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19 House bills, resolutions to be introduced today
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Posted on Jan 16 2012
Granting the Department of Lands and Natural Resources the flexibility to renegotiate the terms and conditions of an existing lease of submerged lands earlier than the last five years of the principle lease is among the at least 19 bills, local bills and resolutions that are expected to be introduced in today’s House session.
Speaker Eli Cabrera’s (R-Saipan) House Bill 17-263 said granting DLNR flexibility will address potential enhancements of existing lease terms.
Public Law 1-23, as amended, authorizes DLNR to manage the CNMI’s submerged lands, including the granting of licenses, permits or development leases. Such leases may be granted for a period not to exceed 25 years, including renewal rights and that an extension of not more than 15 years may be given upon approval by three-fourths of the members of the Legislature.
Cabrera, in his bill, said although DLNR is granted the authority to lease submerged lands, it may not renegotiate or entertain potential developments of an existing lease because of an existing provision that allows it to renegotiate only until the last five years of the principle lease “despite the potential benefits it may have” for the CNMI and its residents. The speaker’s bill seeks to lift that restriction.
Another bill, HB 17-267 introduced by Vice Speaker Felicidad Ogumoro (Cov-Saipan), requires the Department of Public Lands to provide complete documents on proposed public land lease or the extension of such public land lease agreement to House and Senate members at least 30 days before they act in a joint session.
Of the 19 bills and resolutions, at least one is considered a revenue-generating measure besides seeking to promote road safety—Rep. Janet Maratita’s (Ind-Saipan) HB 17-264 which seeks to increase the maximum fines for speed limit violations by 50 percent—from $100 to $150 for a first offense. The proposed fine for a second offense is $375, from the current $250.
