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

2026-10-26 - CNMI Senate

Summary

Built from the posted agenda (notice dated October 23, 2026, 3:00 p.m., Senate Chamber); no journal or video recorded yet.

  • Final reading calendar: S.B. 24-06 (Corrections inmate pay and work programs), S.B. 24-62 (CNMI Dignified Aging and Long-Term Care Act of 2026), S.B. 24-64 and S.B. 24-68 (Commonwealth Utilities Corporation bills), and H.B. 24-39 (Judiciary treatment program enforcement officers). See CNMI Dignified Aging Care Act and CUC Cost Recovery Period Bill.
  • Committee reports: Standing Committee Report 24-86 recommends passage of S.B. 24-06 as is; Report 24-98 covers the re-appointment of Warren F. Villagomez to the Marianas Visitors Authority board (Second Senatorial District). See Marianas Visitors Authority public hearing.
  • Governor's messages include a veto of H.L.B. 24-54 on local gambling taxes (deadline 11/20/26), see Gambling Taxes Bill Veto; H.B. 24-5 (jaywalking) signed as Public Law 24-41; a withdrawn CPUC nomination; and salary certifications for two assistant attorneys general.
  • House communications for information: adoption of the conference report on the FY2027 budget (H.B. 24-108), see FY2027 Budget Line-Item Vetoes; and H.R. 24-30 recognizing the Senate's disapproval of the Mariana Eland Corporation lease for the former Marianas Resort and Spa properties, see Proposed Mariana Eland Corporation Lease Agreement.
  • Department of Finance items: August financial report, the MPLT EDA line of credit quarterly report, and a request for authority to make monthly determinations on front-loading PSS funding for FY2027.

Update

  • Per the 11/9 House notice, the Senate on this day overrode parts of the Governor's line-item vetoes on H.B. 24-108 (P.L. 24-40) by a two-thirds vote, see FY2027 Budget Line-Item Vetoes.
  • The Senate passed S.B. 24-06 (DOC inmate pay and work programs) and sent it to the House, see 2026-11-09 - CNMI House of Representatives.
  • The agenda PDF is a scan and its text was not read; the points above come from the House notice.

Emergency

The CNMI is under a State of Significant Emergency (Super Typhoons Sinlaku and Bavi), renewed 10/29 by Executive Order 2026-024 (per a House notice; not yet confirmed in a public order). See State of Significant Emergency - Super Typhoons Sinlaku and Bavi.

News links:

  • Trump's disaster declaration unleashes federal aid for Bavi-battered CNMI (Pacific Island Times, 2026-08-05): Super Typhoon Bavi hit Rota on July 6, a major disaster declaration was approved August 3, and the governor ordered a state of significant emergency on July 31 to mobilize repairs after Sinlaku and Bavi.
  • Executive Order 2026-004, Declaration of Significant Emergency (CNMI Governor's Office, 2026-04-11): the original declaration, activating the State Emergency Operations Plan across Saipan, Tinian and Rota.
  • 2026 executive orders index (CNMI Governor's Office): lists the chain of renewals, including EO 2026-006 (2026-05-16); the latest order readable there is 2026-020. The EO 2026-024 number and the October 29 renewal come from a House meeting notice and are not yet confirmed in a public order.

Agenda

Order of business, Third Day, Fourth Regular Session (amended agenda):

  • A. Silent prayer; B. Roll call and public comment.
  • C. Journals: SJ 24-34 (2nd Day, Emergency Session, 9/30/26); SJ 24-35 (2nd Day, Fourth Regular Session, 10/13/26).
  • D. Governor's messages:
    • 24-350: veto of H.L.B. 24-54, lowering local gambling taxes including online gaming (deadline 11/20/26).
    • 24-351: amendment to EO 2026-22, list of essential services.
    • 24-352 and 24-355: certifications of salaries above $65,175 for two assistant attorneys general ($70,000 and $78,000).
    • 24-353: drug test results for a Marianas Visitors Authority board nominee (First Senatorial District).
    • 24-354: H.B. 24-5, HD1, SS1 (jaywalking) signed, Public Law 24-41.
    • 24-356: withdrawal of a nomination to the CPUC board (Third Senatorial District).
  • E. Judiciary: none.
  • F. Executive department heads: Dept. Msgs. 24-37 (DOF August financial report), 24-38 (MPLT EDA line of credit quarterly report), 24-39 (DOF request on PSS funding front-loading for FY2027), 24-40 (Homeland Security and Emergency Management 2026 Citizen Centric Report).
  • G. House communications (for information): 24-187 (Senate amendments to H.B. 24-5 accepted), 24-188 (CCR 24-7 on H.B. 24-108, FY2027 budget, adopted), 24-189 (H.R. 24-30, Mariana Eland lease), 24-190 (H.R. 24-31, Saipan Chamber of Commerce Golden Jubilee).
  • H. Senate communications: 24-271 (joint emergency conference committee on the FY2027 budget), 24-272 (a senator's excused absence request), 24-273 and 24-275 (referrals to the Executive Appointments and Government Investigations Committee of an MVA board re-nomination and its drug test results), 24-274 (a senator's off-island notice).
  • I. CNMI Delegate: none. J. Unfinished business: none listed. K. Pre-filed bills: none.
  • M. Standing committee reports: 24-86 (Judiciary, Government and Law, S.B. 24-06, recommends passage in current form); 24-98 (Executive Appointments and Government Investigations, MVA re-appointment).
  • N. Special/conference committee reports: none.
  • P. Bill calendar, final reading: S.B. 24-06; S.B. 24-62 (Dignified Aging and Long-Term Care Act of 2026: assisted living, skilled nursing and PACE framework); S.B. 24-64 (extend CUC full cost recovery period from three to five years, 4 CMC 8141(c)); S.B. 24-68 (allow the off-island CUC board member to vote remotely, 4 CMC 8132(c)); H.B. 24-39 (Treatment Program Enforcement Officers within the Judiciary).
  • Q. Miscellaneous communications 24-131 to 24-139: Legislative Bureau director off-island notice and FY2027 budget impasse essential personnel; administrative leave for a funeral service; Youth Congress Senators-designate; OPA audit of Law Enforcement Assistance Funds; LB FY2027 personnel appropriations, revised work schedule and utility cost-saving measures; CHCC notice that the Health Network Program will operate within appropriated and reimbursable funding (PL 22-33); NMTI financial statement for year ended 9/30/22; a letter of support for the MVA re-appointment.
  • R. Announcements; S. Adjournment. No Senate local bills.

Sources