Mariana Senate Overrides Governor’s Veto of Tinian Stablecoin Bill
By a 7-1 vote, the Mariana Senate on Friday overrode Governor Arnold I. Palacios’ veto of Senate Local Bill 24-1, which aims to enable internet gaming and establish a stablecoin on Tinian. Sen. Celina R. Babauta of Saipan cast the sole opposing vote, while Sen. Corina L. Magofna, also from Saipan, was excused.
The bill is co-authored by Tinian senators Karl King-Nabors, Frank Q. Cruz, and Jude U. Hofschneider. It will become law if the House of Representatives, which includes 18 members from Saipan, also overrides the governor’s veto with a two-thirds majority.
In his veto message, the governor referenced advice from Attorney General Edward E. Manibusan, who stated that the Tinian and Aguiguan Legislative Delegation lacks the authority to legislate on matters “that are not exclusively local or that cannot be clearly restricted to the Second Senatorial District,” referring to Tinian.
