A r p a

On May17,2021,the United StatesDepartment of the Treasuryreleased $481,876,521.00 of the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fundsto the CNMI Executive Branch.On June 4,2021,the Office of the Governor awarded $13,160,703.00 to the Judiciary,and,subsequently,on October 19,2022,an additional $873,485.30 wasawarded to the Judiciaryto procure a new case management system.

Consistent with U.S.Department of the TreasuryGuidelinesand the CoronavirusState and Local Fiscal Recovery FundsFinal Rule which became effective on April 1,2022,the overall objectivesof the Judiciary?sARPAspending focuseson:

- Sustaining judicial serviceson Saipan,Tinian,and Rota;

- Retrofitting and improving facilitiesand infrastructure;

- Preventing the spread of COVID-19;

- Allowing for social distancing;

- Enhancing technologyfor remote hearingsand services; and

- Reducing court backlogs.

Formed in early2021,an internal ARPACommittee hasbeen meeting regularlyto oversee projects,including the implementation of safety measures,procurement of sanitization supplies,and the modification of court operationsto ensure a safe environment for staff and patrons.Beginning in the latter half of 2022,the Judiciary transitioned to holding biweeklyARPACommittee meetingsand ARPACapital ImprovementsProjects subcommittee meetings,while continuing to hold weeklyARPALeadership Committee meetings.

Since the receipt of ARPAfunds,the Judiciaryhassubmitted itsspending plansto the Department of Finance on a regular basis,with itsmost recent being Spending Plan No.4 which wassubmitted on September 12,2022,and estimatesexpendituresof $5.1 million in Personnel and $8 million in All Others.

In addition,the Committee also createsand compilesmonthlyreports with ledgers,associated receipts,and supporting documentsin compliance with audit guidelines.

ARPAAdministrator Martha M.Standish continuesto work on related and/or assigned duties,including:

1. Serving asthe Acting Procurement Officer for most of 2022;

2. Conducting,attending,and/or participating in numerous meetingsand trainings;

3. Assisting in the compilation of the Judiciary?sannual budget submission;

4. Compiling and presenting ARPAreport during the Judicial Council meeting;

5. Overseeing the following non-ARPAfunded projects/activities: a. Editorial Board for the Judiciary?s2022 Annual Report; b. Guma?Hustisia Roof Tile Removal Project; and c. Elevator Modernization Project (FEMAand USDA).

Furthermore,throughout 2022,the Judiciaryembarked on accomplishing several large-scale projectswith itsARPAfunds; a few of these accomplishmentsto note include:

1. Launching of the Commonwealth Recorder?sOffice?selectronic recording system and implementation of eCourt Case Management System,which will also include eCitation and eProbation;

2. Continued progressin the ongoing digitization project,an effort to scan filesdating back to Trust Territorytimes.In 2022, the scanning team:

- Scanned 20,633 filesconsisting of 436,845 pages;

- Audited 27,924 filesconsisting of 541,179 pages; and

- Digitization of over 312 cassette tapesof court proceedings.

3. Restoration of Guma?Hustisia publicand staff restroomswhich includesthe installation of touchlessfaucetsand toilets;

4. Initiated planning and design with the On-Call A&Econsultant for the ARPAHall/Data Center project,which will house the Judiciary?sserver room and protect the investmentsthat have been made in upgrading the technological infrastructure of the court.

Fullyrenovate the publicand staff restroomsat Guma'

3 year subscription of Lexis+Law Libraryfor legal research.

Renovate the Drug Court Restroom so that it may be utilized asa sample collection site for drug testing.

2 year subscription to Fiber Internet, which includesall glassfiber solution, symmetricspeeds,and 200 Mbps download and upload speed; fixed businessstaticIP; and fiber optic cabling installation and equipment configuration.

Provide the following A&Eservices: 1) Pre-design Phase; 2) Preliminaryor Concept Design Phase; 3) Construction Document and Bid Assistance Phase; 4) Construction Administration Phase; and 5) Additional Requirements.

