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Congressional Acts Become Law

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): October 29, 2008 - President Emanuel "Manny" Mori signed into law, Congressional Acts passed during the 5^th Regular Session of the 15^th Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia, among which are the fiscal year 2009 Budget for the national government, a major amendment to the Constitution of the Federated States of Micronesia, and other measures.

Three Congressional Acts become law by Congressional override of President's veto.

Some Congressional Resolutions were also adopted during the most recent regular session.

Congress passed a Congressional Act on FSM dual citizenship but is still pending President's action. If approved, this Act would enable FSM citizens to obtain other citizenship without relinquishing FSM citizenship.

Public Law No. 15-45: An Act to amend Public Law No. 15-11, to appropriate an additional $727, 537 from the General Fund for fiscal year ending September 30, 2008 for operation of the national government; and for other purposes. This Act becomes law without President's signature as it was passed by Congressional override of President's veto of the proposed supplemental funding for the national government. This Act amends previous public laws which provided fund for operation of the national government for fiscal year ending September 30, 2008.

Public Law No. 15-46: An Act to further amend Title 9 of the Code of the Federated States of Micronesia, by amending Section 704 of Chapter 7 to permit a register voter to cast a ballot where the name of the voter does not appear on the signature list of a polling place in a state, congressional election district or municipality in which he or she resides; and for other purposes. Congress passed the Act by overriding President's veto and it becomes law without President's signature.

Public Law No. 15-47: An Act to amend Title 2 of the Code of the Federated States of Micronesia, as amended by enacting new Section 210 of Chapter 2 thereof, to establish a Trust Fund for the benefit of former Presidents of the Federated States of Micronesia and to provide for an allowance to former Presidents of the Federated States of Micronesia payable from such fund; and for other purposes. This Act also becomes law without President's signature as it was passed by Congressional override of President's veto.

Public Law No. 15-48: An Act to further amend Public Law No. 15-25, as amended, to change the lapse date of certain funds previously appropriated therein; and for other purposes.

Public Law No. 15-49: An Act to further amend Public Law No. 15-11, which provides fund for operation of the national government of the Federated States of Micronesia, as amended, to extend lapse date of certain funds previously appropriated therein; and for other purposes.

Public Law No. 15-50: An Act to further amend Public Law No. 12-50, as amended to allow use of funds for the upgrade of the new residence for the FSM Chief Justice; and for other purposes.

Public Law No. 15-51: An Act to further amend Public Law No. 14-67, as amended, to change the lapse date for certain funds previously appropriated therein for each sate, and for other purposes.

Public Law No. 15-52: An Act to further amend Title 52 of the Code of the Federated States of Micronesia, as amended, to make enrollment in the MiCare mandatory for employees of the national government and to require the post secondary institutions to enroll in the MiCare before students are permitted to enroll, and to delete the requirement that the fund maintain separate accounts for each state; and for other purpose.

Public Law No. 15-53: An Act to further amend Public Law No 14-84, as amended, to change the use and lapse date of certain funds previously appropriated to fund public projects and social programs, in the state of Yap; and for other purposes

Public Law No. 15-54: An Act to amend Public Law No. 15-31, to change the use of certain funds previously appropriated therein for the State of Pohnpei; and for other purposes.

Public Law No. 15-55: An Act to appropriate $33,321, 789 from the General Fund of the Federated States of Micronesia for fiscal year ending September 30,2009, to provide funding for the operation of the national government of the Federated States of Micronesia, its agencies, various programs, grants, subsidies and contributions; and to extend lapse date for funds appropriated in fiscal year ending September 30, 2008 from Supplementary Education Grant (SEG), and for other purposes.

Public Law No. 15-56: An Act to further amend Public Law No. 11-27, as amended, to change the use and allottee of certain funds previously appropriated therein for the State of Yap; and for other purposes.

Public Law No. 15-57: An Act to further amend Public Law No. 15-32, as amended, to change use and allottee of certain funds previously appropriated for public projects and social programs for the State of Chuuk and Pohnpei; and for other purposes.

Public Law No. 15-58: An Act to further amend Title 54 of the Code of the Federated States of Micronesia, as amended to add a subparagraph (9) to create a new exemption for health, education and welfare related goods donated for humanitarian use; and for other purposes.

Public Law No. 15-59: An Act to appropriate from the General Fund of the Federated States of Micronesia all sum directly or indirectly received as proceeds of the Second Tranche of the FSM National Government's portion of the private sector development program loan from the Asian Development Bank, in an amount not to exceed $372,000 to fund privatization and economic development projects; and for other purposes.

Public Law No. 15-60: An Act to propose amendment to Section 8 of Article IX and Section 4 of Article X of the Constitution of the Federated States of Micronesia for the purpose increasing the length of terms for members of Congress elected from Congressional districts in each state based on population to four years; and for other purposes.

Congressional Resolution No. 15-87: Ratifying the convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations.

Congressional Resolution No. 15-132: Ratifying agreement between the FSM and United States of America for the grant of $70,000 for Public Auditor training program and for other purposes.

Congressional Resolution No. 15-135: Confirming the nomination of Mr. Romeo Osiena to be a member of the NORMA Board of Directors.

Congressional Resolution No. 15-138: Confirming the nomination of Mr. Jesse Giltamag to be a member of the FSM Banking Board.

Congressional Resolution No. 15-139: Confirming the nomination of Mr. William Hawley to be a member of the FSM Petroleum Corporation Board of Directors.

Congressional Resolution No. 15-145: Conveying profound gratitude and appreciation to the Team of Health Services Professionals and crews of USNS Mercy for humanitarian assistance and medical assistance to the people of Yap, Chuuk and Pohnpei during the visit to the FSM.

Congressional Resolution No. 15-146: Confirming the nomination of Mrs. Roselain Nakanaga to be a member of the FSM Social Security Board of Directors.

Congressional Resolution No. 15-147: To approve the agreement and acceptance and receipt of $50,000 donated by the People Republic of China to the FSM for SPREP annual meeting held in Pohnpei.

Congressional Resolution No. 15-149: Expressing condolences and sadness of the 15^th Congress at the passing of former Vice President Hiroshi Ismael.

Congressional Resolution No. 15-150: Confirming the nomination of Mr. Nahoy G. Selifis to be a member on the FSM Social Security Board of Directors.

Congressional Resolution No. 15-151: Confirming the nomination of Mr. Charles Chieng to be a member on the FSM Social Security Board of Directors.

Congressional Resolution No. 15-155: Confirming the nomination of Mr. Bernes Reselap to be the National Election Commissioner for Chuuk State.

Congressional Resolution No. 15-159: To hold the next session of Congress in the State of Chuuk and to give the presiding officers the flexibility to choose the date.

Congressional Resolution No. 15-160: Approving the foreign fishing agreement between NORMA and Fung Li Fisheries Guam, Inc.

Congressional Resolution No. 15-161: Expressing the appreciation of the Congress of the FSM for the legal services of Carolyn Kern, Esq. during the Fifth Regular Session of the 15^th Congress.

Congressional Resolution No. 15-162: Expressing the appreciation of the Congress of the FSM for legal services of Mr. Harry Seymour during the Fifth Regular Session of the 15^th Congress.

Congressional Resolution No. 15-165: Inviting the President to resubmit the nomination of Mr. Kasio E. Mida to serve as a regent on the College of Micronesia Board of Regents.

Congressional Resolution No. 15-166: Expressing the appreciation of the Congress of the FSM to the services of Sue Ann Schadeck during the Fifth Regular Session of the 15^th Congress.