related to hospital charges and health insurance costs.

Finance Minister the Hon. David Saul said similar amendments are made each year.

During the assembly, the House passed the Bermuda Hospitals Board (Hospital Fees) Amendment Regulations 1995, the Hospital Insurance (Standard Premium) Regulations 1995, the Hospital Insurance (Deductions) Amendment Regulations 1995, the Hospital Insurance (Standard Hospital Benefit) Amendment Regulations 1995, the Hospital Insurance (Artificial Limbs and Appliances) Amendment Regulations 1995 and the Hospital Insurance Amendment Act 1995.

The first regulation set fee increases for hospital services. They were raised by five percent, effective on April 1, Dr. Saul said.

The second set the basic insurance premium and reinsurance premium, while the third regulation provided the authority for employers to deduct up to 50 percent of the standard premium from their employees' pay packets.

The fourth regulation extended the number of procedures included as insured under the standard hospital benefit.

And the last regulation tidied up wording, replacing the words "orthopaedic braces'' with "orthopaedic appliances'' to reflect the wider range of devices available.

Also passed during Monday's legislative sitting were the Hotels Refurbishment (Temporary Customs Duty Relief) Amendment Act 1995 and the Miscellaneous Taxes (Rates) Amendment Act 1995.

The first Act extended the period in which local hotels can import capital goods for refurbishment at a concessionary five-percent rate by five years -- to June in the year 2000.

And the second Act increased the occupancy tax that is charged to visitors by a "modest'' one-and-a-quarter percent, raising it to 7.25 percent from the previous six percent.