PALIKIR, POHNPEI The 22nd Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia adjourned Sine Die this Third Regular Session on February 1, 2022 with the passage of measures including a new supplemental budget for FY2022, among many others.
As convened on January 13, 2022, the purpose of the Third Regular Session was to address the FY2022 Supplemental Budget for the National Government and the expiring President’s Emergency Declaration among other matters pending before the body.
After much deliberation, the Congress passed Congressional Act CA 22-77 to appropriate from the General Fund of the Federated States of Micronesia for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022 in the amount of $4,390,502 to provide additional funding for the operations of all branches of the National Government, its agencies, various programs, grants, subsidies and contributions and capital and human resources development.
In a show of solidarity in contributing towards humanitarian relief efforts with the neighboring island nations of the Pacific, the Congress passes CA 22-79 to appropriate $100,000 from the General Fund for financial assistance to the nation of Tonga due to the eruption of the Hung-Tonga-Ha’apai Volcano and the subsequent tsunami, and for other purposes.
CA 22-83 is an act appropriating the sum of $400,000 from the General Fund of the Federated States of Micronesia for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, to provide supplemental funding for the priority infrastructure projects for the people of the state of Yap, and for other purposes.
CA 22-75 is an act to amend section 9 of Public Law No. 22-131, to change the language in the funding previously appropriated to fund Enhancing Tourism for the state of Chuuk, and for other purposes.
The Congress passes CA 22-85 by amending Chapter 13 Title 55 of the Code of the Federated States of Micronesia by adding a new Section 1303, for the purpose of requiring any proposal to attach a name or symbol to Government Property for honorary purposes to be approved by the Congress.
The remaining Acts were for grass root level projects and social programs in the four states to either make changes to the use of funds previously appropriated or to make changes to the allottees of those funds.
Congress passed CA 22-72, CA 22-73, CA 22-74, CA 22-76 & CA 22-78, and changed the use or allottee of certain funds previously appropriated for public projects and social programs for the people of the State of Kosrae; while CA 22-82 was for the same intent directed to the state of Pohnpei. Specific to Chuuk state for previous public projects and social programs for the people of the state, the Congress passed CA 22-71 & CA 22-84; and in the same manner with CA 22-80 for the people of the State of Yap.
CA22-81 is to appropriate the sum of $11,200,000 from the General Fund of the FSM for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022 for the purpose of funding public projects and social programs for the people of Kosrae, Pohnpei, Chuuk & Yap states, and for other purposes.
All the Congressional Acts have been transmitted to the President to be signed into law.
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