[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6659430,"mediaKeyId","2469398-2d06e32227546eab011a62abea8b0815","parentId",2469398,"title","Senator introduces bill to suspend Saipan zoning code for five years amid business complaints","audioSeconds",631,"startMs",1491000,"endMs",2122000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2469398-2d06e32227546eab011a62abea8b0815&start=1491&end=2122","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2469398-2d06e32227546eab011a62abea8b0815/thumbnail_1491000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6659430/Senator-introduces-bill-to-suspend-Saipan-zoning-code-for-five-years-amid-business-complaints","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659430-026339468114ecf23a4bd326e23958ad/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144342&Signature=Q4wuRu1picAmWA~55WbajMks5hNFbANEbWGxzOEFh2Zu1U8VUOinGljBdFop7v7QsWbP8aasKvRNwjI787jxE2OOx9CdgS5ErGvxPv-Qci-KQzoqLtIvtj7JCZoW6HRnODz2nvVoRP5EXpzz-5R3KPcc-I60--5bRwYZZAjKI7I30uF7fjVq7dSKm5sqidfBhZsNr97syrNBrPejH~tXH9fI9Oy3ARu4iAA7b7s-GexriamCb6-aib4tsye~HbYTayVBK~VkP4wq~o7XcnI6XR1g1hkEXN3EY6EaChimIk1quNMQqtF-lrveS33qi9h7A5CXqlctUcd8GlzkQf4E8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Senate - Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature","date","2025-03-02T23:51:27.077Z","article","Senator Castro formally introduced Senate Bill 24‑23 on Feb. 28, a measure \"to suspend the administration and implementation of the Commonwealth zoning code and the Saipan zoning law and its amendments for a period of 5 years and for other purposes,\" she said on the Senate floor.

Why it matters: Castro and other senators said the bill responds to widespread complaints from Saipan's business community and residents about onerous fees, unclear enforcement and regulatory conflicts that they say interfere with business starts and property rights. The sponsor framed the bill as a temporary moratorium to allow a committee review and public outreach rather than an immediate removal of zoning protections.

On the floor Castro said the zoning law \"is a good law\" but that over time challenges in its implementation have produced burdens on businesses and threats to landowners, including notices of liens. She said the bill is limited in geographic scope—applying to Saipan—and includes provisions to safeguard full‑time employees by building in a \"safety net\" for jobs while the moratorium and review are conducted.

Senator Magofna said his forthcoming bill will focus on nuisance abatement and blighted property issues, including signs and liens that he said could lead to foreclosure. He described both bills as complementary: Castro's moratorium for broader zoning review and Magofna's targeted approach to address signage, liens and blight.

What happens next: The bill was introduced and placed on the calendar for committee consideration; senators said the measure would proceed to committee where public outreach and deliberation would take place. No final passage vote is recorded in the session excerpt provided.

Clarifying details: SB24‑23 was introduced by Senator Castro and co‑sponsored by Senator Kurina; the bill text as introduced suspends zoning code implementation for five years and specifies that the pause applies to Saipan. Castro said the moratorium would not automatically terminate municipal employment and that a safety net would be included in the bill's language to protect full‑time positions while the review occurs.

Taper: Senators emphasized the need for careful committee work and public outreach before any permanent changes are made to zoning law.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","250228 24th Sen Session ROTA","oneSentenceSummary","Senator Castro introduced SB24‑23 to suspend implementation of the Commonwealth zoning code and Saipan zoning law for five years, citing business community complaints about fees, unclear enforcement and liens; senators said the pause allows committee review and public outreach.","taxTitle","Senate, Northern Mariana Legislative Sessions, Northern Mariana Islands","taxId",20282,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6659436,"Senate adopts several bills and confirms civil service appointment; roll calls mostly unanimous",986,1846000,2832000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2469398-2d06e32227546eab011a62abea8b0815&start=1846&end=2832","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2469398-2d06e32227546eab011a62abea8b0815/thumbnail_1846000.jpg","/articles/6659436/Senate-adopts-several-bills-and-confirms-civil-service-appointment-roll-calls-mostly-unanimous","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659436-15cc65428ed29cc3bf2009ae9d5738d1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144342&Signature=lJoIarDL~Ga9ZEsLcGJVehLiFyJxCLs64BKRzij7cSY8MsudK48E5w7bx0Rkn2Bw~8UKFxHH3d7OgU9Zw8hNvKVxzAz1UZxYPHAFkR0pElbUuFV6PhdhQ-dI5mUFN~HAp6dQsiWE4WIxA3lKnh~sw2-7Js4WWgTfLqsMAWio4DJhWi9piFH1X-lb~a7wpiRfqpkCFtWuhJ1aJq0By26L-qRuz3QfaIwrwncdZdA2~vUDS-6q9V7GZ1ef1g9CJOeF2XP9JFnUTfOl1Z3Yb8jDP4JRTetQ6sDAgqH6nwMu3JLH32rk-O8qu1lLByMagdHHJXKnugW~fXoLcqoerxJiTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate conducted a series of formal actions Feb. 28, adopting minutes and resolutions, passing three bills and confirming an executive appointment. Most recorded roll calls were unanimous.