ThisJudicial Task Order isassigned to GUMAfor the design and construction of the ARPAHall/Data Center,a two-story building which will house the new ARPAHall and Data Center,as well asoffer covered parking for four car spacesand the option for future expansion.

Provide a fullyintegrated E-Recording System that isalreadydeveloped and deployable; on-site training,software set-up,and phone/email support during businesshours.

Provide janitorial services,and all equipment and productsnecessary to complete itsgiven tasksin a timely manner.

Clean and paint the designated exterior concrete wallsand trimsand designated interior areas; remove rust and paint,then repaint secured parking and sallyport gates.

Provide three yearsof HVACsystem maintenance serviceson a quarterly, semi-annual,and annual basisat the Guma' Hustisia.

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one elevator at the Guma' Hustisia; provide the Judiciarynecessary information and best project approach in modernizing the elevator.

Initiate the migration of the CNMI Judiciaryto the eCourt system; provide the needed professional services,maintenance and support,and the Software License and Hosting services.

On March 8,2022,International Women?s Daywascelebrated by recognizing the social,economic,cultural,and political achievementsof women. The dayalso marked a call toaction for accelerating women'sequality. Thishasbeen observed annuallyin the United Statessince 1987.

Judge Teresa Kim-Tenorioand General Counsel Hyun Jae Lee,twofemale ARPA committee members,share their experience asWomen?sHistoryMonth is being observed.

Briefly tell us a little bit about yourself.

"First and foremost,I ama wife,a proudmother of three servicemen and a student-athlete in college, andrecentlya grandmother.Professionally,I amthe solefemalebench member in theCNMI Judiciary. I have served in thiscapacityfor over 8 years. I preside over Drug Court (the CNMI?sfirst treatment court) aswell asour FamilyCourt. These specialtycourtshave given me the abilityto provide better wrap-aroundserviceswhenpartieshavemattersincriminal court andfamilycourt."

What progress have you seen on gender equality in your life and work?

"Mymother instilled in me at a veryyoung age that I can be assuccessful asanyone,including men. Having thismindset and strong will put me in a position to excel. I accept that biasagainst women still exists in many organizations. However, once you have proven your competency, this applies to both men and women, your gender tends to be overlooked. So in answer to this question, I would definitelysaythat therehasbeenmuchprogress."

Why do we need more women in leadership?

"In anyprofession,leadership or not,it?simportant todiversifysothat we mayembrace and appreciate different perspectives,needs, challenges. One way to diversify is to have women in businesses and organizations to contribute their unique viewpoints and experiencestoadvancethemissionandgoalsoftheorganization/business."

Have you faced any barriers in your career due to being a woman? If so, how did you overcome them?

"Yes, I have. Not just for being a woman but also in part because of my ethnicity. Fortunately, I had (and still have) a very strong support systemthrough myfamilyandfriends.Additionally,I believethat havinga strongwill andmindisthekeytoovercomingthe barriersinyour life.I don?t let peoples?biasesdiscourageme."

Briefly tell us a little bit about yourself.

"OriginallyfromSouth Korea,I grewuponSaipanandconsider it myhome.I havebeenservingas General Counsel for the NMI Judiciary for almost four years. Working for the court has been an extremelyrewardingexperience asI get toplaya part in upholdingthe rule of lawandworkwith an amazing team. I am also a wife, mom,and a daughter. I highlyvalue mytime with familyand friendsandfindmeaningandpurposeconnectingwithpeople."

Why is Women's History Month important this year, and how has that changed since last year?

"Women'sHistoryMonth isan important period of reflection everyyear because it isa time to acknowledge and celebrate women's contributions to history, politics, the economy, culture, and society. It is also a time to renew our commitment in bringing inclusivity and independencetowomenall aroundtheworldtoensuretheir rightsareprotected.

This year is particularly important to recognize women leaders and frontliners who served during and made significant strides and sacrifices in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though women make up one-half of all workers, they account for nearly two-thirds of frontliners."