House yanks back controversial sugar bill

Ogumoro

The House of Representatives voted unanimously yesterday to recall a controversial bill to tax sugar-sweetened beverages, powders, and syrups from the desk of Gov. Ralph DLG Torres.

Torres had until June 11 to veto or approve the bill before automatically becoming law.

All 17 members present voted in favor of Rep. Felicidad Ogumoro’s (R-Saipan) motion to recall the bill, which would have taxed these sugar products 4 cents per ounce.

Ogumoro is the author of the bill, or House Bill 19-99. In passing the Legislature, the bill pitted health and business groups against each other, with business people calling the bill “excessive” and proponents touting it as measure to help combat non-communicable disease in the CNMI.

While some believe NMI Constitution does not prescribe powers to lawmakers to recall their bill once in the hands of the governor, lawmakers pointed to their House rules, which allow them to make such a motion. A quick look at Commonwealth code on actions on legislation by the governor, though, shows no such option. The law presents options to veto, sign, the bill, or let it lapse into law, once a bill has been transmitted, and a deadline to act on these options, among others.

Still, the Torres administration indicated its intent to follow through on the recall, which has been seen a courtesy that governor’s give to lawmakers who want to avoid looming vetoes of their bills.

“While this bill has been recalled, it does not mean we should stop having the necessary discussions about the health and welfare of our community,” said Torres in a statement yesterday. “I want to make it clear that it is a priority of this administration to promote a healthy and prosperous community and I will genuinely offer my assistance to the Legislature and the stakeholders in creating legislation that offers comprehensive solutions to the health problems affecting our people.”

Guy Pudney, resident manager of Marpac Inc., one of the groups against the bill, said yesterday the cost of the bill would have been passed on to other products just to make up for revenues lost from soft drinks.

“It’s definitely a good sign that they did at least listen to some of our concerns. It is encouraging,” he told Saipan Tribune.

Saipan Tribune tried but failed to obtain comments from proponents of the bill yesterday.