Northern Marianas Islands Gov. Torres signs law creating political commission on status with US
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres signed last Friday House Bill 19-2 that aims to create a commission that would examine the CNMI’s current political status with the United States. HB 19-2, authored by Rep. Felicidad T. Ogumoro (R-Saipan), is now known as Public Law 19-63.
The law’s purpose is create the Second Marianas Political Status Commission where its primary task is to review, study, examine, conduct public political education, and awareness “and all others that may assist [them] in accomplishing its responsibilities under this Act.”
Examining the current political relationship between the CNMI and the U.S., determine whether the CNMI people are still in favor of continuing political union with the U.S. or prefer other political status options, explore and study alternative political status that favors and acceptable to the people of the Northern Marianas, and submit its final report on their findings and recommendations are the purpose of the law.
Torres said the CNMI’s political status allows the Commonwealth enjoy a special relationship with the U.S. unlike any other place. He added the newly signed law is different from the ongoing 902 talks that only discuss issues like the planned military build up and immigration with the federal government through the Department of the Interior-Office of Insular Affairs.
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