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Congress's fifth regular session yields numerous measures

Palikir, POHNPEI (FSM Information Services): March 01, 2005 -The Fifth and final Regular Session of the 13^th Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia held in January adopted numerous regulations and endorsed nine resolutions

Heading the Resolutions was the ratification of the law enforcement agreement between the Solomon Islands and the Pacific Islands Forum countries, commonly referred to as RAMSI (Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands) - CR 13-57.

Congress also ratified the Stockholm Convention on the Persistent Organic Pollutants (CR 13-128) and acceded to the Framework on the Convention on Tobacco Control (CR 13-127).

Two other Resolutions involved assistances from the United States: CR 13-167, approved FSM's application request for uniformity of Financial Management Information System for all five governments. Congressional Resolution 13-168, approved the agreement for project grants for the Airport Improvement Program.

Another Resolution (CR 13-169) banned the Sanko Bussan Co. Ltd. from fishing in FSM's Exclusive Economic Zone.

Resolution 13-171 expressed heartfelt condolences victims of the December 26, 2004 earthquake and tsunami.

January's Resolutions' wrapped up with CR 13-172 which capped the available funding for Fiscal Year 2005 at $32,611,641 and the session's final Resolution CR 13-173 shortened the session from its original 20 consecutive days to eleven days.

The January Session also adopted various legislations that the President has signed into law.

Public Law 13-81 authorized funding from the nation's General Fund to realize the ceiling set for Fiscal Year 2005 as outlined in Resolution 13-72.

Significant to the Executive Branch is Public Law 13-77, which changed the process of certain appointments to the Executive. The new law has changed certain aspects of Title 2 (Executive Organization) of the FSM Code to parallel the terms of the nation's Ambassadors with that of the nominating Administration.

The same law has also eliminated the required "advice and consent" of the FSM's Congress's for appointments of Deputy Ambassadors, the Ambassadors meanwhile must still adhere to the normal confirmation process.

Another legislation (PL No. 15-76) supported the work of the recently established FSM Tax Reform Task Force with a $70,000 funding.

The Legislative Branch is also affected by two new legislations: PL No. 13-78 and PL. No. 13-79, which called for changes to Congress Office of Administration and Budget. In addition, the Director of the affected office and the Vice Speaker's Secretary have, under the new laws, become exempt employees of the national government.

Meanwhile, Public Laws 13-74 and 13-80 aimed to clarify uses of certain funds and changed allottees and uses of certain other funds.

The remaining measures adopted during the Fifth Regular Session of the 13^th FSM Congress are pending President Urusemal's signature.