Premier the Hon. André Ebanks MP has today reaffirmed Government’s commitment to good governance, transparency and problem-solving leadership in certifying a limited number of Bills as urgent under section 77(2) of the Cayman Islands Constitution Order.

In accordance with section 77(2), the Premier has certified certain pieces of legislation as too urgent to permit the usual 28-day publication period before consideration by Parliament. These include proposed amendments relating to immigration and health insurance that address pressing operational and legal matters affecting Caymanians.

Importantly, and in an unprecedented step toward greater openness, notice of the certification and the full reasons for it were issued yesterday (25 February) to the Speaker of the Parliament, the Hon D. Ezzard Miller, and circulated today to all 19 Members of Parliament – setting a new benchmark for parliamentary transparency, which will be refined in the Parliament Standing Orders in the near future.

“Our Government believes in solving problems, not prolonging them,” the Premier said. “Where urgent action is required in the public interest, the Constitution provides a clear and lawful mechanism to act.”

The urgent Bills that require timely resolution are as follows.

The Immigration (Transition) (Amendment and Validation) Bill, 2026

• Expediting WORC services: Enabling WORC (Workforce Opportunities and Residency Cayman) to charge and validate Express Determination Fees for persons who wish to access expedited services, which will ensure legal clarity and operational fairness in processing applications.
• Permanent Residency: Clarifying that persons who were not advised of the status of their Permanent Residency applications prior to the commencement of the Immigration (Transition) Amendment and Validation Act 2025, will remain subject to the current 15-year qualifying period before they are eligible to apply for the Right to be Caymanian.
• Designation of being Caymanian: Insert a provision that automatically deems persons to be Caymanian, without the need to apply to the Director of WORC, if they were born in the Cayman Islands on or before 26 March 1977. The Premier noted that this is a longstanding, vexing issue that needs to be resolved soonest. 

The Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill, 2026

• Changing the decision-maker: Updating the definition of “indigent person” to “medically indigent person.” This change reassigns decisions to the Ministry responsible for Health about whether medical services should be covered by Government’s insurance plan. Because such decisions are usually time-sensitive and critical for favourable patient outcomes, the proposed amendment removes layers of bureaucracy to provide greater effectiveness and efficiency for Caymanians in times of urgent medical need. 

These Bills support four of Government’s Broad Outcomes for 2026-2028: Broad Outcome 1, on Education, Immigration and Workforce Development; Broad Outcome 4, on Health and Social Development; Broad Outcome 6, on Public Services; and Broad Outcome 7, on Good Governance and Public Safety. 

In Line with Standing Orders and Constitutional Practice

Section 77(2) of the Constitution expressly empowers the Premier to certify a Bill as urgent where the public interest requires it. The provision has been used on several occasions since its introduction following the 2020 constitutional amendments, including for financial services revenue measures, public finance legislation and immigration amendments.

The Premier emphasised that the present use is consistent with established precedent and fully within constitutional authority.

Raising the Bar on Transparency

While Parliament Standing Orders do not currently require advance circulation of urgent certification letters to all Members, Government has voluntarily adopted this practice going forward, pending any formal amendments to the Standing Orders.

“Good governance evolves,” the Premier said. “We are committed to transparent parliamentary practice, respectful engagement with all Members, and decisive leadership when Cayman’s interests require it.”

The Premier reaffirmed that the NCFC Government remains guided by a simple principle: Identify problems, address them responsibly, and act in the best interests of the Cayman Islands.

“Our duty is to the people of these Islands. When action is needed, we will act – carefully and lawfully,” the Premier said.

Premier, NCFC Advances Urgent Legislation to Help Caymanians.m4a