Legislators lethargic in tabling key bills
Published:Tuesday | January 4, 2022 | 12:09 AM
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As the legislative year draws closer to an end with the expected tabling of the Estimates of Expenditure for the 2022-23 fiscal year in February, the Government is yet to push through some critical pieces of laws it promised to promulgate during...
As the legislative year draws closer to an end with the expected tabling of the Estimates of Expenditure for the 2022-23 fiscal year in February, the Government is yet to push through some critical pieces of laws it promised to promulgate during the course of the current parliamentary year.
In the annual Throne Speech delivered by Governor General Sir Patrick Allen in February last year, the Government indicated that a swift recovery of the economy could only occur in a stable macroeconomic environment with supportive legislative and regulatory framework.
In that regard, the administration committed to pursuing amendments to the Urban Renewal (Tax Relief) Act; Financial Administration and Audit Act; Financial Services Commission Act; Income Tax Relief (Large-scale Projects and Pioneer Industries) Act this legislative year, to further create a supportive environment for business and investment.
Of the legislative measures mentioned, only the Urban Renewal (Tax Relief) Act was passed by Parliament.
The legislative measures identified by the Government for the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information have been non-starters to date. For the current fiscal year, the Holness administration had pledged a renewed focus on the Jamaica Teaching Council Bill and amendments to the Education Act which have not yet materialised.
Further, Sir Patrick had said in the Throne Speech that renewed focus would also be placed on the Children (Adoption of) (Amendment) Bill, the Child Care and Protection (Amendment) Bill, and the Access to Information Act and Regulations this legislative year. To date, none of these bills have been tabled in Parliament for debate and passage.
The promised amendment to the Corrections Act to modernise the framework governing the operations of the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) and improve care, management and rehabilitation of offenders was done in the Senate late last year.
Legislative priorities
The Throne Speech also highlighted as legislative priorities for the 2021-22 fiscal year the Human Services Bill, the National Solid Waste (Amendment) Bill, and Regulations related to the National Solid Waste Management Authority and the Building (Service and Enforcement of Notices and Orders) Regulations. However, these legislative priorities have not yet been brought to Parliament.
The Robert Montague-led Ministry of Transport and Mining has not tabled the promised Shipping (Pollution Prevention, Response, Liability and Compensation) Bill as well as the Bill to amend the Transport Authority Act as was stated in the Throne Speech.
Further, regulations to facilitate the implementation of the Road Traffic Act are yet to be taken to Parliament by the transport ministry.
After extensive delays, the Government brought the Disabilities Regulation to Parliament which received the nod from lawmakers. With the passage of the regulations, the Disabilities Act which was passed in July 2014 will be brought into effect soon. The law will promote, protect and ensure full and equal enjoyment of privileges, interests and benefits by persons with disabilities.
Bills passed
The following bills have been passed since the beginning of the parliamentary year on February 18, 2021:
1. The Appropriation Act, 2021
2. The Disaster Risk Management (Amendment) Act, 2021
3. The Urban Renewal (Tax Relief) (Amendment) Act, 2021
4. The Tobacco Industry Regulation (Validation and Indemnity) (Repeal) Act, 2021
5. The Justices of the Peace (Amendment) Act, 2021
6. The National Insurance (Validation, Indemnification and Amendment) Act, 2021
7. The Trade Marks (Amendment) Act, 2021
8. The Agro-Investment Corporation (Amendment) Act, 2021
9. The Criminal Justice (Suppression of Criminal Organizations) (Amendment) Act, 2021
10. The Legal Aid (Fees)(Validation and Indemnification) Act, 2021
11. The Council of Community Colleges of Jamaica (Amendment, Validation and Indemnity) Act, 2021
12. Extradition (Amendment) Act, 2021
13. The Casino Gaming (Amendment) Act, 2021
14. The Emergency Powers (Amendment) Act, 2021
15. The Evidence (Amendment) Act, 2021
16. The Companies (Amendment) Act, 2021
17. The Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Act, 2021
18. The Independent Fiscal Commission Act, 2021
19. The Judicature (Appellate Jurisdiction) (Amendment) Act, 2021
20. The Judicature (Parish Courts) (Amendment) Act, 2021
21. The Microcredit Act, 2021
22. The Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 2021
23. The Sexual Harassment (Protection and Prevention) Act, 2021