) may, with the approval of the Minister of Finance, and subject to the principles of sound fiscal management, borrow sums domestically or internationally, for meeting any of its obligations or discharging any of its functions; AND WHEREAS, subsection (4) of Section 15 of the DFC (Amendment) Act, 2022, further provides that any agreement, contract, or other instrument effecting any borrowing or loan to the DFC, of or above the equivalent of five million dollars, shall only be validly entered into pursuant to a resolution of the National Assembly authorizing the DFC to raise the loan or to borrow the money; AND WHEREAS, the DFC approached the Social Security Board (SSB) for a loan facility to provide financing for its on-going Mortgage Finance Program, that includes residential expansion and improvement, real estate development, infrastructure, and refinancing loan opportunities for Belizeans; AND WHEREAS, the SSB Board of Directors on 6th June 2022, approved a financing facility to the DFC totaling BZE$20,000,000 for the said purpose, under the following terms and conditions: Loan Principal Amount: BZE$20,000,000; Disbursement Schedule: Funds will be disbursed in four (4) tranches, of $5 million each, over two (2) years; Purpose: Loan Term: To provide financing for DFC’s Mortgage Finance Program; Twenty-five (25) years with two (2) years grace period on principal payment; Rate of Interest: Repayment: Commitment Fee: Other Fees: 6 Interest shall be paid at rate to be agreed not to exceed four and one half (4.5%) percent per annum on outstanding principal loan balance and payable quarterly on any the date of first disbursed sum from disbursement; Principal and interest are to be repaid quarterly after full disbursement of loan funds.
Full disbursement of the loan will be within two (2) years from the date of first disbursement; One (1%) percent payable by DFC on any undrawn portion of the line of credit, to be paid annually; The Facility will be subject to a one-time loan application fee of $6,000 which is payable before the first disbursement; A lending fee of 0.75% is due on the approved loan facility and payable on the disbursed tranches; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that this Honourable House, being satisfied that the Loan proceeds would significantly assist the Development Finance Corporation to meet the growing demands for its on-going Mortgage Finance Program, and aid the Government’s ongoing efforts to improve the living conditions and lives of the Belizean people, approves and confirms that the Development Finance Corporation may enter into a Loan Agreement with the Social Security Board on the terms and conditions set out above, and further authorizes the Corporation, through its Board of Directors, to execute and deliver the said Loan Agreement and all other documents associated therewith.
Cabinet’s recommendation to be signified.

(The Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment) 2.

Motion for the Establishment of the Women’s Parliamentarian Caucus Standing Committee, 2023.

Notice given on 18th April 2023.
WHEREAS, Standing Order 78 (4) of the House of Representatives Standing Orders provides that a Joint Select Committee may be appointed at the request of either House with the approval of the other House; AND WHEREAS, Standing Order 74 of the House of Representatives Standing Orders requires the House to refer a motion relating to Standing Orders to the Standing Orders Committee for examination, consideration, and report; AND WHEREAS, Standing Order 89 (1) of the House of Representatives Standing Orders requires that notice of a motion to a amend the Standing Orders be given and accompanied by a draft of the proposed amendments; AND WHEREAS, the need for a collaborative forum for all women parliamentarians of Belize, notwithstanding party affiliation or the chamber in which they serve, has been identified; 7 AND WHEREAS, such forum may facilitate networking, foster productive dialogue on issues of women’s rights and gender equality, and promote the undertaking of actions to positively impact the inclusiveness of the legislature, legislative process and the country as a whole; AND WHEREAS, there has been a consensus among the women parliamentarians that this forum be established as a Bicameral Caucus of Women Parliamentarians; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that this Honourable House recommends that the House of Representatives Standing Orders be amended to allow for such caucus to be established as a Joint Select Committee, in accordance with Standing Order 78 of the House of Representatives, to sit jointly with a similarly comprised Committee from the Senate, as proposed in the Draft Statutory Instrument annexed hereto, which is tabled as Sessional Paper No.
HR180/1/13.

Cabinet’s recommendation to be signified.

(The Honourable Minister of Human Development, Families and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs) 