ATTORNEY-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC, has announced that six major pieces of legislation will be introduced in the National Assembly on Friday, including bills aimed at establishing a Development Bank, strengthening protections for hire purchase customers, modernising sexual offences laws, and restoring benefits for former presidents.
Speaking during his weekly programme ‘Issues in the News’ on Tuesday, Nandlall said the bills represent key policy commitments and legal reforms designed to address longstanding challenges affecting citizens and businesses.
“We will be having a sitting of the National Assembly, and six important pieces of legislation will be tabled and read for the first time,” Nandlall said.
Among the measures to be introduced is the Guyana Development Bank Bill, which seeks to establish a financial institution geared towards assisting small and medium-sized businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs who often face difficulties accessing financing through traditional commercial banks.
According to Nandlall, the initiative fulfils a commitment made by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) during the 2025 General and Regional Elections campaign.
“This development bank is specifically designed to target the small and medium-sized businesses or intended businesses,” he explained.
He noted that loans of up to $3 million will be available without collateral and at zero interest, while successful borrowers may later access financing of up to $10 million through bridging arrangements with commercial banks.
“The loans will be up to $3 million maximum. It would be interest-free, and no collateral is required,” Nandlall said.
The proposed bank will also provide mentorship and technical support to borrowers, including assistance in preparing loan applications and business plans.
Another bill set for introduction is the Hire Purchase Amendment Bill, which aims to clarify provisions in the Bill enacted in 2022.

Nandlall explained that the original legislation introduced significant consumer protections by preventing the arbitrary repossession of goods and allowing matters to be heard in either the High Court or Magistrates’ Courts.
However, differing judicial interpretations have created uncertainty regarding which court has jurisdiction.

“Some judges were interpreting the language to mean that the case can only be filed in the High Court. Some judges are interpreting it to say that the case can only be filed in the Magistrates’ Court,” he said.
The amendment seeks to remove that ambiguity and reaffirm that hire purchase matters may be instituted in either court.
The Attorney-General also highlighted the Depreciating Property Sale Order Bill 2026, which is intended to address the deterioration of property seized during criminal investigations and court proceedings.
Under the proposed legislation, state agencies would be able to apply to the court for permission to sell assets that are likely to depreciate while legal proceedings are ongoing. The proceeds would then be placed in an interest-bearing account until the matter is resolved.
“When the case is determined whoever is entitled to that vehicle or boat or goods or cattle, they get the value along with the interest,” Nandlall explained.
He stressed that only the courts would have the authority to approve such sales and that owners would be notified and allowed to participate in the process.
Describing the measure as transformative, Nandlall said, “This is a brilliant piece of legislation that will help, that will bring great reprieve to a serious problem that has plagued the legal system for an extraordinarily long period of time.”
The National Assembly will also receive the Sexual Offences Amendment Bill, which seeks to update Guyana’s sexual offences legislation to reflect international developments and address deficiencies identified since the principal Act was passed in 2010.
Importantly, the amendments will establish Guyana’s first sex offender registry.
“It creates, importantly, for the first time in Guyana, a sex offenders’ registry,” Nandlall disclosed.
Another bill on the agenda is the Security Interest in Movable Property Amendment and Validation Bill, which seeks to validate transactions that were manually recorded before an electronic registry became fully operational.
Nandlall explained that the electronic registry was created to facilitate searches relating to hire purchase agreements, bills of sale and other secured transactions, enabling prospective buyers and lenders to verify whether movable property is subject to financial obligations.
Finally, the Former Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Bill will repeal amendments introduced by the APNU+AFC administration and restore the framework established under the 2010 legislation governing benefits for former presidents.
According to Nandlall, the intention is to ensure consistency in the treatment of former Heads of State.
“We have decided to repeal the 2015 or 2016 APNU+AFC law and to bring back into force the 2010 Former Presidents Benefits and Other Facilities Bill. We believe that is the standard that all presidents should receive,” he said.
The six bills will be read for the first time when the National Assembly meets on Friday, June 5, and are expected to be debated at a later sitting.