Congress adjourns with major national measures, recommit special committee report

Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia

Congress adjourns with major national measures, recommit special committee report

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Congress): February 4, 2011 - The Sixth and last Regular Session of the Sixteenth Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia adjourned sine-die on January 29 2011, with the adoption of 15 Congressional Resolutions and passage of nine Congressional Acts.

Among the measures passed during the Sixth Regular Session is Congressional Act 16-70, an Act to establish a Maritime Surveillance Revolving Fund. The fund would provide a reliable source of funding for fuel for the surveillance and patrol boats of the National Government.

Other notable legislations are CA 16-63, a measure to clarify the requirement that Ambassadors must resign after a new President is seated; and CA 16-67, a measure proposed to increase effectiveness of meetings of the board of directors of the Caroline Island Air, and for other purposes.

The remaining measures passed during the Sixth Regular Session include two supplemental funding legislations CA 16-62 and CA 16-69; and four measures to amend previous appropriations of public projects and social programs in the states CA 16-64, CA-16-65, CA 16-66, and CA 16-68.

The Congressional Resolutions adopted during the Sixth Regular Session include:

CR-16-03, a measure to ratify the standard basic assistance agreement (SBAA) between the FSM and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP);

CR 16-62, a measure to ratify the UNESCO Convention against doping in sports as adopted in October 2005;

CR 16-100, a measure to adopt the National Trade Policy for the FSM;

CR 16-140, confirmation of Mary B. Figir as the Yap State representative on the Board of Regents for the College of Micronesia;

CR 16-141, confirmation of Graceful Enlet as the Chuuk State representative on the Board of Regents for the College of Micronesia;

CR 16-142, confirmation of Lyndon B. Cornelius as the Kosrae State representative on the Board of Regents for the College of Micronesia;

CR 16-151, a measure to ratify the Treaty of the Third Arrangement Implementing the Nauru Agreement which sets forth additional terms and conditions of access to the parties' fisheries zones;

CR 16-152, a measure of congratulations to Governor-elect Neil Abercrombie and Lieutenant Governor-elect Brian Schatz of the State of Hawaii on their victory in the recent elections.

CR 16-153, a measure to set the ceiling for total funds estimated available for appropriation from the FSM General Fund for fiscal year ending September 30, 2011;

CR 16-154, a measure expressing the profound sadness and sincere condolences of the Sixteenth FSM Congress to those affected by the acts of violence perpetrated in Arizon and to the United States of America in this time of national tragedy;

CR 16-155, a measure to also congratulate Governor Eddie Calvo and Lieutenant Governor Raymond Tenorio on their victory in the recent gubernatorial elections;

CR 16-157, a measure to approve, accept and ratify the agreement on and receipt of a Grant assistance from the Secretariat of the Pacific Community in the amount of $135,435, including all terms and condition of said assistance;

CR 16-158, a measure of congratulations to Governor Sebastian L. Anefal of the State of Yap and Lieutenant Anthony Tareq on their victory in the recent gubernatorial elections;

CR 16-159, a measure to approve and accept a $250,000 Federal Grant assistance from the United States Department of Health and Human Services including the terms and conditions of the assistance; and finally

CR 16-160, a measure to set a new ceiling for total funds estimated available for appropriation from the FSM General Fund for fiscal year ending September 30, 2011.

While most of the legislations and issues pending before the 16^th FSM Congress were addressed during the session, Congress however recommitted the report from the Special Committee appointed by Speaker Figir. It was the general consensus on the floor was that the report should recommend to the Body a direction for which Congress should act upon and therefore recommitted the report back to the Special Committee for further consideration.

Under the guidance of Vice Speaker Fredrico O. Primo, Congress wrapped up its work 20 days after it convened on January 10 2011.

With Speaker Isaac V. Figir representing the FSM Congress in the 19^th Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) in Mongolia, Vice Speaker Primo gaveled the Sixth Regular Session and last regular session of the 16^th FSM Congress adjourned sine-die on Saturday - January 29, 2011.

As amended and established by Public Law 13-59, the three annual Regular Sessions of FSM Congress are to convene on January 10^th, May 11^th and September 12^th for a duration of 20 days unless extended or shortened by the Body.

Special Sessions may be convened at the call of the President or by the Speaker on the written request of two-third of the members.

In accordance with PL 13-59, the next Regular Session of the FSM Congress will convene on May 11 2011, it will also be the convening of a new Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia.