Gov. Benigno R. Fitial vetoed the bill, but the 16th Legislature voted for an override before it adjourned.
The governor told Senate President Paul A. Manglona, Ind.-Rota, and Speaker Froilan C. Tenorio, Covenant-Saipan, that House Bill 16-219 was docketed as P.L. 16-49 by virtue of the override.
The new law designates the shore fronting Bantalan Aliman at Laulau Bay as a boat launching site.
H.B. 16-219 was introduced after four students got drowned on March 23, 2007. A big wave struck them while they were hiking on the southern side of Forbidden Island.
Authorities believe they could have responded faster if there was a nearby boat launching site in the area.
The Fitial administration, however, said the new law creates increased liability against the cash-strapped CNMI government.
Certain administrative actions will be delegated to different agencies within the executive branch but no resources were identified to sustain them.
Further, concerns were raised on the liability of the government should it fail to properly maintain and use the launching site.
