A copy of the House legal counsel’s opinion cites Article 2, Section 6 of the CNMI Constitution, saying that “laws that relate exclusively to local matters within one senatorial district may be enacted by the Legislature or by the affirmative vote of a majority of the members representing the district.”
The provision further says, “The Legislature shall define the local matters that may be the subject of laws enacted by the members from respective senatorial districts.”
According to the legal opinion, “Neither commonwealth law nor commonwealth-wide law would allow or permit an illegal act. Thus, the local bill establishing gaming on Saipan is a valid and constitutional action of the [Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation].”
In an interview yesterday, Rep. Joseph M. Palacios, R-Saipan, said he also believes the delegation’s expected action to pass the Saipan casino bill is constitutional.
He said the House Committees on Judiciary and Government Operation and Ways and Means will work together to facilitate the public hearings before the delegation acts on Rep. Stanley T. Torres’ House Local Bill 17-44.
Torres, Ind.-Saipan, said the first public hearing has been tentatively scheduled for May 20 at the multi-purpose center starting at 6 p.m.
He is inviting the mayors of Saipan and the Northern Islands, the members of the municipal council, the officials of the Indigenous Affairs Office, the Carolinian Affairs Office, the members and officers of the Commonwealth Retirement Association, the Saipan Higher Education Financial Assistance program, the Commonwealth Health Center’s medical referral office, the Marianas Visitor Authority and the Saipan Chamber of Commerce.
