KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Senate is scheduled to debate the controversial National Housing Trust (Amendment) (Special Provisions) Act when it meets at 10:00 am today.

The Bill, which, was debated and passed in the House of Representatives last Tuesday, is amending the National Housing Trust Act to enable the NHT to provide financing support for the budget of $45.6 billion between 2013/2014 and 2016/2017.

The Government used its 2-1 majority in the House of Representatives to pass the Bill on Tuesday, with the results of a divide being 37 -18 in favour, with one abstention in Opposition MP Mike Henry.

The NHT Bill will give the Government the right to draw down funds from the Trust, “at the will and determination” of the minister of finance, until March 31, 2017.

The very important Law Reform (Fraudulent Transactions) (Special Provisions) Act, 2013 will be laid, but will not be debated until next Friday, March 15.

This Bill aims to strengthen the efforts of law enforcement to effectively combat the illicit lottery scam. It was also passed in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, after being piloted by Minister of National Security, Peter Bunting.

The Toll Road (Tyre Deflation Device) Regulations 2013 seeks to allow for the use of spikes on toll road off ramps, to deter motorists from reversing onto the road. The regulations were approved by the House of Representatives on Tuesday, February 19.

The spikes impede or stop the movement of wheeled vehicles by puncturing their tyres.

Minister of Transport, Works and Housing, Dr Omar Davies, told the House that they are necessary to prevent motorists from reversing onto slip roads adjoining the toll roads to avoid the toll fees.

Leader of Opposition Business, Senator Arthur Williams, will also speak in the State of the Nation debate.