Introduced by Rep. Stanley T. Torres, Ind.-Saipan, House Bill 17-114 was passed by a 10-7 vote.
The bill, according to Rep. Francisco S. Dela Cruz, R-Saipan is a “mirror image” of H.B. 17-80 and H.B. 17-105.
H.B. 17-80 was passed by the House but was amended by the Senate and is now with the governor.
H.B. 17-105 was introduced by Speaker Froilan C. Tenorio, Covenant-Saipan.
Torres said he introduced H.B. 17-114, which is similar to the one the House earlier passed, because the Senate version has the same “restrictive provisions” he wants removed.
Torres believes Gov. Benigno R. Fitial may veto H.B. 17-80 because of the Senate amendments.
Torres said the current CUC privatization law, or P.L. 16-17, is limiting the agency’s ability to “explore better opportunities” for the commonwealth.
H.B. 17-114 seeks to remove the “impediments and inefficiencies” of P.L. 16-17.
Torres said his bill will restore CUC’s procurement authority that will enable it to enter into agreements with service providers to ensure an efficient delivery of services at reasonable rates to consumers.
Except for House Minority Leader Diego T. Benavente, R-Saipan, the rest of the minority bloc members voted against H.B. 17-114.
Reps. Ray N. Yumul, R-Saipan, Teresita A. Santos, Ind.-Rota, and Edmund S. Villagomez, Covenant-Saipan, were absent.
Those who voted yes, aside from Torres and Benavente, were Speaker Tenorio, Vice Speaker Felicidad T. Ogumoro, Covenant-Saipan, House Floor Leader George N. Camacho, Ind.-Saipan, Reps. Ramon S. Basa, Covenant-Saipan, Ralph S. Demapan, Covenant-Saipan, Sylvestre I. Iguel, Covenant-Saipan, Raymond D. Palacios, Covenant-Saipan, and Fredrick P. Deleon Guerrero, Ind.-Saipan.
