A Republican who turned his back on his colleagues in the minority bloc due to disagreement during last year’s budget deliberations, Palacios is stepping down as the chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Palacios has already informed Speaker Eli D. Cabrera, R-Saipan, about his decision.
Palacios said he never felt that he was really a part of the House leadership, which is composed mostly of Covenant and Independent members.
“What have I not done for them?” he asked.
Palacios said he decided to give up his chairmanship after six members of the House leadership voted against the committee report on his House Bill 17-171 which seeks to reduce the fine for littering from $200 to $25.
He was also disappointed with some of the House leadership members’ lack of support when he requested action on H.B. 17-171 during the session last Friday.
Palacios said the anti-littering law, or P.L. 6-89, has not been enforced due to the stiff fine it imposes.
He said he consulted with the Division of Environmental Quality which supported his idea to reduce the fine.
Palacios said he was surprised to learn that six House leadership members moved to bring his bill back to the committee for public hearings.
“I don’t care about the minority bloc not supporting my bills because they have already considered me as not part of them. But the House leadership?
I see them every day. We talk every day. But I feel that some of them have no respect.”