What passed

- Senate Journal 24‑02: Adopted by voice vote.
- Senate Resolution 24‑02: Adopted by roll call (9‑0).
- Senate Joint Resolution 24‑02 (calling for a joint session to receive the governor's State of the Commonwealth address): Adopted by roll call (9‑0).
- Senate Bill 24‑15 (SD1): Amends 4 CMC §42‑66 to add a filing number to incorporation filings and amends 4 CMC §42‑69 to create an internet portal to search corporate existence by filing number; passed by roll call (9‑0) after a floor amendment changing a 60‑day period to 90 days.
- Senate Bill 24‑16 (SB1): A bill described in the record as promoting trade and investment and streamlining incentives; passed by roll call (9‑0) after a floor amendment changing 60 days to 90 days.
- Senate Bill 24‑17 (SD1): Globally amends Divisions 1 and 5 of Title 4 to rename the Commonwealth Free Trade Zone Authority to the Commonwealth Economic Incentive District (title and references changed throughout the bill); passed by roll call (9‑0) after floor amendments changing the term to \"Economic Incentive District\".
- Confirmation of Francis A. Torres to the Civil Service Commission (Third Senatorial District): Standing Committee Report 24‑02 recommending confirmation was adopted; roll call recorded 9 yes votes and the appointment was confirmed.

Referral and withdrawals

- Senate Bill 24‑09: A motion to withdraw the bill from the bill calendar was made and seconded; subsequent roll call resulted in seven yes, two no votes to refer the bill back to committee (transcript indicates the chair referred the bill to committee).

How votes were recorded

Most passage votes in the session were recorded as unanimous with \"all 9 members voting yes.\" Where floor amendments were adopted, the transcript records simple voice votes for the amendment followed by roll call on final passage. The floor leader moved each bill's final passage; motions were seconded as recorded on the floor.

Why it matters

Senate Bill 24‑15 creates a filing‑number requirement and a public internet portal for corporate filings, intended to increase transparency for business formation. Senate Bill 24‑16 was described as an economic development and investment package. Senate Bill 24‑17 renames and reframes the existing Free Trade Zone authority to reduce possible confusion about the authority's mission and to broaden investor appeal. The confirmed civil service commissioner will represent the Third Senatorial District on the Civil Service Commission.

Votes at a glance (selection)

- SB24‑15 SD1: Passed, 9‑0 (floor amendment 60→90 days adopted). Mover: Floor leader; second: recorded. Outcome: approved.
- SB24‑16 SB1: Passed, 9‑0 (floor amendment 60→90 days adopted). Mover: Floor leader; second: recorded. Outcome: approved.
- SB24‑17 SD1: Passed, 9‑0 (amendment renaming zone→district adopted). Mover: Floor leader; second: recorded. Outcome: approved.
- Confirmation, Francis A. Torres (Civil Service Commission): Adopted by roll call, 9‑0. Outcome: confirmed.
- SB24‑09: Motion to withdraw from calendar then referred to committee, 7 yes, 2 no. Outcome: referred.

