SAIPAN – The House of Representatives of the 24th Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature will convene the first day of its second special session Friday, May 22, at 10 a.m. in the House Chamber, with an agenda that includes the introduction of a new tourism-harms bill, multiple Super Typhoon Sinlaku recovery measures and a push to include legislative leadership in Section 902 consultations.
Among the new bills set for introduction is House Bill 24-105, the Business Integrity and Regulation of Tourism Harms Act, or BIRTH Act, prefiled by Rep. Marissa R. Flores of Saipan, Precinct 3. The agenda also lists House Bill 24-106, also from Flores, which would include the Senate President and the House Speaker, or their designees, as Special Representatives of the Commonwealth in Section 902 consultations with the federal government.
A companion House Joint Resolution 24-12 makes the same Section 902 oversight request, prefiled by Flores with cosponsors including Reps. Vincent R. “Kobre” Aldan, Edmund S. Villagomez and Roy C.A. Ada. A separate House Joint Resolution 24-13 affirms the Commonwealth’s commitment to ending the commercial facilitation of birth tourism and cites the BIRTH Act as evidence of that effort. A third measure, House Joint Resolution 24-14, would affirm CNMI rights in submerged lands, territorial seas and the exclusive economic zone adjacent to the Commonwealth.
On Sinlaku recovery, the House will take up Senate amendments to two House appropriation bills, H.B. 24-89 and H.B. 24-91, that would redirect $300,000 each in dividends collected by the Commonwealth Economic Development Authority from the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation, from general district projects to Sinlaku disaster relief operations and personnel in the Second and First Senatorial Districts. Members will also consider Senate amendments to House Bill 24-96, which would appropriate $960,235.74 in Tobacco Settlement Funds for the Marianas Visitors Authority.
The agenda includes House Resolution 24-27, prefiled by Aldan, honoring the employees and crews of the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation and the Guam Power Authority for their work restoring power to the Commonwealth after Super Typhoon Sinlaku and other natural disasters.
Among governor’s communications listed for information are the FY 2027 Proposed Budget transmittal, identifying $101,887,467 available for appropriation, and three executive orders tied to the Sinlaku response. Executive Order 2026-004 declared a State of Significant Emergency on April 11, Executive Order 2026-006 renewed the emergency declaration on May 11 for an additional 30 days, and Executive Order 2026-007 authorized CUC emergency procurement for restoration work.
The House will also take up Senate Bill 24-48, which would establish a Division of Customs and Biosecurity within the Department of Finance, and House Local Bill 24-54, prefiled by Rep. Julie M. A. Ogo of Rota, Precinct 7, which would amend Title 10 of the Commonwealth Code to lower local gambling taxes, including for online gaming.
Standing committee reports include a recommendation to pass Senate Bill 24-21, HD1, on motor vehicle ownership transfer requirements, a recommendation to file House Bill 24-28 on establishing a grand jury system, and a recommendation to pass House Bill 24-67, HD1, on standardized financial reporting by CNMI government entities and nonprofit recipients of public funds.
