Bermuda Government Boards & Commissions

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Bermuda Government Boards & Commissions

More than 108 advisory bodies and organizations appointed every year

To refer to this web file use "bermuda-online.org/bdagovt2.htm" as your Subject.

See Bermuda Government for earlier full description of the types - Executive, legislative and judicial - ministries, departments and budget.

Bermuda size & population	20.75 (Twenty point seven five) square miles in total. 65,200 residents
Population density per square mile	3,142 (Three thousand, one hundred and forty two)
Government Budget 2005/06	In USA and BD dollars, $750 million, or $36.15 million per square mile. Compared to $738 million in 2004/05 (original estimate $694 million).
Number in Cabinet	13. Same number as USA, equivalent in Bermuda to 0.63 (Point six three) per square mile. They have "The Honorable" before their name.
Number of black and white elected legislators	30 black (none in PLP), 6 white (in UBP) in July 2003 (compared to 30 black and 10 white (1 in PLP) in 1998.
Number of men and women elected legislators	28 men, 8 women
Number of elected legislators in House of Assembly and their salaries	36. Equivalent to 1.93 (One point nine three) per square mile. They have "MP" for Member of Parliament after their name. In 2004, all MPs earned a minimum of $38.171. If they are also Cabinet Ministers, they earn at least $86,123 a year in addition. It was announced in 2003 that all Cabinet Ministers will earn in excess of $100,000 a year. Some Cabinet Ministers are already believed to earn over $100,000 a year, plus almost unlimited expenses they can charge to credit cards for reimbursement by - or charged directly to - the Bermuda Government. It has been said publicly at some point the number of Ministers (including the Premier) will be reduced from 12 to 8, but that Ministers will be full time not part time and will be paid substantially more than now. Some former Cabinet Ministers (like Ms. Webb and former Premier Pamela Gordon) have stated they want full-time salaries because they are full-time at their Ministries. There is an unofficial consensus within Cabinet members that their salaries should be nearly doubled, to at least the same level as the $127,000 paid annually to Permanent Secretaries, if not more. It is not a view shared by most members of the public. These, the huge numbers of Bermudians and others the Bermuda Government employs as a percentage of the total working population and the cost of gasoline for aircraft and cruise ships are the main reasons why Bermuda is such an expensive destination. In the high season (April through October) it costs North Americans more to go the 720 miles to Bermuda from North America than it does to go the 3,000 -4000 miles to Hawaii or Europe. And at any time of year, it costs Europeans far more to go to Bermuda than it does to go to the USA, Canada, Middle East, Thailand, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand or Hawaii.
Number of new (first time) elected legislators	8, compared to 15 in 1998.
Number of appointed politicians in Senate	11. Equivalent to 0.53 (Point five three) per square mile. They have "Senator" before their name. In 2004, all Senators earned a minimum of $25,519.20. If they are also Cabinet Ministers, they earn this plus what is shown above under "Number of elected legislators."
Number of Government Boards	About 108. All require the approval of the Premier who controls all Public Information. See Bermuda Government Boards separate website shown at the end of this file.
Number of Justices of the Peace	Over 400, or 19.3 (nineteen point three) per square mile. They have "JP" after their name. Unlike in the USA, they do not perform weddings but may be asked to sign search warrants, etc. Also, during General and Bye Elections, they serve as Returning Officers.
Number of Police	About 421, over 20 per square mile. Plus, there are Reserve officers.
Number in Bermuda Regiment	All Bermudian, the authorized strength of which is 600 members, or 28.92 (twenty eight point nine two) per square mile, mostly part time.
Percentage of voters by political party in 2003 General Election	PLP - 15,222 (51.65%, compared to 54.22% in 1998). UBP - 14,142 (47.98% compared to 44.07% in 1998). Together, the NLP, GLP and Independent candidate got 108 votes.
Registered voters who participated in 2003 General Election	29,516 (compared to 29,638 in 1998). 75.06% compared to 81.4% in 1998. Total number of registered voters is 39,000.

Bermuda Government Boards & Commissions

The over 108 boards each have individual political appointments acceptable to the Premier. They include, at the top, a reference to the relevant Act of Parliament. They advise their respective Ministers who may or may not accept their recommendations.

