Fitial signed House Bill 16-123, now P.L. 16-18, on Friday.
“The commonwealth’s reliance on the tourism industry requires that our visitors’ ability to enjoy their vacation should not be hampered by a prohibition of alcoholic beverage sales on election day in certain venues,” the governor said in his transmittal letter to the Legislature.
Rep. Rosemond B. Santos, R-Saipan, is the author of the new law that exempts airports, hotels, hotel resorts and golf courses from the alcohol ban on Election Days.
Business establishments are mandated not to sell alcohol tomorrow, the CNMI’s first congressional delegate election.
Under the law, any person convicted of selling, buying or consuming alcohol on Election Day faces a fine of $1,000 or imprisonment for up to 100 days, or both.
In signing, P.L. 16-18 the governor said it should be amended to include Managaha.
“Visitation to Managaha…normally is an entire day’s event, which includes enjoying island cuisines and, at times, alcoholic beverages in addition to the various marine sports and our beaches,” he said.
“Therefore, I urge the Legislature to revisit this legislation and further amend 1 CMC §6706, by exempting Managaha Island from the prohibition of alcoholic beverage sales on election day. Exempting Managaha Island from the prohibition will not hamper the election activities of our citizens,” he added.
