The Bill, introduced by all 16 Delegates, is “a call to amend an existing law to allow the states to receive all revenues derived from the management and administration of their public lands.”
As of late, the issue of who should control all revenues derived from the management and use of state public lands in the country has been one of the most pressing subjects before the 8th Olbiil Era Kelulau.
Before the State Public Land Authorities in Palau has been established, administration of all public lands was handled by the National Public Land Authority. The revenues from state lands used to be divided into 75 percent for the concerned state government and 25 percent national government.
However, when the State Public Land Authorities was established, there have been requests on the national government to give states their due under the National Constitution.
House Bill No. 8-39-3 was introduced “at the written request and support of state governors and leaders whose government operations’ cost and dwindling revenues make it difficult for them to manage or continue operations.”
Under the Constitution, the states have the right to ownership of all living and non-living resources and are entitled to receive revenues “derived from the exploration and exploitation of all living and non-living resources and fines collected for violation of any law within the marine area.”
