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Members of the Senate deliberate the National Identification and Registration Bill during a 12-hour sitting on Monday (November 13). The Bill was passed with 168 amendments.

Senate Passes NIDS BILL with 168 Amendments

The National Identification and Registration Bill, which seeks to establish a reliable identification system for Jamaicans, was passed in the Senate on Monday (November 13) after 12 hours of deliberations. The legislation was passed with 168 amendments and will return...

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Leader of Government Business in the Upper House, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith (standing), clarifies a matter while speaking in the Senate on Friday (November 10). Senators were deliberating on the National Identification and Registration Act, 2017, which seeks to establish a reliable National Identification System (NIDS) for Jamaicans. Also pictured is Government Senator, Kavan Gayle.

Special Sitting of Senate on Nov. 13 to Debate NIDS BILL

Leader of Government Business in the Senate and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith. (FILE)

Senate Begins Debate on National Identification and Registration Bill

Acting Leader of Government Business in the Senate and National Security State Minister, Senator the Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., addressing Friday’s (October 20) sitting of the Upper House.

Senate Approves Amendments to Processed Food Act and Regulations

Leader of Government Business in the Senate, Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, addresses the Senate today (October 13).

Senate Approves Bills to Modernise Methods of doing Business

9 years ago AgricultureSenate

Senate Passes Bill to Modernise Agricultural Sector

A Bill seeking to modernise the agricultural sector to meet the nation’s growing demands of food security and productivity was passed in the Senate on October 6. The Agricultural Loan Societies and Approved Organisations Act also facilitates the dissolution of the Agricultural Credit Board (ACB) and transfers the Board’s monitoring and regulatory functions to the Registrar of Co-operative and Friendly...

Leader of Government Business, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, makes a point during the sitting of the Senate on September 29.

9 years ago Senate

Senate Passes Pension Reform Bills

The Senate, on Friday (Sept. 29) passed two critical bills, paving the way for the reform of pension arrangements for employees in the public sector. They are the Pensions (Public Service) Act of 2017, which had 62 amendments and the Constitution (Amendment) (Establishment Fund) (Payment of Pensions) Act of 2017. Under the new provisions, pensionable officers will be required to...

9 years ago Senate

Senate President Extends Condolences to Earthquake and Hurricane Victims

President of the Senate, Hon. Tom Tavares-Finson, has extended condolences to the Governments and citizens of regional countries that have been severely impacted by recent natural disasters. “Since we (Senate) last met, the Caribbean, and in particular our brethren in Dominica, have suffered tremendously (from) Hurricane Maria…(while) our brethren in Cuba (were affected by Hurricane Irma). Indeed, (other) Caribbean (states...

9 years ago Senate

Debate on Pensions Bill Continue in Senate in September

Debate on the public sector pension reform Bills has been suspended in the Senate until it next meets in September, following a recess. This decision was made at the sitting of the Senate on Friday (July 28). The Bills are: The Pensions (Public Service) Act, 2016; and The Constitution (Amendment) (Established Fund) (Payment of Pension) Act, 2016. Leader of Opposition...

9 years ago Senate

Senate Passes Bill to Strengthen Public Debt Management

The Government is well on its way to strengthening its public debt management framework with the passage of relevant legislation in the Senate on Friday (July 21). Provisions to improve the operational efficiency and effectiveness of debt management are contained in the Public Debt Management (Amendment) Act, 2017, which was approved with one amendment. The Bill seeks to amend the...

: Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Leader of Government Business in the Senate, Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, addresses the Upper House.

9 years ago Senate

Senate Approves Bill for Single Anti-Corruption Agency

The Senate has approved the Integrity Commission Bill, paving the way for the establishment of a single anti-corruption unit, which will investigate and prosecute corruption in Jamaica. The Bill was piloted in the Senate yesterday (July 20) by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Leader of Government Business in the Senate, Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith. This legislation, which...

9 years ago National Security and PeaceSenate

Senate Passes Special Zones Bill at Marathon Sitting

At a marathon sitting lasting 12 hours, the Senate on Friday (July 7) passed the Law Reform (Zones of Special Operations) (Special Security and Community Development Measures) Bill, 2017, giving the Government a critical arsenal in the fight against crime. The Bill was approved with 13 amendments, following vigorous debate and rigorous deliberations by the members of the Upper House,...