On Friday, 31st July 2026, the House of Representatives convened in the National Assembly Chamber in Belmopan. The Sitting started at 10:54 A.M. with prayers led by Pastor Robert Mossiah, followed by announcements from Deputy Speaker Marconi Leal Jr., who presided over the meeting. Notices of absence were received from Speaker Valerie Woods as well as the Member for Orange Walk South, the Member for Cayo South, the Member for Belmopan, the Member for Toledo East, and the Member for Cayo West.
VACANCY IN THE JOINT PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE
The Presiding Officer informed the House of a vacancy in the membership of the Joint Public Accounts Committee. Pursuant to Standing Order 73, the Sitting was suspended to enable the Committee of Selection to consider and report to the House on the appointment of a Member to fill the vacancy. Upon resumption, the following Report was presented and ordered to lie on the Table:
- HR82A/1/14 – Report from the Committee of Selection on the Appointment of a Member to fill the vacancy in the Joint Public Accounts Committee.
The Adoption of the Report from the Committee of Selection Motion, 2026, was thereafter moved, on behalf of the Chairperson of the Committee of Selection. The question was put, and the Motion was adopted.
BILL BROUGHT FROM THE SENATE
ONE (1) Bill was brought from the Senate, having been approved by the Senate with amendments. As per Standing Order 60, the House considered and approved the Senate amendments to the following Bill:
- Judges Salaries and Pensions Bill, 2026.
PAPERS
ELEVEN (11) Sessional Papers were laid on the Table.
The Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Investment, Economic Transformation, Civil Aviation, E-Governance, National Defence and Border Security presented:
- HR83/1/14 – The Twenty-Fourth Annual Report of the Contractor General for the Period April 1, to March 31, 2026; and
- HR83A/1/14 – Report of the Auditor General for the Year April 2017 to March 2018, which was referred to the Joint Public Accounts Committee for examination, consideration, and report.
The Honourable Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and New Growth Industries presented:
- HR84/1/14 – Supplies Control (Prices) (Amendment) (No. 14) Regulations, 2026;
- HR85/1/14 – Supplies Control (Prices) (Amendment) (No. 15) Regulations, 2026;
- HR86/1/14 – Supplies Control (Prices) (Amendment) (No. 16) Regulations, 2026;
- HR87/1/14 – Supplies Control (Prices) (Amendment) (No. 17) Regulations, 2026;
- HR88/1/14 – Supplies Control (Prices) (Amendment) (No. 18) Regulations, 2026;
- HR89/1/14 – Supplies Control (Prices) (Amendment) (No. 19) Regulations, 2026;
- HR90/1/14 – Supplies Control (Prices) (Amendment) (No. 20) Regulations, 2026; and
- HR91/1/14 – Supplies Control (Prices) (Amendment) (No. 21) Regulations, 2026.
The Honourable Minister of Constitution and Religious Affairs, Indigenous Affairs and Transportation presented:
- HR91A/1/14 – Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Limited and Exclusive Concessions) Regulations, 2026.
PRESENTATION OF REPORTS FROM SELECT COMMITTEES
TEN (10) Reports were presented by Chairpersons of Committees and were ordered to lie on the Table as follows:
- HR92/1/14 – Report from the Finance and Economic Development Committee on the Development Finance Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2026;
- HR93/1/14 – Report from the Finance and Economic Development Committee on the Belize International Financial Services Association (Amendment) Bill, 2026;
- HR94/1/14 – Report from the Finance and Economic Development Committee on the Belize Electricity Investments Bill, 2026;
- HR95/1/14 – Report from the Finance and Economic Development Committee on the International Development Association – Belize Early Childhood Development and Female Empowerment Project (US$23.5 Million) Loan Motion, 2026;
- HR96/1/14 – Report from the Finance and Economic Development Committee on the Inter-American Development Bank – Contingent Loan for Natural Disaster and Public Health Emergencies (US$25 Million) Loan Motion, 2026;
- HR97/1/14 – Report from the Finance and Economic Development Committee on the CARICOM Development Fund – School Development Fund for Corozal and Cayo (US$3 Million) Loan Motion, 2026;
- HR98/1/14 – Report from the Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee on the Criminal Code (Amendment) Bill, 2026;
- HR99/1/14 – Report from the Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee on the Alternative Sentencing (Amendment) Bill, 2026;
- HR100/1/14 – Report from the Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee on the Geographical Indications Bill, 2026; and
- HR101/1/14 – Second Report from the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus Standing Committee for the period January 2026 to June 2026.
