Bermuda Immigration and Protection Amendment (No. 2) Act

What this bill does

This bill transfers responsibility for land licenses from the immigration department to the economic development department. It also makes it easier to apply for land licenses by removing some paperwork requirements and eliminating the public notice period where people could object to applications.

If passed (voted YES)

• Non-Bermudians applying for land licenses will deal with the Director of Economic Development instead of the Chief Immigration Officer
• Land license applications will no longer be published in the gazette for public comment - the process becomes more private
• Applicants will need to provide less personal information (like parents' and spouse's nationality) and fewer surveyed plans, especially for condominiums

If rejected (voted NO)

• Land license applications continue to be handled by immigration officials
• Public notice requirements remain - applications must still be published so Bermudians can raise objections
• Current paperwork requirements stay in place, including detailed family information and multiple surveyed plans

Who it affects

This primarily affects non-Bermudians (restricted persons) who want to buy or hold land in Bermuda, as well as government departments handling these applications. It may also impact Bermudians who currently have opportunities to review and object to land license applications.