The Senate last week passed a bill to create a second Marianas Political Status Commission intended to \u201cexamine whether the people desire to continue in a political union with the United States.\u201d<\/p>\n
The bill, House Bill 19-2, though, goes back to the House of Representatives lacking some bite.<\/p>\n
The Senate committee on Federal Relations and Independent Agencies notably deleted a provision \u201cto re-negotiate the Covenant to attain a meaningful and well defined \u2018full self-government in internal matters\u2019 respected by the United States of America.\u201d<\/p>\n
Senate sources liken this amendment to not throwing the baby with the bathwater.<\/p>\n
Other than some other amendments related to public meetings and possible appropriations for the commission\u2014other than the deleting of the provision to re-negotiate the Covenant\u2014the Senate largely keeps the provisions on the commission\u2019s power and duties the same.<\/p>\n
Among others, the bill gives the commission duties and powers to essentially examine whether the CNMI\u2019s political status is still favorable and whether other political status options like independence or free association are available. <\/p>\n
The commission also is tasked with public education and hearings on the issue.<\/p>\n
The committee\u2019s findings also raise issues with the lack of public attendance on the numerous public hearings held on the bill.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter conducting a series of four public hearings; one on Rota, one on Tinian, and two on Saipan; the outcome of attendees on such a controversial issue is a complete disappointment to the committee as the passage of this legislation will be a detrimental impact in the political future on the CNMI.<\/p>\n
There were discussions by the committee as to what other options the committee could do to reach out to the community in order to inform and determine the sentiment of the people. There were also concerns discussed by members of the committee to conduct another round of public hearings as many people have approached them admitting that they do not fully comprehend or misinterpret the bill and its impact to the CNMI.<\/p>\n
However, given the immense responsibility of the commission to address critical issues affecting the livelihood of the CNMI, the committee has amended House Bill 19-2, HD1, to incorporate essential amendments to enhance the proposed legislation.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Senate committee also deletes rights given to commission to meet in \u201cnon-public executive session,\u201d adding that they will meet in \u201copen\u201d and public meetings and may meet in executive meetings if authorized by two-thirds of the members provided that final action on matters may not be taken in an executive meeting.<\/p>\n
The Senate also adds that \u201cwithout further legislation, the governor shall reprogram\u201d the sum of \u201cnot less\u201d than $100,000 for the operations of the commission.<\/p>\n
The bill is authored by Rep. Felicidad T. Ogumoro (R-Saipan).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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