INTRODUCTION OF BILLS
FIVE (5) Bills were introduced and referred to their respective Committees for examination, consideration, and report:
- Millennium Challenge Account–Belize Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2026;
- Revenue Authority Bill, 2026;
- National Honours and Awards (Amendment) Bill, 2026;
- Technical and Vocational Education Training Bill, 2026; and
- Education Bill, 2026.
These Bills seek, among other things, to ratify the Millennium Challenge Compact between the United States of America and Belize; to establish a Revenue Authority for the administration and collection of domestic revenue; to provide for new national honours and awards recognising Belizeans for bravery, courage, and patriotism; to develop and regulate the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) sector; and to reform and modernise the basic education system of Belize.
In respect of the National Honours and Awards (Amendment) Bill, 2026, the House agreed, on a motion moved by the Honourable Prime Minister, under Standing Order 49(1), that the Bill be taken through all its stages forthwith.
MOTIONS RELATING TO THE BUSINESS OR SITTINGS OF THE HOUSE
The Prime Minister moved a motion that, at its rising, the House adjourn to a date to be fixed by the Speaker. The question was put, and the motion was approved.
PUBLIC BUSINESS – GOVERNMENT BUSINESS – MOTIONS
FIVE (5) Motions were considered by the House:
- International Development Association – Belize Early Childhood Development and Female Empowerment Project (US$23.5 Million) Loan Motion, 2026
This Motion sought approval for Belize to enter into a financing agreement with the International Development Association (IDA) for US$23.5 million to improve access to quality early childhood care and education, expand female employment opportunities, strengthen related systems and services, and provide emergency response support when necessary. Having been reported back by the Finance and Economic Development Committee, the Motion was moved and agreed to.
- Inter-American Development Bank – Contingent Loan for Natural Disaster and Public Health Emergencies (US$25 Million) Loan Motion, 2026
This Motion sought approval for Belize to secure contingent financing of up to US$25 million to strengthen fiscal resilience and support rapid responses to severe natural disasters and public health emergencies. Having been reported back by the Finance and Economic Development Committee, the Motion was moved and agreed to.
- CARICOM Development Fund – School Development Fund for Corozal and Cayo (US$3 Million) Loan Motion, 2026
This Motion sought approval for concessional loan financing of US$3 million from the CARICOM Development Fund to support the construction and improvement of safe, inclusive, and climate-resilient educational facilities for schools in Belmopan and Corozal, together with the provision of educational resources and teacher development initiatives. Having been reported back by the Finance and Economic Development Committee, the Motion was moved and agreed to.
- Inter-American Development Bank – Support to Civil Service Modernization Project (US$8 Million) Loan Motion, 2026
This Motion sought approval for Belize to enter into a loan contract with the Inter-American Development Bank for US$8 million to support the Civil Service Modernization Project, aimed at improving the efficiency of the Central Government’s wage bill and strengthening the strategic management of public-sector employment. After the debate, the Motion was referred to the Finance and Economic Development Committee for examination, consideration, and report.
- Appointment of a Member to the National Assembly Staff Committee Motion, 2026
This Motion recommended that the Honourable Luis Alex Balona be appointed as a member of the National Assembly Staff Committee, in the place of the Honourable Rodwell Ferguson. The Motion was referred to the Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee, and the Honourable Prime Minister sought the indulgence of the House to have the Motion taken through all its stages forthwith. The question was put, and the House agreed.
ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER
It was announced that the House will suspend to allow the Public Service, Labour, Industry and Trade Committee and the Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee to consider the National Honours and Awards (Amendment) Bill, 2026 and the Appointment of a Member to the National Assembly Staff Committee Motion, 2026, respectively. The Committees met and agreed to refer the Bill and the Motion back to the House.
