Under US administration as part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific, the people of the Northern Mariana Islands decided in the 1970s not to seek independence but instead to forge closer links with the US. Negotiations for territorial status began in 1972. A covenant to establish a commonwealth in political union with the US was approved in 1975, and came into force on 24 March 1976. A new government and constitution went into effect in 1978.
The Northern Mariana Islands are a presidential democracy and are part of the commonwealth in political union with the US.
Source: CIA World Factbook
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Displaying 36 - 38 of 38Tinian Agricultural Homestead Act of 1988 (P.L. 6-15).
This Act concerns the designation of so-called “Homestead Areas” on public land in the Northern Mariana Islands, defines criteria for the eligibility to acquire rights to land in such areas and provides for the certification of rights in relation to homestead land.Homestead areas shall be designated by the Marianas Public Land Corporation in accordance with the Commonwealth Comprehensive Land Use Plan and provisions of this Act. Land in such an area shall be allotted to qualified persons for the purpose of farming.
Zoning Code of the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (P.L. 6-32).
This Act: makes provision for the establishment of a Commonwealth Zoning Board and the Zoning Advisory Council; defines functions and powers of the Board and the Council; defines duties of the Zoning Administrator; provides for the establishment of Land Use Districts; and makes provision for land use and town and country planning in general.The Zoning Board shall implement a land use policy for various purposes of development including the wise use of natural resources including land, water and biological resources.
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Disaster Relief Act of 1979 (P.L. 1-023).
This Act concerns response and relief in case of man-made or natural disasters and emergencies affecting the Northern Mariana Islands. The Governor-General shall be the principal authority for purposes of response to disasters and emergencies. Disasters shall include flood, water contamination and oil spills. the Governor-general may declare a state of disaster emergency and may make Executive Orders related to the declaration of a state of disaster emergency.