Congressional Act 17-2 is now Public Law 17-2. This legislation further amends Title 2, Section 201 of the FSM Code, requiring congressional action on presidential nominations to occur within two consecutive sessions or 30 days after nominations’ submission to the FSM Congress, whichever occurs later. Nominations not confirmed within the specified period of time will be deemed rejected by Congress. The bill was introduced by Sen. Joseph J. Urusemal.
Congressional Act 17-8 is now Public Law 17-3. This law amends Title 21, Chapter 2, Section 208 “Tax Liability” of the FSM Code. This amendment renders FSM Telecommunication Corporation subject to taxation under gross revenue tax. The bill, which failed to pass the last session of the 16th Congress, was jointly introduced by Sens. Tony H. Otto and Bonsiano F. Nethon.
Congressional Act 17-6 has become Public Law 17-7. It is an amendment to Section 8 of Public Law No. 15-11, which has an unexpended portion for “Grants, Subsidies and Contributions” in fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2008. As attested to by the Department of Finance, funds available therein can be tapped until fully expended. This amendment allows for the purchase of a school bus, sporting facility upgrade, and procurement of school supplies in Pohnpei. The bill was introduced by Sen. David W. Panuelo.
Congressional Act numbers 17-3, 17-4, 17-5,and 17-7 propose various changes to appropriations from the 16th Congress for economic projects and social programs in all the four states in FSM. These changes merely redistribute existing amounts from one project or program to another. No additional funds are incurred.
For C.A. 17-4, now P.L. 17-4, Mori expressed his appreciation to Congress for putting in place an “appropriate modification” to make “appropriation and implementation process more fair and transparent”
But he remains concerned that repeated amendments to public projects and programs “could be taken as uncertainty and flaw” on the part of planners and leaders.
