By a vote of 8-0, with Sen. Luis P. Crisostomo, Ind.-Saipan, abstaining, the Senate approved H.B. 17-61, which was introduced by Rep. Teresita A. Santos, Ind.-Rota.
The bill, which was passed by the House on Nov. 17, 2010, now goes to the governor.
The bill addresses an “inconsistent policy” of the Department of Public Lands in charging some land owners for maintaining public land.
The land of many residential owners is adjacent to small parcels of public land which are not maintained by the government and are not of sufficient size to be leased or used for public development.
“The land owners are preserving and protecting the public land for the benefit of the public and should not be charged rent for maintaining the public land,” Santos said in her measure.
