The earlier version of House Bill 16-174 would have exempted from the salary cap only licensed medical professionals U.S. or CNMI-licensed attorneys, certified public accountants, surveyors, architects and engineers.
The House came up with the new bill after Gov. Benigno Fitial vetoed its earlier version, H.B. 16-30 which he described as “too broad and too vague.”
Rep. Ralph DLG. Torres, R-Saipan and chairman of the House Committee on Health, Education and Welfare, said that instead of overriding the veto, they decided to offer a new bill.
Under H.B. 16-174, the provision that sets a $60,000 ceiling for professionals hired by the Legislature and judiciary was removed.
The new bill, however, removes psychiatrists and surveyors from the list of professionals that can receive more than the salary ceiling set by current law.
Since Fitial did not renew the contract of Commonwealth Health Center’s in-patient pharmacist, Anthony Raho, due to the salary cap law, lawmakers have been trying to pass a new law that will allow CHC to retain Raho.
Raho, who gets $75,000, is now working again for CHC after the governor signed a 30-day emergency declaration.
