GOVERNOR Ralph DLG Torres on Friday vetoed Senate Bill 21-61, which would extend to 90 days from 30 days the deadline to confirm Zoning Board nominees.
Authored by former Sen. Sixto Igisomar, S.B. 21-61 proposes to remove the automatic confirmation of zoning board appointees if no action is taken within 30 days.
In his veto message to Senate President Jude U. Hofschneider and Speaker Edmund Villagomez, the governor said the attorney general has advised that although there is no legal issue in removing the automatic confirmation clause set by 2 CMC Section 722 1 (e), the “delays in fully constituting the Zoning Board is a concern.”
“I share these same sentiments as we have witnessed the functioning of the Zoning Board come to a screeching halt when the appointment and confirmation process fails to provide for a fully operational board,” the governor said.
“Likewise, as the CNMI continues to receive time-sensitive federal assistance for urgent ongoing and future projects, it is critical that we ensure that the timely and efficient process applied for the automatic confirmation of vacant board seats continues.”
Igisomar’s bill states that the requirement to confirm a Zoning Board member within 30 days from the date of appointment is inadequate.
Moreover, the bill stated, the automatic confirmation of a Zoning Board member appointment within a limited time removes the confirming authority’s opportunity to review and question the appointee’s qualifications, opinions, and goals once the appointee is confirmed.