The House resumed, and the following Reports were presented and laid on the Table:
- HR102/1/14 – Report from the Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee on the Appointment of a Member to the National Assembly Staff Committee Motion, 2026; and
- HR103/1/14 – Report from the Public Service, Labour, Industry and Trade Committee on the National Honours and Awards (Amendment) Bill, 2026.
The Appointment of a Member to the National Assembly Staff Committee Motion, 2026 was thereafter moved for adoption. The question was put, and the House resolved that the Honourable Luis Alex Balona be appointed as a member of the National Assembly Staff Committee in the place of the Honourable Rodwell Ferguson.
BILLS FOR SECOND READING
EIGHT (8) Bills were read a second time:
- Tobacco Control Bill, 2026
This Bill seeks to provide for the adoption and implementation of tobacco control policies in accordance with the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, to protect present and future generations from the harms of tobacco use and exposure to tobacco smoke.
- Development Finance Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2026
This Bill seeks to amend the Development Finance Corporation Act and to rename the Development Finance Corporation.
- Belize International Financial Services Association (Amendment) Bill, 2026
This Bill seeks to rename the Belize International Financial Services Association, and its governing Act, as the Belize Financial Industry Association.
- Belize Electricity Investments Bill, 2026
This Bill seeks to authorise and give effect to a preference share Subscription Deed for the acquisition by the Government of Belize of 8,138,020 Convertible Redeemable Preference Shares in Belize Electricity Limited, and to provide for the payment of the purchase price from the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
- National Honours and Awards (Amendment) Bill, 2026
This Bill seeks to provide for new national honours and awards to recognise Belizeans for bravery, courage, and patriotism.
- Geographical Indications Bill, 2026
This Bill seeks to provide for the registration and protection of geographical indications.
- Alternative Sentencing (Amendment) Bill, 2026
This Bill seeks to expand the definition of offence and to amend provisions relating to community service orders, curfew orders, suspended sentences, probation orders, and restitution orders.
- Criminal Code (Amendment) Bill, 2026
This Bill seeks to provide for public accessibility to the National Sex Offenders Database and for in camera proceedings for certain offences.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE HOUSE ON BILLS
Following the debates and the second readings of the Bills, the House resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House, with the Honourable Devin Daly, Member for Collet, presiding, to consider the following Bills clause by clause:
- Development Finance Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2026;
- Belize International Financial Services Association (Amendment) Bill, 2026;
- Belize Electricity Investments Bill, 2026;
- National Honours and Awards (Amendment) Bill, 2026;
- Geographical Indications Bill, 2026;
- Alternative Sentencing (Amendment) Bill, 2026;
- Criminal Code (Amendment) Bill, 2026; and
- Tobacco Control Bill, 2026.
The meeting of the Committee of the Whole House is held in camera.
REPORTING AND THIRD READING OF BILLS
Following the reporting from the Committee of the Whole House, EIGHT (8) Bills were read a third time and passed by the House:
- Development Finance Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2026 (without amendment);
- Belize International Financial Services Association (Amendment) Bill, 2026 (without amendment);
- Belize Electricity (BEL Subscription Deed) Investments Bill, 2026 (with amendments);
- National Honours and Awards (Amendment) Bill, 2026 (without amendment);
- Geographical Indications Bill, 2026 (without amendment);
- Alternative Sentencing (Amendment) Bill, 2026 (without amendment);
- Criminal Code (Amendment) Bill, 2026 (with amendments); and
- Tobacco Control Bill, 2026 (with amendments).
ADJOURNMENT
On the motion for the adjournment, the Leader of the Opposition and Member for Albert, the Member for Mesopotamia and the Member for Queen’s Square raised matters of public concern. The House adjourned at 10:43 PM to a date to be fixed by the Speaker.
STAY ENGAGED
Members of the public are encouraged to follow parliamentary proceedings and access Bills, motions, committee reports, sessional papers, and Hansards through the National Assembly’s official platforms.