‘Lack of operations funding will handicap Legislative Bureau’
The Appropriations and Budget Authority Act of 2025, which was signed into law last Monday, did not allocate funding for the Legislative Bureau’s operations. The bureau has raised concerns stating this will handicap them.
In a letter to House Speaker Edmund Villagomez (Ind-Saipan) and Senate President Edith Deleon Guerrero (D-Saipan), Legislative Bureau director Perry John P. Tenorio emphasized the critical position the agency will be in with the FY25 budget act leaving them zero funding for operations.
“I’d like to bring to your attention that the operations account for the Legislative Bureau has been allocated no funding. This effectively leaves us with no available funds beyond those appropriated for personnel and utilities,” Tenorio said.
“The lack of funding to the operations account will severely handicap the Legislative Bureau’s ability to function effectively. Without sufficient funds to cover essential services, we will be unable to sustain the basic operations necessary to support our legislative work,” Tenorio added.
Although personnel and utility costs are covered under the FY25 budget, Tenorio explains that funding for operations is needed to maintain facilities, access research and legal tools, and more.
“While personnel and utility costs are covered, the inability to address these additional needs will hinder our capacity to maintain the facilities, access crucial research and legal tools, and support legislative activities like interisland travel and committee meetings. It’s imperative that funds be allocated to this account to ensure that the Legislative Bureau can continue to fulfill its mandate without disruption,” said Tenorio.
Breaking it down, Tenorio said operation expenses includes repair and maintenance, cleaning services, licenses and technology fees, communications, dues and subscriptions, and interisland travel.
Operations funds are needed for the upkeep air-conditioner and the newly installed generator and janitorial services like trash removal and yard maintenance to ensure the cleanliness and upkeep of facilities.
In addition, operation funds are used to pay subscriptions to essential tools such as Westlaw (legal research platform), Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel), Adobe PDF for document management, membership fees for professional organizations such as the CNMI Bar Association (attorney dues), the Association of Pacific Island Legislatures (APIL), and the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL).
These funds also cover monthly service fees for Docomo Pacific (cable and cellular services), IT&E (internet, landlines, and cellular services), and costs associated with committees and delegation meetings on Tinian and Rota, including airfare, accommodation, per diems, and ground transportation.
Gov. Arnold I. Palacios signed into law the Appropriations and Budget Authority Act of 2025, also known as Public Law 23-26 last Monday.
The Legislature has yet to review the act.
Perry John P. Tenorio
