By Emmanuel T. Erediano
emmanuel@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
GOVERNOR David M. Apatang has approved House Local Bill 24-75, appropriating $3.7 million in government lapsed funds for the Public School System and insurance coverage for retirees and active government employees.
Authored by Rep. Blas Jonathan Attao and introduced by the entire House membership as a committee of the whole, H.B. 24-75 is now Public Law 24-19.
The law appropriates $3.7 million in lapsed funds from the previous fiscal year for the PSS and the group health and life insurance or GHLI program for retirees and active government employees. Of the total, $936,896 will go to the PSS to fulfill the 25% constitutional mandate, and $2.8 million will go to GHLI to complete the $7.2 million payment to the NMI Settlement Fund for the program.
Public Law 24-20, or the Revised Appropriation and Budget Authority Act of 2026, which Gov. Apatang signed on Dec. 23, 2025, appropriates $4.3 million for GHLI. The funding ensures that CNMI retirees and active government employees will not face a healthcare cliff on Dec. 31, 2026.
Emmanuel “Arnold” Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
