Senate committee holds public hearing on Sixto K. Gisomar nomination to lead Department of Public Lands

The Senate Standing Committee on Executive Appointments and Government Investigations held a public hearing in Rota on May 27, 2025, on the nomination of Sixto K. Gisomar to serve as secretary of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Department of Public Lands (DPL). The session included an introduction by the governor’s representative, public testimony in support of the nominee from municipal officials and advisory boards, and questions from senators about homestead permits, infrastructure and pending revocations.

The nominee’s supporters said Gisomar’s prior experience in government and work with local communities recommended him for the post. Agnes Titano, representing the Office of the Governor, introduced the nomination and said, “I am pleased to introduce the nomination of Mister Sixto K. Gisomar to serve as the secretary for the Department of Public Lands.” Several municipal and advisory officials who testified in Rota and in written submissions told the committee they back the appointment.

Why it matters: The Department of Public Lands oversees homestead and agricultural permits that affect residents across Rota, Tinian and Saipan. Senators pressed Gisomar on long‑standing delays tied to infrastructure requirements, revocations of village homestead permits, and management of property subject to military leasebacks — issues that residents said directly affect land access, housing and livelihoods.

Background and nominee’s priorities Sixto K. Gisomar told the committee he previously served as a senator and has held cabinet posts, and he framed his priorities as increasing transparency and expanding homestead access while honoring the trust obligations to “the people of Northern Mariana descent.” He listed several items he has been working on since returning to DPL in an acting role:

- Prioritizing issuance of village homestead permits and pursuing options to allow limited, single‑family residential construction where infrastructure is lacking, including discussions with the Department of Public Works (DPW) and the Coastal Resources Management (CRM) board. - Initiating a legal service request (LSR) with the assistant attorney general to clarify the legal status of ranchers in the military leaseback area and provide direction to those permittees. - Reiterating that “permit revocations must be approached with great care,” and explaining current revocation rules that apply when a lot is abandoned or not maintained. - Directing greater public information and outreach through a public information officer to notify permittees about requirements and revocation processes.

Gisomar described statutory limits and recent laws that affect conveyance of deeds. He said a recent public law (referred to during the hearing as Public Law 21‑15) requires deeds of conveyance to be issued within four to five days of a homesteader becoming eligible — but that eligibility remains contingent on compliance, including completion of a single‑family dwelling when infrastructure exists. He explained that where no infrastructure exists, another law (referred to as Public Law 20‑05) allows DPL to waive the dwelling requirement when the building permit is denied because of lack of water, power or sewage; in such cases a deed may issue if the permittee has maintained the lot (for example, by cleaning it) for a three‑year period.

Public testimony and written support Multiple Rota officials and advisory board members testified in support. Linda Athalic, land claims investigator for the DPL Rota office, said the office “has no issues” with Gisomar’s reappointment and that “he did a great job. It's very easy to talk to him, communicate with him.” Aubrey Hokuk, mayor of Rota, submitted a written letter of support and spoke in person, saying she has confidence in Gisomar’s ability to work with municipal offices.

The committee secretary reported five additional written testimonies were received in support of the nominee; the committee noted that no written opposition had been received as of the hearing.

Senators’ questions and committee follow-up Senators focused much of their questioning on: (1) the backlog of homestead applicants and pending revocations; (2) the practical limits created by DPW and CRM building‑permit rules when infrastructure is absent; and (3) site‑specific issues on Rota such as FNAFAA and Doogie sites and the Rota Resort lease and maintenance.

Gisomar described prior efforts to secure funds for road and site work, and said he is pursuing partnerships with mayors and municipal governments to share heavy equipment and fuel where DPL cannot directly fund large infrastructure projects. He told senators surveyors had recently visited Rota to measure access lines so DPW and DPL would have a basis for issuing permits. On the Rota Resort, he said the office planned to staff a five‑member review panel for incoming RFPs, including two Rota representatives provided from the mayor’s recommendations, and that DPL had filed an amendment to its lease‑rate regulation with the attorney general to allow more flexibility in negotiating hotel leases (the hearing record noted an anticipated announcement around mid‑June if the AG accepts the amendment).

Gisomar also asked staff to improve public outreach. He said a new public information officer at DPL had been instructed to work with resident directors to post information about permit rules and revocation timelines and that he would provide lists of pending permits to the committee on request.

Legal and regulatory context cited in the hearing Committee members and the nominee cited Article 11 of the Commonwealth and several public laws by number while discussing homestead conveyances and revocations. Senators asked DPL to work with the attorney general’s office and the legislature to clarify regulatory definitions and consider quasi‑waivers or legislative fixes where CRM or DPW building permit denials block homesteaders from progressing toward deed issuance.

Formal actions and next steps The committee adopted its agenda at the start of the hearing (motion seconded; committee recorded the motion as carried). The hearing record reflects the committee will include all oral and written testimony in its recommendation report to the full Senate; the committee did not take a confirmation vote during the Rota hearing. The public hearing was adjourned by motion at the close of testimony.

What remains open Committee members asked DPL to provide data ahead of the next hearing on Saipan: the number of permits pending revocation, lists of permittees and deeds issued, and updates on specific sites named in testimony. Senators urged DPL and lawmakers to continue working with DPW, CRM and municipal governments on pragmatic solutions to allow qualified homesteaders to build on their lots where possible while complying with environmental and safety regulations.

Ending The committee closed the Rota hearing after staff confirmed written submissions would be added to the record and the chair thanked the governor’s representative, the nominee and members of the public for participating. The committee will carry its record and report forward to the full Senate for consideration of confirmation.