In a race against time to meet Belize’s Blue Bond commitments, the Senate has tentatively approved a new coastal management bill, though concerns over its rushed process and lack of stakeholder feedback have sparked debate. The legislation, designed to modernize Belize’s approach to coastal and ocean conservation, aims to align with international best practices and replace the outdated 1998 Coastal Zone Management Act. However, environmental groups and opposition senators have expressed frustration over the limited time given to review the bill. Senator Janelle Chanona highlighted that the final draft was shared just days before the Senate debate, despite over a year of consultations. Opposition Senator Patrick Faber praised the bill’s intent but criticized its execution, calling the rushed parliamentary process concerning. Senator Eamon Courtenay, Leader of Government Business, initially defended the extensive consultation process, citing 50 meetings with 400 participants across 17 coastal communities. However, after acknowledging the concerns raised, Courtenay agreed to a committee review of proposed amendments before final passage. The bill must be passed by November 4, 2025, to meet critical international milestones.