Tally notes: Where transcript roll calls list \"all 9 members voting yes,\" this article records unanimous passage. Individual member roll‑call lines were provided in the transcript but votes are summarized here because the transcript records the final tallies as unanimous.","On Feb. 28 the Senate adopted journal entries and resolutions, passed three bills that lawmakers said aim to streamline business filings and promote investment, confirmed an executive appointment and referred a separate bill back to committee.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6659440,"Senate discusses revised FY2025 budget that restores 80 hours for employees, earmarks municipal funds",1225,514000,1739000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2469398-2d06e32227546eab011a62abea8b0815&start=514&end=1739","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2469398-2d06e32227546eab011a62abea8b0815/thumbnail_514000.jpg","/articles/6659440/Senate-discusses-revised-FY2025-budget-that-restores-80-hours-for-employees-earmarks-municipal-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659440-7b7e0f5237fb39e1ade1d25f528efa03/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144342&Signature=QIJCrKUQFduHnyCUYYig90f3wMldR6GgHokhoLQ~D~gq6pMZw93gwvSkZG7InE8ayfkPum-Vje744CcCwduKLPiXIe2v6h3zOVKrjlHknuAMrsbFXhcG-SFrvgLRGdqExb2abC4ZkBpzu1BsdSw7MBq0s-u9nr0QwdWrKPEGlD3DFvrIer6vU3mLpNRAcZ94qWUc3zdfdaLAECA5qwySEpm2IgDRUC16~BdVuub~G~aXk7Wx1rNTMnPEf0sJw5jPyxENx2NDAcOYJ5NiRiTNXpj1ODTtYjEQOnC5ta0jVyUHtvgqEVtDuzRdD1ylS57Y58Vf-bI2IH4syGaKJWfETg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate held an extended discussion Feb. 28 on the governor's communication about a revised FY2025 budget that, lawmakers said, restores 80 hours of work for government employees for the remainder of the fiscal year and includes funding allocations for retirees and municipal operations.

Senator Jude Hofschneider, speaking under communications from the governor (communication 24‑17), told the chamber the revised budget restores the 80‑hour workweek for government employees, provides a 25% payment for retirees and allocates funds for the health network program and municipal operations. He said the budget includes $23,000,000 in authorized expenditures and noted an allocation of $250,000 intended to settle certain obligations owed to the gaming commissioners.

Why it matters: Senators said restoring work hours for government employees was the principal public‑facing goal of the revision. Several members emphasized the budget move was intended to relieve hardship for workers and municipal services, and they framed the package as a short‑term step while the government seeks to recover lost revenue.

Senator Hofschneider detailed the municipal allocations discussed in the session, saying the revised plan includes $300,000 each for mayors Seitman (municipality unspecified in the record), RB Komatsu (Second Senatorial District) and Mayor Aubrey Hocco (First Senatorial District, Luta). He also cited a figure he said represented the pre‑COVID casino industry's total receipts (\"$274,000,000\") and described portions of that prior revenue stream that supplied government programs and retirement funding.

Multiple senators echoed the emphasis on recovering gaming‑related revenue. A senator who spoke during member discussions said the restored hours and the municipal allocations were the \"greater good\" that drove passage of the bill that produced the revision; that bill, she said, had moved through the House and Senate and was signed by the governor the same day. Senator Magofna and others urged continued efforts to advocate for and collect outstanding revenues tied to the casino industry, and repeatedly linked that revenue to funding for the retirement system.

Discussion, not additional action: Senators clarified that some members disagreed with elements of the revised budget but supported the package overall so employees could return to an 80‑hour schedule. The Senate did not take a separate recorded roll call on this communication in the excerpted session beyond the floor discussion recorded here.

Clarifying details from the record: the Senate discussion identified (1) restoration of 80 work hours for government employees for the remainder of FY2025; (2) a 25% payment for retirees (amount not specified in the transcript); (3) $23,000,000 of authorized expenditures mentioned by Hofschneider, including a $250,000 allocation referenced as intended to address obligations to the gaming commissioners; and (4) municipal allocations of $300,000 to three mayors as recorded by Hofschneider. The meeting transcript attributes these figures to Senator Hofschneider and other senators speaking during member communications.

What remains unresolved: Senators urged executive branch and other actors to continue pursuing outstanding revenue recovery and to await the outcome of judicial processes referenced in the discussion before considering statutory amendments related to gaming. No additional formal action or vote on new budget measures is recorded in the transcript excerpt provided.

Taper: Senators closed the discussion by reiterating a shared goal of improving employee hours and municipal services while continuing advocacy to recover pre‑COVID revenue streams that they said historically supported government programs.","Members of the Senate discussed the governor's revised FY2025 budget—highlighting restoration of 80 hours for government employees, a payment to retirees, and municipal allocations—while urging continued efforts to recover pre‑COVID casino revenues.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senator introduces bill to suspend Saipan zoning code for five years amid business complaints

Senate adopts several bills and confirms civil service appointment; roll calls mostly unanimous

Senate discusses revised FY2025 budget that restores 80 hours for employees, earmarks municipal funds