House approves package to rebrand free-trade zones and streamline business filings to boost investment

House of Representatives members approved a package of commerce and investment measures during the second day of a special session in Saipan, voting unanimously to pass bills intended to make the Commonwealth more attractive to outside investors and to modernize corporate filing systems.

Supporters said the measures — Senate Bill 24-15 SD1, Senate Bill 24-16 SD1, Senate Bill 24-17 SD1 and House Bill 24-4 HD1 — would improve the business registration process, streamline incentives and update the Commonwealth's branding for targeted economic zones.

The measures drew public backing during the session. "These bills are crucial to our being able to harvest new industries to feed the people of the Commonwealth," Vin Armani, president of the Trade Council of the Marianas, told the House during the public comment period. Armani singled out Senate Bill 24-16 and Senate Bill 24-17 as important steps to attract technology and digital-economy companies.

Why it matters: Commerce committee members and the public characterized…