Senate of the 11th Olbiil Era Kelulau hit the ground running on the first day of its first Regular Session with introduction of six (6) major bills.
Also on the first day calendar of the 11th Senate First Regular Session were President Surangel Whipps Jr.’s appointees to the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Industries & Commerce. In addition, three (3) Parole Board nominees were submitted.
The six bills introduced included bill to extend the CROSS Act, tax reform bill (VAT), Building Safety Standard bill, bill to update corporation registration law, bill to repeal Special Prosecutor’s Act and bill to increase import tax on alcohol products.
Tax Reform bill and Building Safety Standard bill reform are all extensive proposals that have been introduced through number of governments in some form but have not been successful. Special Prosecutor’s Act proposed amendment and CROSS Act extension are not complicated but are controversial bills.
Both Tax Reform bill and bill to increase alcohol import tax were adopted and assigned to Committee on Ways and Means and Financial Matters chaired by Senator Rukebai Inabo.
Bill to amend Special Prosecutor’s Act was assigned to Committee on Judiciary and Governmental Affairs chaired by Senator Jonathan “Cio” Isechal.
Extension of CROSS Act bill was assigned to Senator Secilil Eldebechel, chairman of the Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Matters while the bill to amend Corporations Law was assigned to Committee on Resources, Commerce, Trade and Development chaired by Senator Mark Rudimch. Lastly, bill to create Building Safety Standards was assigned to Committee on Capital Improvement Projects and Infrastructure under chairman of Senator Kerai Mariur.