Inos also signed a measure that Northern Marianas College regents said would result in political interference in NMC affairs.
House Local Bill 17-40 has been dubbed as the “panties bill” because its author Rep. Joseph M. Palacios said he introduced it after seeing underwear hanging on a balcony in the Garapan tourist district.
Palacios, R-Saipan, said he saw how tourists shook their heads in disgust upon seeing the panties.
This, he said, will surely chase away tourists.
Palacios’ measure, now Saipan Local Law 17-10, aims to protect the health, safety, welfare, values and aesthetics of properties, and “is in the best interest of the community.”
According to the new law, clothing hung on a balcony, terrace, porch, deck or veranda “that is within public view of a major arterial or collector road” is now considered a public nuisance subject to a $100 fine.
Inos also signed House Local Bill 17-38 which imposes a $100 fine on those who will fail to use a diver-down flag when they go fishing.
Now Saipan Local Law 17-11, the measure requires divers “to make reasonable efforts to stay within 100 feet around the diver-down flag on navigation channels, and 300 feet on all waters other than navigation channels.”
Inos urged the Department of Public Safety to promulgate rules and closely look into the measure to address any ambiguity.
Rep. Ralph S. Demapan, Covenant-Saipan, authored the bill.
On Monday, Inos signed House Bill 17-93, now Public Law 17-47, which aims to “improve the financial oversight” of Northern Marianas College.
The NMC board of regents had urged the administration to reject measure and protect the college’s autonomy.
Introduced by Rep. Stanley T. Torres, Ind.-Saipan, H.B. 17-93 requires the college to deposit gifts, grants, donations and other contributions into the college trust fund “for the exclusive use and expenditure of the college and specific programs as stipulated by the requirements and regulations set forth by the Land Grant Endowment.”
Inos said the administration reviewed NMC’s concerns and concluded that the measure will not compromise its autonomy.
Finance, he added, regulates and controls expenditure of public funds to ensure they are expended for public purposes. NMC receives funds annually from the government, he said.
