Saipan House Bill 16-30

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SIXTEENTH NORTHERN MARIANAS COMMONWEALTH LEGISLATURE SPECIAL SESSIONS, 2009

SESSION DAY 1st Day, First Special Session 2009

CALENDAR DAY Wednesday, April 1, 2009

TIME 9:30 a.m.

ORDER OF BUSINESS A Moment of Silence 1.

ROLL CALL

2.

ADOPTION OF JOURNALS – None

3.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

DRAFT – 3/31/09 PM

House Bills: H. B. NO. 16-234: To include gaming commission investigators and inspectors as recipients of the Law Enforcement Officers’ Benefit Act; and for other purposes. (Rep. Edwin P. Aldan) H. B. NO. 16-235: To amend 3 CMC § 7113(e)(3)   regarding   the   erection   of  temporary   structures   used   for   public   events;   and   for   other   purposes.  (Rep. Joseph C. Reyes)

House Legislative Initiatives: House Local Bills: H. L. B. NO. 16-31: To appropriate $15,000.00 from the local license fees collected for pachinko slot machines and poker machines in the Second Senatorial District; and for other purposes. (Rep. Edwin P. Aldan) 4.

INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTIONS House Commemorative Resolutions: House Resolutions:

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H. R. NO. 16-79: To   express   sincere   gratitude   to   Mr.   Steve   Tilley   for   his  commitment and invaluable service to the people of the Commonwealth of the Northern  Mariana Islands. (Rep. Joseph P. Deleon Guerrero) House Concurrent Resolutions: House Joint Resolutions: 5.

MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR GOV. COMM. 16-334: (2/27/9) From Acting Governor Villagomez informing the House that he disapproved H. B. NO. 16-4, HD4, (the CNMI Government and Public Deposit Safety Act of 2008). [Deadline: 4/28/09] GOV. COMM.  16­342:   (Undated)   Informing   the   House   that   he   signed   into   law  H. L. B. NO. 16­25 (Appropriation of $42,000 from the pachinko slot machines and poker  machines). [Became Tinian Local Law 16­7] GOV. COMM.  16­343:   (3/13/09)  Informing the House that pursuant to the Legislature’s override, H. B. NO. 16-206 became Public Law 16-31. GOV. COMM.  16­344:   (3/13/09)  Informing the House that pursuant to the Legislature’s override, H. B. NO. 16-213, HD5 became Public Law 16-32. GOV. COMM. 16-345: (3/26/09) Informing the House that he signed into law H. B. NO. 16-194 (To include the Northern Marianas Trade Institute as an educational institution to qualify under the tax credit program). [Became Public Law 16-33] GOV. COMM. 16-346: (3/23/09) Informing the House that he signed into law S. B. NO. 16-44, CS1, HD2 (re Advance Practice Registered Nurse). [Became Public Law 16-34] GOV. COMM. 16-347: (3/27/09) Informing the House that he signed into law H. B. NO. 16-149, HD1 (LEED Standards suspension). [Became Public Law 16-35] GOV. COMM. 16-348: (3/27/09) Informing the House that he signed into law H. L. B. NO. 16-3, S1 D2 (Appropriation for various projects in the Third Senatorial District: FIBA Tournament; MYSN Conference; Kagman Elementary Outdoor Stage; Directory for Traditional Healers and Medicinal Plants). [Became Saipan Local Law 16- 7] GOV. COMM. 16-349: (3/27/09) Certification for an annual salary in excess of $50,000 for Mr. Braddock J. Huesman.

