[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6607904,"mediaKeyId","2947199-8c0265cb59275b47f259593bfc743677","parentId",2947199,"title","Committee hears concerns over proposed settlement-fund waivers, holds Senate Bill 24-27 for legal review","audioSeconds",821,"startMs",7251000,"endMs",8072000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2947199-8c0265cb59275b47f259593bfc743677&start=7251&end=8072","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2947199-8c0265cb59275b47f259593bfc743677/thumbnail_7251000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6607904/Committee-hears-concerns-over-proposed-settlement-fund-waivers-holds-Senate-Bill-24-27-for-legal-review","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6607904-0b9a17b9e4214dbde6447d54e8d67f9d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144436&Signature=FXdBX6ojnNpU3t33STCrB3CQd-72cv~cKR9eN-B3IRyhbUmy-PITOPSkGxTcVx8FMrtjUKC4VoKyTHTHhAp3JW~5wqqRzvSiEVw3hG2zbl6x4H1gLuQnF~Ku34vkWUu06oxBCqHWoa1Rnwg1Mg46tJTGoxcFFdREgnDL30vxK15WchQd~tqVW3Sv2kT3biF6OpZS50woW677NbKvQJcUARrGdLMNhbtN-cRPCjYFUlYaEig1iTg4vZ1h3d1~~2H~D2Xkpi050ChFdv-hjK2X02oJWiEhFur2oQtYXCziVrNgs2dblOTzvv3PxgosPhyQOCtHyi85--W9aCx0aiEyBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Senate - Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature","date","2025-04-10T08:59:30.31Z","article","Senators discussed Senate Bill 24-27 on April 9, a bill that would amend the NMI settlement-fund statute to allow the fund to adjust benefit payments, correct calculation errors, and authorize waivers over repayments of retirement benefits.

Nut graf: The bill is intended to give the settlement fund authority to correct miscalculations and to permit waivers or adjustments where retirees were overpaid because of prior administrative errors. However, the fund’s trustee raised concerns that the bill may conflict with provisions of the court-approved settlement agreement that governs the fund, prompting the committee to request a legal review before further action.

During committee discussion, Senator Karina L. Magoffna said she supported doing right by retirees but asked counsel to review a letter from Joyce C. H. Tang of the NMI Settlement Fund, which said the bill may conflict with the settlement agreement as approved by the court. Legal counsel said the letter cited “10 ks of the settlement agreement” but did not identify the specific clause; counsel said he would review the settlement documents and advise the committee.

Several senators expressed sympathy for retirees who said they were told they were eligible for retirement and later received letters about overpayments. Senator Cruz said the committee should act to avoid imposing undue burdens on retirees who were not responsible for past administrative calculations and said the committee should move to pass the bill, leaving final legal interpretation to the courts if necessary. Other members asked the Attorney General’s Office to weigh in.

Ending: The committee held SB24-27 pending counsel review of the settlement agreement and any conflict claims raised by the fund’s trustee. Members asked counsel to return with a legal opinion on whether the statute would conflict with the court-approved settlement and whether statutory waivers are permissible under the settlement terms.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","250409 24th NMCL SEN FA Committee Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Bill 24-27, which would authorize settlement-fund adjustments and waivers for pension overpayments, prompted lawmakers to request legal review of a settlement agreement cited by the NMI Settlement Fund; the committee held the bill pending counsel review.","taxTitle","Senate, Northern Mariana Legislative Sessions, Northern Mariana Islands","taxId",20282,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6607909,"Committee approves changing solid-waste expenditure authority to local managers; bill amended and passed out of committee",544,11488000,12032000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2947199-8c0265cb59275b47f259593bfc743677&start=11488&end=12032","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2947199-8c0265cb59275b47f259593bfc743677/thumbnail_11488000.jpg","/articles/6607909/Committee-approves-changing-solid-waste-expenditure-authority-to-local-managers-bill-amended-and-passed-out-of-committee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6607909-881ec38bf75200d9fe2cad90abe4d15b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144436&Signature=h2oxf6EKU2lltKZgZ8xRtKeKCZ-WfQ1bJKT5PSRbbfo0jheWjZRQWD768M5NfFibZYiwIjcHTiLKKa~QrsHbGK7VhITaByc44rgngoztCAEQ9Sq8bL~ATLzcaOFmBGm78uvIKkmyuj5N-M4Z0rGIxY8jTVLcvi89Ox3y~CfbGQZYxXM-SzSKtsjeBz96G70wxE9g1VuGp0nw8F4mBNi6rjmQfdiQLsaxPCvwfrVc6FBP585LVi0GaH6gnyRHo~MGdM9GJSZWV5rE02rBFdYcfNG1tRpxlBLM3dvOSQk9~26027KHyM8nmY5Vuzv4GD6FSNw-VlhRkhHRX9pUwq6C7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Fiscal Affairs Committee voted April 9 to pass Senate Bill 24-32, which establishes a Solid Waste Management Revolving Fund and reallocates expenditure authority for those funds to local management for each municipality.

