On Friday, 21st August 2026, the House of Representatives convened for a Special Sitting in the National Assembly Chamber in Belmopan. The Sitting commenced at 10:45 A.M and opened with prayers led by Mrs. Marjorie Shaw, followed by announcements from Deputy Speaker Marconi Leal Jr., who presided over the meeting. Notices of absence were received from Speaker Valerie Woods; the Member for Fort George; the Member for Belmopan; the Member for Orange Walk North; and the Member for Corozal North.
VACANCIES IN STANDING COMMITTEES
The Presiding Officer informed the House of vacancies in the membership of the Public Utilities, Transport and Communications Committee; the Health and Human Development Committee; the Education, Sports and Housing Committee; the Works Committee; and the Ombudsman Reports 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 Members to fill the vacancies. Upon resumption, the following Report was presented and ordered to lie on the Table:
HR103A/1/14 – Report from the Committee of Selection on the Appointment of Members to fill the vacancies in the Public Utilities, Transport and Communications Committee, the Health and Human Development Committee, the Education, Sports and Housing Committee, the Works Committee, and the Ombudsman Reports 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. In accordance with Standing Order 60, the House considered and accepted the Senate amendments to the following Bill:
- Occupational Safety and Health Bill, 2026.
The Bill seeks to establish the National Occupational Safety and Health Advisory Committee and the Occupational Safety and Health Inspectorate; improve standards for occupational safety and health; define the duties and obligations of employers, workers, self-employed persons, manufacturers, suppliers, installers, inspectors, and other persons at work; and repeal the Factories Act.
PAPERS
FIVE (5) 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:
- HR103B/1/14 – Compilation of the People’s Constitution Commission (PCC) Recommendations.
The Honourable Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and New Growth Industries presented:
- HR104/1/14 – Supplies Control (Prices) (Amendment) (No. 22) Regulations, 2026;
- HR105/1/14 – Supplies Control (Prices) (Amendment) (No. 23) Regulations, 2026;
- HR106/1/14 – Supplies Control (Prices) (Amendment) (No. 24) Regulations, 2026; and
- HR106A/1/14 – Supplies Control (Prices) (Amendment) (No. 25) Regulations, 2026.
PRESENTATION OF REPORTS FROM SELECT COMMITTEES
SIX (6) Reports were presented by Chairpersons of Committees and were ordered to lie on the Table as follows:
- HR107/1/14 – Report from the Finance and Economic Development Committee on the Revenue Authority Bill, 2026;
- HR108/1/14 – Report from the Finance and Economic Development Committee on the Millennium Challenge Account-Belize Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2026;
- HR109/1/14 – Report from the Finance and Economic Development Committee on the Inter-American Development Bank – Support to Civil Service Modernization Project (US$8 Million) Loan Motion, 2026;
- HR109A/1/14 – Report from the Education, Sports and Housing Committee on the Education Bill, 2026;
- HR109B/1/14 – Report from the Education, Sports and Housing Committee on the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Bill, 2026; and
- HR110/1/14 – Report from the National Security and Immigration Committee on the National Security Council (Amendment) Bill, 2026.
INTRODUCTION OF BILLS
TWO (2) Bills were introduced and referred to their respective Committees for examination, consideration, and report:
- Credit Unions Bill, 2026; and
- Public Transportation Investment Bill, 2026.
The Credit Unions Bill, 2026, seeks to provide for the continuance, registration, licensing, management, and supervision of credit unions. It was referred to the Finance and Economic Development Committee.
The Public Transportation Investment Bill, 2026, seeks to approve, ratify, and confirm the Government’s investment in the National Bus Company Ltd., including the transfer and vesting of certain public transport assets in the company, and to provide for proposed exemptions from taxes and duties. It was referred to the Public Utilities, Transport and Communications Committee.
