[{"_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",6804664,"mediaKeyId","5598208-b8da100fa895d0ad525131a549392491","parentId",5598208,"title","House committee backs $29 million loan agreement with Marianas Public Land Trust to free pension settlement funds","audioSeconds",412,"startMs",5586590,"endMs",5999015,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5598208-b8da100fa895d0ad525131a549392491&start=5586&end=5999","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5598208-b8da100fa895d0ad525131a549392491/thumbnail_5586590.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6804664/House-committee-backs-29-million-loan-agreement-with-Marianas-Public-Land-Trust-to-free-pension-settlement-funds","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6804664-91c6116fdb2530864a259f3fafaf265d/orig.mp4?Expires=1773664132&Signature=WHhRUnmvqzHouRu6OrnTjw3lbEzL4TtR6sCELFG~P4rTXiXD25zOVLRrnlsgOVo5lZe3UQlZRBBLZkioxlBQFzHdhvtZnIguO3~8lYLhrXSMrYYgHXX9k9arc-X8o4qS7RkKij-qeOaQp~Iy4qCCHqsr9t0OXzS35xEo4w1Q50F5KEHQdwv-KP62uhkgVlOY1My2tpVkVykp7KUCMol20fxjdJ~sMYA5Uvo0TPjsjZlp~~wU4j40Tmc2Sjh6LOOu~KrqoldsoJPujOT-QgJ-bF3xTkmFxHfKnuKuM8RMeP9u7emBnjSIUsiuZwmd9kINMbB-Yd7LL6wlc92HIJkxwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","House - Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature","date","2025-08-18T22:21:17Z","article","The House Committee on Waste and Means on Aug. 19 recommended that the full House support House Bill 24-50, a measure authorizing a $29,000,000 loan between the Commonwealth government and the Marianas Public Land Trust (MPLT) and permitting MPLT to withhold net annual distributable income to secure repayment.

Chairman Sablan described the bill as a mechanism to free $29 million in revenues for appropriation by the legislature after the loan proceeds pay a pension settlement. \"When that payment goes to the Department of Finance, then it will free up $29,000,000 in revenues that are bound for appropriation,\" he said.

Representative Angelo Camacho and others pressed officials on fiscal risks. Camacho asked whether approval of the loan could prompt the administration to impose austerity if projected collections fail to materialize; Sablan replied austerity \"is a possibility\" if anticipated collections in the first two quarters are not received.

Committee discussion also focused on restoring budget cuts. Members noted the committee previously reduced funding to agencies such as the Public School System (PSS) and asked whether loan proceeds would be used to replenish those cuts. Sablan said it is the committee's goal, if a loan is agreed, to try to restore funds freed up from agencies (citing PSS and NMC as examples).

Sablan reported that pension trustees had approved consideration of a low‑interest scenario requiring congressional authorization and cited a working figure of about 7.5% for that option; he said the trustees' motion would carry for 90 days from July, leaving a decision window to Oct. 1 to determine whether to proceed.

A motion to formulate a committee report recommending the full House support the loan was made, seconded and approved by voice vote. The committee also agreed to attach related governor and agency communications to the committee report.

Next steps: the committee report will be sent to the full House for consideration; separate congressional authorization is required if the trustees proceed with the low‑interest option.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","250819 24th NMCL HoR W&M [9:30am]","oneSentenceSummary","The House Committee on Waste and Means approved a committee report recommending support for House Bill 24-50, authorizing a $29 million loan with the Marianas Public Land Trust (MPLT) to fund a 75% pension settlement and free revenues for reappropriation; trustees are also considering a low‑interest option requiring congressional authorization.","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},6804644,"Committee endorses Senate bill to authorize motor vehicle licensor for all residents",145,6000775,6146354,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5598208-b8da100fa895d0ad525131a549392491&start=6000&end=6146","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5598208-b8da100fa895d0ad525131a549392491/thumbnail_6000775.jpg","/articles/6804644/Committee-endorses-Senate-bill-to-authorize-motor-vehicle-licensor-for-all-residents","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6804644-806cbba742913849544cf40dc238f3c9/orig.mp4?Expires=1773664132&Signature=D0uCogAWEVHeGml3bRwuvyJJcsVtXIduLRy7luQjoTQCv6KCebHmegfdSRC4ibVyN4JWXWnuTB1qxo40d3ICpEF-vIPASm8Bh64IMKLxYXzfkPs5AZTe08Povxjk~nryDLsc3cwRudC3Ryvx21yXiSeQyZmQTm69OcXxbjYNxIS6NjDGdCW7CylIPdmhYkSyzI-s4g929ks7j9PjHhHr9-0HY1Ws~k53enEj2tcdTrgGX71eWVFRrMqDv~~debyhwZOKezT4mFOPp5Vy42fncEjHGeLV5a8bS341mcJlvinDor7uKvEFklmz0oWCEw9IzEpyQaJCMNFrE7EF0GSYlg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Committee on Waste and Means on Aug. 19 adopted a committee report recommending the full House support Senate Bill 24-19, which would amend 9 CMC §2208(d) to authorize motor vehicle licensor services to all residents of the Commonwealth.

