ANGUILLA HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY

Good morning, honourable Members.

I call upon the chaplain.

Good morning. Let us pray, our Father, we thank you for this day you have given us. Health and strength we thank you for the opportunity of service to your people. Grant us wisdom to make just and courageous decisions for the good of this nation and to uphold what is right.

We humbly ask that as we serve with integrity and compassion. May all deliberations in this House promote unity and a common good. Guide this house in truth and righteousness today and always through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Thank you Chaplain. Members, you may take your seat.

Confirmation of minutes. Minutes of proceedings of the 17th meeting of the first session of the 13th Anguilla House of Assembly.

Members, you have before you the minutes.

Of the 17th meeting of the Fourth session of the 13th Anguilla House of Assembly.

The minutes are dated the 26th February 2026 where we started at 10 AM. Are there any amendments to the minutes?

Hearing no amendments, I invite a mover to move that the minutes be confirmed as circulated.

Madam Speaker.

I move that the minutes be confirmed as circulated.

Thank you, member. Is there a seconder?

Madam Speaker, i rise to second.

Thank you member. It has been moved and seconded that the minutes dated 26th February 2026 be confirmed as circulated. Those in favor say aye.

Those opposed say no. The ayes have it. Minutes confirmed.

Oath of allegiance to new members, the Honourable Deputy Governor acting.

I invite the honourable Deputy Governor, Acting Doctor Richardson-Lake.

I Bonnie Richardson-Lake, do swear that I will be faithful and bear the true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles the Third, his heirs and successors according to the law, so help me God.

Of course, Dr. Richardson Lake is no stranger to us, so I don't welcome her as a new member, but I thank her for her continued service in the role.

First, let me apologise to the members and to the listening public for our late start. We were slightly delayed by our YouTube connection. I believe the YouTube will be down, but the viewing public can view at the Facebook page, the Government of Anguilla page and I presume Radio Anguilla. So, we apologize for the late start.

Announcements by the direction of the speaker.

Where we have announcements just in respect of our minutes for the 26th of February, I wanted to indicate that the honourable Attorney General had made apologies for her late arrival on the last occasion. So, if that could be noted in the record as it relates to absences, I have received apologies for the absence of the Leader of the Opposition, Dr. Webster.

I have received apologies for the absence of the honourable Member for West End and the Single Island Wide Electoral District Member of Vanterpool who are both on duty travel and I also have an apology for honorable Single Wide Electoral District Member Mr. Neil Rogers. He is in the building, but he stepped away just to have a very quick meeting and he's going to rejoin us in chambers. So, he just made a quick apology as to why he's not in the seat when we commence.

I don't believe there are any other apologies that I missed.

Questions, none.

Government statements and recent developments, none. Papers, none.

Reports from committees, none. Petitions, none. Government notices, none. Private members notices, none. Motions Motion 4 of 2026 1/13/HOA. Customs duty and tax exemption Motion 4 of 2026 1/13 HOA Regulations 2026.

Honourable Members, we do have two motions before us. I believe those are the honourable Premier's motions and we can adopt the same procedure as it relates to the preamble. You may proceed.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Good morning to you. Good morning to the Members of this honourable House and the listening and viewing public. Ma'am. Speaker, I beg to move the motion entitled Customs Duty and Tax Exemption Motion 42026-1/13HOA Regulations 2026.

Is there a seconder for the motion?

Madam speaker, I rise to second.

It has been moved and seconded.

You may proceed.

Thank you very much. Ma'am, Speaker, Resolution made by the House of Assembly under Section 77, one of the Customs Act, Revised Statutes of Anguilla, Chapter 169 and Section 3 of the Excise Tax Amendment Act, 2020 was proposed and seconded in the House of Assembly on the third day of March 2026. Whereas a certificate of good standing that had not expired or been cancelled was produced to the Minister of Finance in relation to the importers. Be it resolved that under the powers contained in section 77, one of the Customs Act, Revised Statutes of Anguilla, Chapter 169 and Section 3 of the Excise Tax Amendment Act, 2020, the House of Assembly exempts from customs duty and excise tax the goods imported into Anguilla specified in the Schedule.

The following conditions apply in respect of all goods exempted by virtue of this Resolution. A. The goods shall not, within five years of the date of importation, be sold. Exchanged, given away, or applied to any use other than the use specified in the schedule. B. On the expiry of six months from the date of importation and each successive 6 month period within the five year period after the date of importation, the importer shall certify to the Comptroller of Customs, in a form acceptable to the Comptroller of Customs, that he has complied with the conditions set out in paragraph (a); (c). Upon demand made by a customs officer, the goods exempted under this Resolution shall be produced or otherwise accounted for to the customs officer; (d) In accordance with the Customs Administrative Cost Recovery Act, Revised Statutes of Anguilla, Chapter c.170 at the time of import, the importer shall pay the customs administrative charge at the rate specified in the schedule. 2.

