In an interview after he pre-filed his new bill on Thursday, Torres, Ind.-Saipan, said if they, the casino proponents, cannot move it in the regular House and Senate sessions, “there is the delegation that can also come up with revenue-generating bills like the casino legalization on Saipan.”
Torres said House Local Bill 17-44 will only benefit Saipan.
“We have introduced a Saipan casino bill but it died upon reaching the Senate’s door,” he noted.
Now, he said, “I’m confident the delegation will pass this one. And if they would challenge that, they will have to take the issue to the court which will decide whether the local delegation can allow for casinos locally.”
The Saipan and Northern Islands Casino Control Act, or H.L.B. 17-44, aims to fund the projects and programs that benefit the third senatorial district only.
Medical referrals for residents of Saipan and the Northern Islands, the Saipan Higher Education Financial Assistance program, the Saipan utilities assistance program, the Marianas Visitor Authority’s film commission and security services for Saipan, the judicial branch and the delegation will get 10 percent of the casino revenue.
The Retirement Fund’s defined benefit plan will get 40 percent of the casino revenue until it is fully funded. Once the DBP is fully funded, 30 percent of the funds will go to the delegation.
The bill also sets the casino investment cap at $100 million and imposes a license fee of up to $200,000.
Like the previous casino proposals, Torres’ local bill also establishes a commission which will have five members — four from Saipan and one from Northern Islands, all to be appointed by the governor and confirmed by the delegation.
