Bill wants cap on board compensations

Autonomous agencies continue to come under fire for board compensation and travel expenses.

A proposed legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives yesterday to place uniform caps on travel per diem rates and compensation for attendance at board and commission meetings.

House Bill 15-43, authored by Rep. Arnold I. Palacios, limits board and commission compensation at $100 for a full-day meeting and $50 for a meeting that lasts one-half day or less.

The measure states that board members will not be paid for meetings not announced in accordance with the Open Government Act. Meetings outside the Commonwealth, informal or non-committee meetings, teleconferences, and videoconferences do not constitute attendance for purposes of board meetings.

A board member will also not be compensated for attendance at a meeting unless the minutes of the meeting have been transcribed and adopted.

Rules and rates for official travel business and per diem will be the same as those established for the Executive Branch.

Agencies covered by the bill are the Marianas Public Lands Authority, Northern Mariana Islands Retirement Fund, Commonwealth Ports Authority, Marianas Visitors Authority, Commonwealth Telecommunications Commission, Commonwealth Development Authority , and the Marianas Public Land Trust.

A board compensation survey conducted by the Office of the Public Auditor resulted in the drafting of the bill. OPA had found that some board members, particularly those of MPLA and MPLT, were being paid $300 for a full-day meeting.

H.B. 15-43 notes that excessive and unconscionable abuse of privilege and power exist among some boards and commissions. Some boards have established compensation rates, additional compensation such as official representation allowance, or both. Other boards claim compensation for attendance at informal meetings or non-committee meetings, and meetings outside the Commonwealth.

“[I]nconsistency exists among enabling statutes with respect to the compensation of various government boards and commissions. Accordingly, the purpose of this legislation is to (1) create a uniform of standard of compensation among members of boards and commissions including travel and per diem rates; (2) amend the definition of ‘meeting’; (3) restrict certain compensation practices; and (4) hold members accountable for the transcription and adoption of minutes of board or commission meetings,” the bill states.