House Speaker Edmund Villegomez introduced visiting students to the structure and membership of the Commonwealth’s legislature, describing the House’s role in appropriations and how representation is allocated among Saipan’s precincts.

Villegomez said the House currently has 20 members, the constitutional maximum, and that membership earlier had been 18 before a court decision added two seats. He explained that Saipan’s Precinct 1 is the largest and is allotted six House seats, Precinct 3 also has six seats, while other precincts have fewer seats: Precinct 2 has two seats; Precinct 4 has two seats; the newest precinct, Precinct 5, is represented by two members; and the sister islands (Tinian, Rota and the Northern Islands) have separate representation.

"When it comes to money and appropriations ... it has to start here in the House," Villegomez said, contrasting the House’s budgetary authority with the Senate’s role in confirmations of executive nominees. He said the Senate has nine members — three each from Saipan/the Northern Islands, Tinian and Rota — and that confirmation power is a key Senate responsibility.

Villegomez also described internal House roles: the speaker manages meetings and operations; the floor leader is responsible for making motions and shepherding legislation; the vice speaker acts when the speaker is absent; and committee chairs can influence what bills reach the calendar. He urged students to keep following local issues and to contact their representatives.

No votes or formal procedural actions were taken during the classroom session; the presentation was informational.