Palacios enacts $1M re-appropriation local bill

Gov. Arnold I. Palacios has enacted into law a local bill that seeks to re-appropriate $1 million that was originally appropriated for the Northern Marianas College but was not remitted to NMC.

Palacios notified Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation chair Rep. John Paul P. Sablan (Ind-Saipan) that he signed Saipan Local Bill No. 23-23, Draft 1, into Saipan Local Law No. 23-06.

Introduced by Rep. Blas Jonathan T. Attao (Ind-Saipan) and co-sponsored by several other members of the House of Representatives, the legislation was unanimously passed by the SNILD last Aug. 31.

Under the bill, $200,000 will be allocated to the SNILD for its operations, and $15,000 to the Marianas Visitors Authority for its shuttle service for tourists.

Under the legislation, $200,000 will be re-appropriated to the Saipan Mayor’s Office for its personnel/operations; $100,000 for Substance Abuse and Recovery on Saipan for its personnel/operations; $50,000 to Karidat Social Services for its personnel/operations on Saipan; and $50,000 to the Center for Living Independently for its personnel/operations.

The bill re-appropriates $20,000 to the Department of Public Works for its fuel and lubricant needs; $10,000 to the Kagman Agricultural Farms and Producers Association Inc.; $15,0000 to the Northern Mariana Islands Baseball Federation; $20,000 to the Commonwealth Women’s Association; $20,000 to the Division of Customs for fuel of its two maritime enforcement boats; $45,000 for the 2023 Flame Tree Arts Festival; and $25,000 to the Saipan Agricultural Association.

The bill also re-appropriates $50,000 to the Joeten Kiyu Public Library; $5,000 for the Island Summer Fest; $25,000 for Tasi To Table’s educational and practical seminars; $25,000 to the Commonwealth Bureau of Military Affairs; $10,000 to the I Sanhalom Laguna Anglers Association; $40,000 to the Inetnum Kutturan Natibu Marianas; $25,000 for the Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council; and $50,000 to the Micronesian Legal Services Corp.

Gov. Arnold I. Palacios