GOVERNOR Juan N. Babauta has signed into law a bill that waives current restrictions on appointing individuals from Rota and Tinian to the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.’s board of directors.
“The measure would allow the appointing authority to waive any statutory employment restriction that would limit the pool of qualified potential appointees,” Babauta said.
Senate Bill 13-12 is now Public Law 13-9.
The bill, authored by Senator David M. Cing, D-Tinian, was introduced on Feb. 27 and passed on the same day. On April 10, it was passed with amendments by the House of Representatives. The Senate accepted the proposed amendments.
The bill states that the qualification requirements for members of CUC’s boards or other public commissions is “unduly restrictive” particularly for members appointed from Tinian and Rota.
The two islands have “small populations” compared to Saipan, according to the bill.
Further, a large majority of residents on Tinian and Rota work for the government, thus leaving the pool from which to appoint future board members “severely limited.” The new law gives the governor the discretion to appoint members to represent Tinian and Rota without any restrictions.
The governor also signed a bill providing salary adjustments for government employees on Saipan.
House Local Bill 13-18 is now Saipan Local Law 13-8.
The new local law will grant “several benefits” to current and former government employees from Saipan who are eligible for salary adjustments.
The law states that the administrator of the Retirement Fund will calculate and adjust the benefits of current and former employees who entitled to salary adjustment compensation.
