The legislative wheels of the Isle of Man will start turning once more today (Tuesday).

As sure as a spot of mutual back-slapping on the front and back benches follows a state of the nation address, the first sitting of the House of Keys follows the opening Tynwald session of the year.

There is a danger of MHKs coming back after the lunch break, tomorrow, as the clauses stage of the Gambling (Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill) has a total of 18 amendments listed. Sadly, none is to come up with a shorter title.

On top of that - and two new clauses proposed - Bill Shimmins (Middle), the Treasury department member charged with taking the bill through the Keys, wants the third and final reading to also take place today.

This is because - smart comments aside - the Isle of Man is in a race against time to ensure it meets its international obligations to combat money-laundering before the island’s status is reviewed next year.

Mr Shimmins - undeterred by Tynwald’s rejection last week of his suggestion it sits in September, rather than enjoy a three-month parliamentary recess - is now seeking to change the Keys calendar so that it can cram in four additional sittings in September/October next year, prior to Tynwald’s resumption.

The Road Transport, Licensing and Registration (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to amend the 2001 Road Transport Act, is down for a second reading, while the Customs and Excise Bill, which covers investigations into terrorism-related financial crime, is down for a third reading. The Credit Unions (Amendment) Bill will be introduced for a formal first reading.

Question time will see education chiefs’ policy on closure school in severe weather conditions under the spotlight, an update sought on the consultation on prescription charges and the living wage also crop up.

Meanwhile, the Legislative Council is back in action, too, with two bills arriving from the House of Keys. The Casino (Amendment) Bill, which also deals with money laundering and financing of terrorism, and the Dogs (Amendment) Bill, which will change the way dogs are licensed, are both due first readings.