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Senate committee adds electricity‑deregulation bill to agenda; author says aim is competition to lower rates
Summary
Senate Bill 24‑34, proposing deregulation of the CNMI electricity market, was added to the committee agenda. Author Senator Corina Magovnia described the bill’s intent to encourage competition and lower rates; members asked for time to review the voluminous draft and scheduled follow‑up meetings with CUC and CPUC.
The Senate Public Utilities, Transportation and Communications Committee added Senate Bill 24‑34 to its July 9, 2025 agenda and discussed next steps for the proposal to restructure the electricity market in the CNMI by allowing new entrants and competition in electric services.
Senator Corina Magovnia, identified in committee as the bill sponsor/author, described the proposal as “voluminous” and said its intent is to “open up the market to allow for healthy competition between utility companies” with the ultimate goal of providing more reasonable rates for consumers. She said she had received support from some businesses but welcomed committee feedback and technical comments.
Members asked for time to review the full text before any markup. One senator requested a short recess to examine the bill before acting because the draft had been added to the agenda that morning and was lengthy. The committee directed the Legislative Attorney’s office and staff to schedule follow‑up technical meetings with CUC and the Public Utilities Commission and to set a date in late July for further committee consideration.
No formal committee vote on SB24‑34 was taken on July 9. The committee agreed to invite CUC and CPUC representatives to provide cost‑of‑service and regulatory impact information before advancing the bill to markup or a vote.
