[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-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],{"_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",6475860,"mediaKeyId","5731956-ef66908b4c0756197192bf7b9d89e031","parentId",5731956,"title","Votes at a glance: Committee adopts morning agenda","audioSeconds",41,"startMs",451000,"endMs",492000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5731956-ef66908b4c0756197192bf7b9d89e031&start=451&end=492","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5731956-ef66908b4c0756197192bf7b9d89e031/thumbnail_451000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6475860/Votes-at-a-glance-Committee-adopts-morning-agenda","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475860-1bf46ed1a78b43b8cf1bb563dbb744ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1770659276&Signature=gQzPZTSsweXbtFKfHYBRkJWksQ~wvJ6IQtpaM8nudz6sEoOeDLh~KCAt2elKufHKhiAtk65EmSTqAM~9DWd0WiRFDAUKLJqnKRdPQl23kLqqEK69UvNodkVUZuKM7sy-01Cw3eFcSSbcTJZi4cFaL3Rtf~UiKuGcqoYKbUFUN5Oiu-ls6LTAu3WGc4Jcx9yIHjd4zXmXUFTnFRH9W2R2UNjmH175sQH8S~R5APTAOWf3JnyntRc1xofZHr38HWoX695CRWOqvXhFAT6SXMy2b7CEWXVFWPCzoSRrbcWOjRAtoo7xu9b4SU0YSpNPQUe-IMbLRHjLY6wfcp74H8HGNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Senate - Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature","date","2025-09-08T21:32:08Z","article","A procedural motion to adopt the Fiscal Affairs Committee’s morning budget hearing agenda was offered and adopted at the start of the September 9 hearing.

Senator Caldwell offered the motion to adopt the agenda; Vice President Magofna seconded. The chair called for voice votes; senators present responded in the affirmative and the chair said, \"Motion carries. The agenda is hereby adopted.\" The hearing then proceeded.

Why it matters: Adoption of the agenda is a standard procedural step that allowed the committee to receive testimony and consider the Department of Lands and Natural Resources budget materials.

Record of action
Motion: \"To adopt today's committee budget hearing agenda.\"
Mover: Senator Caldwell
Second: Vice President Magofna
Outcome: Adopted (voice vote)
Tally: Yes: 5; No: 0; Abstain: 0 (five members were recorded present; the chair also noted Senator Cruz as excused)

Ending: The committee proceeded with public comment and DLNR testimony after the agenda was adopted.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","250909 24th NMCL FA [9:30am]","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate Fiscal Affairs Committee adopted the morning budget hearing agenda by voice vote; motion was offered by Senator Caldwell and seconded by Vice President Magofna.","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},6475864,"Educator warns Senate that proposed appropriation may fall short of constitutionally guaranteed share for public schools",260,512000,772000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5731956-ef66908b4c0756197192bf7b9d89e031&start=512&end=772","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5731956-ef66908b4c0756197192bf7b9d89e031/thumbnail_512000.jpg","/articles/6475864/Educator-warns-Senate-that-proposed-appropriation-may-fall-short-of-constitutionally-guaranteed-share-for-public-schools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475864-9e72105434b59f35a11527c430d2dbe4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770659276&Signature=OWWJxqWLTvSGxp9xRnf9sSjswYKF8rJti7rgynSgzCMYgIxVes7ELqhj7q~jnEas6vncbtYDKNFY0Y-yWd2YcG9EDSGhz9JK0KV4X-W9e8AQjEK3bO21FI-PipAOV~xctVwLLoa2ibl2PXZVHepvIfTxBktri0Moy5KjYN2BJ-JDDzmgRJEy6S8FSnchxv1qkySjiucXrNMUoLcm5LK5ntEbl6jHeUND5lYUhhLMFiu0iNVFaNfqw1~Z-m7eHZM1qcLde49V6au9TKyF8VppfrIeBWCkvB~LiqPxZFCw0QLCoqOGf-K~ybbYuk9Ml6uorMBSC30Say59ry~VNQDzig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the DLNR budget hearing’s public‑comment period, career educator Jeremiah Rother urged the Senate to abide by Article XV, Section 1(e) of the Commonwealth Constitution, which he said guarantees public elementary and secondary education an annual appropriation of not less than 25 percent of general revenues.

