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The Senate is to appoint a joint select committee, to facilitate consultations between Government and Opposition members on engaging the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) in discussions on its monopoly, as well as the pursuit of newer energy sources.  This follows an amendment to a Private Member’s Motion brought by Government Senator, Dennis Meadow, which had originally suggested that the...

KINGSTON — A Bill to give Parish Councillors and Mayors the powers of a Justice of the Peace (JP) was approved by the Senate on June 24. Under theAttestation of Instruments (Facilities) (Amendment) Act, Councillors and Mayors of municipalities will be able to verify and attest documents for the period they hold office. Minister of Justice and Leader of Government...

KINGSTON — Legislation to ensure the establishment of a formal structure to promote and preserve the integrity, status and relevance of the Office of the Custos, was passed by the Senate Friday (June 17). Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Senator Dorothy Lightbourne, moved the Bill, entitled an Act to establish the Office of the Custos Rotulorum. She explained that...

WASHINGTON — Prime Minister, the Hon.  Bruce Golding, during his recent visit to Washington DC, met with several members of the powerful United States (US) Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Capitol Hill, where he discussed areas for collaboration, while highlighting a number of positive things that are happening in the country. Among the areas for partnership, cited by the Prime...

KINGSTON — The Senate, on April 7, approved amendments to a bill, which will exempt certain categories of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nationals from the work permit requirement. Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Senator the Hon. Dorothy Lightbourne, who piloted the Foreign Nationals and Commonwealth Citizens (Employment) (Amendment) Act, said the changes are in keeping with Chapter Three of the...

KINGSTON — The Senate on April 8 approved a report from a Joint Select Committee of Parliament on the review of Jamaica's libel laws. The contents of the report will now go to the Chief Parliamentary Counsel for the Bill to be prepared, which will then be signed off on by Cabinet. Minister of State for Finance and the Public...

KINGSTON — The Senate, on Friday April 1, passed the Revenue Administration (Amendment) Act, 2011, paving the way for the Government to unify the system of tax administration through the establishment of Tax Administration Jamaica. The Bill, which was piloted by Senator Arthur Williams,also provides for the creation of the posts of commissioner general and at least three deputy commissioners....

KINGSTON — Following the passage of the Charter of Rights Bill in the Senate on April 1, an accompanying Bill - the Constitution Amendment Act - which seeks to amend Sections 90 and 91 of the Jamaican Constitution, was subsequently approved. The Charter of Rights Bill repeals and replaces Chapter Three of the Jamaican Constitution, while the Constitution Amendment Act...

KINGSTON — The Senate stamped its seal of approval on the monumental Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms Bill on Friday April 1, after two days of meetings at Gordon House. The Upper Chamber followed the trend set by the Lower House last week, with all members present, Government and Opposition, voting in favour of the provisions of the Charter,...

KINGSTON – Debate on the long awaited Charter of Fundamental Rights which began in the Senate on Thursday March 31 is expected to close this afternoon. Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Senator Dorothy Lightbourne, who is piloting the legislation, has explained that the Bill will replace Chapter Three of the Jamaican Constitution, noting that it was a “truly a...

KINGSTON – The Senate, last week, extended condolences and sympathies to the Government and people Japan, in the wake of the loss of lives and infrastructural damage sustained as a result of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. The 8.9-magnitude quake, which predominantly impacted Japan’s northeast region, unleashed a 23-foot (seven-meter) tsunami and more than 50 aftershocks, mostly with 6.0...

KINGSTON – The Senate is slated to meet two days this week to facilitate passage of the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms (Constitutional Amendments) Act 2011 and conclude other matters on the 2010/11 legislative agenda. The two-day sitting on Thursday March 31 and Friday April 1 was proposed by Leader of Government Business, Senator Hon. Dorothy Lightbourne, following concerns...