Reyes introduced a resolution, S.R. 16-18, stating: “The Senate is unaware of any provision of the Commonwealth code that would prohibit the House of Representatives from acting on a bill which has originated within the Senate.”
Reyes, R-Saipan, said he has expressed concern about his issue in previous months.
According to the office of the Senate clerk, the Senate has so far introduced a total of 36 bills. Of this figure, six have been sent to the House, and two have been acted on.
These two Senate bills are S.B. 16-16, which the House passed with amendment, and S.B. 16-19 which was passed with no amendment and has been transmitted to the governor’s office recently.
Authored by Sen. Paterno S. Hocog, R-Rota, S.B. 16-16 aims to amend the Public Lands Act of 2006.
Sen. Henry H. San Nicolas, Covenant-Tinian, drafted S.B. 16-19 to empower mayors regarding the disposition of public lands.
The office of the Senate clerk said the House transmitted a total of 28 bills to the Senate. Of this number, eight have been passed by the Senate, while the rest are pending with Senate committees concerned.
“The Senate respectfully requests the House do the Senate the courtesy of acting on bills originating from the Senate,” Reyes’ resolution stated.
In an earlier interview, Speaker Arnold I. Palacios, R-Saipan, said the House was not neglecting Senate bills, adding that these had already been assigned to committees.
