GOVERNOR Ralph DLG Torres has signed into law Senate Local Bill 21-09, which extends the deadline for the confirmation of nominees to the Saipan Higher Education Financial Assistance board.
Sixto K. Igisomar
Authored by former Sen. Sixto K. Igisomar, the measure is now Saipan Local Law 21-18. It removes the provision that allows for an automatic confirmation of the board appointee if the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation fails to act within 30 days after the appointment date.
The bill states that 30 days is an inadequate time for the delegation to review an appointment.
The automatic confirmation with a limited time “deprives the delegation [of] an opportunity to review and question the appointees’ qualifications, opinions, and goals once the appointee is confirmed,” the bill stated.
The measure gives the delegation 90 days to confirm or reject a SHEFA board nominee.
According to the new law, “if the appointment is not confirmed within 90 consecutive calendar days from the date the person is appointed, the appointment is deemed rejected and shall automatically terminate, the position shall become vacant and the person nominated shall not be [renominated].”
The measure likewise included the nominee’s résumé among the documents that must be submitted to the delegation.
Previously, the appointee was required to submit a notice of appointment, police clearance, financial statement and receipt or other proof that the nominee has been tested for controlled substances.
