SAIPAN — Senate President Karl R. King-Nabors on Tuesday appointed Senate conferees to negotiate the fate of House Bill 24-107, the measure authorizing the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation to obtain emergency financing for utility restoration, stabilization and fuel procurement in response to Super Typhoons Sinlaku and Bavi and related fuel supply disruptions.
The conference committee became necessary after the House of Representatives rejected the Senate’s amended version of the bill, HD1, SD1, during the first day of its Fourth Regular Session on August 20, according to the Senate President’s memorandum to Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez.
King-Nabors appointed Senator Donald M. Manglona as chairperson of the Senate conferees, Senator Francisco Q. Cruz as vice chairperson, Senator Manny Gregory T. Castro as member, and Senator Corina L. Magofna as alternate. Legal Counsels Antonette R. Villagomez and David Karch, Fiscal Analyst David Demapan, Legislative Assistant Devin C. Macaranas and Senior Legislative Assistant Jolyn B. Duenas-Tagabuel were appointed to assist.
“I am confident that the Senate Conferees will work cooperatively to resolve any concerns with the House Conferees in a timely manner,” King-Nabors wrote.
The appointment comes as fuel costs sit squarely on ratepayers’ minds: the fuel adjustment charge on power bills rose to just over 40 cents per kilowatt-hour effective Tuesday, driven by the same fuel-price pressures the bill seeks to address.