The boards or commissions are published here do not seem to appear on the Bermuda Government's own website. Individuals appointed to each board are not shown on this website (those needing information on the yearly or periodic appointments to each board should consult the Bermuda Government, as it appoints each board).

Advisory Architectural Panel	Development & Planning Act 1974.
Air Advisory Committee	Ministry of Transport. Constitution of Bermuda (2-1 Section 61 -4).
Air Transport Licensing Board	Civil Aviation (Licensing of Air Transport and Commercial Flying) Act 1950. Channel House, 1 Longfield Road, Southside, St. David's, DD 03.
Appeals Committee	Education Act 1996.
Appeals Tribunal	Banks & Deposit Companies Act 1999.
Architects Registration Council	Architects Registration Act 1969. A full list of registered architects in alphabetical order of name with their qualifications, is published every January. It includes those who left Bermuda years ago. Some have qualified academically and professionally as architects. Others have not.
Archives Advisory Council	The Bermuda Archives Act 1974. Includes representatives of Bermuda Heritage Foundation; Bermuda Historical Society; Bermuda Maritime Museum Association; Bermuda National Trust; St. George's Historical Society.
Audit Committee	Audit Act 1990.

Bermuda

Bermuda Arts Council	Bermuda Arts Council Act 1969.
Bermuda Bar Council	Bermuda Bar Act 1974.
Bermuda Cadet Corps	Bermuda Cadet Corps Act 1944.
Bermuda College Board of Governors	Bermuda College Act 1974 for this Bermuda Government owned and operated facility.
Bermuda Dental Board	Dental Practitioners Act 1950. It became notorious internationally when English dentists, most recently Dr. Thompson, were denied a Work Permit by this board on the grounds it would take business away from Bermudians. But locals have to wait for up to six months to see a dentist because of a severe shortage.
Bermuda Family Council	Ministry of Health and Family services.
Bermuda Health Council	Established as an official health watchdog. Responsible for regulating, coordinating and enhancing the delivery of health services in Bermuda. Made up of doctors, insurers, hospital officials and patients. Also responsible for regulating the price of drugs sold to the public and conducting research on the subject of public health.
Bermuda Historical Wrecks Authority	Historic Wrecks Act 2001 (amended 2004), in place of the 1959 Wreck & Salvage Act.
Bermuda Hospitals Board	A Bermuda Government quango. Bermuda Hospitals Board Act 1970.
Bermuda Housing Corporation	A Bermuda Government quango. Bermuda Housing Act 1980. Established by law in 1973 and modeled after the Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation. It was charged with the responsibility of ensuring Bermudians have adequate and affordable places to live.
Bermuda Housing Trust	Bermuda Housing Trust Act 1968. Established in 1965 after several businessmen and the Rector of Christ Church in Warwick recognized the need for housing at reasonable rental rates. Through their efforts and the generous financial assistance of W. S. Purvis, the trust built 62 units at Elizabeth Hills, Purvis Park and Heydon. For many years, Roderick Ferguson handled the daily functions.
Bermuda Medical Council	Medical Practitioners Act 1950.
Bermuda Monetary Authority	A Bermuda Government quango and regulatory agency. It processes applications and recommends to the Ministry of Finance when prudent to establish companies, partnerships, collective insurance schemes, trust companies and issue permits. It conducts background checks of applicants for incorporated business entities and regulates the banking and financial services industries.
Bermuda National Library Committee	Transfer of Functions and Reorganization Act 1970.
Bermuda National Trust Council	Bermuda National Trust Act 1969.
Bermuda Nursing Council	Nurses Act 1969. P. O. Box 674, Hamilton HM CX, Bermuda. Telephone (441) 236-0224 extension 304. Fax (441) 232-1823. Chairperson, three representatives of General Nurses; representative of Enrolled Nurses; a Chief Nursing Officer; two representatives of Nurse Specialists; one Member of the Public appointed by the Bermuda Government who is neither a registered practitioner nor a registered nurse; and one representative of the Bermuda Branch of the British Medical Association. Bermuda Nursing Council Committees are the Credentials Committee; Education Committee with four members; and the Regulations and Code of Ethics Committees with no specified members. It regulates nursing practice; revise rules and regulations governing nursing; issues licenses to persons who qualify to practice; uphold quality nursing standards; prescribes minimum educational courses for nurses wishing to practice in Bermuda; maintains a library source of accredited schools; provides financial assistance to nursing students through an awards scheme; advises prospective nursing students of other awards and scholarships; denies or suspend or revoke individual licenses for failure to comply with or meet council requirements; and prosecutes nurses who violate the law as determined by the Bermuda Nursing Council Act. The Nursing Act 1997 guides its day to day activities. Under the Nurses Act 1969, all nurses of all types, whether registered or enrolled, are required to renew their licenses annually, for a specific fee. Those not meeting the October 31 deadline pay a late licensing fee and are suspended from their jobs until payment is received. There is also a register of Inactive nurses and a fee payable by them. Many nurses earn less than $30 an hour, unlike in most hospitals in North America. The Council provides Scholarships to students who have entered a Nurse Training Program at a Council-approved institution, leading to eligibility for Licensure as a Registered Nurse in Bermuda.
Bermuda Psychologists Registration Council	Psychological Practitioners Act 1998.
Bermuda Public Funds Investment Committee	Public Funds Act 1954.
Bermuda Small Business Development Corporation	Bermuda Small Business Development Incorporation Act 1980.
Bermuda War Pensions Commissioners	Pensions & Gratuities (War Service) Act 1947.

