The bill which was opposed by Sen. Alfonso Diaz due to alleged strict policies on radio communication entities in Palau was rejected by the Senate yesterday.
The Senate rejected the House version of the measure which was passed on third and final reading Wednesday.House Bill No. 7-220-35S stated that it does not target any established broadcasting station or telecommunications provider.Senate Floor Leader Alan Seid in an interview said that the voting was 5-4. He voted for the passage of the measure on first reading.Seid said those who voted against the measure sided with Diaz on the reason that the law should remain as it is, that there is no changes needed in the current law.He added that the senators opposed to the measure said that the matter can be tackled by the next Congress.Seid added however that there is time to tackle the measure and that Sen. Santy Asanuma’s committee on Resources, Commerce, Trade and Development will be taking up the Senate version of the bill before their term ends.Seid, Asanuma, Sen. Yukiwo Dengokl and Sen. Caleb Otto were for the passage of the House version on first reading.“The Senate version of the bill is very much alive,” Asanuma said.He said his committee wants to revisit the law to the address shortcomings of the existing lawThe measure was earlier introduced by President Remengesau which is meant to set up a comprehensive regulatory scheme for broadcasting in Palau.He added that it is meant to include the allocation of the radio communication spectrum, licensing of broadcasting, monitoring and employment.The 45-page piece of legislation stated that technological advances and increased number of users made it difficult to enforce due to the inherent limitations contained in the new law.He added that the bill has been reviewed and edited by the United States telecommunication authorities to ensure that it will be in harmony with the Compact of Free Association.
