Rep. Ralph S. Demapan, Covenant-Saipan, in an interview on Saturday said it appears that somebody is trying to rush the passage of House Bill 17-67 which aims to “reduce the burdens” of Open Government Act inquiries.
He said he wants to find out who “sneaked” the bill into the calendar without bothering to consult or inform him.
Demapan introduced H.B. 17-67 on March 27 last year at the height of intense Open Government Act inquiries about the administration’s hiring of attorneys and signing of other government contracts.
The bill remained in the House Committee on Judiciary and Governmental Operations which he chairs, until it appeared on the calendar during the last House session.
Demapan said he was surprised to see the measure on the calendar.
He said he had no intention to have it acted on that day so he immediately requested Speaker Eli D. Cabrera, R-Saipan, to allow him to withdraw the bill and return it to his committee.
Saying the measure touches a “very sensitive issue,” Demapan said he wants more deliberation and more input from the public before his committee comes up with a recommendation.
He said he plans to hold a public hearing.
The Saipan Chamber of Commerce has described the bill as “unnecessary.”
The bill will reduce the posting requirement of meeting notices from 72 hours to 24 hours and impose additional copying charges on those requesting the release of public documents and other information under the Open Government Act.
The chamber believes the bill will allow the government to withhold information requested through the Act.
