There were four bills and 16 resolutions passed by the youth senators under the leadership of Youth Speaker Anita B. Hofschneider.
In February, two bills were approved to require the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to obtain copies of fingerprints for all new driver’s license applicants, and to protect minors by allowing a quick identification when issuing driver’s licenses.
Another bill was approved on June 26, proposing that sessions of the Youth Congress be held every two months on the second Saturday of the month starting in October, with an additional session held for two days from May 1 to June 15.
Under P.L. 8-27 the youth senators are elected on the third Monday of September, and are limited to three regular sessions from October to April, one of which serves as the Youth Congress inauguration, and three special sessions from June to August.
This year’s youth senators also voted in favor of reorganizing the composition of the Youth Congress which they want to be based on district or precinct population.
The bills and resolutions passed by the Youth Congress are transmitted to the Legislature for its consideration.
This year, the youth senators adopted resolutions requesting the Legislature to prohibit smoking in all enclosed public places and government offices and buildings, and mandate the recycling of materials in all government facilities.
The youth senators also asked the Public School System to deploy crossing guards for grade schools and junior high schools and the Department of Public Safety to properly train these guards.
Likewise adopted was the resolution asking the Legislature and the Department of Public Health to appropriate sufficient funds for the health clinics at Kagman and Saipan Southern High Schools.
The youth senators expressed support for the development of ecotourism in the Northern Marianas; the implementation of a drug and alcohol diversion program for the youth; and more funding for health clinics at Tinian and Rota High Schools.
They highlighted the need for a public transportation, the enforcement of the Anti-Trafficking Act of 2005 and the imposition of an exit fee for all passengers exiting the CNMI at airports and seaports as an added revenue for the government.
On Saturday, the youth senators adopted a resolution supporting the creation of a driver’s education class at public schools.
According to the youth senators, the youth cannot afford the fees charged by driver’s education classes.
