Commonwealth Bird Protection Act of 2000 (P.L. 12-8)

COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS Pedro Tenorio Jesus R. Sablan Governor Lt. Governor The Honorable Paul A. Manglona Senate President Twelfth Northern Marianas Saipan, MP 96950 Commonwealth Legislature Caller Box 10007 Saipan, MP 96950 Telephone: (670) 664-2200 Fax: (670) 664-2211 2 6 and The Honorable Benigno R. Fitial Speaker, House of Representatives Twelfth Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature Saipan, MP 96950 Dear President and Speaker: This is to inform you that I have signed into law Senate Bill No. 12-50, known as "Commonwealth Bird Protection Act of which was passed by the Twelfth Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature. This bill reinforces the regulations by the Division of Fish Wildlife (DFW), which protects all of our islands' endemic bird species, including the Tottot. A bit of encouraging news is that according to the data collected by the DFW, the Tottot population is healthy, and believed to be increasing. I am confident that DFW will continue to oversee the conservation and protection of our islands' wildlife. This bill becomes Public Law No. Copies bearing my signature are forwarded for your reference. Sincerely, CC: Secretary of Lands and Natural Resources Director, Fish and Wildlife Special Assistant for Programs Legislative Review P. Mr. 12-8. & 2000", & JUN 2000 Gov. COMM. (HOUSEi NORTHERN MARIANAS COMMONWEALTH LEGISLATURE P.O. Box Saipan, MP 96950 PUBLIC LAW NO. May 18,2000 Honorable Pedro P. Tenorio Governor Commonwealth of the Northern Islands Capitol Hill Saipan, MP 96950 Dear Governor I have the honor to transmit herewith for your action one (1) original copy of Senate Bill No. 12-50, entitled, "An Act to protect, conserve and prohibit the hunting of the Commonwealth Bird (Tottot) defined in 1 CMC 233; and for other purposes," which was passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Twelfth Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature. Sincerely yours, Nicola a . Senate Attachment Mariana Tenorio: ' I Nicola a . D@~El ยฃ1.Jrk %e Senate .. 129 ยง THE SENATE TWELFTH NORTHERN MARIANAS COMMONWEALTH LEGISLATURE NO. SENATE BILL NO. 12-50 AN ACT To protect, conserve and prohibit the hunting of the Commonwealth Bird (Tottot) defined in 1 233; and for other purposes. Offered by Ricardo S. Atalig Date: February 23,2000 SENATE ACTION Standing Committee Report: None Final Reading: March 10,2000 HOUSE ACTION Referred to: Committee on Natural Resources Standing Committee Report: 12-97 First and Final Reading: May 8,2000 Legislative Secretary I PUBLIC LAW 12.,..S CMC§ Senator(s): 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 TWELFTH NORTHERN MARIANAS COMMONWEALTH LEGISLATURE PUBLIC LAW NO. FIRST REGULAR SESSION, 2000 SENATE BILL NO. 12-50 AN ACT To protect, conserve and prohibit the hunting of the Commonwealth Bird (Tottot) defined in 1 CMC 233; and for other purposes. BE IT ENACTED BY THE TWELFTH NORTHERN MARIANAS COMMONWEALTH LEGISLATURE: Section Short Title. This act may be cited as "Commonwealth Bird Protection Act of 2000." Section 2. Findings and Purposes. The legislature finds that there is a need to protect, conserve and prohibit the hunting of the Commonwealth Bird (Tottot) designated under CMC 233, to allow its survival and availability for the future CNMI generation. Therefore, it is the purpose of this act to include the protection of the Commonwealth Bird. (Paluman Tottot) under 2 CMC, Div. 5, 5 108. Section 3. Declaration of Protection. The legislature hereby declare the protection of the Commonwealth Bird (Paluman Tottot) under 2 CMC, 5108, including all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Section 4. 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 circumstances other than those to which it is held invalid shall not be affected thereby. Section 5. 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 12-8 ยง 1. ยง ยง Div.5, ยง I PUBLIC LAW NO. SENATE BILL NO. 12-50 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 6 . Effective Date. This Act shall take effect upon its approval by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval. CERTIFIED BY: BY: JOAQUIN G. ADRIAN0 Acting President the Senate Senate Legislative Secretary ,2000 Commonwealth of the Northern Islands Page 2 PEDRO p /TENORIO - -- - . '26vemor Mariana