By Emmanuel T. Erediano
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
THE Senate on Friday passed Senate Bill 24-47, which would require all contractors to be licensed in the CNMI.
Authored by Sen. Jude U. Hofschneider, S.B. 24-47 now goes to the House of Representatives after all senators present voted to pass the measure. Sen. Celina R. Babauta and Sen. Paul A. Manglona were excused, while Senate Vice President Corina Magofna attended via video conference.
According to the bill, the purpose of licensing all contractors is to “provide equal opportunities and accountability for all contractors within the CNMI, and provide our construction workforce with the necessary financial assistance to train our future construction workforce.”
S.B. 24-47 also proposes to create a seven-member contractors’ license board that will, among other duties, grant licenses, promulgate rules and regulations, and enforce them.
During the public comment section, Department of Public Safety Secretary Ray N. Yumul testified in full support of the measure. He cited challenges DPW has faced with contractors from other jurisdictions who sought to work in the Commonwealth without proper licensing.
He shared “one good case in point,” noting that some visiting contractors hired to inspect and certify elevators and escalators in hotels and businesses are licensed elsewhere but not in the CNMI. Over the years, inspectors from Guam, Hawaii, and the U.S. mainland would certify elevators without CNMI licensure.
“DPW cannot process building permits unless the contractor certifying elevators and escalators is licensed in the CNMI,” Yumul said. “We need to see the business license. If they have no business license issued in the Commonwealth, DPW will not accept any work they do as legitimate for certification purposes.”
Yumul added he was glad that S.B. 24-47 is moving forward, stressing its importance. “We need to make sure that any contractors who come to the Commonwealth, whether short-term or mid-term, are licensed, bonded, and held accountable,” he said.
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.
