16 proposed laws awaiting governor’s action

Sixteen bills, including the 2005 appropriation measure, as well as the Commonwealth Telecommunication Commission funding bill, are awaiting the governor’s action.

House Bill 14-250, which provides for a $217.7-million expenditure plan for fiscal year 2005, needs to be acted on by Jan. 12.

The CTC funding, meantime, which may allow telecommunication companies to pass on surcharge fees to consumers, requires action on or before Jan. 31.

In a report dated Jan.5, 2005, the Programs and Legislative Review Office said the following bills must be acted on before this weekend:

• House Bill 14-229, which aims to prohibit loitering for commercial gain on public thoroughfare; and

• H.B. 14-56, which aims to designate the Department of Lands and Natural Resources as the administering authority over islands protected under Article 14 of the NMI Constitution.

The governor signed yesterday H.B. 14-219, which authorizes the Department of Public Safety to close public beaches.

Other legislative measures on Gov. Juan N. Babauta’s desk are H.B. 14-210 authorizing the Public School System to set up a technical education program, H.B. 14-135 repealing and reenacting the Notaries Public Act, and H.B. 14-209 requiring gun license applicants to attend a mandatory firearms safety education class. These bills must be acted on by Jan. 17.

By end of this month, the governor needs to act on Senate Bill 14-71 providing for a temporary lifting of the moratorium on nonresident workers hiring in the 1st and 2nd senatorial districts for typhoon relief, House Local Bill 14-26 amending Saipan vehicle unladen weight and fees, and H.L.B. 14-44 renaming the Falubwa Place road in Tanapag to Chalan Tun Michang in honor of Herbert San Nicolas.

Other bills due on Jan. 31 include H.B. 14-175 clarifying the Election Commission’s responsibilities in the conduct of public education, H.B. 14-194 authorizing the creation of the Northern Marianas Sports Hall of Fame, H.B. 14-4 preventing inhalant abuse of toxic fumes and vapors in children, H.B. 14-207 amending the law on crimes and criminal procedure, and H.B. 14-090 requiring that all products sold, manufactured, or distributed in the CNMI that contain chemicals be clearly marked.

S.B. 14-31, which aims to award persons who provide information relating to the recovery of funds is due by Feb. 13.

Any bill becomes law without the governor’s timely action of approval or disapproval.