HOUSE AGENDA

The House of Representatives passed a slew of bills during its day-long session yesterday, including the proposed bond flotation and the legislative initiative seeking indigenous-only vote on land issues. (see related stories)

Two related measures involving land issues also got enough votes, although not without debating on the floor by members of the House, some of whom abstained from voting due to “conflict of interest.”

House Bill 11-253 seeking compensation for private land taking and Senate Bill 11-143 exempting tax on gains from private land taking narrowly passed at 8-5 vote with five representatives opting to abstain.

These were Reps. Melvin Faisao, Rosiky Camacho, Manuel A. Tenorio, Malua T. Peter and Vice Speaker Jesus T. Attao.

House Speaker Diego T. Benavente and Rep. Heinz Hofschneider expressed dismay over the drafting of SB 11-143 which was similar to an earlier House measure offered by the latter that was scrapped by the Senate.

It is an amendment to correct technical deficiencies in the recently implemented law that waives payment of earned income tax on cash compensation on land transactions by the government.

Hofschneider has said this will prevent the government from exchanging its scarce land resources and instead opt to pay cash to individuals, but either of this will not be subjected to taxation.

SB 11-143 now heads to Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio for signing into law, while HB 11-253 goes to the Senate for voting.

Other bills and resolution passed by the House were:

HB 11-431 – amending Public Law 11-75 with respect to the display of cigarettes in retail establishments (for Senate action);

HB 11-432 – amending Title I Section 8391 of the Commonwealth Code (for Senate action);

HB 11-433 – appropriating $80,000 for construction of crosswalks (for Senate action);

HB 11-434 – allowing the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife to issue beach launching permits to subsistence fishermen (for Senate action);

HB 11-415 – allowing 10-day grace period for driver’s license renewal (for Senate action);

SB 11-136 – improving the administration of capital improvement projects, providing for speedier completion of projects and ensuring quality work by contractors (for Governor’s signing);

SB 11-141 – imposing certain conditions upon granting work privileges to any person sentenced to serve imprisonment of one year or more (for Senate action on House amendment);

Commemorative Resolution 11-17 – extending condolences of the Legislature and the people of the CNMI to Mrs. Margaret Hofschneider Salas and children on the death of her husband and their father, the Hon. Judge Felipe Agulto Salas;

HR 11-160 – recognizing and honoring Nicolas Quidachay Muna for his exceptional service he provided to the people of Japan that has earned him the Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays, conferred upon him by the Emperor of Japan; and

HR 11-161 – recognizing NMHC for grants on the Kagman community center.