session in the House of Assembly.

Finance Minister Eugene Cox will start the debate on the new Act, which ups the cabin tax and allows for a cut-rate late-season deal for cruise ships visiting Bermuda during the winter months.

The Miscellaneous Taxes Amendment Act sets rates based on the number of cabins and the length of visit.

And it sets an $8 per cabin rate during the peak summer months of May to August, dropping to $4 in September/October, with no fee levied on cruise lines during the winter, although some exceptions are made.

The Tax Commissioner will also be able to vary the tax if a ship is forced to visit Bermuda or stay longer than scheduled due to "exceptional circumstances''.

Mr. Cox will also bring amendments to add $91,500-plus to the salary of new political Attorney-General Lois Browne Evans.

That -- in addition to the $30,000 MPs' pay -- will bring her up to the $125,000 salary of previous, non-political AGs.

Also on the agenda for tomorrow is an amendment to the Island's telecommunications legislation.

The new law aims to tighten up the law on phone firms by imposing a 30-day limit for the performance of some of their duties.

And it will make it mandatory for telecommunications firms to provide copies of agreements with other carriers to the Telecommunications Commission.

MPs to debate new rate Under the Act, Commissioners will be given power to postpone modify any such agreements. They will also get a "fireman'' role in disputes between carriers and a policing role over performance of legal obligations.

Telecommunications Minister Renee Webb will also get the power of veto if a telecommunications firm decides it wants to disconnect another carrier under shared line agreements.

The rest of the House time will be taken up by Transport matters, including new regulations for the licensing of pre-arranged transport services at the Airport.

Government Whip Ottiwell Simmons said the law aiming to end annual voter registration -- sent back for amendments by Senate on Wednesday -- will be tabled today, but not discussed.

He explained Government wanted to give MPs the chance to examine the amendments.

CRUISE SHIP SHI TAXES TAX