COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS Benigno R. Fitial Governor Eloy S. Inos. Lieutenant Governor Honorable Eliceo D. Cabrera Speaker, House of Representatives Seventeenth Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature Honorable Paul A. Manglona Senate President, The Senate Seventeenth Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature Dear Mr. Speaker and Mr. President: This is to inform you that I have signed into law House Bill No. 17-137, entitled, "To amend 2 CMC 7221 to increase the number of terms for Zoning Board members; and for other purposes," which was passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate of the Seventeenth Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature. This bill becomes Public Law No. 17-70. Copies bearing my signature are forwarded for your reference. Si_'Y~a BENI~O R. FITIAL cc: Lt.~overnor; Lt. Governor's Legal Counsel; Attorney General's Office; Press Secretary; Secretary, Zoning Board; Spedal Assistant for Administration; Special Assistant for Programs and Legislative Review Caller Box 10007 Telephone: (670) 664-2200 12300 Facsimile: (670) 664-221112311
rrfie J{ouse Of ~ptesentatives NORTHERN MARIANAS COMMONWEALTH LEGISLATURE P.O. Box 500586 March 5, 2012 The Honorable Benigno R. Fitial Governor Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Capitol Hill Dear Governor Fitial: I have the honor of transmitting herewith for your action H. B. 17-137, entitled: "An Act to amend 2 CMC 7221 to increase the number oftenns for Zoning Board members; and for other purposes.", which was passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate of the Seventeenth Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature. Sincerely yours, ~~ Linda B. Mufta House Clerk Attachment
Seventeentfi egist"ature oftlie Commonweaftli Of tlie :Nortliern!hlariana Isfanas IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENT A TIVES Third Regular Session January 10,2011 Representative Joseph P. Deleon Guerrero, of Saipan, Precinct I (jor himself, Representative Eliceo D. Cabrera.) in an open and public meeting with an opportunity for the public to comment, introduced the following Bill: R. B. 17-137 AN ACT TO AMEND 2 CHC, 7221 TO INCREASE THE NUHBER OF TERHS FOR ZONING BOARD HEHBERS; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. The Bill was referred to the House Committee on Judiciary, and Governmental Operations, and submitted Standing Committee Report 17-113, which was adopted on January 17,2012. THE BILL WAS PASSED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON FIRST AND FINAL READING, JANUARY 17,2012; without amendments, and transmitted to the THE SENATE. The Bill was not referred to a Senate Committee. THE BILL WAS PASSED BY THE SENATE ON FIRST AND FINAL READING, FEBRUARY 23, 2012; without amendments. H. B. 17-137 WAS RETURNED TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENT A TIVES ON FEBRUARY 24, 2012. Linda B. Muna, House Clerk
Seventeentli LegisCature Of tlie Commonweaftli of tfie '}(ortliern :Mariana IsCands IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES First Day, Fifth Regular Session January 17, 2012 H. B. 17 137 AN ACT TO AMEND 2 CKC I 7221 TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF TERMS FOR ZONING BOARD MEMBERS; AND FOB OTHER PURPOSES. Be it enacted by the Seventeenth Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature: 1 Section 1. Short Title. This Act shall be cited as the "The terms of the 2 Zoning Board members Act of2012." 3 Section 2. Findings. The T >egislature finds that because zoning is new to 4 Saipan, it may be useful to extend the terms of experienced Zoning Board 5 members, who would otherwise be prohibited from serving on the Zoning Board 6 for additional terms. The Saipan Zoning Law, enacted by the Saipan and 7 Northern Islands Legislative Delegation pursuant to the CNMI Zoning Code, 2 8 CMC 7201-7255, has been effective for less than three years. Zoning is a 9 complex and technical field. It requires time for Board members to acquire the 10 expertise necessary to fully execute the functions of the Board with respect to
PCBLIC LAW NO. 17-70 HOUSE BILL 17-137 1 requests for re-zoning, variances and conditional uses. The Legislature believes it 2 is preferable to allow greater flexibility with respect to the appointment of Zoning 3 Board members. 4 Section 3. Amendment. This Act amends 2 CMC 7221(f) to read as 5 follows: 6 "(f) Term; Limitation. The terms of Zoning Board members shall 7 eonmlence upon confirmation of the appointment by the appropriate 8 legislative delegation and shall nul for two years. A Zoning Board 9 member may serve a maximum of five two-year terms for a total of ten 10 years, subject however to reappointment by the Governor and 11 reconfirmation by the appropriate legislative delegation at the expiration 12 of each two-year term." 13 Section 4. Severability. If any provision of this Act or the application of 14 any such provision to any person or circumstance should be held invalid by a 15 court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this Act or the application of its 16 provisions to persons or circumstances other than those to which it is held invalid 17 shall not be affected thereby. 18 Section 5. Savings Clause. This Act and any repealer contained herein 19 shall not be construed as affecting any existing right acquired under contract or o acquired under statutes repealed or under any rule, regulation or order adopted I under the statutes. Repealers contained in this Act shall not affect any proceeding 2 instituted under or pursuant to prior law. The enactment of the Act shall not have 2
HOUSE BILL 17-137 1 the effect of tenninating. or in any way modifying, any liability, civil or criminal, 2 which shall already be in existence on the date this Act becomes effective. 3 Section 6. Effective Date. This Act shall take effect upon its approval by 4 the Governor or becoming law without such approval. Attested to by: Linda B. Muiia, House Clerk Certified by: House ofrf!dr 'sei1tativ'~s 17 lh No;thern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature I-- ~day of.,2012 Governor Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 3