Nut graf: The bill aims to keep revenues from local solid-waste operations working at the municipal level for operations and maintenance instead of routing all control through central finance. Committee members amended the draft to clarify administration and to name the resident department head of the Department of Public Works on each island — rather than directly naming mayors — as the local expenditure authority in the bill’s SD1.

During markup, Senator Manglona moved to adopt the bill and Senator Cavill offered a package of technical amendments. Cavill’s amendments replaced references to the “secretary of department of finance” with “special assistance of the office of management and budget,” specified timing for monthly accounting on the first business day of each month, and substituted the DPW resident department head as the manager of the subaccounts. The committee adopted the amendment by voice vote and then adopted SB24-32 (SD1) and passed it out of committee for full Senate consideration.

The committee directed staff to prepare the SD1 text for a floor session and to coordinate with finance and DPW on procedures for subaccounts and reporting. The committee did not provide dollar amounts in the draft; expenditures remain subject to appropriation and local procedures specified in the SD1.

Ending: SB24-32 (SD1) passed committee with technical edits; staff will finalize the language and forward the bill for floor action.","Senate Bill 24-32, establishing a solid waste management revolving fund and shifting expenditure authority to local management, passed the Fiscal Affairs Committee in amended form. The committee substituted resident DPW heads for mayors as expenditure managers and added technical clarifications.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6607912,"Committee clears changes to Department of Public Lands budget reporting; SD1 adopted in committee",1790,4930000,6720000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2947199-8c0265cb59275b47f259593bfc743677&start=4930&end=6720","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2947199-8c0265cb59275b47f259593bfc743677/thumbnail_4930000.jpg","/articles/6607912/Committee-clears-changes-to-Department-of-Public-Lands-budget-reporting-SD1-adopted-in-committee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6607912-d4d04bee4f2b351e565664392dcd2a83/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144436&Signature=Cwe4JYM2vBAjtE7JBu0XUWlMt1j9zwTgO40My~06RTiKj97DBJoWtc57aUBJhw-U5aQhZ7hq-iiSciIj8TVlT17894TLDfqQv3vyKFBrUfJkm8-~1ulolAGyShtTEQHBnSaYkLD-SGyWQzz7eqmecdOuKC-q-iZHHGyl1IptS2ZMCsH8RUZx0BxWSJHqQN8cmE7NQY3ooPzzqhAB2TRlPckYes1SjODmK9AOyGHktBGovlmI0ZeIzHnOAswXYTQ8F5RxZYMJa9fJ9IsWPxsTNgHPSe5c5jNiWs17T6qqq92qH31E5QH8agjJS23d9MbC46VFSQ9e3lN019mqYHOWGA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fiscal Affairs Committee on April 9 adopted Senate Bill 24-18 in committee as Senate Draft 1, approving technical changes and new reporting requirements for the Department of Public Lands (DPL).

The bill’s legal counsel, Joe Bermudez, presented a revised draft that removed references to line items the Supreme Court previously found unconstitutional and clarified what funds are part of DPL’s budget reporting. Bermudez said the draft borrows language proposed by MP< to require DPL to remit net revenues (excluding security deposits and certain non-revenue funds) to the appropriate account within a specified time frame. The SD1 added a 30-day quarterly reporting requirement so DPL must report expenditures and receipts within 30 days after each quarter.

Nut graf: The amendments are aimed at tightening DPL accounting and transparency by clarifying which funds constitute DPL revenue, preventing commingling, and requiring periodic financial reports so the Legislature can track lease proceeds, concession income and other land-related receipts.

Members discussed outstanding questions about funds that have historically resided in DPL accounts — including settlement money and other “holding accounts.” Senator Manglona asked whether settlement proceeds and other nonstandard funds should be explicitly captured; the chair and counsel said the committee will clarify language so that such receipts are tracked and remitted appropriately unless a different appropriation is made by the Legislature.

