TITLE 4: ECONOMIC RESOURCES
DIVISION 2: TOURISM
§ 2124. Corporate Powers. The MVA may: (a) Establish a schedule of fees to be charged for the use of tourist facilities or services provided by the MVA. The schedule of fees shall be sufficient to recover the operating costs and fixed costs and to generate such revenue as is necessary to make the MVA financially viable. (b) To acquire, subject to the laws of the CNMI, by grant, gift, devise or lease, and to hold and use or to lease, sell, mortgage, or otherwise dispose of such interest, any real property necessary, convenient, or useful in connection with the activities of the MVA. (c) Establish its internal organization and management. (d) Adopt its own procurement and supply regulations consistent with CNMI procurement rules, regulations, policies, and procedures to purchase or lease supplies, goods, materials, professional services and commodities and to furnish and supply services as incident to the operation of its services and facilities. (e) Adopt a seal. (f) Sue or be sued in its own corporate name. (g) To employ agents and employees, including contracting for the services of qualified managing directors, specialists or experts, as individuals or as organizations, to advise and assist the MVA. They shall be exempt from the application of 1 CMC § 8101 et seq., the Commonwealth Civil Service Act, except as provided in 4 CMC § 2121(c). The MVA may set its own compensation and wage and salary scales to be approved by a joint resolution of the Legislature. The wage and salary scales shall be commensurate with those paid by the Commonwealth requiring comparable education, training, and experience. (h) Adopt and maintain a uniform system of accounting which is in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. (i) Acquire, hold and use in accordance with established laws any personal property necessary or convenient or useful for carrying out any of its powers or duties. (j) Prepare and submit, pursuant to 1 CMC § 7206, a proposed budget for each ensuing fiscal year. (k) Prescribe, adopt, amend and repeal bylaws pertaining to the management, personnel and financing of the MVA. (1) Receive, hold and expend moneys collected for services rendered, grants, donations, or any other funds as designated by the board. (m) Expend appropriated funds as provided for the operations of the MVA including promotional activities. (n) To take such action as it deems necessary and proper to operate the corporation, further its purposes, administer its services, and perform its duties. Source: PL 11-15, § 11; amended by PL 14-73, § 2. Commission Comment: See the comment to 4 CMC § 2101. PL 14-73 took effect on June 16, 2005 and contained the following findings and purpose, in addition to severability and savings clause provisions:
TITLE 4: ECONOMIC RESOURCES
DIVISION 2: TOURISM Section 1. Findings and Purpose. The Legislature finds that tourism is an important industry in the Northern Mariana Islands. The tourism industry generates economic activity by providing business and employment opportunities to the residents of the Commonwealth. It is the policy of the Commonwealth that the continued development of the tourism industry should be encouraged. In order to provide for the development of this industry and to realize its full potential, it is necessary to provide the Marianas Visitors Authority (MVA) with greater authority to utilize public funds in its promotion of the Commonwealth as a tourist destination and to assist tourist-oriented businesses in their promotion of CNMI. Therefore, in order to fully take advantage of marketing promotions, thereby enticing tourists to visit the CNMI, MVA requires clarification of its expenditure authority to utilize appropriated funds for promotional activities including the awarding of cash prizes and discount coupons, and for any other marketing strategies.