House approves revised FY2025 budget, adds $300,000 for PSS student travel and cultural competitions
February 14, 2025 | House, Northern Mariana Legislative Sessions, Northern Mariana Islands
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The House passed House Bill 24‑6, House Draft 1, and approved an amendment that allocates $300,000 to the Public School System (PSS) for student travel and lodging for interscholastic sports, academic competitions and cultural competitions for the 2024‑25 school year, the clerk announced after a 16‑1 roll call vote.
The amendment was offered by Representative Patrick Saint Nicholas to insert funds under ORG 11881100 in the amount of $300,000 “reserved for travel and lodging accommodation within the [Commonwealth] for the student participating in the PSS interscholastic sports, leagues and academic competition for school year 2024‑25,” and to require a detailed expense report in writing to the presiding officers of the Legislature and the Senate Standing Committee on Fiscal Affairs within 30 days after the end of fiscal year 2025. Representative Yanktonai successfully offered a subsidiary motion to add “cultural competitions” after the word “leagues,” and the subsidiary motion passed by voice vote before the floor amendment itself was approved by the chamber.
Representative Patrick Saint Nicholas moved the floor amendment, which was seconded; the amendment as revised then carried by voice vote. Representative Hummel and Representative Patel explained that the action redistributes part of a previously appropriated $650,000 within PSS so that $300,000 is obligated specifically for travel and lodging for competitions and approximately $350,000 remains for other PSS functions. Representative Hummel said the $350,000 “will revert back to PSS” and that “this $300,000 will be utilized for that.”
Members voiced a mix of support and concern during debate. Representative Aquino encouraged local fundraising by schools to reduce reliance on lump‑sum appropriations, saying students and families “have ample time to start fundraising.” Representative Beneventi said PSS Commissioner staff are working to make guidelines flexible and that the commissioner would brief the full Legislature in coming weeks. Several members, including the floor leader and Representative Vincent Saldan, framed the vote as time‑sensitive because the executive branch needs budget authority restored for staffing and to end austerity measures.
Floor debate then resumed on the main motion to pass House Bill 24‑6, HD1. After further remarks on urgency and transparency, the clerk called the roll; the clerk announced that 16 members voted yes and one member voted no, and the bill passed the House. The House took a short recess so the clerk could prepare transmittal documents.
Members also raised broader fiscal concerns during the same meeting. Representative Yumo warned of a substantial revenue shortfall in excise taxes and said current trends could create a multi‑million‑dollar gap if not addressed. Other members urged future budget measures to be referred to committee for fuller review rather than passed in one package, though supporters argued the timing required the full House to act now.
Votes at a glance:
House Bill 24‑6, House Draft 1 (revised FY2025 budget) — Passage — Clerk announced: Yes 16, No 1.
Amendment (Patrick Saint Nicholas; insert $300,000 under ORG 11881100 for PSS travel/lodging for interscholastic sports, academic and cultural competitions; requires written expense report to presiding officers and Senate Standing Committee on Fiscal Affairs within 30 days after FY2025) — Amendment carried (voice vote).
The bill and its amendment now proceed to the next steps for transmittal to the Senate and the governor for consideration and signature.
The amendment was offered by Representative Patrick Saint Nicholas to insert funds under ORG 11881100 in the amount of $300,000 “reserved for travel and lodging accommodation within the [Commonwealth] for the student participating in the PSS interscholastic sports, leagues and academic competition for school year 2024‑25,” and to require a detailed expense report in writing to the presiding officers of the Legislature and the Senate Standing Committee on Fiscal Affairs within 30 days after the end of fiscal year 2025. Representative Yanktonai successfully offered a subsidiary motion to add “cultural competitions” after the word “leagues,” and the subsidiary motion passed by voice vote before the floor amendment itself was approved by the chamber.
Representative Patrick Saint Nicholas moved the floor amendment, which was seconded; the amendment as revised then carried by voice vote. Representative Hummel and Representative Patel explained that the action redistributes part of a previously appropriated $650,000 within PSS so that $300,000 is obligated specifically for travel and lodging for competitions and approximately $350,000 remains for other PSS functions. Representative Hummel said the $350,000 “will revert back to PSS” and that “this $300,000 will be utilized for that.”
Members voiced a mix of support and concern during debate. Representative Aquino encouraged local fundraising by schools to reduce reliance on lump‑sum appropriations, saying students and families “have ample time to start fundraising.” Representative Beneventi said PSS Commissioner staff are working to make guidelines flexible and that the commissioner would brief the full Legislature in coming weeks. Several members, including the floor leader and Representative Vincent Saldan, framed the vote as time‑sensitive because the executive branch needs budget authority restored for staffing and to end austerity measures.
Floor debate then resumed on the main motion to pass House Bill 24‑6, HD1. After further remarks on urgency and transparency, the clerk called the roll; the clerk announced that 16 members voted yes and one member voted no, and the bill passed the House. The House took a short recess so the clerk could prepare transmittal documents.
Members also raised broader fiscal concerns during the same meeting. Representative Yumo warned of a substantial revenue shortfall in excise taxes and said current trends could create a multi‑million‑dollar gap if not addressed. Other members urged future budget measures to be referred to committee for fuller review rather than passed in one package, though supporters argued the timing required the full House to act now.
Votes at a glance:
House Bill 24‑6, House Draft 1 (revised FY2025 budget) — Passage — Clerk announced: Yes 16, No 1.
Amendment (Patrick Saint Nicholas; insert $300,000 under ORG 11881100 for PSS travel/lodging for interscholastic sports, academic and cultural competitions; requires written expense report to presiding officers and Senate Standing Committee on Fiscal Affairs within 30 days after FY2025) — Amendment carried (voice vote).
The bill and its amendment now proceed to the next steps for transmittal to the Senate and the governor for consideration and signature.
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