Representative Joel Camacho said comments indicate the bill is sponsored and supported by the Department of Public Safety's motor vehicle division. Leader Roy Ada said the senate had refined the bill and signaled his readiness to move and adopt the committee report.

A motion to adopt a committee report recommending support for SB24-19 was made, seconded, and approved by voice vote.

Next steps: The committee report will be forwarded to the full House for consideration.","The committee adopted a report recommending support for Senate Bill 24-19, an amendment to 9 CMC §2208(d) to authorize a motor vehicle licensor for all Commonwealth residents; members noted Department of Public Safety backed the measure and the committee voted to forward it to the full House.",{"_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},6804649,"Committee discusses House Bill 24-38 to establish emergency reserve; author to offer house substitute next session",2524,708925,3233185,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5598208-b8da100fa895d0ad525131a549392491&start=708&end=3233","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5598208-b8da100fa895d0ad525131a549392491/thumbnail_708925.jpg","/articles/6804649/Committee-discusses-House-Bill-24-38-to-establish-emergency-reserve-author-to-offer-house-substitute-next-session","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6804649-2a8b30171fc87929af05ef15e9dc2277/orig.mp4?Expires=1773664132&Signature=PQpCAIuECOVu6vKl7EDp7CurpS7ZNazOezatMgXIau2kwM9LGTTz~aYhrSdn7Iz8psRPHBbJPMdSEv1kYlFVx-jP2Fl-RvATS76KQ25QcNnCYXzm3YNN2uDdtmOf8puwUxPI1KdrOTZGbsjq6U44X88NZHrHT47yR~gBfPew52zv8exvUbc2HcmmH1VH6fzcKrcQ0hgHoSEizYWWCUIypdTxsLA28-RHt9oiYm~BG~JhYc6bQ1irEisPY11CcTbASby4Y4wGrQM642yoNvnLlvgDeXD2yVeXaTR8f2svuqjgtQjIk~eATk5Wz8OxrSuvj6lG5-qoSDSHeBPtFbhxqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 24-38, introduced Aug. 19 before the House Committee on Waste and Means, would create a dedicated emergency reserve (rainy day) fund with annual mandatory deposits and procedures for disbursement in declared emergencies while ensuring fiscal accountability.

The bill's author (the vice speaker) described the measure as \"pretty much straightforward\" and signaled possible amendments, including a delayed effective date so the provision would not affect the current fiscal year. Chairman Sablan raised a specific concern about inconsistent reporting periods in the bill text — 180 days after the end of an emergency declaration versus 60 days before the end of the fiscal year — and urged more uniform language.

Committee members discussed procedure and legal implications of adopting amendments now versus offering a substitute; after a brief recess the committee decided the author will offer a house substitute on the next House call and the matter will be returned for action then.

Next steps: Author to file a house substitute addressing concerns (including reporting-period uniformity) at the next House session; committee will revisit the bill then.","House Bill 24-38 would create a dedicated emergency reserve (rainy day) fund with mandatory deposits and disbursement procedures; the author said the effective date may be delayed to the next fiscal year and the committee agreed a house substitute will be offered at the next House call to address reporting-period language.",{"_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},6804654,"Committee approves $50,000 reappropriation for Rota mayor to address unpaid A&E invoice",549,3245219,3794930,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5598208-b8da100fa895d0ad525131a549392491&start=3245&end=3794","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5598208-b8da100fa895d0ad525131a549392491/thumbnail_3245219.jpg","/articles/6804654/Committee-approves-50000-reappropriation-for-Rota-mayor-to-address-unpaid-AE-invoice","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6804654-d305f2e6ed2ed75c90d675a4fe5b4351/orig.mp4?Expires=1773664132&Signature=KN5tzWveTHEosPTyPp4Q2FS9zu89-Xdq1HLDpUAjJJF6~kkzcXgJkHNKQYJw2o4NuZLGCXLsNHwko4f1ECxwOys6nm978qeeG-HkezCBks2Z0QXTYT5UFfB8-ZzPMM4eOUYaqcz0pnng-BMHWVIKncrBB1jIHsSWbM0sD4c1yxQllKsYz9b7rexaS9APiNjuUGjSXegf63sySLognjRPhXLmhygAp5Da7wpMi5wnn08RCYFoOCuJ9wxRXiyM4Qc864aPRNekX7iE4FLLCeuQyE03EgLDZryK8a4t32KSDnNt~3Zat9fb606vEJrrOiS9hlV8ChPPCA92wmX1sdN3sQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Committee on Waste and Means on Aug. 19 adopted a committee report recommending the full House support House Bill 24-45, which would reappropriate $50,000 under Public Law 21-10, Section 2(g), for operational expenses of the mayor of the municipality of Rota.

