By Emmanuel T.Erediano
Variety News Staff

SPEAKER Oscar M. Babauta yesterday said the issue of the municipal council’s authority to pass ordinances will be discussed in a House public hearing on a legislative initiative seeking the abolition of the councils.
Babauta, in a interview yesterday, said House Legislative Initiative 15-15 introduced by Rep. Candido B. Taman, has been assigned to a House committee for review.
Taman, R-Saipan, said H.L.I. 15-15 is now with the Judiciary and Government Operations Committee chaired by Rep. Cinta M. Kaipat, Covenant-Saipan.
Babauta, Covenant-Saipan, said the committee will conduct a public hearing.
It was the speaker who introduced a resolution directing the House legal counsel to file a legal question with the Supreme Court regarding he legality of an ordinance passed recently by the Saipan Municipal Council. (See story on page 3)
Taman said Kaipat’s committee is in the process of soliciting comments from mayors, municipal councils and other government agencies.
A legislative initiative is a proposal to amend the CNMI Constitution.
Once it is approved by at least three-fourths of the members of each house of the Legislature present and voting, the legislative initiative is then placed on the ballot in the next general elections.
It is ratified if approved by a majority of the ballots cast by CNMI voters.