An Act to lower water rates for commercial farmers and ranchers and for other purposes (P.L. 13-40)

COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIAP Juan N. Babauta Governor T. Benavente Lieutenant Governor The Honorable Paul A. Manglona Senate President Thirteenth Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature Saipan, MP 96950 The Honorable Heinz S. Hofschneider Speaker, House of Representatives Thirteenth Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature Saipan, MP 96950 Dear Mr. President and Mr. Speaker: JDS This is to inform you that I have signed into la Senate Bill No. 13-14, entitled, Act to lower water rates for farmers and ranchers and for other purposes,” which was passed by the Thirteenth Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Legislature. The measure authorizes the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation (CUC) to set agricultural water usage rate for commercial farmers and commercial ranchers at a rate of .25 cents per 1,000 gallons of water where the water is twenty-four hours available and a flat rate of $25.00 where the water is not available twenty-four hours per day. However, I must point out that the implementation of this measure rest with the Board of the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation in conformity with their policies and authority. This bill Public Law No. 13-40. Copies bearing my signature are forwarded for your reference. N. BABAUTA Executive Director, Commonwealth Utilities Corporation Secretary, Department of Lands and Natural Resources Secretary, Department of Finance Acting Special Assistant for Programs and Legislative Review CC: 2 5 9 Caller Box 10007 Saipan, MP 96950 Telephone: (670) Facsimile: (670) I \ ISLA!' Diego DEC 1 7 2002 • "An commercial becomes • 664-2200/2300 664-2211/231 NORTHERN MARIANAS COMMONWEALTH LEGISLATURE Box 500129 Saipan, MP 96950 o a PUBLIC L A W NO. 13-40 Honorable Juan N. Babauta Governor Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Capitol Saipan, MP 96950 Dear Governor Babauta: I have the honor of transmitting herewith Senate Bill No. 13-14, entitled, “An Act to lower water rates for conimercial farmers and ranchers and for other purposes,” which was passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Thirteenth Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature. Sincerely yours, Attachment 'The Senate P.O . • NOV Hill HSI, • • PUBLIC L A W NO. 13-40 4, Offered by Jose M. Date: February 5,2002 Referred to: Committee on Public Utilities, Transportation and Communication Standing Committee Report No.: 13-032 Final Reading: June 7,2002 Acceptance of House Amendments: October 29,2002 Referred to: Committee on Public Utilities, Transportation and Communication Standing Committee Report No.: 13-056 First and Final Reading: October 3, 2002 THOMAS P. Senate Legislative Secretary • • • THE. SE.NAT£ THIRTIIBNTH NORTHERN MARIANAS COMMONWEALTH LE6ISLATUR£ SENATE BILL NO. 13-1 HSl AN ACT TO LOvVER WATER RATES FOR COMMERCIAL FARI\IBRS 1L~ HAi"\THERS A ND FOR OTIIBR PURPOSES. Senator(s): Dela Cruz 1 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 13 14 15 16 17 19 20 THIRTEENTH NORTHERN MARIANAS COMMONWEALTH LEGISLATURE PUBLIC NO. 13-40 NO. 13-14, FIRST REGULAR SESSION, 2002 SENATE BILL AN ACT To lower water rates for commercial fanners and ranchers and for other purposes. BE IT ENACTED BY THE THIRTEENTH NORTHERN MARIANAS COMMONWEALTH LEGISLATURE: Section 1. Findings and Purpose. The legislature finds that there is a high dependence on imported products which invariably increases the market value of the imported goods. The legislature further finds that providing new incentives to encourage continued farming of produce and the raising of livestock are in the best interest of the Commonwealth. The legislature desires to stimulate the Commonwealth’s commercial farm product and livestock industry. Lowering water rates for farmers and ranchers would provide an incentive to increase the production of farm goods and livestock thereby. Section 2. Definitions. For purposes of this Act, the following definitions shall (a) “Commercial Farmer” means a person actively engaged in the business of producing agricultural products in the Commonwealth for commercial purposes. (b) “Commercial Rancher” means a person actively engaged in the business of raising livestock in the Commonwealth for commercial purposes. Section 3. Special Water Rates. The Commonwealth Utility Corporation is hereby authorized to set agricultural water usage rates for Commercial Farmers and Commercial Ranchers at the rate of twenty five cents per one thousand U.S. gallons of water in areas where there is twenty-four hour water available or a flat rate of twenty five dollars ($25.00) per month in areas where twenty-four hour water is not available. The Special Water Rates shall apply to qualified Commercial Farmers or Ranchers upon proof that the applicant has a current business license for commercial farming or ranching • • • 3 4 11 18 LAW HSl apply: ($.25) Commercial 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 3 4 5 6 7 8 PUBLIC LAW NO. 13-40 SENATE BILL NO. HS and upon proof that he or she is in compliance with the Business Gross Revenue Tax filing requirements. Section 4. Rules and The Commonwealth Utilities Corporations is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this Act. Section 5 . Severability. If any provision of this Act or the application of any such provision to any person or circumstance should be held invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this Act or the application of its provisions to persons or circuinstances other than those to which it is held invalid shall not be affected thereby. Section 6. Savings Clause. This Act and any repealer contained herein shall not be construed as affecting any existing right acquired under contract or acquired under statutes repealed or under any rule, regulation or order adopted under the statutes. Repealers contained in this Act shall not affect any proceeding instituted under or pursuant to prior law. The enactment of this Act shall not have the effect of terminating, or in any way modifying, any liability, civil or criminal, which shall already be in existence at the date this Act becomes effective. Section Effective Date. This Act shall take effect upon its approval by the Governor or upon it becoming law without such approval. BY: ATTESTED BY: THOMAS P. of the Senate Senate Legislative Secretary Governor Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Page 2 of 2 • • • 11 7. CERTIFIED /1 13-14 Regulations. , 2002 ce ... • atillf .. ,, - ---.... ·cc