House passes several bills including criminal desecration offense, liability cap and PSS funding; emergency session on food assistance announced
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Summary
Lawmakers approved HB24-43, HB24-57, HB24-68 HD1, HB24-70 and HB24-33 (various measures on criminal penalties, liability caps, pension loan facilitation and PSS funds). The House adopted a commemorative resolution and announced an emergency session to address Nutrition Assistance Program issues.
The House completed a busy session that produced several passed measures and set follow-up actions on an unfolding fiscal situation.
Votes and key outcomes
- HB24-68 HD1 (MPLT margin account to facilitate a $29,000,000 loan): Passed 18–1 after adopting a floor amendment deleting Section 103.
- HB24-43, House Draft 1 (new criminal offense for desecration/theft/sale of stolen memorials and historical/cultural property): The clerk reported 19 members present voting yes; the measure passed.
- HB24-57 (reestablish government liability cap): The clerk announced all 19 members present voting yes; the bill passed.
- HB24-70 (authorize Public School System to use unrestricted funds previously appropriated for FY2026): After debate, the House voted with all 19 members present voting yes; the bill increases PSS FY26 authorization (Representative Ata cited an increase that would move PSS to about $36,600,000 and identified $4,911,849 as legislative intent for a specific allocation). Representative Ata said the change would help PSS approach a target near $40,000,000 in available authorization.
- HB24-33 (statutory definition of the Commonwealth's annual general revenues under Article 15 §1(e) of the NMI Constitution): Floor Leader moved passage and roll call indicated primarily affirmative votes; the House proceeded after the vote.
Other action
- Commemorative Resolution 24-5 recognizing the Northern Mariana Islands Football Association's 20th anniversary was adopted by voice vote.
- Standing committee reports (24-38 recommending HB24-43 HD1 and 24-39 recommending HB24-57) were adopted on the floor.
Members also discussed emergency food assistance and community relief efforts. Representative Atal and other members described steps to avoid deeper austerity measures for PSS and encouraged continued coordination with the administration. The Speaker announced plans to call an emergency session the following morning at 10 a.m. to address the Nutrition Assistance Program/food stamp situation; a memo was to follow.
Next steps: Measures that passed the House will follow standard transmittal or enrollment procedures; budget-related items will require continuing committee work and coordination with the administration and the MPLT trustees.