The State borrowing act of 2009 was introduced by HOD Floor Leader and Ngaraard State Delegate Gibson Kanai on February of this year. This legislation to allow each state to borrow money to finance programs and activities also empower the state legislatures to borrow money to settle public debts.
As true representatives of their states the delegates unanimously voted yes with a sense of urgency to pass the subject bill and have it transmitted to the Senate and await their reaction. Peleliu Delegate Jonathan Isechal who chairs the powerful Ways & Means Committee was responsible for reporting on the bill to the floor and says, “this legislation is one of the priority requests of the Association of Governors and we are happy to accommodate them.” This authority to borrow money by the states is subject to approval of the Olbiil Era Kelulau.The only floor amendment to the subject bill was proposed by Delegate Isechal, which is a non related rider to amend Section 503 of Title 2 of the Palau National Code to limit the Special Prosecutor’s investigative powers, which Delegate Isechal feels are unnecessarily broad and need reforming to avoid abuse of authority. Delegate Isechal’s amendment only permits the Special Prosecutor to subpoena witnesses, administer oaths and obtain testimony only after a complaint has been filed.The floor amendment by Isechal was approved unanimously as was the main bill, without opposition from other delegates.