Rother told senators the CNMI Supreme Court’s 2020 slip opinion clarified that general revenues must be calculated before earmarks and that only special revenues tied to a particular purpose may be excluded from the calculation. He said a draft appropriations bill he had seen that allocates $31,700,000 to the public school system “does not meet this constitutional standard.”

Why it matters: If the appropriation is calculated in a way that excludes ordinary revenues as general revenues, Rother said the legislature would risk noncompliance with the constitution and the prospect of litigation. He urged lawmakers to pass an appropriations bill that meets the constitutional requirement or to face judicial enforcement actions.

Key quotes and claims Rother said, “The public elementary and secondary education system shall be guaranteed an annual budget of not less than 25% of the general revenues of the Commonwealth through an annual appropriation.” He added that the Supreme Court’s language “leaves no room for ambiguity” on how to compute general revenues and that the legislature cannot override the court’s interpretation.

What the record shows The committee chair acknowledged the comment and said the committee would take the testimony into account. Rother recommended that the Public School System pursue litigation if it believes the guaranteed share is not appropriated.

Ending: Rother’s statement was entered into the record and senators acknowledged receipt; no committee action or response to the substance of the claim was recorded during the hearing.","A career educator told the Fiscal Affairs Committee that the Senate\u0000appropriations draft providing $31.7 million to the Public School System may not meet the constitutional guarantee of 25 percent of general revenues and urged the legislature to pass a compliant appropriation or face litigation.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6475866,"Senate fiscal committee reviews DLNR budget as invasive‑species grants await NEPA clearance",0,823000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5731956-ef66908b4c0756197192bf7b9d89e031&start=823&end=823","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5731956-ef66908b4c0756197192bf7b9d89e031/thumbnail_823000.jpg","/articles/6475866/Senate-fiscal-committee-reviews-DLNR-budget-as-invasivespecies-grants-await-NEPA-clearance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475866-45bfc5988d1f3e57edbacb6ca5844962/orig.mp4?Expires=1770659276&Signature=QrfX1-M2o7at-Yjt4ORyzU4dMyQCU6dqMFUA5QC2fhD9qjHQVdiENSdk93NasdTLWB6QQHxztu9y6hTS47iuNLVo~mNf3aMzQxfn99bIvQ4rLKbSNs5aZ4cHQKgAQjIM5r15V1591Fm7qBnbK-VJAPjBhtFYa9o075NFPMxvsA4J5urB5ti2OxyluKEl~3uis7TyXCcqv0FHZNHTx2dpZdKW2MkPb5krPaApYfKlwWx-iZ~-2hixbOzTmaGRmJUvt0kFQQUUnTcy4EK84QNGDroOA67PQbWsQhi~8c6Wvu4SHrVuookBk9PX38KJFSFVfd-2fkgLnyDYJpGN0RKjzQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Fiscal Affairs Committee heard an overview of the Department of Lands and Natural Resources (DLNR) fiscal 2026 request and questioned agency leaders on delayed federal grants, vacant positions and maintenance needs across Saipan, Tinian and Rota.

DLNR Secretary Yso Mar told the committee the department supports the governor’s submitted budget but said the agency is relying on a mix of revolving funds and federal grants to sustain operations. “We recognize that our economy is hurting, and everybody’s gotta take a pinch somewhere, and we do the same at DLNR,” the secretary said during an opening statement.

Why it matters: DLNR handles biosecurity, parks, fisheries, agriculture, land registration and other island resources. Committee members repeatedly pressed DLNR on grant delays that affect frontline biosecurity work — including personnel for traps, inspections and entomology — and on the practical effect at ports and marinas where increased military and commercial traffic has raised officials’ concern about new pest introductions.

