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Demapan expects amendments to his CEDA bill
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Posted on Mar 25 2021
Angel Demapan
Discussion for action did not push through during Tuesday’s House of Representatives’ session on Rep. Angel A. Demapan’s (R-Saipan) bill that will create the Commonwealth Economic Development Authority. Instead, Demapan’s House Bill 22-21 has now been calendared for discussion and action in today’s session.
In an interview Tuesday, Demapan said he believes there are some amendments to his bill that are going to be offered today. “We have yet to see those amendments so we look forward to coming back on Thursday in addressing the amendments and to see whether it’s favorable or not to the intent of the bill,” he said.
Nonetheless, Demapan said, he hopes that House members can support the legislation in support of economic development so they can be begin working on restoring the CNMI’s economic footing once the Commonwealth emerges from this pandemic.
House Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez (Ind-Saipan) decided to continue the session for today, Thursday, to give way to the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation Committee on Judiciary and Governmental Operations’ meeting that afternoon.
Last Feb. 26, the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisers recommended the transformation of the Commonwealth Development Authority into Commonwealth Economic Development Authority. Demapan said prior to that presentation, he had already introduced House Bill 22-21.
He said the Saipan Chamber of Commerce has described the bill as truly a revenue generating bill that will be providing the tools and authority to what would become CEDA and realize new diversified investments in the CNMI.
Co-authored by six other lawmakers, H.B. 22-21 would strengthen the tools and powers of the CNMI government and expand economic development.
