4 local bills now law; one allots $9.5M to Saipan

On Friday, Nov. 9, 2018, Gov. Ralph DLG Torres signed into law four House local bills, one of which appropriates $9.5 million for several Saipan expenditures.
House Local Bill 20-81, S1, D4 appropriates $9.5 million from the Exclusive Gaming Annual License Fees allotted to Saipan. The bill, authored by Rep. Angel A. Demapan (R-Saipan), was passed unanimously by the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation and becomes Saipan Local Law 20-26. The appropriations are made for the following public purposes:

• $140,000 to the Animal Shelter under the Mayor of Saipan;
• $80,000 for Street Numbering under the Mayor of Saipan;
• $150,000 for a Tractor Truck under the Mayor of Saipan;
• $130,000 for a Claw Truck under the Mayor of Saipan;
• $75,000 to the Center for Living Independently;
• $150,000 for the NMI Museum;
• $60,000 to the Board of Parole;
• $75,000 for the Micronesian Legal Services Corporation;
• $250,000 for the CNMI Military Liaison and Veteran’s Affairs Office—Hero’s Safe Haven Program;
• $250,000 for the Northern Marianas Trades Institute;
• $100,000 for the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library;
• $2,000,000 for the Marpi Landfill;
• $50,000 for Karidat;
• $40,000 for Ayuda Network Inc., – 4H Marianas;
• $150,000 to the Legislative Bureau for the Legislative Building generator;
• $15,000 for Pagan Watch;
• $50,000 for Cultural Heritage Month;
• $75,000 for the RSAT Building Renovation to the Office of Adult Probation;
• $50,000 for Treatment Services to the Office of Adult Probation;
• $70,000 for two new vehicles to the Office of Adult Probation;
• $200,000 to the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation;
• $204,500 for Precinct I – Paving of Maguro Drive in As Perdido;
• $79,171 for Precinct I – Paving of Tasi Lane in Dandan;
• $190,000 for Precinct I – As Perdido Rd. – Anti Skid;
• $170,000 for Precinct I – San Vicente Loop;
• $80,000 for Precinct I – Atot Avenue, Chalan Piao;
• $70,000 for Precinct I – Ahive Lane, Fina Sisu;
• $80,000 for Precinct I – Alu Drive;
• $161,329 for Fina Sisu Road Widening;
• $1,035,000 for Precinct II–Construction and/or reconstruction of the Sugar Dock; renovation of social halls in Precinct II, sidewalks and ponding basins;
• $208,500 for Precinct III – Water Drainage/Catchment System in Oleai by San Jose Church;
• $96,500 for Precinct III – paving and beautification in front of Puerto Rico and North Marina Heights;
• $105,000 for Precinct III – completion of Mt. Tapochau water line;
• $10,000 for Precinct III – Bus Stop in As Falape;
• $615,000 for Precinct III – Industrial Drive;
• $87,000 for Aqua Culture Training for 10 individuals;
• $213,000 for Lab Establishment;
• $14,550 for Technical Support;
• $242,000 for Precinct IV – to pave Egigi Drive;
• $310,000 for Precinct IV – drainage improvement on Route 30;
• $168,450 for Precinct IV – for the construction of a baseball field and other related facilities; and
• $1,200,000 for Precinct V – Kagman Watershed Matching Requirement.

House Local Bill 20-75, D1 amends Saipan Local Law 19-19 to authorize the resident executive of the Indigenous Affairs Office with the expenditure authority to use the appropriated funds of $75,000 for the feasibility study and architectural and engineering design of the Indigenous Cultural Center pursuant to Article III, Section 23(b) of the CNMI Constitution in the interest of promoting indigenous culture, tradition, tourism, and the economy. Offered by Rep. Rafael S. Demapan, this bill becomes Saipan Local Law 20-27.

House Bill 20-174 ensures that the Board of Education members receive compensation for committee meetings. Board members may receive compensation for meetings attended at a rate consistent with Commonwealth law. A member who is employed by any branch of the Commonwealth government shall receive his or her regular salary under administrative leave status in lieu of compensation for meetings held during working hours. Board members may also receive administrative leave or compensation for BOE committee meetings at a rate consistent with Commonwealth law in the same manner as regular board meetings, provided that board members shall not be compensated for more than three committee meetings each month. Offered by Rep. Joseph Leepan T. Guerrero, this bill becomes Public Law 20-80.

House Bill 20-132 includes the Alcohol Beverage and Tobacco Control Division’s vehicles in the definition of law enforcement vehicles to be awarded the same rights and privileges as DPS and Division of Customs vehicles in order to carry out their duties and responsibilities more efficiently. Offered by Rep. Joseph Leepan T. Guerrero, this bill becomes Public Law 20-81. (PR)