Betting - Building

Betting Licensing Authority	Betting (Regulations & Tax) Act 1975.
Board of Agriculture	Agriculture Act 1930.
Board of Chiropodists	Professions Supplementary to Medicine Act 1973.
Board of Dieticians	Professions Supplementary to Medicine Act 1973.
Board of Education	Education Act 1996.
Board of Immigration	Bermuda Immigration & Protection Act 1956.
Board of Medical Laboratory Technologists	Professions Supplementary to Medicine Act 1973. Includes nominees from practicing Medical Laboratory Technologists.
Board of Occupational Therapists	Professions Supplementary to Medicine Act 1973.
Board of Physiotherapists	Professions Supplementary to Medicine Act 1973.
Board of Radiographers	Professions Supplementary to Medicine Act 1973.
Board of Speech Therapists	Professions Supplementary to Medicine Act 1973.
Board of Trustees of the Golf Courses	The Golf Courses (Consolidation) Act 1998.
Board of Works & Engineering	Public Works Department Act 1984.
Broadcasting Commissioners	Broadcasting Commissioners Act 1953.
Building Appeals Tribunal	The Building Act 1988.

Cedarbridge Academy Board of Governors	Education Act 1996.
Charity Commissioners	Charities Act 1978.
Child Care Placement Board	Children Act 1998.
Commission for Unity and Racial Equality (CURE)	Commission for Unity & Racial Equality Act 1974. Melbourne House, Suite 202. 11 Parliament Street, Hamilton HM KX. Phone 296-0613 or fax 296-9142 or e-mail cure@ibl.bm
Constituency Boundaries Commission	Appointed on 5 November 2001 by the Governor under the Constitution of Bermuda were the following. They had their first meeting on December 3, 2001. Sir Frank Blackman, KCVO, OBE, Chair; Hon. Sir Brian Smedley, Judicial Member; Hon. C. Eugene Cox, JP, MP, for the PLP Government on advice of the Premier; Hon. Dame Lois Brown-Evans, DBE, JP, MP, for the PLP Government on advice of the Premier; Hon. Pamela Gordon, JP, MP, on advice of the Opposition Leader; John Barrett, JP, MP, on advice of the Opposition Leader.
Consumer Affairs Board	Ministry of Community Affairs and Sport.
Contributory Pensions Appeal Tribunal	Contributory Pensions Act 1970.
Court Commissioners	Mental Health Act 1968.
Criminal Injuries Compensation Board	Criminal Injuries (Compensation Act) 1973.