Representative Julie Ogo, the bill's author, told the committee the $50,000 derives from an unencumbered portion of a $2,000,000 allocation (business unit 77193B) and remains available because the funds were never used. She said the immediate need is to address an outstanding A&E (architect/engineering) invoice of roughly $49,000 owed to Herman Cabrera.

Floor Leader Marissa Flores and others discussed where language specifying vendor payment should be placed and whether the senate or delegation would insert implementing language. Chairman Sablan recommended drafting necessary amendments at the committee level so the senate can concur and the bill can proceed to the governor for signature without further changes.

After a short recess to consider language, the committee moved, seconded and approved a committee report recommending the bill.

Next steps: The committee report will be forwarded to the full House. Members discussed that the senate may add language specifying payment to the vendor; Chairman Sablan suggested making such language in committee to expedite final concurrence.","The committee adopted a report recommending support for House Bill 24-45 to reappropriate $50,000 from an unencumbered account (business unit 77193B) to the mayor of the municipality of Rota; the author said funds will pay an outstanding A&E invoice of about $49,000 owed to architect Herman Cabrera.",{"_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},6804659,"Committee tables bill to update 1992 salary cap for executive directors after debate on equity and timing",1787,3797390,5584770,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5598208-b8da100fa895d0ad525131a549392491&start=3797&end=5584","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5598208-b8da100fa895d0ad525131a549392491/thumbnail_3797390.jpg","/articles/6804659/Committee-tables-bill-to-update-1992-salary-cap-for-executive-directors-after-debate-on-equity-and-timing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6804659-3842ba217ccf13b1eb2430155045c181/orig.mp4?Expires=1773664132&Signature=gJN67hznB2pf~d3zX5lxB0G~v0-PoWnqmuWZvzA5gAdrLZBDqe-pOeDfepxWFL~OlVkZilIaV38Opgeqz-6eA5V~Z61Ih6D9K4rBtNnPnspxGd4Ow5h4lrVVxpXEigoV2yIVT5PjzvnlOYGRWeNRyAtbmyu0uN3Yka9ekcCSx1CLt6rzfTmL0zQvaHwvNLZudYBBVwon4UQnbAzi8xZ3rxlv4n~2TIyrxNPf5wXRvQBZQhsuLakrsDRp4XPJgs-DXtchzqthaUJNKV7oPV34~kTpPxJTzdJIyiEwsJFReMNCSG0QCBs5AftU1E9tEJLfso4vYjHcARnrfyoDhHG3KA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Committee on Waste and Means on Aug. 19 tabled House Bill 24-48 after extended debate over scope, timing and equity. The bill would adjust a salary cap set in 1992 for executive directors to an inflation-equivalent 2025 figure.

Representative Angelo Camacho, the bill author, said the change is intended to update a cap that has not been adjusted in 33 years and stressed the revision would not take effect immediately. \"It's not gonna happen immediately... it's based on availability of funds,\" he said, adding boards would still have to approve adjustments.

Floor Leader Marissa Flores and other members pressed for clarity on which semi‑autonomous and autonomous agencies would be affected and whether agencies funded entirely from local coffers (for example, MVA) or those with federal grants would be treated differently. Flores also expressed concern that many employees have awaited merit increases for years and questioned introducing a bill that may increase executive pay while merit raises remain pending.

Representative Malcolm Momar and others emphasized retention concerns and the difficulty of competing with private sector salaries. Representative Roy Adams and Representative Marissa Flores moved to table the measure while members resolve related compensation priorities. Chairman Sablan said the committee would further discuss the bill in a future session and formally tabled it.

Next steps: HB24-48 is tabled for further discussion; the committee did not adopt a committee report and no formal vote on the bill's substance occurred.","The committee tabled House Bill 24-48, which would raise a 1992 statutory salary cap for executive directors to a 2025 inflation-equivalent amount, after members raised concerns about pay disparities, unmet merit increases and fiscal timing; the author said any increase would depend on availability of funds.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

House committee backs $29 million loan agreement with Marianas Public Land Trust to free pension settlement funds

Committee endorses Senate bill to authorize motor vehicle licensor for all residents

Committee discusses House Bill 24-38 to establish emergency reserve; author to offer house substitute next session

Committee approves $50,000 reappropriation for Rota mayor to address unpaid A&E invoice

Committee tables bill to update 1992 salary cap for executive directors after debate on equity and timing