Susan Perez, resident director for the Department of Commerce on Tinian, told the Senate Fiscal Affairs Committee that her office has seven authorized FTEs but that two of those were funded from tobacco revenues in FY25. She said the House budget version moved the two tobacco‑funded positions into the general fund but left them “dollar‑funded” (unfunded) in the draft the committee reviewed.

Perez said Commerce maintains a small annual revolving account for operating expenses (approximately $8,000–$10,000 per year) and that the mayor allowed the department to use tobacco funds for essential expenses in FY25, which helped cover key costs. “I should be fine for my 2026 operating expenses as long as my revolving fund account and the tobacco funds are not reduced or suspended,” Perez said.

Committee members asked for clarification about the funding sources, rental costs for Commerce space (Perez stated about $1,300 a month), and whether the department receives proceeds from corporate‑filing fees or other central business subaccounts; Perez said those revenues go to a central account in Saipan and Commerce has not received disbursements from those corporate tax accounts. Members discussed whether tobacco fund positions could be transferred to general‑fund payroll to secure the employees’ pay; OMB and committee staff noted the House‑level presentation appears to have adjusted funding lines and asked the department to confirm payroll and revolving‑fund balances.

The committee did not take a final vote; staff told Perez they would preserve personnel lines consistent with the House submission while the committee reconciles funding sources and revolving‑fund language for final FY26 appropriation work.