H.R. 573, a bill to amend Public Law 93-435 with respect to the Northern Mariana Islands, providing parity with Guam, the Virgin Islands, and American Samoa

As ordered reported by the House Committee on Natural Resources on April 24, 2013

CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 573 would have no significant effect on the federal budget. The bill would convey ownership of submerged lands to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) from the mean high tide seaward to the point that is three geographical miles from its coast line. Under current law, those lands are owned by the United States. The legislation also would include CNMI among the islands where the United States may establish a naval defensive perimeter.

Based on information from the Department of the Interior, CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 573 would have no significant cost to the federal government. Enacting the bill would not affect direct spending or revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply.

H.R. 573 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments.