The following meetings will be held this week:

1) Joint meeting with House Commerce & Tourism Committee and Senate Resources, Economic Development & Programs Committee on Tuesday, February 10 @ 2:00pm in the House Chamber  — to receive a presentation from the Commonwealth Development Authority on loans, foreclosures, qualifying certificates, and other programs.  For more information, contact the office of Rep. Joseph Reyes at 664-8836.

2) 2009 CNMI Agricultural Summit on February 11, 8:30am – 4:30pm & February 12, 8:30am – 12:00pm at Saipan World Resort.  Registration starts at 7:30am on both days.  The summit is sponsored by the Farmer Support Group, in collaboration with Northern Marianas College CREES, Department of Land and Natural Resources, and Saipan Municipal Council.  For more information, contact Ms. Carol Hosono at NMC’s Community Development Institute at 234-5498, x. 1010 or email carolynh@nmcnet.edu .

3) House Ways and Means Committee Meeting, Thursday, February 12, @ 2:00pm in the Speaker’s Conference Room — to discuss pending legislation that has been referred to the committee.

4) Joint public hearing with Senate Committee on Resources, Economic Development & Programs and House Committee on Natural Resources on Thursday, February 12, @ 6:00pm in the Tinian Superior Court  — to receive testimony on the Neo Goldwings Paradise public land lease proposal.  Witnesses summoned include Secretary of Public Lands John del Rosario, Neo Goldwings Paradise representatives, Tinian Mayor Jose San Nicolas, Tinian Municipal Council Chair Antonio Borja, and Tinian Gaming Commission Chair Francisco Borja.    Members of the general public are also encouraged to submit oral or written testimony.  For more information, contact the offices of either Senator Jude Hofschneider (664-8922 or senaorjuhofschneider@yahoo.com ) or Representative Ray Tebuteb (664-8983 or rtebuteb@yahoo.com ).

5) House Commerce & Tourism Committee meeting on Tuesday, February 17 @ 10am in the House Chamber  — to receive a presentation from the Northern Marianas Housing Corporation on loans, foreclosures, and other programs. 

6) Public hearings on House Legislative Initiative 16-18 –to amend Article XI of the Constitution to authorize the Dept of Public Lands to reserve 20% of its operational expenses to pay and satisfy land compensation claims:

• February 24, 6:00pm – Tinian Court House, Tinian
• February 26, 6:00pm — Rota Court House, Rota
• March 3, 6:30pm — GTC Elementary School, San Roque
• March 4, 6:30pm — Kagman Community Center, Kagman
• March 5, 6:30pm — Multipurpose Center, Susupe 

For more information, contact the office of Rep. Ray Tebuteb at 664-8983 or rtebuteb@yahoo.com .

7) Public comment period on the Dept of the Navy’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement for the military Mariana Islands Range Complex — Public hearings are scheduled in the CNMI on the following days:

• Monday, February 23 @ the Multipurpose Center in Susupe, Saipan, beginning at 7pm;
• Tuesday, February 24 @ Tinian Elementary School Cafeteria, San Jose Village, Tinian, beginning at 7pm;
• With an open-house information session beginning at 5pm on both days. 

Written comments may also be submitted to the following address:

Mariana Islands Range Complex EIS

258 Makalapa Drive, Suite 100

Attn: EV2

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

96860-3134

Fax: (808) 474-5419

Email: marianas.tap.eis@navy.mil

All comments must be postmarked or received by March 16, 2009 to become part of the official record.  For more information, visit www.marianasrangecomplexeis.com  

Finally, although the session call has not yet been officially transmitted, the House is likely to have a session this week Friday, February 13.  A key agenda item will be the Governor’s veto of the budget bill.  We expect to officially receive his veto message today.   

Thanks very much and have a good week,

Tina Sablan