Palikir, POHNPEI (4^th FSM Con-Con)– The 4^th FSM Constitutional Convention went into recess on Wednesday January 22, 2020 after two weeks of hard work deliberating and reviewing the current FSM Constitution to best address the current and future needs of the nation. The recess would last for 30 days.

The first round of negotiation completed with sixty two proposals being introduced which the Delegates will be well equipped to tackle after consultations with their constituents in their respective states during the recess.

 “As today is our last day of Convention session before we take a break, I wish to thank you all for your hard work and supports you all have put in from day one of our session which started about two weeks ago.” said Convention President Killion in his closing statement.

“We all know that this is a solemn task and responsibility to which our constituents have entrusted us to do,” he added. He then encouraged the Delegates to review the various proposals that have been introduced and assigned to the respective committees and to prioritize priority proposals to be discussed after the recess.

“I look forward to seeing you all after the recess and I wished you all a safe trip on your journeys as you return to your home states and islands, especially as you return back to see your families and friends,” he  concluded.

Palikir, POHNPEI(4^th FSM Con-Con 01/22/20)- On day 13^th of its plenary session, which was held this morning, January 22, 2020,  the Convention adopted two resolutions. These resolutions are Convention Resolution No. CC-Res-4-06 and Convention Resolution No. CC-Res-4-07.

Resolution No. CC-Res-4-06, a resolution expressing congratulations to the Honorable Reed B. Oliver, Honorable Felciano M. Perman, the Honorable Ausen T. Lambert and members of the 10^th Pohnpei State Legislation and gratitude and appreciation to Pohnpei State for the invitation to the Delegates to the Fourth Constitutional Convention of the Federated States of Micronesia to attend the 2020 Joint Inauguration of the Governor-elect, Lt. Governor-elect, and members of the 10^th Pohnpei State Legislature. This resolution was introduced by Delegate Canney L.Palsis of Kosrae .

Resolution No. CC-Res-4-07, a resolution expressing and extending sincere gratitude and great appreciation to the people of Pohnpei who have shown generous and kind gestures of great hospitality through their traditional and State leaders to the Delegates of the Fourth FSM Constitutional Convention. This resolution was introduced by Delegate Nickson M. Bossy of Chuuk.

The Convention then went into recess and will re-convene subject to the call of the Convention President.

Palikir, POHNPEI – Convention President Redley Killion called the Fourth FSM Constitution Convention to order at about 10:53 a.m on Tuesday, January 21, 2020 and requested that Delegate Ricky F. Cantero be the Acting Floor Leader for the session since Floor Leader Andrew Yatilman was excused on that day.

During deliberation, Committee Report No. CC-PR-04-02, from the Committee on Public Finance and Revenue, on proposal No. CC-PR-04-02 was adopted.  Proposal No. CC-PR-04-02,  is proposing to amend  the Constitution to provide that distribution of share of foreign assistance from the foreign assistance fund will be made by agreement between the States and National Government instead of shared in equal portions by all of the four States and National Government.

Delegate Proposals introduced are:

Delegate Proposal  No. CC-PR-4-45, to amend Article XII of the Constitution by adding a new section to recognize that the natural resources in the FSM are held in trust for future generations and to require that all economic development include mechanism to maintain the sustainability of natural resources within the FSM. This proposal was introduced by the Convention President and assigned to the Committee on General Provision, chaired by Delegate Yoslyn G. Sigrah of Kosrae for review.

Delegate Proposal No. CC-PR-4-46, an amendment to Article XIV of the Constitution to lower the percentage of voters cast required in each state  to adopt amendments to the Constitution from the current three-fourth of the votes in three of the four states to two thirds of the votes in three fourth of the states. This proposal was introduced by the Kosrae Delegation and was also assigned to the Committee on General Provision.

Delegate Proposal No. CC-PR-4-47, which seeks to amend Section 3 of Article III of the FSM Constitution to allow dual citizenship for a person born of parents one or both of whom are citizens of the FSM and who is also recognized as a citizen of another nation. Also introduced by the Kosrae Delegation and assigned to the Committee on Civil Liberties and Tradition headed by Delegate Mason Albert of Pohnpei for review.

