Legislative Bureau needs $4.17M allocation for FY 2024

The Legislative Bureau and the CNMI Youth Congress will need $4.17 million and $49,638, respectively, in fiscal year 2024, according to Legislative Bureau director Perry John P. Tenorio

In his budget proposals for the bureau and youth congress budget for fiscal year 2024, Tenorio said that the bureau will need $2,070,353 for 34 personnel, $1,922,092 for operations, and $180,000 for utilities, for a total of $4,172,445.

The CNMI Youth Congress, on the other hand, will need $42,138 for one personnel and $7,500 for operations, for a total of $49,638.

Early last month, Virginia C. Villagomez, who is the special assistant for the Office of Management and Budget, issued a budget call to all expenditure authorities to submit their proposed budget and spending plans for fiscal year 2024.

With respect to the Legislative Building itself, Tenorio said the building has undergone little change over the years—despite its historical significance—and is now showing signs of wear and tear. He said as a building ages, the need for repairs and maintenance only grows.

Perry Tenorio

While building a new facility would be the ideal solution for the Legislature, Tenorio said that limited funding makes this impossible at this time.

As such, he said, the allocated budget of $100,000 for repairs and maintenance is necessary to ensure the continued functionality and longevity of the building.

Tenorio said the Legislature has estimated utility costs at $180,000, enabling them to maintain a suitable working environment.

He noted that the utilities allocated for the general fund have been significantly underfunded over the past two fiscal years. Fortunately, in fiscal year 2022, the American Rescue Plan Act allocation to the Legislative Bureau was available to address this deficiency, he said. However, he said, there is uncertainty about the availability of funds for the bureau in fiscal year 2023, as a recent communication with Tracy B. Norita, the acting Department of Finance secretary, indicates.

This could mean that the availability of federal funds for utilities for fiscal year 2024 is highly unlikely, Tenorio said.

He said the Legislature building requires continued maintenance to ensure a safe working environment for members and staff.

Tenorio said their immediate needs include the completion of the standby generator and a new, efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system, which were part of the ARPA expenditure plan. He said there is now uncertainty on the availability of funds for the bureau to complete these projects.

In October 2021, Tenorio said, an emergency purchase of a 20-ton HVAC system was required, costing approximately $185,000. He said their outdated HVAC units require increasing reliance on air-conditioning technicians, and their malfunction is not a matter of if but when, necessitating costly repairs or replacements.

Tenorio also announced that their spending plan has been successfully entered into the government’s new financial management information system, Munis.