The measure includes a technical change altering references from “department” to “Department of Public Lands” and adds language directing funds (including concession and other land-related receipts) to be deposited and reported on a timetable to be specified in the SD1. The committee voted to adopt the SD1 and asked staff to prepare the bill for full Senate disposition.

Ending: Senate Bill 24-18 (SD1) passed committee and will be marked up for floor action; staff will finalize the draft to reflect the committee’s requested clarifications about other nonstandard funds and remittance timing.","Senate Bill 24-18, which amends DPL budget submission provisions to clarify what revenues and other funds must be remitted and reported, passed the Fiscal Affairs Committee in SD1 after committee edits and an added requirement for quarterly reporting.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6607916,"Committee holds Senate Bill 24-26 after public comment and questions for Office of Grants Management",4553,6821000,11374000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2947199-8c0265cb59275b47f259593bfc743677&start=6821&end=11374","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2947199-8c0265cb59275b47f259593bfc743677/thumbnail_6821000.jpg","/articles/6607916/Committee-holds-Senate-Bill-24-26-after-public-comment-and-questions-for-Office-of-Grants-Management","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6607916-63176cfe3596fe88326b8cd1d29ad734/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144436&Signature=OkGLYRmoO9FQECkysc3Gi7CQtvNlFNq7YV5e~uOUsI~6F1FEu6VZwKyZgnP8Uk-a8TG9QnfAzzRV~91mzZghhRBLKcFn9IL~0l-9ZdBZP~YFT2AEbq4vnDFVJuz7HXnDhWs-gwMKyiNM253S78cTAPWkQEbh0IgSFbkU6xhscxACrexBWZZIPtGMK6Z7RxkkNK97-JPZMg6CyDGMNhG06ghg4TRW~sIypCBIbv2QOBlffGRu9VbvCxHSgJ1z5x0CvqV2T7fSTEcb8B1DgABLbs8WjKj0yotg6HNcGXrumIm9NRkMkh2z3PHDxW98p3jkR8tuLTy8M4cX7HBBRklq2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Fiscal Affairs members spent substantial time on April 9 discussing Senate Bill 24-26, which would amend 1 CMC 2-893(d) to give mayors of the First and Second Senatorial Districts authority to concur on Office of Grants Management and State Clearinghouse (OGM/SC) applications and to address allocation of indirect costs. The chair told members the bill will remain in committee while OGM and mayors refine language.

Public comment: Bruce Camacho, introduced as a private citizen, told the committee he supported the bill’s intent but urged caution about the limits of the grants office’s authority on indirect costs: “I don’t think they can make such decisions,” he said, referring to the Office of Grants Management’s ability to concur on indirect-cost treatment.

Tomasa Palasius Mendiola, grants manager at the Office of Grants Management, testified in support of SB24-26 and said the grants office helps municipalities and provides training. “The Office of Grants Management is always open to all municipalities,” she said, and described recent grant-writing certification training the office ran for municipal staff. Mendiola described the existing indirect-cost split she understands as about 65% to the general fund and 35% to subgrants and operations; she described operational limits when grants arrive at the “eleventh hour.”

Committee discussion: Senators pressed OGM officials and each other on three linked issues: (1) whether municipal mayors should have a formal concurrence role for OGM applications and indirect-cost allocations; (2) how indirect cost (IDC) reimbursements are split and whether portions should be reserved for municipal grant-writing capacity; and (3) how to ensure grant awards intended for multiple islands actually deliver equipment and services equitably.

Senators and staff acknowledged OGM’s limited capacity; OGM staff described recent training cohorts for government grant writers and said the office is undersized relative to demand. Senator Manglona and other members suggested creating explicit pass-through percentages or a cost-allocation study so the 65/35 split and the distribution of administrative burdens are transparent. “If the municipality really wishes for their project to be rated high, you need to communicate that to the governor,” an OGM official said, describing the governor’s role in priorities for some federal grant programs.

The committee scheduled a follow-up, member-led Q&A with OGM administrator Cabrera for 2 p.m. the same day to refine statutory language and discuss staff levels, indirect-cost allocation and whether the legislation should explicitly authorize municipalities to retain a portion of IDC. Members directed OGM to provide proposed drafting language and staffing recommendations; the bill will stay in committee while staff and the agency continue drafting.

