Guyana maintains its regional record-holding pace, as 21 new bills have been passed by the National Assembly in 2023. This was highlighted by the Honourable Gail Teixeira, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance at her end-of-year press conference on Wednesday.
In 2022, Guyana set the regional record for the most bills passed in one year. A total of 25 new legislative pieces were passed by the National Assembly, averaging two bills per month.
The updating of existing laws was continued in 2023, following the law revision process by the Attorney General’s Chambers in 2022. The promise by AG Nandlall to accelerate their agenda for 2023 was fulfilled, as a “number of bills that have been brought in 2023 that deal with transforming the legislative structure”, according to Minister Teixeira.
Three of the tabled bills had their first readings after December 8th, 2023. These are the Sea and River Defense Bill 2023, Criminal Procedure (Plea Discussion, Plea Agreement and Assistance Agreement) Bill 2023, and Arbitration Bill 2023.
Two bills have been referred to the Select Committee for further consideration, including the National Intelligence and Security Agency Bill 2023.
Among the 21 bills enacted are the Petroleum Activities Bill 2023, Combating of Trafficking in Persons Bill 2023, and the Guyana Compliance Commission Bill 2023.
“From September 2020 to now, approximately 78 bills have been passed in Parliament”, was a statement made by Minister Teixeira during the Ministry’s conference. She further emphasized that the Government has brought pieces of legislation that will transform and modernize Guyana’s legal framework, with a promise that 2024 will see even more development on the legislative front.