Financial Assistance Board	Financial Assistance Act 2001.
Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA)	Since 2007. Assists in rooting out money laundering or terrorism financing in Bermuda, with a remit limited to banks and deposit companies. Has summary powers to put a temporary freeze on bank accounts and order documentation checks if it receives a report of suspicion regarding money laundering or terrorism financing within the financial sector. The independent quango reports directly to the Minister of Justice and acts as a “buffer” between financial institutions and the Police service’s Financial Investigations Unit. When the International Monetary Fund (IMF) visited Bermuda in 2003 it identified deficiencies in the area of identifying the proceeds of crime and the financing of terrorism. That report was published in 2005.
Financial Investigations Unit (FIU)	Operated by the Bermuda Police, not be confused with the above.
Fire Services Advisory Board	Fire Services Act 1982.

Health & Safety Advisory Council	The Health & Safety at Work Act 1982. Includes representatives from Bermuda Hotel Association; Bermuda Union of Teachers; Small Business Development Corporation; Bermuda Chamber of Commerce; Public Service Association; Bermuda Police Service Association; Bermuda Fire Services Association; Independent Employers; Bermuda Industrial Union; Ministry of Health & Family Services, ex-officio; Department of Personnel Services, ex-officio.
Historic Building Advisory Committee	Ministry of Environment.
Historic Wrecks Authority (HWA)	Government-appointed
Hospital Insurance Commission	Hospital Insurance Act 1970.
Hotel Licensing Appeal Tribunal	Hotel (Licensing & Control) Act 1969.
Human Rights Commission	Human Rights Act 1981. In August 2006, the head civil servant at HRC resigned weeks after the chairman of the Government board also stepped down. Mr. David Wilson’s resignation came after Rod Attride-Stirling, then chairman of the HRC, called for jobs to be lost over the Commission’s repeated failure to produce annual reports in compliance with the Human Rights Act. The last annual report for the HRC was filed in 2001 and a report for 2005, which should have been presented to the Minister for Community Affairs by June, had not been delivered.

Parish Councils

Parole Board	The Parole Board Act 2001.
Pension Commission	The National Pension Scheme (Occupational Pensions) Act 1998. Phone 295-8672, Its website pensioncommission.bm began in July 2007. For information on private pensions. With links including Employer Information, Employee Information, National Pension Scheme and Act and Regulation. Forms are available online or phone 295-8672 or by e-mail at info@pensioncommission.bm.
Permanent Arbitration Tribunal	Labour Relations Act 1975.
Permanent Police Tribunal	Police Act 1974.
Pharmacy Council	Pharmacy and Poisons Amendment Act 1984.
Police Complaints Authority	Police Complaints Authority Act 1998. A. Brock, Chair.
Ports Authority	Marine Board Act 1962.
Price Control Commission	Price Commission Act 1974.
Professional Engineers Registration Council	The Professional Engineers Registration Act 1972.
Professional Surveyors Registration Council	The Surveyors Registration Act 2001. A full list of professional surveyors in alphabetical order of name with their qualifications and area of specialty, is published every January.
Professions Supplementary to Medicine Council	Professions Supplementary to Medicine Act 1973.
Promotions Board for Bermuda Regiment	Defence Act 1965.
Public Records Committee	Bermuda Archives Act 1974.
Public Service Commission	Found within the Bermuda Constitution Order 1968 – section 81.
Public Service Superannuation Board	Public Service Superannuation Act 1981.
Public Service Vehicles Licensing Board	Motor Car Act 1951.
Public Transportation Board	Public Transportation Board Act 1951. info@ptb.bm.
Purchasing and Tendering Committee	Ministry of Works & Engineering.

