Committee advances bills requiring independent valuation and comprehensive audit of CUC
March 12, 2026 | House, Northern Mariana Legislative Sessions, Northern Mariana Islands
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On March 12, 2026 the House joint committee on Judiciary and Governmental Operations and Transportation and Infrastructure advanced two bills aimed at strengthening oversight of the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation (CUC).
Representative Odon, sponsor of both measures, said the legislation addresses “a serious weakness in the existing legal framework” and argued that “no responsible government should place a fixed price tag on critical public infrastructure without first knowing its actual value.” House Bill 24-87 would require an independent professional valuation of CUC assets, liabilities and projected revenues before any full or partial privatization or long-term concession is finalized.
Representative Odon described House Bill 24-88 as a companion measure mandating a comprehensive independent utility audit, a public audit review docket, a ratepayer impact matrix, a timebound corrective action plan and a public implementation dashboard. He told the committee the bill requires “a qualified independent utility expert with demonstrated experience in electric and water wastewater systems” and includes enforcement features intended to prevent reports from “just sitting on a shelf.”
Members and a public commenter, Jack Angelo (vice chairman of the CPU), expressed strong support for both bills, noting CUC’s operational challenges and recent fuel-price pressures that may affect rates. After debate and brief discussion, the committee moved and seconded committee reports recommending passage of both HB 24-87 and HB 24-88; both motions carried on voice votes.
The bills, as advanced, require further consideration under the House legislative process. Committees adopted reports recommending passage; the transcript does not show final floor passage or implementation details.
Representative Odon, sponsor of both measures, said the legislation addresses “a serious weakness in the existing legal framework” and argued that “no responsible government should place a fixed price tag on critical public infrastructure without first knowing its actual value.” House Bill 24-87 would require an independent professional valuation of CUC assets, liabilities and projected revenues before any full or partial privatization or long-term concession is finalized.
Representative Odon described House Bill 24-88 as a companion measure mandating a comprehensive independent utility audit, a public audit review docket, a ratepayer impact matrix, a timebound corrective action plan and a public implementation dashboard. He told the committee the bill requires “a qualified independent utility expert with demonstrated experience in electric and water wastewater systems” and includes enforcement features intended to prevent reports from “just sitting on a shelf.”
Members and a public commenter, Jack Angelo (vice chairman of the CPU), expressed strong support for both bills, noting CUC’s operational challenges and recent fuel-price pressures that may affect rates. After debate and brief discussion, the committee moved and seconded committee reports recommending passage of both HB 24-87 and HB 24-88; both motions carried on voice votes.
The bills, as advanced, require further consideration under the House legislative process. Committees adopted reports recommending passage; the transcript does not show final floor passage or implementation details.
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