Law Revision Commission

The Commission compiles documents for the N orthern M ariana Islands Reporter series, the Commonw ealth Code, the Administrative Code, and their supplements, index es, and digests. It has continued to maintain and ex pand its w ebsite to ensure up- to- date access to Commonw ealth law and access to historical legal materials not previously available. Access to these resources is crucial to members of the public for legal research and other informational purposes. The Commission continues to maintain and ex pand these resources for the public. The Law Revision Commission (LRC) is established by 1 CM C § 3801 and is charged w ith certain responsibilities and authorities throughout 1 CM C §§ 3801? 3810. O ne of the k ey duties of the LRC is to codify and revise Commonw ealth law s of a permanent nature, including the Commonw ealth Code (CM C) and the N orthern M ariana Island Administrative Code (N M IAC). The LRC is also charged w ith publishing decisions rendered by the N M I Supreme Court in a reporter w ith a headnoting system, and to periodically revise and publish a digest containing those headnotes. Pursuant to its publication mandates, the LRC maintains and updates its w ebsite to represent the current state of the law in the Commonw ealth, w hether ex ecutive, legislative, or judicial. Keeping such a database up- to- date requires daily attention and revision, and ensuring the current state- of- the- law is properly reflected and made available to the public is an ongoing and labor- intensive process. Additionally, the LRC periodically publishes physical copies of the various law s. Aside from its responsibility to codify and publish Commonw ealth Law , the LRC sells its publications, fields inquiries regarding Commonw ealth law from the private and government sectors, hosts information and training sessions on CN M I law and research, performs research, provides advice related to research, and fulfills other necessary duties in the Judicial Branch related to CN M I law .

Commonw ealth Code In 2016, the LRC uploaded 263 separate sections of permanent law to the CM C database available on its w ebsite. This figure reflects both w holly new CM C sections and amendments to ex isting CM C sections. Each section requires careful review of grammar, content, numbering, references, and uniformity before publication. Pursuant to its statutory authority, publication of CM C provisions requires the LRC to number, renumber, and rearrange chapters, sections, and parts of sections to ensure harmonious arrangement of CM C provisions; change reference numbers to agree w ith intended references; substitute the proper section or chapter number for the terms similar to ?the preceding section? or ?this act?; strik e figures that are a mere repetition of w ritten w ords; change capitalization for the purpose of conformity; and correct manifest clerical and typographical errors. Each change made to the CM C originates from law s enacted, w hich requires careful attention to ensure fulfillment of legislative intent and inclusion of appropriate information in the provision?s

From left: Justice John A. Manglona, Judge Teresa K. Kim-Tenorio, former LRC Director Michael A. Stanker, Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro, Presiding Judge Roberto C. Naraja, Commission members Bruce Mailman, Esq. and Attorney General Edward Manibusan, taking a photo at Stanker's Farewell Luncheon at the Pacific I slands Club on February 5, 2016.

accompanying Commission Comment. Prior to codification, the LRC must review each law and determine if the law is permanent in nature or contains provisions that are permanent and require codification or has some other impact on the CM C that requires comment or ex planation. In addition to the modifications the LRC mak es to the online CM C provisions, the LRC uploads each Public Law or Local Law to the w ebsite, updates the Public and Local Law Source Reference Table to reflect all changes made by each law , and records the changes for the print supplement to the printed edition of the CM C. The LRC is in the