Register of Audiologists	Bermuda Government maintained under the Professions Supplementary to Medicine Act 1973. A full list is published annually.
Register of Chiropodists	Bermuda Government maintained under the Professions Supplementary to Medicine Act 1973, not in alphabetical order but in order of day of registration so that those earliest currently registered are first and the most recent are last. A full list every year.
Register of Dental Hygienists	Bermuda Government maintained under the Dental Hygienists Regulations 1950. A full list every year.
Register of Dental Technicians	Bermuda Government maintained under Regulations 2(b) of the Dental Technicians Regulations 1950. A full list every year.
Register of Dental Practitioners	Bermuda Government maintained under the Section 6(2) of the Dental Practitioners Act 1950, not in alphabetical order but in order of day of registration so that those earliest currently registered are first and the most recent are last. A full list every year.
Register of Dieticians	Bermuda Government maintained under the Professions Supplementary to Medicine Act 1973, not in alphabetical order but in order of day of registration so that those earliest currently registered are first and the most recent are last. A full list every year.
Register of Emergency Medical Technicians	Bermuda Government maintained, registered with the office of the Chief Medical Officer. Some are Bermuda Hospitals Board, others are Bermuda Fire Service. A full list every year.
Register of Medical Laboratory Technologists	Bermuda Government maintained under the Professions Supplementary to Medicine Act 1973, not in alphabetical order but in order of day of registration so that those earliest currently registered are first and the most recent are last. A full list every year.
Register of Medical Practitioners	Bermuda Government maintained under Section 6 (2) of the Medical Practitioners Act 1950, not in alphabetical order but in order of day of registration so that those earliest currently registered are first and the most recent are last. A full list every year.
Register of Midwives	Bermuda Government maintained under Section 6 (2) of the Midwives Act 1949, not in alphabetical order but in order of day of registration so that those earliest currently registered are first and the most recent are last. A full list every year.
Register of Occupational Therapists	Bermuda Government maintained under the Professions Supplementary to Medicine Act 1973, not in alphabetical order but in order of day of registration so that those earliest currently registered are first and the most recent are last. A full list every year.
Register of Optometrists & Opticians	Bermuda Government maintained under Section 4 Part III of the Optometrists and Opticians Act 1973, not in alphabetical order but in order of day of registration so that those earliest currently registered are first and the most recent are last. A full list every year.
Register of Pharmacies	Bermuda Government maintained under Part IV Section 17(4) of the Pharmacy & Poisons Act 1979, in alphabetical order. A full list every year.
Register of Pharmacists	In accordance with Section 7 (4) of the Pharmacy & Poisons Act 1979. It shows every currently licensed pharmacist - Bermudian and non-Bermudian - by full first, middle and last name and the year, day and month when entered in the register.
Register of Physiotherapists	Bermuda Government maintained under the Professions Supplementary to Medicine Act 1973, not in alphabetical order but in order of day of registration so that those earliest currently registered are first and the most recent are last. A full list every year.
Register of Psychologists	Registrar General, Section 8, Psychological Practitioners Act 1998. A full list every year.
Register of Radiographers	Bermuda Government maintained under the Professions Supplementary to Medicine Act 1973, not in alphabetical order but in order of day of registration so that those earliest currently registered are first and the most recent are last. A full list every year.
Register of Speech-Language Therapists	Bermuda Government maintained under the Professions Supplementary to Medicine Act 1973, not in alphabetical order but in order of day of registration so that those earliest currently registered are first and the most recent are last. A full list every year.

R (other)

St. George's Preservation Authority	Town of St. George's (Protection of Buildings of Special Interest) Act 1950.
Scientific Authority for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora	Endangered Animals and Plants Act 1976.
Special Courts Panel	No specific legislation
Stamp Design Advisory Committee	Bermuda Constitution Order 1968, Section 61.
Standing Medical Board	Pension and Gratuities (War Service) Act 1947. All surviving beneficiaries of such pensions are senior citizens.
Sustainable Development Roundtable (SDR)	c/o Ministry of the Environment. First introduced in April 2005. Its primary role is to advise the Cabinet on a sustainable future for the country in areas of economics, the environment and culture. Premier Ewart Brown unveiled his Sustainable Development Roundtable (SDR) members in March 2007 but also revealed that he won’t ask the group to weigh in on the controversial Southlands Special Development Order (SDO) on the Southlands issue. Dr. Brown’s panel is 13 members, five fewer than the panel of his predecessor Alex Scott. Seven of the members are new and six are from the previous Roundtable. Among those not invited back is environmentalist Stuart Hayward, who, since leaving the Government advisory committee, has become an outspoken opponent of the Southlands bid for an SDO.

