Government of the Federated States of Micronesia

Congress to hold Third Special Session in Kosrae

Palikir, POHNPEI (FSM Information Service): February 14, 2006 - The Fourteenth Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia has scheduled its Third Special Session to convene in the State of Kosrae beginning February 27, 2006.

At the closing of the Third Regular Session in January, the FSM Congress decided to continue the tradition begun by the 13th FSM Congress: to hold periodic sessions away from Palikir, rotating among the four states to increase the ongoing efforts of raising public awareness of the functions and operations of the FSM Congress.

The Third Regular Session had adjourned with the adoption and passage of various Congressional Acts and Resolutions. Among the many Congressional measures, the three that have become public laws are:

Public Law 14-48, relates to the implementation of the infrastructure development plan; and the exemptions of such activities from the foreign investment laws.

Public Law 14-49, to amend certain sections in Title 52 of the FSM Code to allow fulltime students at post secondary institutions to be eligible to enroll in the national government employees health insurance plan. The same Law also changes section 407 to state that the Administrator for the Health Insurance Plan shall be exempt from the national public service system and that members of the board directors who are not employees of the national or state governments shall be paid at a rate established by the board when actually performing their duties, and for other purpose.

Public Law 14-50, is the approval of the second half of the FSM budget for FY 2006, which Congress had withheld citing lack of annual plans from various Departments and Agencies.

In addition to the Congressional Acts, five Congressional Resolutions are adopted:

Congressional Resolution 14-47, Designating and appointing MR. T. Lam Dang to the position of Legislative Council to the Congress of the Federated State of Micronesia.

CR 14-53, approving the transmittal of chapter four (4) of the strategic development plan entitled "Public Sector Management" to the Joint Economic Management Committee (JEMCO).

CR 14-55, thanking MS. Lourdes Pangelinan, outgoing Director- General of the secretariat of the Pacific Community, for the distinguished service to the Pacific Island countries and for her contribution to the Federated State of Micronesia.

CR 14-48, approving an access agreement for domestic based foreign fishing vessels dated November 18, 2005 between the National Oceanic Management Authority and National Fisheries Corporation.

CR 14-43, confirming the nomination of MR. Charles Chieng to serve as a member of the FSM social security board.