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Torres signs local bills
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres last Friday signed House Local Bill 19-53 and the Tinian Local Bill 19-4 last Friday. HLB 19-53 is now Saipan Local Law 19-25 while TLB 19-4 becomes Tinian Local Ordinance 19-4, with both local bills recently passed by their respective local delegations—the Saipan and Northern Islands and the Tinian and Aguiguan legislative delegations.
SLL 19-25 amended a section of Saipan Local Law 18-04 or the Saipan Zoning Law of 2013, while TLB 19-4 would make limited appropriations for personnel and operations of the Tinian Casino Gaming Control Commission, the Tinian Mayor’s Office, and the Tinian Municipal Treasury for fiscal year 2017.
SLL 19-25 amends 10 CMC 3511 of the Saipan Zoning Law of 2013 where eight parcels of land in the San Roque area were classified as tourist resort zoning districts. Majority Leader Rep. George N. Camacho (R-Saipan) introduced HLB 19-53.
SNILD, when it passed the bill, found it appropriate in rezoning certain areas on Saipan. The local delegation agreed that rezoning certain districts in done in the best interest of the community.
TLO 19-4, which was introduced by TALD chair Sen. Jude U. Hofschneider (R-Tinian), appropriated the money collected from the casino license fees that would pay the employees of three local agencies and fund their daily operations. TALD is the one obligated to prepare and pass the Tinian Local Budget every fiscal year.
TCGCC, however, informed the delegation a projected casino revenue of $1,375,000 from the casino license fees paid by the casino operator licensees. The remaining casino gaming revenue tax paid by the Tinian Dynasty Hotel & Casino, which remains closed, was also part of the municipality’s income.
TALD would appropriate additional gaming funds once it becomes available. The municipality has not benefitted from the Tinian Dynasty after it closed on Aug. 14, 2015.