Delegate Proposal No. CC-PR-4-48- a proposal to amend Section 3(a) of Article IX of the FSM Constitution to require that the Governors of each state shall be the allottee for congressional appropriations for public projects In each respective states. This proposal was introduced was also introduced by the Kosrae Delegation and  assigned to the Joint Committees on Government Structure and Function and Public Finance and Revenue headed by Delegates Peter Sitan of Chuuk and Victor Nabeyan of Yap.

Delegate Proposal No. CC-PR-4-49 – to add a new section 4 to Article XII of the FSM Constitution to provide for the Office of Independent Prosecutor. This proposal was also introduced by the Kosrae Delegation and assigned to the Committee on Government Structure and Functions.

Delegate Proposal No.CC-PR-4-50 – an amendment to Article XIII, Section 4 of the Constitution to allow ownership of land or waters for a term of years for the sole purpose of investment and loan security. This proposal was introduced by Delegate Asterio Takesy of Chuuk and assigned to the Committee on Provision for review and action.

Delegate Proposal No. CC-PR-4-51 which was also introduced by the Kosrae Delegation, seeks to amend Article XII of the FSM Constitution by amending Section 1 thereof, by adding a new subsection (c) to provide that funds collected through taxes and fees to the state support priority projects. This proposal has been assigned to the Committee on Public Finance and Revenue.

And the final proposal introduced that day was Delegate Proposal No. CC-PR-4-52. An amendment to Article XI, Section 6 of the Constitution to provide the State Courts the exclusive jurisdiction of cases where interest of land is at issue. This proposal was introduced by Delegate Johnson A. Asher and was assigned to the Joint Committees on General Provision and Government Structure and Functions.

Palikir, POHNPEI (Concon 01-20-20) – On Monday January 20, 2020 which marked day 11^th of its session the 4^th FSM Con-con adopted Convention Resolution No. CC-Res-4-04, as was amended.  A  resolution, requesting His Excellency David W. Panuelo, President  of the Federated States of Micronesia to include participation and involvement of delegates of the Fourth Constitutional Convention in educating the citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia on the proposed constitutional amendments adopted by the Fourth Constitutional Convention of the Federated States of Micronesia.

Public Law 21-19, Section 8(1) requires that the amendments approved by the Convention shall be voted on in a referendum to be held in March 2021 or earlier in a referendum called by the FSM President if one or more of the proposals will effect the general election.

According to the resolution, it is important that the citizens of the FSM be appropriately educated about the proposed amendments to the Constitution so that they can more knowingly cast their ballot on the proposed amendments. The Delegates have knowledge or the purpose and intent of the proposed amendments, and how such amendments will amend the FSM Constitution and are requesting the FSM President to consider designating the delegates of the Fourth Constitutional Convention to serve on any Committee, Task Force, or other group or entity created to engage in public education of the proposed constitutional amendments to the FSM Constitution.

So far, forty-four proposals have been introduced on the floor and assigned to the respective committees for review and action. For more details on these proposals, please visit our website at constitution.gov.fm.

Palikir, POHNPEI (Concon 01/19/20)- On day 9th of its Plenary Session, that was held on Friday January 17, 2020, the Convention adopted three convention resolutions namely Convention Resolutions No. CC-Res-4-01, CC-Res-4-02 and CC-Res-4-03.

Convention Resolution No. CC-Res-4-01, a resolution expressing gratitude and appreciation to President David W. Panauelo and Vice President Yoswo P. George for making some of their staff, offices, and equipment available for use by the Fourth Constitutional Convention of the Federated States of Micronesia. This resolution was introduced by Delegate Cindy Mori of Chuuk.

The second resolution adopted was Convention Resolution No. CC-Res-4-02, expressing gratitude and appreciation to Speaker Wesley W. Simina and Members of the Twenty First Congress for making some of their staff, offices, and equipment available for use by the Fourth Constitutional Convention of the Federated States of Micronesia. This resolution was introduced by Vice President of the Convention  Iso Nahnken Salvador Iriarte of Pohnpei.

And the final resolution adopted on that day was resolution N0.CC-Res-4-03, expressing gratitude and appreciation to Chief Justice Dennis K. Yamase of the Supreme Court of the Federated States of Micronesia for making some of his staff, and the Court Library available for use by the Fourth Constitutional Convention of the Federated States of Micronesia. This resolution was introduced by Delegate Victor Nabeyan of Yap State.