Summary of Parliamentary Proceedings: 5 March 2026
The Second Sitting of the Fourth Meeting of the 2025-2026 Session of Parliament opened with a prayer by the Elected Member for Bodden Town West, Chris Saunders.
The Sitting began with several questions to Members of the Government. Responding to a question on whether private healthcare facilities could accept CINICO health insurance, Minister for Finance and Economic Development, Rolston Anglin, confirmed that CINICO was progressing an initiative to allow private healthcare providers to accept the insurance without the requirement of a letter from the Chief Medical Officer. He noted that a pilot programme with Health City Cayman Islands and Doctors Hospital is expected to commence in the second quarter of 2026 to assess utilisation and pricing implications before any wider implementation for Civil Service members.
Minister Anglin added that any expansion would require consultation with the Portfolio of the Civil Service due to potential budget implications. He further advised that CINICO intends to expand its provider network to include pharmacies, dental providers, and select general practitioners. Minister Anglin also noted that, with the approval of Caucus, he and Deputy Governor Franz Manderson would form a small subcommittee to review policies governing Statutory Authorities and Government Companies.
The Minister of Youth, Sports, Culture and Heritage, Honourable Isaac Rankine, was asked how many national heritage sites exist in the Cayman Islands and whether the historic capital of Bodden Town had been considered for any such distinction. Minister Rankine noted that the Cayman Islands has identified and recorded more than 330 sites of historic, national, and cultural significance, including several prominent historical sites in Bodden Town such as Pedro St James, Gun Square, and the Mission House, and the Slave Halls.
A series of questions were directed to the Premier and Minister of Financial Services and Commerce, Honourable André Ebanks, regarding the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority, covering vacation days, sick days, overtime expenditure, duty allowance, and the age profile of staff. In responding to the question regarding vacation days, the Premier provided an overarching statement noting that the Government had undertaken a review of the Public Authorities Act, which is approaching ten years in operation and is due for a comprehensive update. He further committed to conducting that review in consultation with the Opposition. It was agreed that the remaining questions regarding sick days and overtime pay-outs for CIMA and the Civil Service would be answered in writing.
In response to a question from the Leader of the Opposition, Honourable Joseph Hew, regarding Government affordable homes, Minister of Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing and Infrastructure, Honourable Jay Ebanks, advised that the 13 homes constructed under the Affordable Housing Initiative had been occupied since January 2025. Regarding affordable lands in East End, Minister Ebanks confirmed the initiative was progressing well, with Ministry staff preparing a policy document expected to be completed by Easter 2026, after which it would be submitted to Cabinet for review and approval. The Minister also confirmed that a review of the National Development Plan is underway and that a broader statement would be made to Parliament once the plan had been considered by Cabinet.
Seven statements were delivered by Members of the Government in accordance with Sections 11.5 and 11.6 of the Public Management and Finance Act (2020 Revision). Minister for District Administration and Home Affairs, Honourable Nickolas DaCosta, delivered four statements relating to exceptional circumstance appropriations approved by Cabinet. The appropriations cover capital works in Cayman Brac, including the accommodation block project, upgrades to the Cayman Brac Sports Complex, and improvements to public parks. They also include additional funding of $2,000,000 for the Department of Customs and Border Control to manage irregular migrant arrivals, and a reallocation of $390,000 to the Sister Islands Home Repairs and Hurricane Shutters Assistance Programme and related community projects.
Attorney General, Honourable Samuel Bulgin, made a statement regarding an exceptional circumstance appropriation of $210,000 for the Portfolio of Legal Affairs to cover rental costs arising from the relocation of the Truman Bodden Law School and salary adjustments for the law reform team.
Minister of Health, Environment and Sustainability, Honourable Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, provided an update on backlogged audits for the Ministry, advising that following the recommendation of the Public Accounts Committee, the Ministry had accepted that it was a better use of resources to draw a line under the outstanding audits for the period 2020 - 2023, enabling the Office of the Auditor General to complete the 2024 and 2025 audits during the current calendar year. The Minister confirmed that the unaudited financial statements would be reviewed to identify any matters of concern requiring further scrutiny.
