House Agenda

Holding its last regular session yesterday, the House of Representatives cleared five bills, including one that will provide more funding to the Marianas Visitors Authority to promote the islands abroad.

HB 12-250 or the “Saipan Marina Act” was passed to resolve the dispute surrounding the operations of Outer Cove Marina (see related story).

The lower house approved on first reading HB 12-295, offered by Speaker Benigno R. Fitial, that will grant MVA much-needed boost in the arm in promoting the CNMI to tourists.

It will receive proceeds of the aviation fuel tax collected beginning January 1, 2000 for the development and improvement of the local tourism industry.

The measure will be presented in a public hearing to gather comments from other government agencies before to final approval by the House.

House representatives, on the other hand, passed on final reading HB 12-231 that is intended to lure government retirees back to public service by waiving the stipulation under existing law for them to repay the retirement bonus if they decide to do so.

The House Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations endorsed the proposal, citing the serious shortage of classroom teachers and medical professionals.

“Many so qualified persons have taken early retirement, but have indicated a willingness to return to government service if they do not have to repay their early retirement bonus,” the committee said in its report.

The bonus equivalent to 30 percent of a year’s salary is paid in lumpsum to employees after 20 years of service. But the benefit was scrapped early this year due to financial difficulties confronting the government, affecting those recently hired.

“While we note that the original purpose of early retirement was to encourage people to retire, and open up positions for recent graduates, in these necessary professions, there simply are not sufficient applicants to meet the need,” added the report. 

It now heads to the Senate for action, as do HB 12-286 designating the executive director of the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation for some capital improvement projects as well as HB 12-293.

The latter measure was re-introduced in the lower house after Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio vetoed an initial proposal due to questionable provisions, such as the liability of the CNMI government.

Called the “Toxic Substances Exposure Compensation Act,” HB 12-293 now places a cap of $100,000 for damages claim from the CNMI government.

Offered by Rep. Dino M. Jones, the legislation is an offshoot to a planned lawsuit against federal agencies and manufacturers of the polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) which has contaminated the coastal village of Tanapag over the last three decades. (BS)