Most significant takeaways
- Grants and FTEs pending NEPA review: DLNR reported 19 positions associated with invasive‑species funding; 10 are vacant and most of the vacancies relate to awards waiting for environmental (NEPA) review and federal clearance before funds can be obligated and staff hired. Secretary Mar and invasive‑species head Natasha Tomakani explained the NEPA process is delaying the department’s ability to expend grant funds and bring people on board. “We are seeing progress, but very, very slow,” Tomakani said.
- Staffing and recruitment challenges: Committee members and DLNR described competition for workers on Tinian and Rota from higher‑paying private and contract jobs tied to increased military activity. DLNR said candidates are hesitant to accept grant‑dependent FTEs with uncertain long‑term funding and that the department is considering raising entry salaries or partnering with municipal offices to temporarily assign mayoral employees to grant work.
- Biosecurity coordination: DLNR said customs and the recently reorganized Customs and Biosecurity office have primary port authority for interception, and DLNR is working “hand in hand” with them. Committee members emphasized the need for a clarified memorandum of understanding (MOU) and faster operational coordination so quarantine/biosecurity personnel can ensure inspections keep pace with increased transport volumes.
- Marina and parks maintenance: DLNR officials and committee members discussed ongoing maintenance gaps at marinas on Tinian and Rota. DLNR said a grant that becomes available Oct. 1 will fund recreational‑area maintenance and that an RFP for ground maintenance is planned; officials estimated about a three‑month turnaround to obligate those funds once accounts are ready. Members urged DLNR to explore interim options to keep facilities clean and safe while grant procedures proceed.
- Coral Reef Initiative transfer: Secretary Mar said the Coral Reef Initiative will move into DLNR effective Oct. 1; the department has been the state point of contact for the coral‑reef task force and highlighted previous steps (including a proclamation recognizing coral reefs as critical infrastructure) to make the program eligible for FEMA hazard‑mitigation funds.
- Agriculture and food‑security programs: DLNR’s agriculture director said the micro‑grant (food security) program awarded 75 applicants this cycle (50 Saipan, 7 Tinian, 11 Rota) and that resilient‑food‑system infrastructure grants of roughly $1.9 million remain active for several infrastructure and equipment projects.

Discussion highlights and lines of questioning Committee members asked for detail on the NEPA hold‑ups, whether grant awards have performance periods or extendable timelines (DLNR said federal grants generally allow for performance‑period extensions), and how DLNR will staff field positions such as entomologists and brown‑tree‑snake responders. Senators suggested short‑term options, including mayoral cost‑sharing for municipal employees while grant authorization is pending.

Operational details and clarifications DLNR said the invasive‑species program is currently 100% federally funded for some grants; multiple awards are awaiting NEPA categorical exclusions because the projects use chemicals (herbicides/pesticides) that require federal review. DLNR reported active CRB (coconut rhinoceros beetle) response work in Rota with no newly infested sites identified in the past year but ongoing night‑time detection and trapping.

What the committee asked DLNR to follow up on Committee members requested (1) clearer, written role definitions and an MOU or similar agreement with Customs and Biosecurity on port procedures; (2) clarification and certification of DLNR revolving‑fund balances; (3) a list of the 19 invasive‑species positions and which are funded/filled; and (4) status and timeline for the planned RFP to maintain recreational grounds at the Tinian and Rota marinas.

Ending: DLNR agreed to return with more detailed financial certifications, a staffing list and documentation of grant timelines. Members said they would summon DLNR again to address operational gaps that extend beyond budget questions if needed.","Department of Lands and Natural Resources officials told the Senate Fiscal Affairs Committee that several federally funded invasive‑species grants and related FTEs remain stalled while National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews and grant vetting proceed, and members pressed DLNR on staffing, biosecurity coordination and marina maintenance.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Committee adopts morning agenda

Educator warns Senate that proposed appropriation may fall short of constitutionally guaranteed share for public schools

Senate fiscal committee reviews DLNR budget as invasive‑species grants await NEPA clearance