Senate adopts package of bills including language education, public-intoxication rules and port finance change; confirmations approved

The Senate convened in a special session June 22–23 and adopted a series of committee reports and bills affecting language instruction, public conduct, small-food entrepreneurs, off-road vehicle regulation, whistleblower protections, and ports financing. The chamber also confirmed two gubernatorial nominees.

Major outcomes voted by the Senate (all final tallies recorded on the floor):

• Senate Bill 24‑04 — Advance indigenous Chamorro and Carolinian language education in the CNMI: Passed (7 yes). The measure had public comment and committee backing and was moved for passage on the bill calendar.

• Senate Bill 24‑31 (SD1) — Ensure food safety and support small food entrepreneurs selling low‑risk, nonperishable and home‑cooked meals: Passed (7 yes). Committee and floor discussion emphasized reducing barriers for home-based entrepreneurs and involvement of Public Health personnel.

• Senate Bill 24‑11 (SD1) — Regulate off‑road vehicles (ATVs, UTVs, side‑byside): Passed (7 yes). Sponsors said the bill would allow safer, lower‑cost transport alternatives for districts with lighter traffic and provide rules for use.

• Senate Bill 24‑13 (SD1) — Whistleblower protections, reward mechanisms for reporting underpayments of taxes and recovery of public funds: Passed (7 yes). Proponents described the bill as a mechanism to protect and incentivize reporting of prohibited personnel practices and fraud.

• Senate Bill 24‑28 (SD1) — Amend 6 CMC §3113 to establish disorderly conduct and public intoxication crimes: Passed (7 yes). Sponsors and supporters said the measure restores and clarifies criminal authority previously under the Trust Territory code and aims to give law enforcement tools to address public intoxication and disorderly conduct affecting residents and visitors.

• Conference Committee Report on House Bill 24‑17 SD1 (CCS1) — Amend 2 CMC §21‑74 to allow limited seaport revenue flexibility for the Commonwealth Ports Authority (CPA) for up to five years, with restrictions to preserve federal grant assurances: Adopted (floor voice; motion carries). Conferees said the final text limits revenue transfers to seaport funds only, explicitly preserving airport grant assurances and bond covenants.

• Senate Committee Report 24‑13 (Recycling Act amendments to designate DPW as authority): The motion to pass S.B. 24‑08 was withdrawn by the floor leader later in the session (motion withdrawn on the record).

• Confirmations: Standing committee reports adopting the committee recommendations to confirm (1) the nominee to serve as Secretary of the Department of Public Lands and (2) Joseph C. Guerrero to serve on the Marianas Visitors Authority board were each adopted (7 yes). The chamber recessed and reconvened prior to the roll calls on these confirmations.

Votes on the floor were typically recorded as unanimous 7‑0 in favor where shown; specific roll‑call member‑by‑member votes were not read into the transcript for the items summarized here. Where a vote tally appeared on the record, the clerk announced "7 members voting yes." The Senate adopted additional routine journal approvals, resolutions, and commemorative measures during the session.

Details, sponsors and committee references for each item appear in the individual bills and committee reports entered in the Senate calendar during the special session.