process of preparing an updated physical publication of the CM C in the coming year. Public Law s In 2016, the LRC uploaded 46 Public Law s that became effective. These public law s vary dramatically in size and effect? from dozens of pages containing numerous changes to one page containing only a few revisions. Local Law s In 2016, the LRC uploaded 31 Local Law s to its w ebsite from Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. The Local Law s are included in the Source Reference Table. In addition, the LRC received local ordinances, w hich it converts and uploads to the w ebsite mak ing them also searchable. N M IAC In 2016, the LRC implemented 5,907 modifications to the N M IAC, w hich w as over 7,700 online N M IAC pages. As w ith CM C codifications and revisions, the process of updating the N M IAC requires careful attention to rules of grammar and style. It also requires careful attention to references to other provisions of the N M IAC and provisions of the CM C. The N M IAC w as previously hosted by W ik imedia, but such hosting subjected the N M IAC to modification by the host. As such, the N M IAC w as converted to .html in 2016 and is now directly controlled by LRC. The N M IAC conversion to match the format of the LRC w ebsite is an ongoing project. Registers In 2016, the LRC review ed, converted, and uploaded all Commonw ealth Registers published in 2016, w hich consisted of over 1,700 pages. Access to the Territorial Register from 1974 ? 1978 and the Commonw ealth Register from 1979 ? 2016 are available on the LRC w ebsite. In addition, the LRC has consistently updated its Commonw ealth Register Index on its w ebsite in both ex cel and .PD F formats, w hich may be dow nloaded and searched or sorted, depending on the needs of the user. Court O pinions The LRC has uploaded all 20 of the N M I Supreme Court?s 2016 opinions onto its w ebsite. Additionally, LRC personnel have aided the Supreme Court by providing review and editing services related to the 2015 slip opinions prior to certification. Personnel have also begun to provide those same services related to the 2016 slip opinions. The LRC is currently in the process of headnoting the Surpreme Court?s opinions from 2012 to 2016 to be published in a new reporter, volume 9, in 2017. The LRC is also ex tracting annotations from these cases to update the print version of the CM C. It w ill also create a new digest from the headnotes for these cases and merge it into a comprehensive digest for publication or online access, to be determined by the Commission.

Com m ission M em ber s: Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro ,Chairman Senator Steve K. Mesngon, Member Representative Glenn L. Maratita, Member Atty. General Edward Manibusan, Member Bruce L. Mailman, Member

In 2016, the LRC uploaded 35 N M I Superior Court decisions mark ed for publication to its w ebsite. O ffice O perations and Training In 2016, LRC staff participated in continuing legal education, the Administrative Codes and Registers conference, and the Association of Pacific Islands Public Auditors training. These events assisted the staff in beginning a review of the LRC?s internal controls, standard operating procedures, and methods of publication. N ew internal controls have been created related to various functions of the LRC and staff remains k now ledgeable regarding current ex pectations related to internal controls and government accountability. The LRC intends to share this k now ledge w ith other Judiciary divisions, as requested, and w ill continue to implement internal controls necessary to ensure accountability related to its functions. Standard operating procedures related to codification are being outlined for discussion by the LRC staff prior to presentation to the Commission for input. Legal training has assisted staff in carrying out their duties related to the LRC and the Judiciary. Products In 2016, the LRC sold 365 products. The LRC?s new est product is the D river?s H andbook , w hich is being produced in 13 languages and sold to comply w ith Public Law 19- 43. The LRC continues to w ork to fulfill its mandates and intends to publish print semi- annual supplements of the CM C and to k eep the w ebsite up- to- date. The LRC also intends to create a new print version of the CM C and is w ork ing w ith the Commission to determine the best method for productions. O ther publications in 2017 w ill be the digest, index , and volume 9 of the reporter series, w hich w ill contain the N M I Supreme Court?s headnoted certified opinions from 2012 forw ard. The LRC and the Commission are look ing into electronic publishing, the Uniform Electronic Legal M aterial Act, and how the LRC may best serve the public in the future. A new printer, additional softw are and hardw are, and services contracts w ith outside entities w ill be necessary to fulfill its mandates and appropriately serve the public. Conclusion In 2016, the Commission met in June and September to discuss the activities and direction of the LRC. The LRC continued to fulfill its publication mandates under the law , as it endeavors to move forw ard w ith increased internet research services to fulfill public need and ensure fair and equal access to the law in the CN M I. The LRC also continued to serve the Judiciary through assistance w ith CN M I law , research, and editing services. The LRC has also consistently served the public and private sector and fielded in ex cess of 1,800 calls, over 250 w alk - in inquiries, and hundreds of email inquiries in 2016. The LRC w ill continue to fulfill its publication mandates in 2017, as it continues to serve the Judiciary, the CN M I government, and the public.

St af f : Sheila N. Trianni, Executive Director Ryan J. Meyerhoff, Staff Attorney Colby K. Stewart, Staff Attorney Albert A. Hicking, Website & Office Manager Menalie Hidalgo, Publications Clerk/Admin. Asst.