Bill to expand Tinian agriculture homestead now law
A House of Representatives local bill that seeks to amend a Tinian local law by adding the Kastiyu agriculture homestead expansion project has become a law without the signature of Gov. Arnold I. Palacios.
Amelia C. Shai, who is the special assistant for programs and legislative review, said the Office of the Governor did not timely receive a certification of funds or update regarding the status of funds appropriated by Tinian Local Law 22-02, prior to the expiration of the 20-day deadline for the governor to sign or veto this appropriation bill.
House Local Bill 23-22 became Tinian Local Law 23-06 on Nov. 8, 2023, according to Shai in her recent notification to Tinian and Aguiguan Legislative Delegation chair Sen. Karl R. King-Nabors (R-Tinian) and House Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez (Ind-Saipan).
Shai said the attorney general raised two legal concerns about the bill: The availability of funding appropriated by TLL 22-02, which was signed into law more than two years ago on June 3, 2021; and the mayor of Tinian and Aguiguan being the expenditure authority for homestead development that is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Public Lands.
Rep. Patrick H. San Nicolas (R-Tinian) introduced House Local Bill 23-22 last Aug. 10. The Tinian and Aguiguan Legislative Delegation passed the legislation last Oct. 17. The bill proposes to amend Tinian Local Law 22-02 to read that $140,000 is appropriated for the Tinian Marpo Heights, Carolinas Heights village homestead expansion, and the Kastiyu agriculture homestead expansion.
Rep. Patrick H. San Nicolas