Minister of Innovation, Social Development and Youth, Sports, Culture and Heritage, Honourable Isaac Rankine, delivered statements regarding several reallocation of funds, including to cover stipends for contracted school bus drivers and wardens, additional financial and rental assistance to those in need, holiday stipends for ex-gratia recipients, seamen, and veterans, and $600,000 in seed funding to support the expansion of the Pines retirement home.
Four Private Members’ Motions were unanimously passed during the Sitting: the Motion for Duty-Free Importation of Recycling Equipment, the Motion to Mandatorily Redline Amending Bills, the Motion on National Public Safety for Mask Wearing, and the Motion on Limiting Social Media for Children Under the Age of Sixteen. Private Members’ Motions Nos. 9, 11, 12, and 13 of the 2025–2026 Session were withdrawn following bipartisan agreements between the Opposition and the Government.
During the discussion on Motion No. 4 of the 2025–2026 Session, the Motion on National Public Safety for Mask Wearing, several Government Members voiced their support and affirmed their commitment to advancing the motion through legislative reform. In his contribution, Premier Ebanks described full face coverings as unnatural in Caymanian society. Minister Anglin agreed with the motion however, noted that he would not support legislation that infringes on the Constitutional rights of Caymanians and their families, particularly concerning religious freedom. Parliamentary Secretary and Elected Member for West Bay West, Julie Hunter, remarked, “If you intend to walk the streets of our communities and live in Cayman, you should show your face.”
There was also a lengthy discussion on the motion brought by the Deputy Speaker and Elected Member for George Town West, Pearlina McGaw-Lumsden, on Limiting Social Media for Children Under the Age of Sixteen. Premier Ebanks described the motion as brilliant, noting that cyberbullying had been raised as a topic during the CARICOM 50th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government held in St Kitts and Nevis, and that the motion spoke directly to growing concerns about youth mental health in the Cayman Islands.
Speaking in her capacity as Minister with responsibility for Health, Katherine Ebanks-Wilks expressed strong support for the motion, stating, “As Minister for Health, my primary responsibility is to ensure that we protect the wellbeing of all our people, and particularly the most vulnerable among them, key among these are our children.
Therefore, it is with strong support that I share today my position to prohibit social media use for those under the age of 16. This is not about criminalising young people; it is about holding the platforms accountable. It is both a childhood protection measure and a necessary public health intervention.” During Government Business, the Virtual Asset (Service Providers) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, the Mutual Funds (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Private Funds (Amendment) Bill, 2026 were each given First and Second Readings. The Bills establish a regulatory framework for the tokenisation of virtual assets, mutual funds, and private funds. Premier Ebanks noted that the legislation aims to maintain the Cayman Islands’ strong standing in the financial services sector while ensuring alignment with international standards and best practices.
Following the Committee stage and Third Readings, the following bills were passed unanimously by the House;
- Immigration (Transition) (Amendment and Validation) Bill, 2026
- Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill, 2026
- Health Insurance Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2026
- Virtual Asset (Service Providers) (Amendment) Bill, 2026
- Mutual Funds (Amendment) Bill, 2026
- Private Funds (Amendment) Bill, 2026
Prior to the adjournment, the Speaker, Honourable D. Ezzard Miller, invited all parliamentarians to attend the launch of Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians – Cayman Islands Branch tomorrow, 06 March at 5:00 pm at the House of Parliament. The House will return on Friday, 6 March at 10:00am.
To watch the Second Sitting of the Fourth Meeting of the 2025-26 Session of Parliament:
- Part 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_sry_SQtOs
- Part 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmgIbdAwJIc
For further information visit: gov.ky/governmentinparliament.
Watch live broadcasts of sittings on CIG YouTube and CIGtv (Logic - Channel 23, C3 - Channel 3, Flow - Channel 106).
