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Changes sought in rules on House session notices
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Posted on Mar 31 2008
A freshman lawmaker wants the rules of the House of Representatives amended to require full public notice of sessions and committee meetings, and improve public access to legislative records.
Rep. Tina Sablan in her resolution said that “full and fair notice of legislative meetings and access public records of the Legislature will help ensure openness, transparency, and accountability of the Legislature.”
Under the proposed House rules, the notice period for holding special session will be three business days, rather than one day.
Written notices must be delivered to each member of the House either personally, by facsimile, or by electronic mail. Copies must be distributed to the local media, and posted on the website of the CNMI Legislature.
Notice requirements may be waived if a special session is called to deal with an emergency “involving injury or damage to persons or property.”
The same notice requirement will apply to regular meetings of House members. The proposed House rules will prohibit changes to the agenda once it has been filed with the House clerk, unless the majority of the House members present and voting agree to the changes.
Furthermore, the proposed rules will prohibit the House from placing on the calendar for first and final reading any bills received from the Senate.
Sablan also wants the House budget plan, financial status report of individual members, and audit report of House financial accounts and inventory record to be posted on the CNMI Legislature’s website for access by the public.
The proposed rules will also mandate the Legislative Bureau to post all public records of the Legislature on the website.