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SENATE COMMUNICATIONS SEN. COMM. 16-134: (3/10/09) Transmitting S. B. NO. 16-15, entitled, “To establish a Prudent Investor Act in the Commonwealth; and for other purposes,” which was passed by the Senate on March 10, 2009. [For action] SEN. COMM. 16-135: (3/12/09) Transmitting S. J. R. NO. 16-9, entitled, “To respectfully request the U. S. House Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife to support the enactment of H. R. 934, a bill to convey to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands jurisdiction over the waters and submerged lands extending three miles from the mean high water mark of its shores, the same conveyance as that accorded the U. S. Territories of Guam, Virgin Islands, and American Samoa,” which was passed by the Senate on March 10, 2009. [For action] SEN. COMM. 16-136: (3/12/09) Informing the House that the Senate accepted the House amendments to S. B. NO. 16-22, SS1, SD1, HS1, HD1, entitled, “To amend parts of 1 CMC 6101 et seq.”, on March 10, 2009. [For info] SEN. COMM. 16-137: (3/12/09) Informing the House that the Senate accepted the House amendments to S. B. NO. 16-49, HD1, entitled, “To amend 1 CMC, Division 8, § 8245 (c); and for other purposes,” on March 10, 2009. [For info] SEN. COMM. 16-138: (3/12/09) Returning H. J. R. NO. 16-24, to support and advocate the passage of H. R. 934 now pending before the 111th United States Congress, which was adopted by the Senate without amendment on March 10, 2009. [For info] SEN. COMM. 16-139: (3/12/09) Returning H. J. R. NO. 16-25, expressing congratulations to Asiana Airlines for being selected as the Airline of the Year for 2009 by Penton Media’s Air Transport World and our appreciation for Asiana Airlines’ continued commitment and support of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Travel Industry, which was adopted by the Senate without amendment on March 10, 2009. [For info] SEN. COMM. 16-140: (3/12/09) Returning H. B. NO. 16-145, HD2, “To mandate the Commonwealth Government to prioritize and pay the retirement employer contributions of government employees who are eligible to retire; and for other purposes”, which was passed by the Senate without amendment on March 10, 2009. [For info; Before the Governor] SEN. COMM. 16-141: (3/12/09) Returning H. B. NO. 16-187: “To amend Section 7(a)(2) and repeal and reenact Section 7(c) of the Rota Casino Act of 2007”, which was passed by the Senate without amendment on March 10, 2009. [For info; Before the Governor] SEN. COMM. 16-142: (3/12/09) Returning H. B. NO. 16-194, “To amend 4 CMC § 1205(c) to add the Northern Marianas Trade Institute as a qualified educational

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institution for purposes of the education tax credit,” which was passed by the Senate without amendment on March 10, 2009. [For info] SEN. COMM. 16-143: (3/17/09) Transmitting a certified copy of S. R. NO. 16-30, entitled, “A Senate Resolution to acknowledge, and honor a lifetime of accomplishment and service rendered by Retired Colonel Juan Cruz Tenorio to his country and to his people of the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas.” [For info] SEN. COMM. 16-144: (3/26/09) Transmitting S. B. NO. 16-52, entitled, “To rename the Rota Veteran Memorial Park to ‘The Corporal Joe G. Charfauros Jr. Rota Veteran Memorial Park’”, which was passed by the Senate on March 26, 2009. [For action] SEN. COMM. 16-144: (3/30/09) Transmitting a certified copy of S. R. NO. 16-32, entitled, “A Senate Resolution to recognize and welcome Brigadier General Francis L. ‘Fran’ Hendricks, Vice Commander, Army and Air Force Exchange Services, to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands”. [For info] 7.

HOUSE COMMUNICATIONS HSE. COMM. 16-103: (3/9/09) Off-island notice from Representative Apatang. HSE. COMM. 16-104: (3/19/09) From Representative Salas informing the Speaker that he will be off-island for medical treatment beginning March 23, 2009.

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COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE JUDICIAL BRANCH - None

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COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE NMI DELEGATE (U.S. CONGRESS) - None

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COMMUNICATIONS FROM DEPARTMENTS & AGENCIES - None

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OTHER COMMUNICATIONS MISC. COMM. 16-68: (3/10/09) From Youth Congress Clerk Roslyn Leon Guerrero transmitting certified copies of YC Commemorative Resolutions 16-1 thru 16-3. MISC. COMM. 16-69: (3/10/09) From Youth Congress Clerk Roslyn Leon Guerrero transmitting certified copies of YC Resolutions 16-2 thru 16-11.

