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House asks OPA’s advice on handling solicitations
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Posted on May 13 2004
The House of Representatives is seeking the help of the Office of the Public Auditor to give lawmakers a clear cut policy on how solicitation procedures should be implemented at the lower house.
House spokesperson Charles Reyes said the existing law, Public Law 12-2, states that the any gifts, donations and such coming from lawmakers should benefit “a culturally significant part of the community” as opposed to incidental benefits and whether the community has interest in it.
Because of this provision, the House wants the OPA to define what is culturally significant and its recommendations on how the lower house could provide contributions to various organizations.
The House officially requested the OPA a month ago and was told that recommendations are forthcoming, Reyes added.
“The lower house can even introduce legislation to address this concern but we are still waiting for the OPA’s response. We need them to give us clear guidelines to address the vagueness of the law,” said the House spokesperson.
He said the recommendation should help the House come up with uniform solicitation and donation policy consistent with the public law. This would give the lower house also specific guidelines which organization can be openly helped and which connotes particular interest.
Reyes explained that once the recommendations are received, the House would immediately introduce a measure that would help them deal with solicitors.
According to House officials, solicitors are coming in to get assistance from the legislators in various projects. Some of the activities could not be considered culturally significant but helps promote the Northern Marianas.
