[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6550801,"mediaKeyId","5381385-6673cd9f3c0cd6d93cca22b16fd13e6b","parentId",5381385,"title","House actions: journal adopted; resolutions and bill passed on May 15, 2025","audioSeconds",1825,"startMs",1503000,"endMs",3328000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5381385-6673cd9f3c0cd6d93cca22b16fd13e6b&start=1503&end=3328","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5381385-6673cd9f3c0cd6d93cca22b16fd13e6b/thumbnail_1503000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6550801/House-actions-journal-adopted-resolutions-and-bill-passed-on-May-15-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550801-ae5fe8f50c10da6689f671ce53b1e98c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443021&Signature=LY-UyzAsSGOn34ijUhHdHDJJIi20iGQ4ysHn5UNG3WFHtQkQnMMIPvghSUSaekPwiFUVArX4r13cn2z41WLUC6fQesnTwzyMU44CDTVK4BQXzjtKi0atgQmreMX~iVunx-lczr96tFa3ZK7S~O6AgvDGkG~u374hHlkGnTscraRE8DLJW-xYR3i99kWNGGXY~Gq2ErxDurr2SgZn9ohIu~oZOFWWdZloP4iUy4jT7nbFsWCRug4Y4DlNbOQNPFoEs3KgjeeiNF9XujbeoTTGDIFQD5klnoT5Yntw2D7vg6CRNJMF4PCM07ihdlHAfUxqCi7Alr~KjSBEWwHCDFTxcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","House - Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature","date","2025-07-13T21:59:51Z","article","The House completed a series of formal actions during the session on May 15, 2025, including adoption of the journal, adoption of commemorative and policy resolutions, and passage of one bill on final reading.

Key actions and outcomes

- Adoption of House journal (First Day, Second Special Session journal dated 05/15/2025). Motion to adopt moved by the floor leader and seconded; voice vote recorded: \"The ayes have it. The motion carries.\" (Journal adopted.)

- Adoption of Commemorative Resolution 24-4 honoring the late Dr. John Lamphere Doyle III. Motion moved by the floor leader; adopted by voice vote.

- Adoption of House Resolution 24-11 (urging NOAA to ensure meaningful and equitable involvement of persons of Northern Mariana descent). Motion to adopt moved by the floor leader; adopted by voice vote; clerk recorded \"the ayes have it.\" (See separate article for background and public testimony.)

- Adoption of House Concurrent Resolution 24-2 (definition and identification of general revenue and resources for FY2026). Floor Leader moved adoption; Representative John Paul Sablan, chair of Ways and Means and author, spoke in support. Clerk recorded a roll call: all 18 members present voted yes. \"With only 18 members present voting yes, house concurrent resolution number 24-2 is hereby adopted.\" (Recorded roll‑call result: 18 yes, 0 no.)

- Passage of House Bill 24-13, House Draft 1 (amendment to fee structure for the Office of the Registrar of Corporations; removal of daily penalties). Standing Committee Report 24-12 recommended passage in HD1 form; floor leader moved for passage on first and final reading. Clerk recorded a roll call: all 18 members present voted yes. The record states: \"With all 18 members present voting yes, House Bill number 24-13, House Draft 1, hereby passes the House.\" (Recorded roll‑call result: 18 yes, 0 no.)

Procedural notes: Several introduction motions for new bills and local appropriations were made and referred to committees; those introductions were not final actions and were referred for committee disposition.

What the record shows: The House took final, recorded action on HCR 24-2 and HB 24-13 with roll-call tallies of 18–0; several adopted resolutions (including HR 24-11) were carried by voice vote without a recorded roll call in the transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","250714 24th NMCL HoR Session 2:00 p.m.","oneSentenceSummary","The House adopted its journal, passed several resolutions including House Resolution 24-11 and House Concurrent Resolution 24-2, and approved House Bill 24-13 (HD1) on first and final reading; roll-call tallies were recorded for HCR 24-2 and HB 24-13.","taxTitle","House, Northern Mariana Legislative Sessions, Northern Mariana Islands","taxId",20281,"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},6550806,"Public commenter urges review of developer's tax on military construction; House members prepare joint resolution",1328,996000,2324000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5381385-6673cd9f3c0cd6d93cca22b16fd13e6b&start=996&end=2324","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5381385-6673cd9f3c0cd6d93cca22b16fd13e6b/thumbnail_996000.jpg","/articles/6550806/Public-commenter-urges-review-of-developers-tax-on-military-construction-House-members-prepare-joint-resolution","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550806-6da38e94d652b2840c531ccd5dd15fd1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443021&Signature=ZchnyGDY40XRJa01I4zkNBfr7s4Y23BuFKjykFU62wefP404PU3mWOyoLw-YvSB5D4pvZhu0HfybX5LQWYjpCnIar2t0BHvYOx4KrtX4I38P3igw8oMTFXTEn-q8vZoXsV1hoPho6sFsUKLRLR8Cae-dZGSVmqmjJfTCkMiHlYDA1OaufWMRxvNFXaUM39GxPTIkertSK22nUBi9QePsUzIky~lCLzvnEny~88jB8oPIAsWcJt8YBDEl7i3~wuWOYdLj8cij-1QusJ~rMNm1j7622ZI-dHpnbyW1bEw8ribRPtxb52KOeP0bY9P-RGC9hLoMxOkHrPTFhT8lEEt49A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Melvin Alofaisau presented public comment to the House raising concerns about developer's tax exemptions for military construction projects and private contractors funded by the U.S. military. Alofaisau cited a public statement by Delegate Kimberly King Hines and told the House that, according to figures he referenced, about $158,000,000 in federal military construction was carried out while only $87,000 in taxes and fees were collected by the CNMI. \"That's less than 1%...\" he said.

