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Legislature OKs booze at airports
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Posted on Nov 26 2008
The Legislature has passed a measure allowing the sale of alcoholic drinks at all airports in the Northern Marianas.
The legislation, which cleared the House of Representatives six months ago, got the Senate’s approval during a session on Tinian Tuesday.
If the bill is signed into law, passengers will be able to consume alcohol any time of the day at Saipan, Tinian and Rota’s international airports within the “sterile passenger holding areas,” which include areas at and beyond the screening checkpoints, holding rooms and boarding gates.
Currently, the government only allows vendors like bars, clubs, among other related establishments, to sell or serve any alcoholic beverages from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. Supermarkets and stores can only sell alcohol up to 10 p.m.
Saipan Republicans House Floor Leader Joseph N. Camacho, Reps. Diego T. Benavente and Ray N. Yumul are the sponsors of the bill, which will become law once the governor signs it.
“Due to the difficult economic situation the Commonwealth is currently facing, it is very important to find any means that will encourage revenue,” the bill states.
According to the bill, passengers arriving and departing in Commonwealth airports come from different time zones and should not be subject to statutes regulating purchase of alcoholic beverages on certain hours.
“It is the purpose of this act to allow, within the sterile passenger holding areas the purchase of alcoholic beverages, regardless of time or day for consumption within, as a way of generating more revenue,” the bill says.
