Sittings
16th Sitting of the Senate
1st Session - 13th Republican Parliament
The President of the Senate granted leave of absence to Sen. Anthony Vieira, SC and Sen. Sophia Chote, SC. Mr. Josh Drayton and Ms. Zola Phillips were appointed to temporarily replace Senators Viera, SC and Chote, SC respectively during their absence from Trinidad and Tobago.
The Senate paid tribute to former Senators Deodath Ojah-Maharaj and Dr. Sahadeo Basdeo, both of whom passed away recently. The Senate observed a minute of silence for each former Senator.
The Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill, 2026, The Tobago House of Assembly (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Law Reform (Zones of Special Operations) (Special Security and Community Development Measures) Bill, 2026, were read a first time in the Senate. The respective Ministers moved that the next stage be taken later in the proceedings. The Senate agreed.
19 Papers were laid. See the Order Paper.
There was one Question on Notice listed on the Order Paper. The Leader of Government Business sought and obtained leave of the Senate for the answer to the question to be deferred for two weeks.
The Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation moved the second reading of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill, 2026. Debate then began on the bill. Nine Senators made contributions before the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation concluded the debate. The Bill was then read a second time. The Bill was then considered by a Committee of the Whole, where it was approved without amendment. The bill was then read a third time and passed. A division was taken at third reading, the result of which was 23 for, six against and one abstention.
The Leader of Government Business and Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister moved the second reading of the Tobago House of Assembly (Amendment) Bill, 2026. Debate then began on the bill, with three Senators making contributions before the Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister rose to wind up the debate. The Bill was then read a second time, and referred to a Committee of the Whole, where it was approved without amendment. The Bill was then read a third time and passed.
The Attorney General moved the second reading of the Law Reform (Zones of Special Operations) (Special Security and Community Development Measures) Bill, 2026. Debate then began on the Bill. Debate was suspended.
The sitting ended at 11:19 p.m.