Alofaisau asked the House to take three steps: request a formal opinion from the attorney general on whether the developer's tax can be applied to military contractors; consider amending the developer's tax act to explicitly include or exclude federally funded private projects; and initiate an oversight hearing to assess the fiscal impact of any exemption on local infrastructure and services.

Representative BJ Atto addressed the floor later in miscellaneous business and said a draft joint resolution is ready for signatures by members to prefile a formal position in Washington, D.C., that would press enforcement of tax responsibility on military subcontractors. He asked members to sign the draft so the legislative branch can move forward with a prefiled joint resolution.

Background: Alofaisau framed the request as an issue of fairness and fiscal transparency, not opposition to the federal presence. He asked the House to clarify whether privately contracted projects funded by the military should be subject to local developer's tax and related fees.

Next steps: No attorney‑general opinion was requested on the record during the session and no committee vote was taken; House members were asked to sign a draft joint resolution for prefiling.","A public commenter cited a large gap between federal military construction spending and developer's tax revenue collected in the CNMI and urged the House to seek an attorney‑general opinion and oversight. A House member said a draft joint resolution is available for members to sign to press the issue with federal contractors.",{"_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},6550811,"House adopts resolution urging NOAA to include Northern Mariana descent people in Mariana Trench research",2628,456000,3084000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5381385-6673cd9f3c0cd6d93cca22b16fd13e6b&start=456&end=3084","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5381385-6673cd9f3c0cd6d93cca22b16fd13e6b/thumbnail_456000.jpg","/articles/6550811/House-adopts-resolution-urging-NOAA-to-include-Northern-Mariana-descent-people-in-Mariana-Trench-research","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550811-1abc636b24d057f2b01df1cd1bc3366e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443021&Signature=dy1d7xMa4dk3256Wa~q9WFWajTs67iJctEiXVXEvKHMS7x6O262yIqJYJihikpQQ8C7L8xjorL9~rJStgV0-tQPzQ4b04XSWSQV1OamYlzkEemxVcXX6WVeMQd3eRFhNEHUvP13aYSel-kRWSYxaJJtJzvTkDhEJYThise88Sn-sCSQSR0fk8-8~Vj8W0Ss6nRu9RQ8XCuMgm-CUBc3KDSiVi2A5mW4SiuUvf9IF5~swyV08CHGqkiePQvdkCDCKev9cvTLBWqyygzgErX-NCiPkTo3KgdZ3wGpM4e2vJSQCUXnuaeO8xa8CTKHyQ3xk1nzX8Bhyx8SJiNx3HQE~8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Community leaders representing local cultural associations urged the House to adopt House Resolution 24-11, which asks the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to ensure equitable involvement of persons of Northern Mariana descent and recognition of indigenous knowledge, stewardship and proprietary rights in ocean research and exploration in the Mariana Trench and adjacent waters.

Carmelita Rebaliman Faizau, identified on the record as president of the Yureli Rafal Wars Association, said the resolution would secure \"meaningful and equitable engagement\" and access for Northern Mariana communities to data and participation in research protocols. She told the House that indigenous knowledge systems should be integrated with contemporary science and that communities should have a role in co-development of research and benefit-sharing.

Begonia Odisha Camacho, a board member of the Iurali Reformo Association, said the measure affirms the rights of persons of Northern Mariana descent to participate in and benefit from scientific activities. Dr. Benjamin Borasemann, speaking as a member and parent representative of the Urali Rufaloos Association, urged the House to require that scientific data, environmental observations, specimen collections and associated research be shared with the CNMI government and indigenous‑led institutions and not be commercially developed or patented without prior informed consent.

Representative Denita Kaipat Yanktamay introduced House Resolution 24-11 as a committee of the whole. During floor discussion Representative Yanktamay sought a technical change: replacing a reference to former NOAA official \"Dr. Richard W. Spinrad\" with the current \"NOAA administrator Laura Grimm.\" The change was treated as a technical amendment with no objection recorded.

On voice vote the House adopted House Resolution 24-11. The clerk recorded \"the ayes have it\" and the motion carried; no roll-call tally was given on the resolution adoption.