In accordance with Section 71 of the Customs Act, Revised Statutes of Anguilla, Chapter 169, the following apply in the event that a condition referred to in Section 1 of this Resolution is contravened or not complied with in 5 year of importation. (a) If any of the goods exempted under this Resolution are sold, exchanged, given away, or applied to any use other than the use specified in the schedule within five years of the date of importation – 1. The importer shall pay the customs duty and the excise tax and the value of such goods at the rates specified in the Integrated Customs Tariff at the date of importation. 2.

The important and Any person knowingly concerning such sale, exchange, gift, or unsanctioned use is guilty of an offense and may be arrested and is liable to a fine of $20,000 or three times a customs duty, excise tax relieved, whichever is a greater, or to imprisonment for a term of two years, or to both and the goods in respect of which the exemption was granted are liable to forfeiture. B. If the importer fails to certify that he has not sold, exchanged, given away or applied the goods when use other than the youth specified in the Schedule. 1 the importer shall produce or account for the goods exempted under this resolution to the control of Customs. 2 Any goods not produced or accounted for will be deemed to have been sold, exchanged, given away, or applied to some use other than the use specified in the Schedule and paragraph. (a)(i) applied; and three.

If any goods not produced or accounted for a subsequently found, they are liable to forfeiture. (c) If the importer fails to produce or account for the goods exempted under this resolution upon demand by a customs officer. 1 The importer and any person knowingly concerned in such failure are guilty of an offense and may be arrested and are liable to a fine of $20,000 or three times the value of the goods, whichever is a greater, or to imprisonment for a term of two years, or to both; and if any goods not produced or accounted for are subsequently found they are liable to forfeiture. (d) if the importer fails to pay the Customs Administrative Fee at the rate specified in the schedule at the expiry of 30 days from the date of delivery of a demand for payment made by the Comptroller of Customs, or such longer period as may be designated by the Comptroller of Customs. 1.

The importer shall pay the Customs Duty, and the excise tax on the value of such goods at the rates specified Integrated Customs Tariffs at the date of importation; 2. The importer and any person only concerned in such failure are guilty of an offence and may be arrested and or liable to a fine of $20,000 or three times the value of the goods, whichever is a greater, or to the imprisonment for a term of two years, or to both and three. The goods exempted under this resolution are liable to forfeiture. And Madam Speaker, attached to the motion #4 is the Schedule.

The importer is International Motors Limited. The purpose is the vehicle showroom. The period during which the importation is allowed is from the 12th of February, 2026 to the 11th of February, 2027, and the goods that may be imported is at a list which is attached. The rate of customs administrative charge is 5%.

Administrative charge of the value of the goods in respect of which customs duty exemption is granted and the duty loss is EC $639,420.95. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Honourable Member. The floor is open for debate and contributions in respect of Motion 4 of 2026, Customs duty and tax exemption in relation to International Motors Limited.

Does any member wish to speak there to?

There are no contributions, Honourable Member, you may reply or you may ask that I put it to the vote.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, and thank you to the Members of the House. I have no further statements to make in relation to this and so I will ask that the motion be put to vote. Thank you.

Thank you, Member. It has been moved and seconded.

That Motion 4 of 2026 be made a resolution of this honorable House. Those in favor say aye.

Those opposed say no.

The ayes have it. Motion 4 of 2026 is carried.

Motion 5 of 2026 -1/13/HOA Customs Duty and Tax Exemption Regulations, 2026.

You may proceed.

Is there a seconder?

Madam Speaker, I rise to second.

It has been moved and seconded that the Motion 5 of 2026 be presented to this House. Are there any contributions and respect to it?

The honourable Premier has already set out the schedule that accompanies the motion, and the preamble is identical to the motion before.

The motion is in relation to community outreach activity by the National Commercial Bank of Anguilla Limited. Does any member wish to speak to the motion?

Hearing no contributions, I invite the mover to present for a vote.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, adopting the word in the preamble that was previously agreed. Attached to the Resolution motion #5 schedule the name of the. Resolution is customs duty and tax exemption regulate motion 5/2026-1/13HOA Regulations 2026 and, I move the following motion I'm speaking.

Thank you Madam Speaker, Madam Speaker. On this schedule, the importer is Jerrick Evangelista/ NCBA. The purpose is community outreach activity. The period during which the importations allow December 9th, 2025 to December 8th, 2026 and the goods imported are in items attached and the rate of customs administrative charge 5% administrative charge of the value of the goods in respect of which customs duty exemption is granted and the duty loss is EC $8,810.74 and Madam Speaker,

I wish to thank the Members of the House for their acquiescence to this motion. Thank you.

