Press Release #08

Press Release #8

Palikir, POHNPEI (4th FSM Con-Con) – The 4th FSM Constitutional Convention will re-convene on Monday February 24,2020  at the FSM Congress Chamber in Palikir, Pohnpei to continue with their review of the FSM Constitution. Before it went into recess on January 22, 2020, the delegates introduced 62 proposed amendments which are related to the proposed amendments adopted by the last Constitutional Convention.

The last constitutional convention was held in 2001. Fourteen proposed Constitutional amendments were adopted but none were approved by the citizens of the FSM in a referendum.

The proposed amendments that would be adopted by the delegates of the 4th FSM Constitutional Convention will be placed on a ballot for the March 2021 referendum or sooner.

 The Convention will begin at 10:00 A.M. on Monday February 24, 2020 and is open to the general public.

 The Committee Meetings that have been scheduled are as follows:

The Committee on Government Structure and Function will meet on Monday, February 24, at 2:30 p.m. in the FSM Congress Chamber at Palikir.  The Committee will discuss the Standing Committee Report for Delegate Proposal No. 4-11 which seeks to amend Section 2(q) of Article IX of the Constitution to provide for the number of votes required to override a Presidential veto; and an amendment to Delegate Proposal No. 4-15 which seeks to amend Section 8 of Article 9 of the Constitution to (1) add one more at-large member from each of the four states; (2) make the term for all members of Congress four years; and (3) to hold national elections every four years.

The Committee on Civil Liberties and Tradition will meet on Wednesday, February 26, at 8:30 a.m. in the Congress Hearing Room at Palikir. The Committee will discuss all of the proposals on dual citizenship.

The Committee on Public Finance and Revenue will meet on Wednesday, February 26, at 1:00 p.m. in the FSM Congress Chamber at Palikir.  The Committee will discuss National Government Financial Data.  The Secretary of Finance and the FSM Congress Budget Officer have been asked to testify at the meeting.