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Bill adds another layer in business licensing regs
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Posted on Mar 23 1999
A proposed legislation is seeking additional requirement for business owners before renewing or applying for license by obtaining certification first from the labor and immigration department attesting to their compliance with various administrative orders.
In House Bill 11-382, sponsored by House Majority Floor leader Ana S. Teregeyo, the legislature hopes to step up reforms in the local labor and immigration policies on the heels of growing scrutiny by the federal government.
While several administrative orders have been issued in recent years, there is no mechanism by which the CNMI government can determine whether private companies are complying with their provisions.
“We feel that by denying business licenses to applicants who have demonstrated an inability to obey the laws of the commonwealth, we will strengthen our system of justice and encourage compliance with laws and regulations,” the bill.
But skeptics say the move is yet another bureaucratic requirement at a time when the private sector is pressing the island government to ease requirements on doing business in the Northern Marianas in a bid to attract investments.
The bill has yet to be included in the House calendar for deliberation.
