Acting Speaker Therese Terlaje (March 3,2018 – Hagåtña):
“To be sure that everyone is clear,
We were called into session by the Governor on March 2 at 1 p.m. pursuant to a message, whereby he revoked his call to session on Bill 1(5-S) and further called the Legislature into session on the revised version of Bill 245 before us today, which has been marked Bill 1(6-S).
I shared with each of you the opinion from our Legislative Bureau on Friday, yesterday that the Governor was without authority to revoke his call to any session once it has convened or to call another special session throughout the duration of an existing special session. I continue to find this opinion valid in light of the analysis and caselaw provided by the Legal Bureau. However, without waiving the Legislature’s right to challenge the actions of the Governor, we will proceed for this special session in conformance with the Attorney General’s opinion that the Governor’s call is valid.I would additionally like to reiterate the prior actions by the Legislative Body in regards to the three earlier special sessions called by the Governor this week. Bills 248-34 (LS) and 249-34 (LS), both relative to establishing a sales tax, were referred to committee and have been set for a public hearing on Thursday, March 8th at 9 am. Bill 1(5-S) was also relative to a sales tax and set for public hearing on Friday.
I just want to my colleagues for your attendance and your reply to the call to session tonight.”
For more information, please call the Office of Vice Speaker Therese M. Terlaje at (671) 472-3586.