Gov. David M. Apatang on Wednesday ordered an immediate shutdown of most Commonwealth government operations after lawmakers failed to deliver a balanced Fiscal Year 2027 budget before the Oct. 1 constitutional deadline.
In the order signed and issued Wednesday afternoon, Apatang said the administration received House Bill 24‑108 — the Appropriations and Budget Authority Act of 2027 — at 10:36 a.m. on Sept. 30, leaving “insufficient time to properly review the legislation before the October 1 deadline,” according to the order.
Under the NMI Constitution, no money may be drawn from the General Fund without an approved balanced budget, except for “certain government services and employees” essential to the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
Apatang’s order halts all General Fund‑supported operations except federally funded positions, autonomous agencies, and a wide list of “essential” personnel identified by the governor.
The exemptions span the judicial and legislative branches; public safety agencies; the Public School System; Northern Marianas College; the Commonwealth Election Commission; Customs; Fire and EMS; Corrections; Homeland Security; and key divisions within Finance, Public Works, Labor, Lands and Natural Resources, Public Lands, and the Attorney General’s Office.
“All other services and expenditures, including salaries of non‑essential employees, shall be suspended until a balanced budget appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2027 is enacted into law,” the order states.
The shutdown remains in effect until the governor signs an appropriations act.
