Controversial changes to Special Development Orders are expected to be debated today in the House of Assembly.

Walter Roban, the Minister of Home Affairs has said the Development and Planning Amendment Act 2021 is intended to streamline the SDO process and provide increased scrutiny by requiring public consultation.

However environmental groups have said the legislation will weaken environmental protections by allowing SDOs to bypass debate in the House of Assembly.

Cole Simons, the Leader of the Opposition, signalled earlier this week that the One Bermuda Alliance would oppose the legislation in debate.

The Government is also expected to provide responses to a series of questions from the Opposition about the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Kim Wilson, the Minister of Health, is expected to provide information for the number of vaccinated travellers who have tested positive for Covid-19 on arrival in Bermuda or on subsequent testing days.

Ms Wilson should also provide information about mandatory hotel quarantine exemptions and the cost spent by Government on quarantine sites.

The health minister is also expected to table the Public Health (Covid-19) Emergency Extension (No 4) Order 2021 during the morning session.

Curtis Dickinson, the finance minister, will make a statement on the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development’s inclusive framework to which Bermuda is a signatory and which concerns a global minimum tax. The tax proposal would affect Bermuda’s international business sector.

David Burt, the Premier, is scheduled to make a statement on support offered by the Government to small and medium sized businesses while Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch, the Minister of Public Works, will provide an update on the Ministry’s stimulus programme.

Jason Hayward, the Minister of Labour, is expected to speak on extending the term for financial assistance while Wayne Scott, the Minister of Transport, will speak on an initiative to retrofit the island’s ferries.