Other important housekeeping business that was addressed at today's meeting included the passing of the Treasury Amendment Bill of 2020 and the Supreme Court of Judicature Amendment Bill of 2020.
The Treasury bill will allow for treasury notes to mature in 20 years, instead of its past 10-year maturity rate.
The Supreme Court of Judicature Amendment Bill will allow, among other things, for the establishment of the Court to Prison Video live link, and it will also allow for the Chief Justice to make practiced directions for the court instances of public interest and national security. You’ll remember that the court has suspended all cases and hearings for several days now.
Here’s what the Prime Minister had to briefly say about these two bills when he introduced them today:
Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow- Prime Minister
"Madam speaker I rise to introduce a bill for an Act to amend the Treasury Bill's Act, chapter 83 of the substantive laws of Belize, revised edition 2011, to increase the maturity of treasury notes from 10 years to 20 years and to provide for matters connected therewith or incident thereto. This bill has the recommendation of the Cabinet. In accordance with standing order 49-1 I move that the bill be taken through all its stages forthwith. This will help us, in terms of the borrowing that we are going to be immediately doing, via the Central Bank and any further burrowing that we may need to do as circumstances evolve. I rise to introduce a bill for an Act to amend the Supreme Court of Judicature Act, chapter 91 of the substantive laws of Belize, revised edition 2011, to allow the Chief Justice to make practice directions in instances of public interest and national security to provide for the Minister to make regulations for the procedures to be used for prison video link appearances in criminal and civil causes and matters before inferior courts and supreme court, to clarify for petitions for the divorce and consent are to be presented to the court and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. There was an original bill that was circulated after discussions between myself and the leader of the opposition. A redraft has been done so we are replacing that bill with one just circulated to take account of the points made by the leader and in fact, I don't mind saying, that the new draft is a draft that comes from his legal adviser. I move that the bill be taken through all its stages forthwith. Part of the provisions contained in the bill have to do with giving the power to the authorities to regulate matters in all civil and criminal cases to protect the health and safety of court staff and the public. So, it's urgent that, in view of pandemic, we deal with this all at once today. Given what you've said earlier, I'm not sure when we will have another House meeting."
These 2 bills, as well as the General Revenue Appropriation Bill for 2020/2021, have all been passed by the House of Representatives.
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