SENATE AGENDA
Holding session before breaking for the Christmas holiday, the Senate passed a dozen legislative measures yesterday and confirmed recent government appointments, including Public Auditor Mike S. Sablan.
One of the bills approved was HB 12-275 which seeks to remove authority of the Department of Labor and Immigration in reviewing contracts of nonresidents workers in the CNMI in a bid to cut down government bureaucracy in the process of issuing entry permits.
It now heads to Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio for his consideration, as do three other House measures that cleared the Senate during its session.
Aside from the OPA post, senators also confirmed four of the nominees to the board of Free Trade Zone Authority that will be tasked to implement the ambitious plan.
Former congressman Karl T. Reyes, who helped draft the legislation that will set up the special economic sites on the three islands, SGMA Executive Director Richard A. Pierce, Triple J Motors executive Jay B. Jones, Phillip M. Long from Tinian and Joaquin Atalig from Rota got the required Senate’s advice and consent to sit in the board.
Businessman George M. Fleming Jr., who earlier was questioned over a criminal case filed against him in 1991 by Rep. Stanley T. Torres, has yet to be confirmed pending report from the Office of Public Auditor, said EAGI chair Sen. Joaquin G. Adriano.
He has earlier denied the accusation, producing a court record clearing him of any charges for which he was convicted.
The Coastal Resources Management appeals board has a new member Remedio S. Mike who was confirmed yesterday to represent Saipan in the body.
Five Senate bills and two Senate resolutions were also approved as well as eight House bills, including the controversial proposal amending the Weapons Control Act to allow establishment of “shooting resorts” in the CNMI. (BS)
