Hofschneider seeks Finance certification of $7.2M after House approves appropriation

Sen. Jude U. Hofschneider has asked the Department of Finance to certify the availability of $7.2 million in newly identified government funds after the House of Representatives voted 17-0 to approve legislation appropriating the money, sending the measure to the Senate for consideration.

In a Nov. 10 letter to acting Finance Secretary Natalia M. Sablan, Hofschneider, who chairs the Senate Fiscal Affairs Committee, requested a fund status certification report identifying how much money is available from each funding source and when the funds became available.

The Tinian senator gave Finance until the close of business Thursday, Nov. 12, to submit the report.

“Before the FA Committee can properly review these communications, please provide a fund status certification report covering the funds identified from the various funding sources in both communications,” Hofschneider wrote.

His request comes as the Senate prepares to review House Bill 24-115, which the House unanimously approved by a 17-0 vote following Gov. David M. Apatang’s recommendation to appropriate the money for fiscal year 2027 funding priorities.

In his Nov. 5 letter to Senate President Karl King-Nabors and House Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez, Apatang identified $7,201,264.77 from four funding sources.

These include $1,147,113 from 4 CMC § 1402, $3,209,028.15 from 3 CMC § 2173, $2,491,963.18 in Medicaid underruns from fiscal year 2026, and $353,160.44 in excess Federal Emergency Management Agency underrun funds.

“These identified funds present an opportunity to address the Commonwealth’s immediate funding priorities and provide additional financial support for essential government operations and public services,” Apatang wrote.

The governor recommended that lawmakers determine the appropriate allocation of the money based on the Commonwealth’s fiscal year 2027 funding needs, subject to applicable legal requirements and restrictions.

However, Apatang also cautioned that further adjustments to the fiscal year 2027 budget could become necessary depending on the outcome of the Public School System’s lawsuit filed Oct. 30.

PSS is seeking injunctive relief to enforce the constitutionally mandated minimum appropriation of 25% of the Commonwealth’s budget.

“It is important to note, however, that further adjustments to the FY 2027 budget may be necessary depending on the outcome of the injunctive relief sought by the Public School System,” Apatang wrote.

With the House having already approved the appropriation, Hofschneider’s request effectively places the availability and timing of the identified funds under scrutiny before the Senate takes up the measure.

The requested certification would establish how much money from each source is available for appropriation and when those amounts became available.