Governor Arnold Palacios addresses Northern Marianas legislature during first joint session

The joint legislative session of the 24th Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature convened on May 29, 2025, to receive the State of the Commonwealth Address from Governor Arnold I. Palacios. The session began with an invocation delivered by Bishop Romeo d'Convakar, who called for guidance and unity among leaders and citizens, emphasizing the importance of stewardship over natural resources and cultural heritage.

Following the invocation, Speaker of the House, Mr. Castro, welcomed attendees and initiated the roll call for the House of Representatives, confirming the presence of 19 members. Senate President Dennis Mendiola then conducted the roll call for the Senate, establishing a quorum with six members present. With a total of 25 members from both chambers, the session was officially established.

The agenda progressed with the introduction and adoption of Joint Session Resolution 24-1, which set the rules for the joint session. Floor Leader Marissa Flores introduced the resolution, which was adopted unanimously after a motion and second.

The session then moved to resolve into the Committee of the Whole to receive the Governor's address. Governor Palacios was escorted to his designated seating area, where he began his address by acknowledging the challenges faced by the Commonwealth, particularly in light of declining tourist arrivals and business closures. He expressed a desire for improvement in the state of the economy and highlighted the need for collective efforts to address these issues.

The meeting concluded with the Governor's address, which set the stage for further discussions on the Commonwealth's future and the actions needed to enhance its economic stability and community well-being. The session underscored the importance of collaboration among public servants and the community to navigate the challenges ahead.