Proposed and emergency regulations now available on the web

The CNMI Law Revision Commission now makes proposed regulations and emergency regulations easily available on its website, www.cnmilaw.org.

Proposed, emergency, and adopted regulations of all Commonwealth executive agencies are published in the Commonwealth Register. Upon receipt of the monthly Commonwealth Register, the Law Revision Commission adds the register to its website and now also links any proposed and emergency regulations published through user-friendly links on its website’s homepage.

Proposed regulations are regulations made available by executive agencies prior to their formal adoption so that the public is aware of their proposal and can have meaningful involvement in the regulations’ formation and adoption. By law, agencies are required to provide the public with at least 30 days notice prior to adoption of such regulations, as well as a reasonable opportunity for all interested parties “to submit data, views, or arguments, in writing.” 1 CMC § 9104(a)(1)–(2). Public comments on any proposed regulation should be directed to the Commonwealth executive agency proposing the regulations and should not be directed to the Law Revision Commission.

Persons interested in commenting on any proposed regulation may do so by following the information and instructions in the notice published with the specific proposed regulations. Emergency regulations are regulations that the agency, with the concurrence of the Governor, determines require less than 30 days notice for the public interest or due to imminent peril to public health, safety, or welfare. Emergency regulations may be effective for no longer than 120 days. 1 CMC § 9104(b).

The Law Revision Commission does not codify emergency regulations, unless the regulations are proposed and later adopted by the promulgating agency. As emergency regulations are effective only during the term provided for in the emergency notice, the Law Revision Commission has provided a link on its homepage to those regulations, which will be updated monthly upon receipt of the register publishing the emergency regulations.

The Law Revision Commission is responsible for the codification, publication, and housing of all CNMI laws, judicial decisions, and regulations. The Law Revision Commission’s website, www.cnmilaw.org, serves as a free database for the public to access all of the laws generated by each of the three branches of the Commonwealth government. The Law Revision Commission’s office is located within the Guma Hustisia/Iimwal Aweewe/House of Justice in Susupe. The links to pending proposed regulations and emergency regulations that are in effect are found on the Law Revision’s homepage, www.cnmilaw.org, under the Executive Branch header. Questions regarding using the Law Revision’s website or available products may be directed via email to cnmilaw@justice.gov.mp or by phone to 236-9820. (PR)