Background: The resolution asks NOAA to ensure equitable engagement, formal recognition of traditional knowledge and participation in research and benefit‑sharing frameworks for persons of Northern Mariana descent in NOAA activities across the Mariana Trench and surrounding waters. Speakers repeatedly urged inclusion of CNMI authorities and indigenous representatives in data access, research protocols and any commercialization decisions.

Next steps: The resolution is a formal expression of the House's position and would be transmitted to NOAA and other relevant agencies; the resolution text will guide any requested memoranda of understanding or further legislative action.","The House introduced and adopted House Resolution 24-11 urging NOAA to ensure meaningful engagement with persons of Northern Mariana descent (NMD) and to recognize traditional knowledge, data rights and benefit‑sharing in Mariana Trench research; several cultural‑organization leaders testified in support.",{"_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},6550816,"CNMI health official urges passage of Good Samaritan changes and a prescription drug monitoring program",356,71000,427000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5381385-6673cd9f3c0cd6d93cca22b16fd13e6b&start=71&end=427","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5381385-6673cd9f3c0cd6d93cca22b16fd13e6b/thumbnail_71000.jpg","/articles/6550816/CNMI-health-official-urges-passage-of-Good-Samaritan-changes-and-a-prescription-drug-monitoring-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550816-237bdbb1e7d7eb14456d442a8da7707f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443021&Signature=oOtlALj7pvuIgm0kd7aFFW~v1te07xkpI2h3bMQL9gZPJJJRT8MfNgUtfMxz08Tzs0IPbjmoO5y0Y-FekeHSJtzLMcM-o3SHRAnN3LFFb1ZU~eX47oELSavHa-ObfpGlP9VL8twtK2YB7~8dvrd8JVyjdL7DaonOWOos6QKjCj-m5xOFucjeJmvl~m7tRNPrUzQ~qYEJ7MPzKvV~fhORR1KkxMaHJsh6HuwuwtnXtI2vGTo-Hr8h9yXHvCtnbxet1orFjmjsThUwHv7TosfuuE1wpVuetQk6XzB9VGBQlEfbP4bJEiAbpdc8GgZuwkeGSt8v0TO7u02cax7Ib1b6Uw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Jesse M. Tadella, chief operations officer for ancillary and support services at Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation, told the House he supports House Bill 24-35 and House Bill 24-36 and asked legislators to move both measures forward rather than stall them in committee.

Tadella said HB 24-35 would expand access to naloxone by allowing prescriptions to be issued to persons other than the person at risk and by removing a requirement that a patient see a prescriber before receiving the medication. \"These changes would increase the availability of naloxone through more affordable and flexible distribution channels,\" he said. He also described an element of the bill that would clarify that people who call for help during an overdose would not face arrest or other legal consequences, an effort he said would reduce hesitation to seek emergency assistance.

Tadella also spoke in favor of a provision extending civil‑liability protections to public school employees not licensed under the CNMI Nurse Practice Act who render emergency care, including administering an opioid overdose reversal medication during an officially designated school activity. \"This protection is essential to ensure the school feel supported and protected when responding to the emergencies on campus,\" he said.

On HB 24-36, Tadella said establishing a prescription drug monitoring program would give clinicians access to up-to-date medication histories from any pharmacy in the CNMI, supporting safer prescribing and reducing dangerous drug interactions. He noted that \"all 50 U.S. states and three out of five U.S. territories — Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands — have already passed PDMP legislation\" and said only the CNMI and American Samoa remained without such a program. He added that a PDMP could improve eligibility for federal grant programs that help fund implementation and long‑term operation.

Both bills were formally introduced on the House floor during the session. Representative Athal introduced HB 24-35 and HB 24-36 on behalf of Representative Malcolm Omar; the clerk recorded that both measures were referred to the committees on Health and Welfare and JGO for further consideration.

Tadella urged lawmakers not to delay: \"I strongly urge our leaders... to pass House Bill number 24-36. This legislation is [a] necessary step toward modernizing our healthcare system,\" he said.

Background: HB 24-35 was described on the floor as an amendment to \"certain provisions of the CNMI Good Samaritan Act, 7 CMC subsection 2801.\" HB 24-36 was described on the record as a measure to \"establish a prescription drug monitoring program in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and for other purposes.\" No committee action or floor votes on either bill were recorded in this session; both were referred to committee.

Looking ahead: If the committees take up the bills, committee hearings would be the next step; no dates or committee hearings were set during this session.","A CHCC operations official testified in favor of House Bill 24-35, which would amend the CNMI Good Samaritan Act to expand naloxone access and legal protections, and House Bill 24-36, which would establish a prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP). Both bills were introduced and referred to committee during the session.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

House actions: journal adopted; resolutions and bill passed on May 15, 2025

Public commenter urges review of developer's tax on military construction; House members prepare joint resolution

House adopts resolution urging NOAA to include Northern Mariana descent people in Mariana Trench research

CNMI health official urges passage of Good Samaritan changes and a prescription drug monitoring program