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JIS Heritage Competition 2025

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President of the Senate, Senator the Hon. Tom Tavares-Finson.
President of the Senate, Senator the Hon. Tom Tavares-Finson.

No Negative Impact Expected From Virtual Senate Meetings

President of the Senate, Hon. Tom Tavares-Finson, says the Government’s decision to allow members of the Senate to join meetings virtually will not negatively impact the operations of the Upper House. “Following meetings of the Standing Orders Committee of the...
Senate President, Senator the Hon. Thomas Tavares-Finson, addresses a recent JIS Think Tank.
Senate President, Senator the Hon. Thomas Tavares-Finson, addresses a recent JIS Think Tank.

Virtual House Sittings Should Be Embraced And Developed – Tavares-Finson
Government Senator, Charles Sinclair, makes a point during the sitting of the Upper House on May 7.
Government Senator, Charles Sinclair, makes a point during the sitting of the Upper House on May 7.

Senate Amends Standing Orders To Allow Members To Join Remotely
Newly appointed Opposition Senator, Peter Bunting (left), takes the Oath of Allegiance during the swearing-in ceremony at Friday’s (December 18) sitting of the Senate at Gordon House. Administering the proceedings is Deputy Clerk to the Houses of Parliament, Valrie Curtis. Senator Bunting has also been appointed Leader of Opposition Business in the Upper House.
Newly appointed Opposition Senator, Peter Bunting (left), takes the Oath of Allegiance during the swearing-in ceremony at Friday’s (December 18) sitting of the Senate at Gordon House. Administering the proceedings is Deputy Clerk to the Houses of Parliament, Valrie Curtis. Senator Bunting has also been appointed Leader of Opposition Business in the Upper House.

Peter Bunting Takes Seat In The Senate
Leader of Government Business in the Upper House, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith emphasizes a point during the Senate’s debate on the Shipping (Amendment) Act, on Friday (December 11), at Gordon House.
Leader of Government Business in the Upper House, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith emphasizes a point during the Senate’s debate on the Shipping (Amendment) Act, on Friday (December 11), at Gordon House.

Senate Passes Shipping (Amendment) Act

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Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Aubyn Hill, makes reference to the Report of the Joint Select Committee of Parliament that deliberated on the Bank of Jamaica (Amendment) Act, 2020, which he piloted during the sitting of the Senate on Friday (December 4). The Bill seeks to modernise and strengthen the operations of the Central Bank.
Senate

Senate Approves Bill To Strengthen Operations Of The BOJ

The Bank of Jamaica (Amendment) Act, 2020, aimed at modernising and strengthening the operations of the Central Bank by improving its governance, was approved in the Senate during its sitting on Friday (December 4). Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Aubyn Hill, who piloted the Bill, said the amendment of the...
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Leader of Government Business in the Upper House and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, closes the debate on the Dogs (Liability for Attacks) Act, 2020, during the sitting of the Senate on Friday (December 4). The Bill, which provides for criminal and civil liability for an owner of a dog that attacks, injures and/or causes the death of a person, was passed at the sitting.
Senate

Provisions Made for Presumptions in Dogs (Liability for Attacks) Act

Provisions have been made under the soon-to-be enacted Dogs (Liability for Attacks) Act, 2020, for presumptions that hold dog owners accountable if the animals attack an individual in a public space, whether or not there is formal proof of ownership. This was noted by Leader of Government Business in the Upper House, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, who pointed...
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Leader of Government Business in the Upper House, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith (right), pilots the Electricity (Electrical Work, Registration and Licensing) Regulations, 2020, during Friday’s (November 13) sitting of the Senate at Gordon House. Seated Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Aubyn Hill.
Senate

Senate Approves Electricity (Electrical Work, Registration and Licensing) Regulations, 2020

Under new electricity regulations approved by the Houses of Parliament, inspection and approval of electrical works are now expected to be executed more expeditiously. This, as the supporting legislative regime will facilitate an increase in the complement of licensed electrical inspectors from the nine currently serving the island, thereby improving the turnaround time for the inspection process. The ‘Electricity (Electrical...
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Leader of Government Business in the Senate, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, makes her contribution to the debate on the Authentication (Foreign Public Documents) Bill, 2020, during the sitting of the Senate on Friday (October 16), at Gordon House.
Senate

Senate Passes Authentication (Foreign Public Documents) Bill 2020

The process of authenticating local public documents intended for use overseas, and foreign documents to be used in Jamaica, will soon become simpler, more efficient and less time consuming. This, consequent on the passage of the Authentication (Foreign Public Documents) Bill 2020 in both Houses of Parliament. It will facilitate a more simplified process by only requiring an approved authentication...
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Government Senator, Sapphire Longmore, addressing today
Health & WellnessSenate

Senator Encourages More Persons to Get Screened for Breast Cancer

As the nation observes Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Government Senator, Dr. Sapphire Longmore, is encouraging more persons to get screened for the disease, as early detection is key in the cancer fight. Breast Cancer Awareness Month is observed in October each year in countries across the world to increase attention and support for the awareness, early detection and treatment of...
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Leader of Government Business in the Senate, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith (first row, second left); and Leader of Opposition Business, Senator Donna Scott Mottley (first row, third left), with all the women that now comprise 38 per cent of the Senate following a swearing-in ceremony during the sitting of the Senate at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston on Tuesday (Sept. 15). This is a record, as this is the first time that eight women will sit in the Upper House at once.
Senate

Record number of women in Senate

A record number of eight women have been appointed to serve in the 21-member Senate. This was noted by reappointed Leader of Government Business in the Senate, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, who was herself appointed for a third time by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness. Four of the 13 selected Government Senators are women, while four...
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Leader of Government Business in the Senate, Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, highlights a point while addressing the Senate during its sitting on Wednesday (August 12).
Senate

Senate Approves Resolutions To End SOEs

Members of the Senate on Wednesday (August 12) approved Resolutions to end the States of Public Emergency (SOEs) that are currently in place in sections of the island. The SOEs, which were established in St. James, Hanover, Westmoreland, Eastern Kingston, Kingston Western, Kingston Central, South St. Andrew, St. Catherine North and Clarendon, will now expire on Monday, August 17. Leader...
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