Local Politics
  1. Home
  2. US
  3. Northern Mariana Islands
  4. Saipan
  5. Meetings

2026-08-14 - CNMI Senate

Summary

Built from the official Senate Journal SJ 24-31 (Eighth Special Session, first day). These are Commonwealth Senate sessions held on Saipan; Saipan has no municipal council in the record. No video was found, so there is no transcript or timing.

  • Called to order 11:56 a.m., adjourned 12:50 p.m.; six of nine present (Babauta, Castro and Cruz excused); the two Manglona senators attended remotely from Rota.
  • Seven committee reports (24-80 to 24-84, 24-88, 24-92, 24-94, 24-95) were adopted by voice vote, each recommending passage.
  • H.J.R. 24-16 (Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Week, August 17 to 21) adopted 6-0.
  • Bills passed 6-0: S.B. 24-53, S.B. 24-55, H.B. 24-10, H.B. 24-43 HD1, S.B. 24-33, S.B. 24-57 SD1, H.B. 24-40 and H.B. 24-05 SS1.
  • Introduced: S.B. 24-64 (CUC cost recovery period), an unnumbered resolution backing the Labor Stabilization Act, S.B. 24-65 (grandparent visitation), Senate Local Bill 24-05 (naming Rota East Harbor), and a resolution commending a Navy construction battalion detail for Tinian typhoon recovery.
  • President King-Nabors explained why S.B. 24-52 (CEDA dividend funds) is being held; Senator P. Manglona asked to dispose of S.B. 24-62 but the body held it for review.

Attorney General Investigative Subpoenas Bill

  • Report 24-80 adopted; S.B. 24-53 passed 6-0 despite a request in public comment to table it.

CEDA Dividend Funds Bill

  • Public comment from CEDA's comptroller; no vote; explanation by President King-Nabors.

CUC Cost Recovery Period Bill

  • S.B. 24-64 introduced by Senator Hofschneider; two speakers supported it.

Government Liability Cap Bill

  • Three speakers urged passage; no Senate action recorded.

CNMI Dignified Aging Care Act

  • Senator P. Manglona asked to dispose of S.B. 24-62 that day; held for review and committee withdrawal.

Higher Fine Zones Bill

  • S.B. 24-55 passed 6-0.

Jaywalking Bill

  • H.B. 24-05 SS1 passed 6-0.

Business Licensing Framework Bill

  • S.B. 24-57 SD1 passed 6-0.

Foreign Contractor Business Tax Bill

  • H.B. 24-40 passed 6-0.

Labor Stabilization Act Support Resolution

  • Introduced; no vote recorded.

Other business

  • Other bills passed 6-0: H.B. 24-10 (legal change of name procedure), H.B. 24-43 HD1 (defense relating to desecration or theft of memorial or historical sites) and S.B. 24-33 (renaming Commissioner of Fire to Fire Chief). H.B. 24-39 was a duplicate, already acted on at an earlier session.
  • Messages from the Governor 24-300 to 24-311; Department messages 24-32 to 24-35; House communications 24-161 to 24-171; Senate communications 24-250 to 24-257; miscellaneous communications 24-107 to 24-117. Journal 24-27 adopted by voice vote.
  • The roll call headings in the journal carry some mislabeled report numbers; votes are as recorded.

Sources