Ending: The committee paused action on SB24-26 and asked OGM and municipal leaders to work with senators on concrete amendment language to clarify concurrence, IDC breakdowns and expenditure authority before the bill returns to committee.","Senate Bill 24-26, which would require mayors to concur on certain OGM grant applications and address indirect cost distribution, drew public comment and a lengthy committee exchange; the bill was left in committee for further drafting and a follow-up Q&A with OGM.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6607920,"Senate committee agrees to public hearings on proposed CNMI term pension plan",622,1647000,2269000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2947199-8c0265cb59275b47f259593bfc743677&start=1647&end=2269","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2947199-8c0265cb59275b47f259593bfc743677/thumbnail_1647000.jpg","/articles/6607920/Senate-committee-agrees-to-public-hearings-on-proposed-CNMI-term-pension-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6607920-45b620c4287a524370d648df431c61d9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144436&Signature=BFy9m0u8cFMrjlFE09-mQU6tZ6cCblUYLJy6Vt~LteOtsDNs82MvO6Ca763KAWMMC-2mbzxqYtnWzpHm7Axwjmvy3o38mx2MUGMApdFTwvJyHMwSwMCbY9gZD6JspUXPOeXurGjh517nnnMn3crmY5u8tVcYflOw3PsMqFjsXHVxDhe7m--jRK9TCxLHvnTCmXWhr5pyjoGUAxniq3U2dy9vnN9WaMIrqbO8pcmZTToSyk1t9HN9mSHsglHOqPcyiNRSz8LmEJlnSWy~Cifag8i3FNRzNLX7A6oV5ifoieiVDOsoz4yHu5ag36w51~uRXKl7-6uDcfoeECcegBNlzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate President (chair) introduced Senate Bill 24-01 on April 9, 2025, proposing a CNMI term pension plan and asked the Fiscal Affairs Committee to carry the bill through a series of public hearings on Saipan, Tinian and Rota.

The chair said the bill is not “written in stone” and urged members to consider amendments before formal public hearings. “I propose that we have 3 here on Saipan and 1 on Tinian,” the chair said, and asked members to endorse a June timeframe for hearings so the committee and staff can account for graduations and other scheduling conflicts.

Nut graf: The proposed plan is a recycled bill from previous legislatures intended to offer an alternative retirement option for government employees who are not in the defined benefit system and to address limited retirement benefits for some workers. Committee members pressed for more detail on funding, administration and benefits and asked that relevant executive-branch officials be invited to provide technical guidance before hearings.

Committee discussion focused on whether participation would be voluntary, administrative responsibilities, funding and reporting. Senator Karina L. Magoffna asked whether the program would be optional; the chair replied, “At its face value, yes, it is.” Senators requested clarification of several definitions in the draft, including the roles of a “custodian” and “plan custodian,” who qualifies to be appointed and who would determine qualifications. The chair said the Secretary of Finance would be tasked as administrator if the law is enacted and could outsource custodial operations similar to a 401(k) model.

Members also raised specific policy questions that the committee said it will resolve before public hearings: whether the plan should include employer contribution levels, if and how forfeited employer contributions would be treated, reporting and audit requirements, vesting and refund rules, how regular interest rates would be set, and whether health insurance or other post-retirement benefits should be included. Senator Manglona urged outreach so younger employees consider participation, noting that lack of retirement systems pushes some employees to leave public service.

Committee staff will compile agency data on former defined-benefit members and settlement-fund participants to estimate fiscal impacts. The chair said the committee would circulate requests for information to executive and autonomous agencies and then return to the committee to adopt any substantive amendments prior to scheduling hearings. The committee did not vote on the bill and left it in committee for additional drafting and agency input; members indicated hearings would likely begin no earlier than June to maximize public participation.

Ending: The committee directed staff to gather detailed membership and fiscal data from agencies and to return with a refined draft for committee markup and scheduling of island hearings.","The Senate Fiscal Affairs Committee agreed to prepare the CNMI Term Pension Plan (Senate Bill 24-01) for a series of public hearings across the islands and invited members to submit amendments before hearings expected in June.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee hears concerns over proposed settlement-fund waivers, holds Senate Bill 24-27 for legal review

Committee approves changing solid-waste expenditure authority to local managers; bill amended and passed out of committee

Committee clears changes to Department of Public Lands budget reporting; SD1 adopted in committee

Committee holds Senate Bill 24-26 after public comment and questions for Office of Grants Management

Senate committee agrees to public hearings on proposed CNMI term pension plan