Senate Bill No. 7-281, SD1, HD2 includes four bills such as the proposed amendments to the Uniform Compensation Act in compliance to the constitutional provision which sets a uniform compensation for lawmakers.
The bill also contains proposed amendment to the provision with respect to the base salary of the President, Vice President, Ministers and doctors.The bill proposed an increase of the president’s salary from $50,000 to $95,000 annually effective January 15, 2009, while the vice president’s salary will be raised from $45,000 to $60,000.The ministers’ salaries will also be increased from $30,000 to $50,000.The establishment of the Palau Casino Gaming Control Commission to supervise controlled gaming in the Republic of Palau is part of the bill.Under the provision, casino operation will be allowed in Palau and to modernize the admiralty and maritime code and to create a new Chapter 6 to 15, regarding an Open Ship Registry State in the Republic of Palau, and to amend various other provisions of law relating to vessels, and for other related purposes is also part of the bill.The bill was passed on final and third reading on Tuesday and has been transmitted to the Senate.As of press time the Senate is still deliberating on the bill.
