House Bill 16-145’s last day of action is set for today.
If Gov. Benigno R. Fitial chooses not to act on the bill it automatically becomes a new law.
Rep. Ralph DLG. Torres, R-Saipan, and 10 other lawmakers, introduced H.B. 16-145 late last year.
The measure came about after the Retirement Fund board of trustees adopted a resolution suspending all applications for retirement benefits unless their direct government employer fully paid their contributions to the local pension system.
More than a 100 public servants who are eligible to retire are estimated to be affected by the board’s decision.
Torres said they should not be punished for the government’s financial mess.
His proposal is to mandate all government agencies, including public corporations, autonomous agencies and offices, to prioritize paying their share to the full retirement contributions of public servants who are eligible to retire.
If H.B. 16-145 becomes law, public servants eligible to retire must file an application for service retirement annuity within 30 days to process their claims.
