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Rota demurs new fees for CNMI Product Seal
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Posted on Feb 21 2001
The CNMI Product Seal is okay. Additional fees, no way.
This seems to be the sentiment raised by Rota Mayor Benjamin T. Manglona in his written testimony on House Bill 12-136 or the CNMI Product Seal Act of 2000.
The bill, which seeks to identify products manufactured in the Commonwealth by requiring that product seals be placed on them, was generally agreeable to Mr. Manglona save for some provisions.
“It’s not right for a merchant to attach to a product claiming that is a product of the CNMI, if such is not the case,” Mr. Manglona intimated. “We agree with the general purpose of the bill. The CNMI Product Seal should be required.”
However, the mayor has opposed the levying of fees and assessments proposed by the bill.
In a letter to Rep. Dino M. Jones, House Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations chairman, the mayor expressed reservation on the additional cost that may be imposed on the merchants or producers to get the seal.
Section 5 (a) (8) instructs the Department of Finance to levy fees and assessment on license to use the CNMI Product Seal, including annual surveillance fee.
Mr. Manglona also asked the Legislature to block passage of any law that raises the cost of doing business in the Northern Marianas. He added this is not the right time for added burdens on business people, in reference to the continuing economic slump the CNMI has been experiencing.
He suggested that no fees or assessments be levied against companies or businesses seeking to avail the CNMI Product Seal and that the aforementioned section seeking the payment of levies be erased from the bill.
Introduced by Rep. William S. Torres, HB 12-136 prescribes the stamping of the CNMI Product Seal on a product manufactured on the islands. It stated that the product should have resulted from a substantial transformation of the materials used in the creation of the product and for which a minimum of 50 percent of the value of the product has been added in the Commonwealth.
Manufacturers who want to obtain such a permit must apply to the Department of Finance where they can get the CNMI Product Seal, which will be effective for a year.
