The Northern Marianas is to give steeper fines but shorter jail terms for those involved in illegal cockfights.
The Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation has approved a local bill increasing to up to 10,000 US dollars the fine for illegal cockfights.
By a vote of 19-1, it also removed the current three-month maximum prison term.
A Representative, Christopher Leon Guerrero, says the maximum three-month imprisonment is costly and does not reflect the crime.
The only representative opposed to the change, Richard Seman, says he supports legal cockfighting but illegal cockfighting should not be taken lightly and jail time should not be removed.