New NMTI Law May Be Unconstitutional

On February 18, 2019, Governor Torres signed into law a statute making the Northern Marianas Trade Institute (NMTI) a public agency within the government of the CNMI. As the Governor, the Legislature, and the Attorney General all seem to recognize, however, this new Public Law 20-92 arguably conflicts with Article XV, Section 2(b) of the NMI Constitution which places responsibility for “adult vocational education and professional development” with the Northern Marianas College. In our opinion, this new statute is likely unconstitutional.