BEATING the July 1 deadline, acting Gov. Diego T. Benavente yesterday signed the tobacco settlement legislation which will allow the CNMI to receive an estimated $16.53 million in settlement funds.
House Bill 13-134, which was offered by Rep. Gloria DLC. Cabrera, R-Saipan, and 10 other lawmakers, is now Public Law 13-15.
The new law amends P.L. 12-45 to make it more consistent with the requirements of the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement.
The National Association of Attorneys General earlier said P.L. 12-45 was deficient and had to be amended so it would not contradict the intent of the agreement.
The group said the commonwealth must have an amended law on or before July 1, or the CNMI would not be entitled to receive its share of the settlement money.