Thank you. Honourable Member, it has been moved and seconded that Motion 5 of 2026, a customs duty and tax exemption motion in respect of the National Commercial Bank of Anguilla Limited be carried. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed say no. The ayes have it. Motion 5 of 2026 is carried.

Thank you. Honourable Member, it has been moved and seconded that Motion 5 of 2026, a customs duty and tax exemption motion in respect of the National Commercial Bank of Anguilla Limited be carried. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed say no. The ayes have it. Motion 5 of 2026 is carried.

Personal explanations, none. Other business. Government business. A bill for Social Security Amendment Act 2026 first reading.

I invite the Mover of the Bill to present.

Good morning to you again, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, this is the first reading for the Social Security Amendment Act 2026. I'm not sure if the speaker would like me to go through the details of it at this first reading.

At this stage, just a mover and the seconder. So, is there a seconder in respect of the Social Security Amendment Act? I recognize the honourable Member Hodge.

Madam Speaker, I rise to second.

Yes, it has been moved and seconded that a bill shortly entitled Social Security Amendment Act 2026 be read a first time. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed say no. The ayes have it. I call upon the clerk to read the bill for the first time.

An Act to amend the process for the appointment and removal of the Director and to provide for related matters.

I declare that the bill has been read a first time.

A bill for Anguilla Special Trust Act 2026, first reading.

And by the honourable premier to present the Anguilla Special Trust Act 2026.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I beg to move that the Bill shortly entitled Anguilla Special Trust Act 2026 be read a first time.

Is there a seconder in respect of the Anguilla Special Trust Act?

I rise to second.

It has been moved and seconded that the Anguilla Special Trust Act 2026 be read a first time. Those in favor say aye.

Those opposed say no. The ayes have it.

I call upon the clerk to read the bill a first time.

An Act to enable the creation of Astra Trust for the purpose of making special provision in respect of trust for charitable and non-charitable purposes and in respect of trust of shares in companies, to prohibit trustees from intervening in the management of companies except in certain circumstances, to enable the appointment of persons empowered to enforce Astra Trust and for related matters.

I declare that the bill has been read a first time.

Private members bills, none. Private bills, none. Other orders of the day.

I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome our honourable Premier from her representation last week, I believe, and I am going to open the floor for any orders of the day that any Member would wish to speak to.

I recognize the honorable Premier.

Thank you. Are there any other members that wish to speak?

Thank you Madam Speaker and thank you for your welcome. I would have attended the CARICOM meeting, the 50th CARICOM meeting held in Saint Kitts and the meeting came at an interesting time where the geopolitics in the region and certainly the world is ever changing and even as we stand today, we see what is happening in the Middle East and I want to take this opportunity to extend my thoughts and prayers to those persons in the Middle East dealing with what is happening right now.

Madam Speaker, closer to home, the CARICOM meeting was attended by practically all of the independent countries and practically all of the overseas territories and so it was the first time in over 10 years that so many persons had gathered to attend this meeting. The meeting was occasioned by the visit of the Secretary of State from the US, who attended and delivered a presentation to the entire group and engaged in separate discussions with the independent countries. As we can see from the various media houses, the independent countries right now are in the midst of negotiating terms dealing with migrants, illegal immigration, and the US seeking to send deportees to those independent countries. It is a difficult situation for them to grapple with. I'm happy to say that the CARICOM Heads of Government are a very strong organization, a very strong group of persons who have come together.

Of course, there are always, as in a marriage, disputes and differences of opinion, but at the end of the day, I'm convinced that as a region we stand stronger when we are united. The meeting discussed a number of issues in addition to the migration situation that the independent countries are dealing with, but also a number of the overseas territories have expressed an interest in becoming full members. As many persons may be aware, we are currently associate members of CARICOM and a number of the overseas territories have expressed their interest in full membership. There were vibrant discussions in relation to this, and discussions on what would be required for those members to become full members.

That conversation is ongoing and we will be a part of those discussions as well, and we will have to come to the people in terms of discussions as to whether or not it's something that we wish to undertake and the timing of same. At the end of the day, it was a successful CARICOM meeting. I think that we all walked away with a closer relationship between each of us and I look forward to continued discussions as an associate member of CARICOM. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Adjournment.

Madam Speaker, I move that this House of Assembly be adjourned till tomorrow at 11:30 AM.

11:30 AM Madam Speaker.

Is there a seconder to adjourn to tomorrow at 11:30 AM?

Madam Speaker, I rise second.

OK, it has been moved and seconded that this House stands adjourned to tomorrow at 11:30 AM. Those in favor say aye.

Those opposed say no, the ayes have it. This House stands adjourned until tomorrow the 4th of March at 11:30 AM.