San Nicolas: Uphold law on local appropriation bill

House of Representatives minority leader Rep. Patrick H. San Nicolas (R-Tinian) said the House of Representatives’ rule pertaining to referral of local appropriation bill, is in conflict with the Local Law Act of 1983.

San Nicolas requested during the House special session last week for the amendment of House Rule 8, section 1, by deleting the referral of House local appropriation bills to the House Ways and Means Committee.

“As representatives, we must uphold the law, specifically, the Local Law Act of 1983, and ensure that our actions and decisions are in accordance with its provisions,” he said.

In response to Saipan Tribune’s request for clarification yesterday, the minority leader said he requested the amendment as his local appropriation bill sits in the committee for a month because of the House Rule.

San Nicolas said his local appropriation bill should be transmitted to the Tinian Legislative Delegation upon introduction.

San Nicolas said the amendment will benefit all senatorial districts.

He pointed out during the special session that under House Rule 8, section 1, a House local appropriation bill shall be referred to the Ways and Means Committee upon introduction.

However, San Nicolas said, Local Law Act of 1983 and House Rule 9, section 3, requires the referral of all House local appropriation bills to the appropriate Senatorial District Delegation after one legislative day, barring any objections from the House members.

The minority leader pointed out that Public Law 19-34, which amended the Local Law Act of 1983, clearly stated that all local appropriation bills shall be exempt from the three legislative day requirement.

San Nicolas said this means that a local appropriation bill would sit in their desks for one day, the day it was introduced.

He said this means that on the day they may object to the local appropriation bill if the bill was not local in nature, and if such objection is adopted, then it could be referred to the Ways and Means Committee.

San Nicolas said this also means that should there be no objection, then the House shall refer the House local appropriation bill to the appropriate Senatorial District Delegation.

He said CNMI statutes take precedence over the House Rules of Procedure.

“In any case where there is a conflict or inconsistency between the statute and internal rules of procedures, the statute must be followed,” the minority leader said.

San Nicolas said this is to prevent any arbitrary or unlawful actions, and to guarantee that the rule of law is respected and maintained.

Patrick H. San Nicolas