This bill becomes Public Law No Copies bearing my signature are forwarded for your reference.

Transcription

1 COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS Eloy S. loos Governor Honorable Joseph P. Deleon Guerrero Speaker, House of Representatives Nineteenth Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature Saipan, MP Ralph DLG. Torres Lieutenant Governor n 3 OCT 2015 Honorable Victor B. Hocog Senate President, The Senate Nineteenth Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature Saipan, MP Dear Mr. Speaker and Mr. President: This is to inform you that I have signed into law House Bill No , entitled, "To amend Title 9, Division 2, Chapter 2 Subsection 2201 to give Veterans a discounted Operator's License Fee benefit; and for other purposes," which was passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate of the Nineteenth Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature. This bill becomes Public Law No Copies bearing my signature are forwarded for your reference. Sincerely, ~.~l~ ELOYS.!NOS cc: Lt. Governor; Attorney General's Office; Public School System; Public Auditor; Special Assistant for Administration; Special Assistant for Programs and Legislative Review Caller Box Saipan, MP Telephone: (670) Facsimile: (670)

2 J{ouse of CJWlresentatives 19 th NORTHERN MARIANAS COMMONWEALTH LEGISLATURE P.O. BOX SAIPAN, MP September 29,2015 The Honorable Eloy S. Inos Governor Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Capitol Hill Saipan, MP Dear Governor Inos: I have the honor of transmitting herewith for your action H. B. No , entitled: "To amend Title 9, Division 2, Chapter 2 Subsection 2201 to give Veterans a discounted Operator's License Fee benefit; and for other purposes.", which was passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate of the Nineteenth Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature. Sincerely yours, Attachment

3 !Nineteentli Legisfature ojtlie Commonwea(tli oj tlie :Nortliern :M.ariana Isfand's IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES First Regular Session February 6, 2015 Representative Lorenzo I. Deleon Guerrero, of Saipan, Precinct 5 (jor himself, Representatives Roman C. Benavente, Ramon A. Tebuteb, and Ralph N. Yumul) in an open and public meeting with an opportunity for the public to comment, introduced the following Bill: H. B. No AN ACT TO AlIENO TITLE 9, DmSION 2, CIIAPTIR 2 SUBSECTION 2201 TO GIVE VlTEBD'S A DISCOUNTED OPEUTOR'S LICENSE FEE BENEFIT; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. The Bill was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means, which submitted Standing Committee Report 19-15; adopted June 17,2015. THE BILL WAS PASSED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENT A TIVES ON FIRST AND FINAL READING, JUNE 17,2015; without amendments and transmitted to the THE SENATE. The Bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Fiscal Affairs. THE BILL WAS PASSED BY THE SENATE ON FIRST AND FINAL READING, SEPTEMBER 18,2015; without amendments. H. B WAS RETURNED TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON SEPTEMBER 22, THE BILL WAS FINALLY PASSED ON JUNE 17,2015.

4 Nineteentli egisfature oftlie Commonweaftli of tlie Nortliern 9rtariana Isfand's IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES First Day, Fifth Special Session June 17,2015 H. B. No. 19.IJ AN ACT 'ro ll)ii~nn 'ITl'IAI~ U, nivision 2, (~H1l1)'I'I~R 2 S(JIISI~(~'I'ION 220 I '('0 (.nti~ VI~'rl~llllNS 1l nis(~o(jn'rl~n OI)I~llll'rOR'S LJ(~I~NSI~ 1~1~1~ III~NIU~I'r; linn I~OR O'I'III~R P(JlU)OSI~S. Be it enacted by the Nineteenth Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature: 1 Section 1. Findings and Purpose. The Legislature finds that many brave men and 2 women of the Commonwealth willingly answered the call to defend the freedoms we are 3 enjoying by fighting for our country not only in foreign lands but also in our islands. 4 Furthermore, the Legislature finds that many men and women put their lives on the line to 5 make our country a safer place in which to live. Additionally, the Legislature finds that the 6 sacrifices these selfless and valiant men and women made in leaving their families to face 7 adversities in foreign lands such as Korea, Vietnam, Kosovo, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Hom of 8 Africa, and Iraq merit recognition. A meaningful way to show our gratitude is by lowering 9 the operator's license fees for Veterans. 10 Other states and territories have provided such benefits to its veterans and it is time 11 that the Commonwealth further honor the contributions and the sacrifices made by the sons

5 HOUSE BILL and daughters of the Commonwealth that have led to the freedom we enjoy today. 2 Additionally, the Legislature finds that in order for a veteran to avail of the discounted 3 benefit, he or she must have served at least 180 consecutive active service days. They also 4 must be honorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces. The Legislature further 5 finds that veterans must be certified eligible by the CNMI Veterans Office in order to avail of 6 the discounted benefit. Therefore, the intent of this Act is to amend Title 9, Division 2 7 Chapter 2 220l. 8 Section 2. Amendment. Title 9, Division 2, Chapter is hereby amended to 9 read as follows: 10 "2201. Operator's License. 11 (a) No changes. 12 (b) A fee of $40 shall be paid for each operator's license issued, with the 13 exemption of an operator's license issued to a Veteran. A fee of $10 shall be paid for 14 each duplicate or substitute license. All fees collected, including the learner's permit 15 fee, shall be distributed as follows: 50% for the operations and programs of the 16 Bureau of Motor Vehicles, 35% for the upkeep and maintenance of road shoulders by 17 the Department of Public Works and 15% to the upkeep and maintenance of street 18 lights by the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation. The Commissioner of the 19 Department of Public Safety in consultation with the Director of the Bureau of Motor 20 Vehicles shall be the expenditure authority of the 50% for the operations and 21 programs of the Bureau of Motor Vehicle provided that each respective senatorial 22 districts' expenditure authorities shall be as follows: in the First and Second 23 Senatorial District, the Department of Public Safety Resident Director Heads, and in 24 the Third Senatorial District, the Department of Public Safety Commissioner. 2

6 HOUSE BILL (1) The operator's license fee for a Veteran shall be 25% less than the 2 fee charged for a similar operator's license. A copy of the Certificate of 3 Release or Discharge from Active Duty from the Department of Defense (DD 4 214) or certification from the Military and Veterans Affairs Office, which 5 signifies proof that he/she served in the U.S. military services, must be 6 furnished to the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Finance 7 in order to waive the operator's license fees. 8 (c) No changes. 9 (d) No changes. 10 (e) No Changes." 11 Section 3. Severability. If any provisions of this Act or the application of any such 12 provision to any person or circumstance should be held invalid by a court of competent 13 jurisdiction, the remainder of this Act or the application of its provisions to persons or 14 circumstances other than those to which it is held invalid shall not be affected thereby. 15 Section 4. Savings Clause. This Act and any repealer contained herein shall not be 16 construed as affecting any existing right acquired under contract or acquired under statutes 17 repealed or under any rule, regulation, or order adopted under the statutes. Repealers 18 contained in this Act shall not affect any proceeding instituted under or pursuant to prior law. 19 The enactment of the Act shall not have the effect of terminating, or in any way modifying, 20 any liability, civil or criminal, which shall already be in existence on the date this Act 21 becomes effective. 3

7 HOUSE BILL Section 5. Effective Date. This Act shall take effect upon its approval by the 2 Governor, or its becoming law without such approval. Attested to by: Certified by:,2015 Governor Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 4