§ 2053
TITLE 1: GOVERNMENT
DIVISION 2: EXECUTIVE BRANCH
§ 2053. Office of the Governor: Duties. (a) The Governor has the power and duties as provided in the Commonwealth Constitution or as provided by law. In addition, the Governor shall receive official visitors and conduct official ceremonies of the Commonwealth. These duties and responsibilities may be delegated to the Lieutenant Governor or to elected or appointed officials of the Commonwealth. (b) Consistent with Article II, section 9, of the CNMI Constitution, the Governor shall deliver an annual State of the Commonwealth Address (SOCA) to the Legislature. The Governor shall deliver the SOCA not later than March of any calendar year, and may present the SOCA live, recorded or in writing. A written or recorded SOCA shall be transmitted by the Governor to the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House for delivery to the members. Prior to any live SOCA, the Governor shall give written notice of a proposed date and time to both the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House no later than 45 days prior to the proposed date in order for the Legislature to consider a joint resolution setting out the time and place for the SOCA. If such a joint resolution fails to pass in both houses of the Legislature, the Governor shall submit only a written or recorded SOCA. Source: PL 1-8, tit. 1, ch. 1, § 3, modified; amended by PL 24-09, § 2 (Aug. 5, 2025).