KOROR, Palau – The Palau Judiciary submitted a supplemental budget request of $1,260,000 for the current fiscal year (FY) 2024. According to a letter from the Judiciary, the request includes previously submitted items from the FY 2023 Supplemental that were not funded.
The largest portion of the request, $650,000, is for a new Case Management System (JIS) and associated hardware upgrades. The Judiciary says its current system is 15 years old and obsolete.
The request also includes $80,000 to cover a wage and salary increase mandated for national and state employees but not included in the initial FY 2024 appropriation for the Judiciary.
Additionally, the Judiciary requests $500,000 to host the Palau National Code (PNC), Republic of Palau Public Laws (RPPLs), and Presidential Executive Orders on its website. The Palau Code Commission reportedly requested this to centralize and ensure the accessibility of these legal documents.
Rounding out the request is $30,000 for training and hardware related to implementing a scaled version of the Ministry of Finance’s MUNIS accounting system in the Judiciary’s budget office.
The letter also mentions that the Judiciary secured approval for its entire FY 2024 budget of $3,975,000 but only received an appropriation of $3,139,666. They are requesting the remaining $835,334 be appropriated.