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
FOUR (4) Motions were considered by the House:
- 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 US$8 million loan contract with the Inter-American Development Bank to support the Civil Service Modernization Project. The Project aims to improve the efficiency of the Central Government’s wage bill and strengthen the strategic management of public-sector employment through expenditure control and workforce planning, digital transformation and data analytics, and stronger institutional capacity for human resource management. Having been reported back by the Finance and Economic Development Committee, the Motion was moved and agreed to.
- Commercial Loan from the Export-Import Bank of the Republic of China (Taiwan) (US$100 Million) Loan Motion, 2026
This Motion sought approval for Belize to enter into a US$100 million long-term loan agreement with the Export-Import Bank of the Republic of China (Taiwan) for general financing purposes during the five-year bilateral cooperation framework for 2025 to 2029. The proposed facility carries a twenty-year term, a three-year grace period, and an interest rate based on the six-month Term SOFR plus 1.2%. Following debate, the Motion was referred to the Finance and Economic Development Committee for examination, consideration, and report.
- Resolution Consenting to the Grant of a Limited Concession to the National Bus Company of Belize to Operate Motor Omnibuses along the Western Corridor of Belize Motion, 2026
This Motion sought the consent of the House for the grant of a limited concession to the National Bus Company of Belize to operate motor omnibus services along the Western Transport Service Area, comprising the highways connecting Benque Viejo del Carmen, San Ignacio, Santa Elena, Belmopan, and Belize City. Following debate, the Motion was referred to the Public Utilities, Transport and Communications Committee for examination, consideration, and report.
- Resolution Consenting to the Grant of an Exclusive Concession to the National Bus Company of Belize to Operate Motor Omnibuses along the Southern Corridor of Belize Motion, 2026
This Motion sought the consent of the House for the grant of an exclusive concession to the National Bus Company of Belize to operate motor omnibus services along the Southern Transport Service Area, comprising the highways connecting Punta Gorda, Independence and Mango Creek, Dangriga, the Coastal Road to La Democracia, and Belmopan. Following debate, the Motion was referred to the Public Utilities, Transport and Communications Committee for examination, consideration, and report.
BILLS FOR SECOND READING
FIVE (5) Bills were read a second time:
- Millennium Challenge Account-Belize Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2026
This Bill seeks to amend the Millennium Challenge Account-Belize Authority Act and to ratify the Millennium Challenge Compact and the Program Implementation Agreement entered into by the United States of America and Belize.
- Revenue Authority Bill, 2026
This Bill seeks to establish the Revenue Authority to facilitate the administration and collection of domestic revenue and other public money.
- National Security Council (Amendment) Bill, 2026
This Bill seeks to provide for the mandatory security vetting of staff and other persons with access to sensitive information and for the making of regulations in respect of security vetting.
- Education Bill, 2026
This Bill seeks to repeal the Education and Training Act and reform the basic education system to make education free, accessible, compulsory, relevant, inclusive, and rights-based. It also seeks to strengthen the regulation and governance of educational services, improve the licensing and certification of teachers, and establish a national student assessment system.
- Technical and Vocational Education and Training Bill, 2026
This Bill seeks to provide a modern framework for developing and regulating Belize’s technical and vocational education and training sector. It provides for a National Training Authority, the registration and accreditation of providers and assessment centres, the certification of trainers, assessors, and verifiers, the development of qualifications and curricula, Sector Skills Councils, and sustainable financing for TVET programmes.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE HOUSE ON BILLS
Following the debates and second readings, 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:
- Millennium Challenge Account-Belize Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2026;
- Revenue Authority Bill, 2026;
- National Security Council (Amendment) Bill, 2026;
- Education Bill, 2026; and
- Technical and Vocational Education and Training 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, FIVE (5) Bills were read a third time and passed by the House:
- Millennium Challenge Account-Belize Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2026 (without amendment);
- Revenue Authority Bill, 2026 (without amendment);
- National Security Council (Amendment) Bill, 2026 (with amendments);
- Education Bill, 2026 (with amendments); and
- Technical and Vocational Education and Training Bill, 2026 (with amendments).
ADJOURNMENT
On the motion for the adjournment, the House adjourned at 6:02 P.M 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.
