All Roll Calls
Yes: 21 • No: 0
Northern Mariana IslandsSB 24-0424th Northern Mariana Islands Legislature (2025-2026)SenateWALLET
to advance Chamorro & Carolinian language education in the CNMI
Sponsored By: Manny Gregory Tenorio Castro (Democratic)
Enacted
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Language teachers get certification and pay protections
CNMI public-school Chamorro and Carolinian teachers must hold a Language and Culture Certificate, alongside other public-school qualifications. The State Board of Education must create a 16-week training program and tests of language fluency and cultural knowledge. Earning the certificate requires completing the program and passing the tests, but does not require a bachelor's degree. Certificate holders must receive at least the annual salary for Pay Level VI, Step 03 under the public-school salary schedule. The law does not give that pay level's dollar amount.
Students face new local language requirements
By School Year 2025-26, CNMI public schools must include Chamorro or Carolinian language classes in their curriculum. High school students must complete one full year to graduate; middle school students must successfully complete one year for promotion. Schools must offer at least two years of instruction for students who want to continue. These classes count toward high school foreign-language credit.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Manny Gregory Tenorio Castro
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 12/22/2025
Roll call on SB 24-04
Yes: 14 • No: 0
Senate vote • 6/23/2025
Roll call on SB 24-04
Yes: 7 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
PL 24-29
3/20/2026SenateHouse Final Reading — Passed
12/22/2025HouseSenate Final Reading — Passed
6/23/2025SenateSenate First Reading — Passed
6/23/2025SenateSenate Report Action — Approved
6/23/2025SenateIntroduced
1/22/2025Senate
Bill Text
24-04
1/22/2025
A-24-08 on 6/23/25
1/22/2025
PL 24-29
1/22/2025
Related Bills
HB 24-108, To provide a Budget Plan of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands for Fiscal Year 2027 and make appropriations for the operations and activities of the Government of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, its agencies, instrumentalities, and independent programs, and to provide budget authority for government corporations; and for other purposes.
SB 24-48, Establish a Division of Customs and Biosecurity within the DOF
HB 24-84, To authorize the expenditure of $2,105,563.00 identified by the Governor as a surplus from Fiscal Year 2025 revenues that shall be appropriated by the Legislature to the Public School System and to the 25% Retirees’ Pension Obligation.
HB 24-74, To appropriate funds derived from trust interest income from the Marianas Public Land Trust towards payment of household allotments of Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP) benefits for November 2025.
HB 24-63, To amend Title 4 sections 1991 to 1995 relating to the 3% construction tax on gross revenues derived from certain non-residential construction projects and to enact a new section 1996 pertaining to Applicability; and for other purposes.
HB 24-13, To amend the fee structure for the Office of the Registrar of Corporations under the Department of Commerce and to remove daily penalty fees.