Gov. Benigno R. Fitial signed House Bill 16-194, now Public Law 16-33, on March 26.
House Minority Leader Oscar M. Babauta, Covenant-Saipan, Reps. David M. Apatang, R-Saipan and House Floor Leader Joseph N. Camacho, R-Saipan, sponsored the bill.
The three said there is an imminent need to train commonwealth residents in trade professions like carpentry, masonry, painting, plumbing, and electrical with the upcoming implementation of the federal immigration law on the islands.
They said NMTI can provide this training but with its meager resources, it needs the government’s help.
“The Northern Marianas Trade Institute cannot expand its programs and accommodate the many students eager to participate in such training…the purpose of this legislation is to include [it] in the definition of a qualified education institution pursuant to 4 CMC § 1205 so that the institution may qualify for education tax credits,” the bill stated.
All public schools, Northern Marianas College and any educational institution in the commonwealth granted tax exempt status, are entitled to receive tax credit donations from taxpayers.
The Commonwealth Museum of History and Culture and the Northern Mariana Islands Council for the Humanities are also entitled to receive tax credits.
