– As 78 bills presented since 2020, 21 passed in 2023

– Parliamentary Affairs Minister says

GUYANA’S legislative framework is currently experiencing significant changes, as more than 70 pieces of legislation have been introduced since the assumption of office by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) in 2020, aimed at promoting modernisation.

This is according to Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, who disclosed this on Wednesday during her ministry’s 2023 year-end press conference.

Giving an overview, she revealed that from September 2020 to date, approximately 78 bills have been passed in the National Assembly. For 2023, she added that 21 bills were passed, while two were sent to special select committees.

“What we have been bringing as a government to Parliament has been a number of pieces of legislation that are transformational, that are modernising the legal framework of Guyana,” she said.

Among some of the bills, Teixeira highlighted notable ones such as the Digital Identity Card Bill, the Planning and Development Single Window System Bill, and the Bail Bill, all of which she noted, are transformative.

To this end, she added that a number of these bills which transform the legislative structure, are there to move the country forward, and where there are impediments, update those that are old and not in keeping with the new technology and new service systems.

These changes, she said, are necessary, especially involving issues such as those addressed in the Human Organ and Tissue Transplant Bill and the Mental Health Bill, among others.

“We have to look at the agenda, what has passed in the Parliament or assented to not just as a listing of bills, but then the way in which the bills help to transform society,” Teixeira added.

Giving another example, the minister said that harsher penalties were added as amendments concerning driving under the influence, which the government hoped would serve as a deterrent for persons who are reckless and driving under the influence.

As such, she rebuffed claims by persons in the media that parliament is only called to have discussions on budgets and added that the numbers prove differently.