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President Received C.B. 10-38, CD1, on Reorganization of the FSM Executive Branch

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Information Service): December 3, 1997 - President Jacob Nena received on November 26, 1997, the Reorganization of the FSM Executive Branch, Congressional Bill 10-38, for his review and approval or disapproval, according to President's Special Assistant for Legislative Affairs, Tony Otto.

A Cabinet meeting was held on November 27th to discuss in detail and to make comments on it before action is taken by the President.

The Standing Committee on Judiciary and Governmental Operations favorably reported the bill out with minor changes. The intent and purpose of the bill as expressed in its title are to amend relevant sections of the FSM Code.

The bill reorganizes the departments and offices of the Executive Branch and changes the terms of the President's appointment authority.

There are six departments, namely the Department of Economic Affairs; Department of Finance and Administration; Department of Foreign Affairs; Department of Health, Education and Social Affairs and Department of Justice, and Department of Transportation, Communication and Infrastructure, and the Office of Public Defender.

Functions of other offices are to be emerged into relevant and appropriate departments and offices will go with the new reorganization.

Upon becoming law with or without the President's signature, it will take effect on January 1, 1998, consequently, all secretaries and heads of offices shall resign except the Public Defender who is not required to resign.

The President must appoint new secretaries whose nominations require the confirmation by Congress.

C.B. 10-38, CD1, specifically stated that except for officials whose appointments are for fixed terms, a public official whose appointment is subject to the advice and the consent of the Congress shall submit his resignation no later than 90 days after the President of FSM takes oath of office, or at the time a new nominee for such position is confirmed by the Congress, whichever is earlier.

C.B. 10-38, CD1, is flexible regarding nominations of deputy or assistant to the ambassadors and consul generals. A floor amendment during the second reading of the bill also gives President a flexible option for nomination of deputy department secretary.

The reorganization was originally requested for by Congress in order to improve the overall structure and efficiency and to reduce the cost of the government to be commensurate with the declining funding resources of the government.

A Presidential Task Force on Restructure recommended elimination and consolidation of certain offices and merging of certain departments became the basis of the reorganization.