House approves $960,235.74 in tobacco-settlement funds for tourism recovery

The House of Representatives voted to pass House Bill 24-96, appropriating $960,235.74 in tobacco settlement funds to the Marianas Visitors Authority for tourism recovery initiatives.

Supporters, including Esther Atta, executive director of the Commonwealth Ports Authority, and representatives of the Marianas Visitors Authority, told lawmakers the appropriation is needed to maintain flight connections and help a tourism-dependent economy recover. "A decrease in seat capacity or airline coming into the CNMI directly affects CPA as we depend on those airport fees for our operations," Esther Atta said, urging lawmakers to support HB 24-96 and HB 24-97.

Jamica Tyrone, representing the Marianas Visitors Authority, described how recent reductions in air service and the loss of Asiana Airlines have left the Commonwealth heavily dependent on Korea for visitors, saying the Korea market "currently accounts for nearly 70% of total visitor arrivals to the Marianas." Tyrone said the $960,000 appropriation (the bill text specifies $960,235.74) will allow the MVA to remain "at the negotiating table and implement targeted stabilizing efforts during this critical period."

Floor leader Marissa Flores framed the appropriation as a lawful exercise of the legislature's power of appropriation while stressing executive responsibility for implementation and reporting, saying the legislature "will expect reporting. We will expect measurable benchmarks, and we will expect transparency." The floor leader emphasized that appropriation does not remove legislative oversight.

The House recorded a roll-call vote with all 17 members present voting yes; the clerk announced, "With all 17 members voting yes, House Bill 24-96 hereby passes the House." The bill was introduced and placed on the calendar earlier in the session and advanced on first and final reading.

Votes at a glance - House Bill 24-96 (appropriation to Marianas Visitors Authority): Passed on first and final reading; roll call 17 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain. (Introduced SEG 442–455; passed SEG 954–955) - House Bill 24-101 (name facility as Felicidotte Taman Ogomoro Women's Development Center): Passed on first and final reading; roll call 17 yes, 0 no. (Introduced SEG 536–545; passed SEG 1027–1028) - House Resolution 24-25 (CNMI Women's Month) and House Resolution 24-26 (recognition of Aria Kilbach): Adopted by voice vote. (Introduced SEG 621–636; adopted SEG 782–786 and SEG 800–804) - Journal adoption and other procedural suspensions referenced in session notes.

What it means Lawmakers described HB 24-96 as an immediate stabilization measure intended to protect air service and the tourism-dependent economy. The appropriation uses tobacco settlement funds identified by governors' communications and, per floor leader remarks, will be subject to executive implementation and legislative oversight, including reporting and measurable benchmarks.

Next steps After passage in the House, the bill will proceed according to the legislature's enactment process and any executive-branch implementation plans; supporters asked for timely reporting on outcomes and metrics tied to the expenditure.