House Agenda

The House of Representatives passed three bills on Friday as it goes on a long recess with the departure of Speaker Benigno R. Fitial and Vice Speaker Alejo M. Mendiola to attend a conference in Nashville of all speakers across the nation.

Members approved legislation amending existing law to encourage entry of other colleges in the CNMI as well as re-appropriating half-a-million dollars for various school projects on Rota.

HB 12-237, offered by Education Committee chair Rep. Brigida DLG. Ichihara, will transfer funds allocated earlier for the construction of Tatachog Library into other projects in the island municipality.

Proposed expansion of elementary and junior high school libraries on Rota will get $100,000, while $200,000 will go to construction of additional classrooms for Rota High School and JROTC drill pads.

Another $200,000 will be used to purchase collateral equipment for the Sinapalu Elementary School, according to the bill which now heads to the Senate for voting.

The funds will come from federal construction grants and matching local money under the capital improvement projects. The education commissioner has expenditure authority over the funds.

HB 12-237’s passage came despite appeal from Rota Mayor Benjamin T. Manglona not to re-appropriate money earmarked for the Tatachog library in August last year.

Also passed last Friday were HB 12-245 amending the auditing act of the CNMI to avoid duplication of actions by the Office of Public Auditor and the Division of Revenue and Taxation, as well as HB 12-17 providing a tax credit to employers who hire handicapped or disabled individuals.

But the latter bill, offered by Rep. Jesus T. Attao, was approved on first reading only after the House agreed to further review the proposal in light of concerns from Rep. Thomas B. Pangelinan who wanted HIV positive or AIDS and cancer patients to be included among persons with disabilities.

Meanwhile, House legal counsel Steve Mackenzie’s contract was not renewed by the House and is scheduled to leave after 30 days from the notice last Sept. 14.

He advised House members in a memorandum to inform him of what they need to assist with the transition before he holds his last day at work on Sept. 29.