PR # 20
Palikir, Pohnpei. June 04, 2022 – The 4th FSM Constitutional Convention continued in its deliberations on important proposals to amend the FSM Constitution. At 9:00 am the Chairman of the Standing Committee on Civil Liberties and Tradition, Hon. Mason Albert, called his committee meeting to order to review two proposals assigned to it: Constitutional Convention Delegates/Delegation Proposals (CC-PR) # 04-04 and # 04-13. CC-PR #04-04 is a proposal to amend Section 8 of Article XIII of the FSM Constitution to establish “full faith and credit” for statues, court orders and records of the States. CC-PR #04-13 is a proposal to amend Section 4 of Article V of the FSM Constitution to recognize the traditional ownership of submerged reef beyond the 12-mile zone from island baselines. The committee deferred action on proposal 04-04 indefinitely and will hold a joint hearing on proposal 04-13 with the Committee on Public Finance and Revenue. The committee meeting adjourned at 10:20 am.
At 10:30 am, the Convention President, Hon. Redley Killion, called the plenary session to order. The Convention unanimously adopted Committee Proposal # 04-03, to amend Section 2 of Article IX on Second Reading, with all State Delegations voting in the affirmative. Committee Proposal #04-03 will increase the number of votes needed to override a presidential veto restoring a balance of power between the branches of government.
The following Committee meetings and public hearing were announced: Saturday immediately after the session- Committee on General Provision, Monday-Committee on Government Structure and Functions after plenary session, Tuesday-Committee on Style and Arrangement @1pm and Wednesday-Committee on Public Finance and Revenue @1pm. The plenary session went into recess at 12:30 pm until Monday, June 06, 2022, at 10am.
At 1:00 pm, the Chairperson of Committee on General Provision, Hon. Yoslyn Sigrah, called to order a committee meeting to review and make its recommendation on pending proposals assigned to the committee: CC-PR# 04-54 to amend Section 2 of Article XIII of the FSM Constitution to prohibit the storage and transport of toxic chemical and radioactive materials across FSM waters; CC-PR# 04-45 to amend Article XIII of the FSM Constitution by adding a new section to ensure sustainability of economic development; CC-PR# 04-55 to amend Article XIII of the FSM Constitution by adding a new section regarding public corporations; CC-PR# 04-59 to amend Article XIII of the FSM Constitution by adding a new section regarding foreign investment; and CC-PR# 04-65 to amend Article XIII of the FSM Constitution by adding a new section prohibiting government to hold an equity interest or have shares or stocks in any banks. The Committee deferred action on proposals 04-54, 04-45, 04-55, and 04-59. Proposal 04-65 will be subject to further review. The committee adjourned at 3:30pm
Specific information on reports, proposals, journals, etc. can be easily accessed online at the 4th FSM Constitutional Convention website: consititution.gov.fm