Rota delegation passes House Local Bill 24‑9 after amendments on spending controls and survivor pay

The Rota Legislative Delegation passed House Local Bill 24‑9 during a June 10 special session in the Senate Chamber of the Honorable Memorial Building, approving amendments that change how certain local funds are held and reprogrammed and clarifying payout rules for deceased recipients.

The measure was advanced by the delegation's floor leader and later amended on the floor. Representative Judith proposed changes to Section 3 (expenditure authority) to require a separate account for funds under specified subsections. “I would like to make amendment on section 3 under expenditure authority line 11, page 3 … provided that a separate account to deposit funds appropriate, accounts under subsection a, comma b, comma c and d shall be established,” Representative Judith said while introducing the amendment.

A separate amendment restored a streamlined internal approval for reprogramming. A member on the floor warned that the House-introduced language would create “a lot more hurdles” for the RCGC to make changes; under the adopted wording, a written request may be submitted and approval can be signed by three RLD members, restoring a simpler internal sign‑off process. The floor adopted that amendment by voice vote.

Senator Convo, the delegation vice chair, moved an additional amendment to add a new Section 2 under appropriations clarifying survivor payments. “Any compensation owed to a deceased member shall be paid in accordance to 4 CMC subsection 97.11, in reference to earning compensation and earning subsistence allowance,” Senator Convo said; the delegation adopted the amendment by voice vote.

After recess and final consideration of amendments, the clerk called the roll for final passage. The clerk recorded unanimous approval: Senator Cavill, Senator Mendiola, Representative Ogo and Chairman Manglona all voted yes. With all four members voting in favor, the delegation declared House Local Bill 24‑9 passed.

Discussion on the bill on the floor focused on administrative details — how accounts would be structured and the internal process for reprogramming funds — rather than changes to eligibility or benefit levels. The text adopted requires separate accounts for categories identified in the bill and maintains an internal reprogramming approval process that needs signatures from three RLD members. The amendment clarifying survivor payments ties local practice to 4 CMC §97.11.

The delegation did not specify an effective date for the bill on the floor during the session. Implementation steps or department assignments to establish the required separate accounts were not stated during the meeting.

Members interested in the bill may consult the delegation clerk for the final enrolled language and any subsequent guidance on account setup or reprogramming procedures.