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AG opinion sought on Saipan casino bill, but admin has concerns
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Posted on Jun 22 2011
Rep. Ray Yumul (R-Saipan) has asked Attorney General Edward T. Buckingham for a legal opinion on a local bill legalizing casino gambling on Saipan, but the Fitial administration has raised concern on the appropriateness of commenting on the matter at this time.
Yumul, in a June 13 letter to Buckingham, asked that such comment be issued on or before June 17.
As of yesterday, Yumul said he has not heard or received comments from the attorney general.
Yumul is chairman of the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation’s Ways and Means Committee, which is one of two panels tasked to receive comments on Rep. Stanley Torres’s (Ind-Saipan) House Local Bill 17-44.
Press secretary Angel Demapan, when asked for comment yesterday, said that while there are some limited occasions where the Office of the Attorney General provides comments on pending legislation, comments are rarely offered since it is difficult to participate in the drafting of legislation and then independently reviewing the legislation to determine if there are legal issues or problems present.
“In view of this, the OAG has not issued comments on this matter,” Demapan said.
Yumul’s June 13 letter was received and stamped by the OAG’s Civil Division on the same day.
Demapan also said that among other responsibilities, the OAG is tasked with review and providing advice to the governor concerning bills that are submitted for signature.
“This review includes whether any significant legal or constitutional issues might warrant a veto of particular legislation,” he said.
Senate President Paul Manglona (Ind-Rota) said the Senate will be taking the matter to court if and when the Saipan delegation passes the bill.
He, however, said the Senate is considering support for the submission of a certified question to the court on the constitutionality of the casino bill.