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REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES S. C. R. NO. 16-78: Reporting on H. B. NO. 16-167, HD1 entitled, “To   amend  1 CMC § 8222 regarding housing for key government officials; and for other purposes.” Your Committee on Judiciary and Governmental Operations recommends passage of the bill in the form of H. B. NO. 16-167, HD2. S. C. R. NO. 16-79: Reporting on H. B. NO. 16-132, entitled, “To authorize the Marianas Visitors Authority to regulate tour operators and tour guides by amending 4 CMC § 2103; and for other purposes.” Your Committee on Commerce and Tourism recommends passage of the bill in the form of H. B. NO. 16-132, HD1. S. C. R. NO. 16-80: Reporting on H. B. NO. 16-223, entitled, “To implement austerity Fridays and unpaid legal holidays; to reduce the employers’ contribution for the members of the Northern Mariana Islands Retirement Fund Define Benefit Plan from 18% to 11%; to provide full reprogramming authority to all expenditure authorities; and for other purposes. Your Committee on Ways and Means recommends that the full membership of the House shall decide upon H. B. NO. 16-223. S. C. R. NO. 16-81: Reporting on H. B. NO. 16-224, entitled, “To vest the Department of Public Lands and Natural Resources with the management and disposition of a certain public land in Sadog Tasi, Saipan for the development of a public park; and for other purposes. Your Committee on Natural Resources recommends passage of H. B. NO. 16-224. S. C. R. NO. 16-82: Reporting on H. B. NO. 16-146, entitled, “To establish Village and Agricultural Homestead Program for the Islands of Sarigan, Alamagan, Pagan, and Agrigan; and for other purposes.” Your Committee on Natural Resources recommends passage of the bill in the form of H. B. NO. 16-146, HS1. S. C. R. NO. 16-83: Reporting on H. B. NO. 16-15, entitled, “To amend Title 1 CMC § 8365 to establish that the Northern Marianas Retirement Fund receive its tax revenue from the hotel occupancy tax and alcoholic container tax directly into a special fund within the Department of Finance.” Your Committee on Ways and Means recommends passage of H. B. NO. 16-15. S. C. R. NO. 16-84: Reporting on H. B. NO. 16-225, entitled, “To amend 4 CMC § 1503(a)(5) to reduce the license fee for pachinko slot machines; and for other purposes.” Your Committee on Ways and Means recommends passage of H. B. NO. 16- 225. S. C. R. NO. 16-85: Reporting on H. R. NO. 16-42, entitled, “To acknowledge the enactment of the Northern Mariana Island Immigration, Security, and Labor Act as set forth in Public Law 110-229 on May 8, 2008; to express concerns about the economic impact of this Act on the Commonwealth economy; to recognize the Governor’s Statement on June 24, 2008, regarding the Act; and to support the Governor’s action in seeking further legal advice before initiating any litigation challenging the Act in federal

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courts.” Your Committee on United States and Foreign Relations recommends the filing of H. R. NO. 16-42.

13.

REPORTS OF SPECIAL AND CONFERENCE COMMITTEES - None

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UNFINISHED BUSINESS – None

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RESOLUTION CALENDAR Resolutions

16.

BILL CALENDAR Bills/Initiatives H. B. NO. 16-201 H. L. I. NO. 16-8

S. L. I. NO. 16-10, HS1

H. B. NO. 16-188

S. B. NO. 16-51, SD1

To establish a government service severance package for employees funded by the General Fund with at least eighteen years of government service; and for other purposes. To amend Article XII of the Constitution of the Northern Mariana Islands by adding a new Section 7 to allow each senatorial district to amend or repeal the restrictions on alienation of land with respect to its senatorial district  [See   S. C. R. NO. 16­60, Subst. 1] To   amend   Article   X   of   the   Constitution   of   the  Commonwealth   of   the   Northern   Mariana   Islands   by  amending Section 7 to require the reduction of government  employment   and  to  add   a  new  section  10  to  authority  the  Commonwealth  to  issue  pension   obligation   bonds;   and  for  other purposes. [See S. C. R. No. 16­69] To mandate the Department of Public Safety to remove dead animals from public highways and roads and thereafter contact the Mayor’s Office for its proper disposal; and for other purposes. [See S. C. R. No. 16-77] To   repeal   and   re­enact   Section   2152   of   Title   1   of   the  Commonwealth   Code   to   clarify   that   an   individual,   absent  Senate  confirmation,  shall  neither occupy nor  serve in  the  capacity  of Attorney General,  Acting  Attorney General, or  Interim   Attorney   General   in   excess   of   30   days   absent  nomination   to   the   Senate   nor   in   excess   of   90   days   upon  nomination;   and   for   other   purposes.  [See   Sen. Comm. No. 16­ 131]

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Bills/Initiatives H. B. NO. 16-204

To amend Public Law 16­17 sections 3(c) to modify  PSAA  requirements   and   3(g)(2)   to   clarify   contractor   eligibility  requirements   for   Private   Sector   Assistance   Agreements  (PSSA)   and   adding   a   new   section   3(h)   defining   “United  States Certified Contractor”; and for other purposes.

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MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS

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ANNOUNCEMENTS (ADJOURNMENT) APPEARANCE OF LOCAL BILLS

FIRST APPEARANCE: 1st Legislative appearance of a local bill is on the day it is introduced. SECOND APPEARANCE: H. L. B. NO. 16-30: To appropriate the lapsed/unobligated funds from Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation (SNILD) Resolution 15-2; and for other purposes. (Rep. Justo S. Quitugua) THIRD APPEARANCE: H. L. B. NO. 16-29: To appropriate $10,000.00 from the local license fees collected for pachinko sot machines and poker machines in the Second Senatorial District; and for other purposes. (Rep. Edwin P. Aldan)