House Bill 16-206 was introduced by Rep. Heinz S. Hofschneider, R-Saipan.
DPL is tasked with the responsibility of administering the CNMI’s land exchange program which includes land compensation in cases where land exchange is not a viable or desirable option.
According to the bill, “DPL is a party to land compensation cases filed in court and should be responsible for paying final judgments, if any, to land compensation claimants.”
It added, “Land compensation judgments usually include interest, which is compound, until the judgment is paid in full thereby making it imperative that the judgments are paid as soon as possible.”
DPL, in its previous report to the Legislature, said it had to meet land compensation judgments.
House Bill 16-206 states that DPL “has the ability to satisfy land compensation judgments.”
Also passed by the House was H.B. 16-194, which will allow the Northern Marianas Trade Institute to receive educational tax credit donations like any private and public schools.
Offered by Rep. Justo S. Quitugua, D-Saipan, the bill states that there’s an imminent need to train the residents of CNMI in the trade professions including carpentry, masonry, painting, plumbing and electrical services.
“Its establishment is the first step to training such residents in the trade professions,” the bill stated. “However, with limited resources the institute cannot expand its programs and accommodates the many students eager to participate in such training.”
Both bills are now with the Senate for action.