Defence Board	Section 6, Defence Act 1965.
Defence Exemption Tribunal	Defence Act 1965.
Defence Medical Board	Defence Act 1965.
Development Applications Board	Development & Planning Act 1974.

E-Commerce Advisory Board	No legislation specified.
Employment Tribunal	Section 35 and Schedule, Employment Act 2000.
Environmental Authority	Clean Air Act 1991.
The Essential Industries Disputes Board	Labour Relations Act 1975.

General Improvement Area Tribunal	Bermuda Housing Act 1980.
Government Employees (Health Insurance) Appeals Tribunal	Government Employees (Health Insurance) Act 1986.
Government Employees (Health Insurance) Management Committee	Government Employees (Health Insurance) Act 1986.

Labor Advisory Council	Ministry of Labor, Home Affairs and Public Safety. Includes Workers Representatives of Bermuda Public Services Association; Bermuda Industrial Union; Bermuda Union of Teachers; Electricity Supply Trade Union; Fire Services Association; Association of School Principals; Bermuda Federation of Musicians and Variety Artists. Employers' Representatives of Government; Independent Employers; Bermuda Employer's Council; Hotel Employers of Bermuda.
Land Valuation Appeals Tribunal	Land Valuation & Tax Act 1967.
Law Reform Committee	Ministry of Legislative Affairs.
Legal Aid Committee	Legal Aid Act 1980.

Marine Resources Board	Fisheries Act 1972.
Medical Reference Committee	Motor Car Act 1951.
Mental Health Review Tribunal	Mental Health Act 1968.
Millennium Fund Committee	Millennium Fund Act 1988.

National Drug Commission	National Drug Commission Act 1993.
National Parks Commission	The Bermuda National Parks Act 1986.
National Training Board	The National Training Board Act 1997. 94 Reid Street, Hamilton HM 12. Telephone (441) 292-3700. Fax (441) 292-5984.
National Tourism Action Group	Ministry of Tourism.
National Youth Council	The Cabinet Office. A representative each of the Berkeley Institute; Bermuda Institute; Bermuda High School for Girls; Bermuda College; Cedarbridge Academy; Clearwater Middle School; Mount St. Agnes Academy; Sandys Secondary Middle School; Saltus Senior School; Warwick Academy Senior School

Devonshire Parish Council	Hamilton Parish Council	Paget Parish Council
Pembroke Parish Council	St. George's Parish Council	Sandys Parish Council
Smith's Parish Council	Southampton Parish Council	Warwick Parish Council

Rent Increases Advisory Panel	Rent Increases (Domestic Premises) Control Act 1978.
Residential Child Care Advisory Board	Protection of Children Act 1943.
Review Committee	Investment Business Act 1998.
Road Safety Council	No specific legislation

Tax Appeal Tribunal Panel	Taxes Management Act 1976.
Tax Convention Advisory Committee	USA-Bermuda Taxes Management Act 1986.
Technical Advisory Panel	Motor Car Act 1951.
Telecommunications Commission	Telecommunications Act 1986.
Treatment of Offenders Board	No specific legislation
Top Level Domain Committee	Ministry of Telecommunications & E-Commerce.
Tourism Board	Bermuda Constitution Order 1968, Section 61.
Trucks Advisory Committee	Motor Car Act 1951.

West End Development Corporation	A Bermuda Government quango. West End Corporation Act 1982. P. O. Box MA 415, Mangrove Bay, MA BX.
War Veterans Pensions Commission (WVPC)	Unlike veterans in other countries, Bermuda pays a pension only to those who served overseas
Waterfront Task Force	Established by the Premier in 2005. It includes members from the private sector, Corporation of St. George's, West End Development Corporation (Wedco) and Corporation of Hamilton. For the six months the Corporation of Hamilton declined to participate on the Task Force. It was made clear that in the future the number of cruise ships in Hamilton and St. George's would decrease and the opportunity would exist to redevelop the waterfronts at each port.
Water Safety Council	Ministry of Transport.

Bermuda Government Boards & Commissions

More than 108 advisory bodies and organizations appointed every year