Introduced by Senate Vice President Jude U. Hofschneider, R-Tinian, Senate Bill 17-62 proposes to reestablish a non-partisan and independent civil service system as required by Article 20 of the CNMI Constitution.
Public Law 13-1 removed the administration of personnel policies from the Civil Service Commission and gave the governor the power to administer personnel policies.
Hofschneider said his bill will prevent political hiring and protect the integrity of OPM.
“The Legislature finds that exemptions from the Civil Service System are being abused and civil service employees are being hired as expected service employees, circumventing position requirements and salary limits,” the measure stated.
S.B. 17-62, which now goes to the House of Representatives, would establish a system of personnel administration based on merit principles such as equal opportunity employment for all regardless of age, race, sex, religion, political affiliation, or place of origin, proper employer-employee relations, and impartial selection of the best person for government service.
