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AGO cautions House against land study
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Posted on Aug 22 2000
The Office of the Attorney General has cautioned the House Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations against the passage of a proposed measure which seeks to establish the Landlocked Property Commission Act of 2000 without clarifying certain provisions of the bill.
Under HB 12-221, the Commission shall study landlocked properties throughout the Commonwealth and report its findings and recommendations to both the Legislature and the governor.
While there is no constitutional prohibition on the proposed measure, Assistant Attorney General Elliott A. Sattler said the bill should set the number of individuals that will serve in the commission and appropriate compensation to members who are not government employees.
Mr. Sattler said an appropriation for funding of the commission must be made to provide incidental expenses such as staff and office supplies for, as well as travel expenses.
The bill, authored by Rep. Dino Jones, raises several policy matters such as feasibility and necessity of setting up a commission that will undertake a study in 90 days.
Division of Public Lands Director Bertha C. Leon Guerrero said the 90-day limitation is too short to undertake research and complete the required report for Saipan, Tinian and Rota.
“More time would be required to come up with recommendations for possible solutions, because certain recommendations would be dependent on the location of the properties and its terrain,” said Ms. Guerrero. She added that more time should be allotted for on-site visits on landlocked private lands as private landowners may not welcome intrusion by the government into their property.
