following the enactment of a new law that aims to raise more revenues for the cash-strapped CNMI government while giving the governor unlimited reprogramming authority.
House Bill 16-79, now Public Law 16-2, was signed by Gov. Benigno R. Fitial on May 3.
Press Secretary Charles P. Reyes Jr. said the Department of Public Safety and its agencies like the Bureau of Motor Vehicles are expected to implement the changes this month.
The 100 percent increase will be imposed on the renewal of vehicle operator’s license, taxicab driver’s license, chauffeur’s license, and learner’s permits, including but not limited to, replacement for duplicate, lost or stolen licenses; vehicle registration fees; boat registration fees; firearms licenses; fingerprinting fees per set; police report fees; safety sticker fees; copies of any public records maintained by DPS; and marriage license.
Half of the collections from these fees will be deposited into a special account within the general fund for appropriations to the Commonwealth Utilities Corp., specifically for its fuel expenses.
P.L. 16-2 also guarantees a government contribution rate of 11 percent to the Retirement Fund this fiscal year 2008 which translates to approximately over $7 million.
Likewise, the new law authorizes the CUC to use 50 percent of its collections from residential security deposit for fuel expenses.
CUC is mandated to replenish the money it gets from residential security deposit within three years.
All residential customers of CUC are entitled to a refund of their safety deposits within 30 days following the disconnection of their utility service.
The proponents of the measure said the governor was given unlimited reprogramming authority to ensure continuity of essential public services.
“The Legislature further finds that the commonwealth government continues to face financial challenges as a result of the economic downturn and revenue collection decline; therefore, several fiscal measures must be taken to ensure continued delivery of essential public services to the people of the commonwealth,” the new law stated.
“One such measure is to provide the governor and other expenditure authorities with greater flexibility in reprogramming funds for the remainder of fiscal year 2008.”
