Hofschneider signs into law $1M Rota appropriation bill

Senate president Jude U. Hofschneider (R-Tinian), in his role as acting governor, signs House Local Bill 22-23, S1, into Rota Local Law 22-04 in his office at the Senate yesterday morning. The bill proposes to appropriate to Rota for referral patients, among other programs, Rota’s $1 million share of Imperial Pacific International (CNMI) LLC’s $15 million license fee that was paid to the CNMI government two years ago. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Senate president Jude U. Hofschneider (R-Tinian) in his capacity as acting governor signed into law yesterday a local bill that the Rota Legislative Delegation passed last week that appropriate to Rota for referral patients, among other programs, Rota’s $1 million share of Imperial Pacific International (CNMI) LLC’s $15 million license fee that was paid to the CNMI government two years ago.

Hofschneider signed in his office House Local Bill 22-23, S1 into Rota Local Law 22-04.

Sen. Teresita A. Santos (Ind-Rota), who is co-chair of the Rota Legislative Delegation, extended her gratitude to Hofschneider for acting expeditiously on the measure. “With this, appropriations under Section 2 of the local law can be executed with reporting requirements and no reprogramming of the same,” Santos said.

The senator earlier stated that with the amended bill, there is not fiscal limitations and no reprogramming of the funding.

The delegation amended the bill to reflect changes in the allocation amounts and address the concern of Attorney General Edward Manibusan about a “problematic” provision in the legislation.

Rep. Donald M. Manglona (Ind-Rota), who is co-chair of the delegation, is the author of the bill.

The amended bill, HLB 22-23, S1, proposes to allot $217,924 from the $1 million for interisland medical referral stipend for patients and their escorts under the expenditure authority of the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. chief executive officer or his/her designee.

The bill proposes to allot $290,000 for Medical Subsistence Allowance for the Rota hemodialysis and terminally-ill patients under the expenditure authority of the Finance secretary.

The legislation also proposes to allot $68,000 to the Rota Liaison Office under the expenditure authority of the Rota mayor;

– $45,000 shall be used to purchase a new vehicle.

– 5,000 shall be used for fuel and lubrication.

– $3,000 for office supplies and equipment.

– $15,000 for the Rota Health Clinic assessment of hemodialysis facility and to assess for Medicare compliance and eligibility.

The bill proposes to allot $50,000 to purchase a vehicle for the Department of Public Safety-Rota Criminal Investigation Division and for the cost of freight under the expenditure authority of the Rota mayor.

The bill proposes to allot $374,076 for the Rota Delegation’s community programs and projects under the joint expenditure authority of the chairpersons of the Delegation or their designee.

Last October, Gov. Ralph DLG Torres notified the Senate and the House of Representatives that $8 million of the $15 million six-casino license fee that IPI earlier paid is available for appropriation.