by The Senate unanimously passed late afternoon yesterday a bill that will appropriate $5.2 million of the dividends collected by the Commonwealth Economic Development Authority from the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. for payment of the 25% pension benefits for all government retirees.
All nine senators adopted during an emergency session the amendments to the Senate Fiscal Affairs Committee report that recommends the passage of House Bill No. 23-104, HD1, SD1.
All nine senators subsequently voted “yes” to pass the legislation.
Sen. Jude U. Hofschneider (R-Tinian) made the floor amendments to the committee report to correct some errors, but Sen. Celina R. Babauta (D-Saipan) questioned whether Hofschneider can offer the amendments considering he is not a member of the committee.
To stop the argument, Sen. Paul A. Manglona (Ind-Rota) co-sponsored the floor amendments.
The senators then adopted the amendments and subsequently passed the legislation.
The House fast-tracked the passage last March 28 of the bill, which was introduced on that same day by Rep. Blas Jonathan T. Attao ( Ind-Saipan).
Attao stated that if the Legislature does not act on it, 25% of retirees’ pension will be reduced, if not suspended, by April 15, 2024.
