SAIPAN — Representative Vincent R. Aldan has formally asked the Senate to explain why a slate of his ratepayer protection bills was tabled and to set a firm date to take the measures back up, warning that leaving them in limbo without explanation leaves the public record incomplete and ratepayers without clarity.
In a June 15 letter to Senator Manny Gregory Tenorio Castro, chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Public Utilities, Transportation and Communications, Aldan said the tabled measures were written to strengthen ratepayer protection, utility accountability, Commonwealth Utilities Corporation procurement oversight, billing fairness, independent audit review, and public transparency. As the author of the bills, Aldan said he wanted a complete and constructive legislative record.
Aldan, who chairs the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, laid out five specific requests. He asked the committee to state the specific reason each bill was tabled, whether for legal, fiscal, policy, procedural, administrative, or other concerns. He asked for a written summary of any concerns raised in committee, including questions of constitutional authority, CUC governance, Commonwealth Public Utilities Commission jurisdiction, procurement procedures, audit authority, ratepayer impact, or implementation cost.
He further asked the committee to identify whether any public agency, including the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation, the Commonwealth Public Utilities Commission, the Office of the Public Auditor, the Commonwealth Economic Development Authority, the Office of the Governor, the Department of Finance, or the Office of the Attorney General, had requested, recommended, or supported any delay, tabling, amendment, or nonaction on the measures.
Aldan asked for a date certain to reconsider each bill, or a proposed timeline for further review, stakeholder input, amendment, and final committee action. He also requested permission to submit committee amendments to address any concerns raised by the committee or reviewing agencies.
Aldan said the measures address long-standing and well-documented public concerns over utility affordability, billing fairness, procurement transparency, independent audit accountability, ratepayer impact, and the proper handling of any potential private-sector participation involving CUC assets or services. He said the purpose was not to punish CUC or any agency, but to set clear statutory safeguards so the public, ratepayers, businesses, government consumers, and CUC itself can operate under a transparent and accountable framework.
Aldan said he is ready to work with the committee if the bills require amendment, and asked that any legal, technical, or fiscal objections be identified with specificity so he can prepare responsive amendments or phased compliance language.
Indefinite tabling without stated reasons or a date for reconsideration, Aldan said, leaves ratepayers unsure whether the Senate intends to move forward, amend the measures, or decline further action. Given the importance of CUC to public health, public safety, economic stability, government operations, and household affordability, he said the bills deserve full committee consideration and a clear path forward.
Aldan copied members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Senate Public Utilities, Transportation and Communications Committee on the letter.
