Motorists to pay higher licence fees
All drivers, except those who operate farm tractors, minibuses and taxis, will have to pay new fees after the Motor Car Amendment Act 1999 and the Auxiliary Bicycles Amendment Act 1999 were both passed.
That will mean the new fees for cars will range from $176.40 to $919.80, trucks from $654 to $1,386 and motorcyclists will pay $54.60 for anything under 100cc.
Auxiliary cycles will now command a fee of $39.60 if privately owned and $60.60 if belonging to a livery.
MPs also passed legislation to enable charges to be raised on private jets that use the Island.
The Customs Department Amendment Act 1999 was approved, permitting fees of $35 and $50 on aircraft that require Customs clearance.
Finance Minister Eugene Cox said the higher fee was for hours between 8 p.m.
and 8 a.m.
In addition, military jets, Government and Crown aircraft will all be exempt, as will planes that have to make emergency landings in Bermuda.
UBP MP Allan Marshall called for an exemption for those people that put their aircraft on the Bermuda registry of aircraft, as an incentive to do so.
Also approved was the Government Fees Amendment Regulations 1999, which streamlines the procedure for incorporations.
Hospital fees are set to rise by four percent as Mr. Cox revealed that regular meetings are to be held with the Bermuda Hospitals Board to discuss health care costs.
MPs approved the Hospital Insurance (Standard Premium) Regulations 1999.
Mr. Cox said the regulations represented an effort to control health care costs.
In addition, the Hospital Insurance (Deductions) Amendment Regulations 1999 was approved. It provides authority for employers to deduct higher health insurance premiums from their workforce.