48 USC 1921 - Construction contract assistance

Collapse to view only § 1921e. Construction contract assistance

§ 1921. Approval of U.S.-FSM Compact of Free Association and the U.S.-RMI Compact of Free Association; references to subsidiary agreements or separate agreements
§ 1921a. Agreements with Federated States of Micronesia
§ 1921b. Agreements with and other provisions related to the Republic of the Marshall Islands
§ 1921c. Interpretation of and United States policy regarding U.S.-FSM Compact and U.S.-RMI Compact
§ 1921d. Supplemental provisions
§ 1921e. Construction contract assistance
§ 1921f. Prohibition
§ 1921g. Compensatory adjustments
§ 1921h. Authorization and continuing appropriation

§ 1921. Approval of U.S.-FSM Compact of Free Association and the U.S.-RMI Compact of Free Association; references to subsidiary agreements or separate agreements

(a) Federated States of Micronesia

(b) Republic of the Marshall Islands

(c) References to the Compact, the U.S.-FSM Compact, and the U.S.-RMI Compact; References to subsidiary agreements or separate agreements

(1) Any reference in this joint resolution (except references in Title II) to “the Compact” shall be treated as a reference to the Compact of Free Association set forth in title II of Public Law 99–239, January 14, 1986, 99 Stat. 1770. Any reference in this joint resolution to the “U.S.-FSM Compact” shall be treated as a reference to the Compact of Free Association, as amended between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia and set forth in Title II (section 201(a)) of this joint resolution. Any reference in this joint resolution to the “U.S.-RMI Compact” shall be treated as a reference to the Compact of Free Association, as amended between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and set forth in Title II (section 201(b)) of this joint resolution.

(2) Any reference to the term “subsidiary agreements” or “separate agreements” in this joint resolution shall be treated as a reference to agreements listed in section 462 of the U.S.-FSM Compact and the U.S.-RMI Compact, and any other agreements that the United States may from time to time enter into with either the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia or the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or with both such governments in accordance with the provisions of the U.S.-FSM Compact and the U.S.-RMI Compact.

(d) Amendment, change, or termination in the U.S.-FSM compact and U.S.-RMI compact and certain agreements

(1) Any amendment, change, or termination by mutual agreement or by unilateral action of the Government of the United States of all or any part of the U.S.-FSM Compact or U.S.-RMI Compact shall not enter into force until after Congress has incorporated it in an Act of Congress.

(2) The provisions of paragraph (1) shall apply—

(A) to all actions of the Government of the United States under the U.S.-FSM Compact or U.S.-RMI Compact including, but not limited to, actions taken pursuant to sections 431, 441, or 442;

(B) to any amendment, change, or termination in the Agreement Between the Government of the United States and the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia Regarding Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Security Concluded Pursuant to Sections 321 and 323 of the Compact of Free Association referred to in section 462(a)(2) of the U.S.-FSM Compact and the Agreement Between the Government of the United States and the Government of the Marshall Islands Regarding Mutual Security Concluded Pursuant to Sections 321 and 323 of the Compact of Free Association referred to in section 462(a)(5) of the U.S.-RMI Compact;

(C) to any amendment, change, or termination of the agreements concluded pursuant to Compact section 177, and section 215(a) of the U.S.-FSM Compact and section 216(a) of the U.S.-RMI Compact, the terms of which are incorporated by reference into the U.S.-FSM Compact and the U.S.-RMI Compact; and

(D) to the following subsidiary agreements, or portions thereof:

(i) Articles III, IV, and X of the agreement referred to in section 462(b)(6) of the U.S.-RMI Compact.

(ii) Article III and IV of the agreement referred to in section 462(b)(6) of the U.S.-FSM Compact.

(iii) Articles VI, XV, and XVII of the agreement referred to in section 462(b)(7) of the U.S.-FSM Compact and U.S.-RMI Compact.

(e) Subsidiary agreements deemed bilateral

(f) Entry into force of future amendments to subsidiary agreements

(Pub. L. 108–188, title I, § 101, Dec. 17, 2003, 117 Stat. 2723; Pub. L. 110–229, title VIII, § 801(a), May 8, 2008, 122 Stat. 869.)

§ 1921a. Agreements with Federated States of Micronesia

(a) Law enforcement assistance

(b) Agreement on auditsThe Comptroller General (and his duly authorized representatives) shall have the authorities necessary to carry out his responsibilities under section 232 of the U.S.-FSM Compact and the agreement referred to in section 462(b)(4) of the U.S.-FSM Compact, including the following authorities:

(1) General authority of the Comptroller General to audit

(A) The Comptroller General of the United States (and his duly authorized representatives) shall have the authority to audit—

(i) all grants, program assistance, and other assistance provided to the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia under Articles I and II of Title Two of the U.S.-FSM Compact; and

(ii) any other assistance provided by the Government of the United States to the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia.

Such authority shall include authority for the Comptroller General to conduct or cause to be conducted any of the audits provided for in section 232 of the U.S.-FSM Compact. The authority provided in this paragraph shall continue for at least three years after the last such grant has been made or assistance has been provided.

(B) The Comptroller General (and his duly authorized representatives) shall also have authority to review any audit conducted by or on behalf of the Government of the United States. In this connection, the Comptroller General shall have access to such personnel and to such records, documents, working papers, automated data and files, and other information relevant to such review.

(2) Comptroller General access to records

(A) In carrying out paragraph (1), the Comptroller General (and his duly authorized representatives) shall have such access to the personnel and (without cost) to records, documents, working papers, automated data and files, and other information relevant to such audits. The Comptroller General may duplicate any such records, documents, working papers, automated data and files, or other information relevant to such audits.

(B) Such records, documents, working papers, automated data and files, and other information regarding each such grant or other assistance shall be maintained for at least five years after the date such grant or assistance was provided and in a manner that permits such grants, assistance, and payments to be accounted for distinct from any other funds of the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia.

(3) Status of Comptroller General representatives

(4) Audits definedAs used in this subsection, the term “audits” includes financial, program, and management audits, including determining—

(A) whether the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia has met the requirements set forth in the U.S.-FSM Compact, or any related agreement entered into under the U.S.-FSM Compact, regarding the purposes for which such grants and other assistance are to be used; and

(B) the propriety of the financial transactions of the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia pursuant to such grants or assistance.

(5) Cooperation by Federated States of Micronesia

(Pub. L. 108–188, title I, § 102, Dec. 17, 2003, 117 Stat. 2725.)

§ 1921b. Agreements with and other provisions related to the Republic of the Marshall Islands

(a) Law enforcement assistance

(b) Ejit

(1) In the joint resolution of January 14, 1986 (Public Law 99–239) Congress provided that the President of the United States shall negotiate with the Government of the Marshall Islands an agreement whereby, without prejudice as to any claims which have been or may be asserted by any party as to rightful title and ownership of any lands on Ejit, the Government of the Marshall Islands shall assure that lands on Ejit used as of January 1, 1985, by the people of Bikini, will continue to be available without charge for their use, until such time as Bikini is restored and inhabitable and the continued use of Ejit is no longer necessary, unless a Marshall Islands court of competent jurisdiction finally determines that there are legal impediments to continued use of Ejit by the people of Bikini.

(2) In the joint resolution of January 14, 1986 (Public Law 99–239) Congress provided that if the impediments described in paragraph (1) do arise, the United States will cooperate with the Government of the Marshall Islands in assisting any person adversely affected by such judicial determination to remain on Ejit, or in locating suitable and acceptable alternative lands for such person’s use.

(3) In the joint resolution of January 14, 1986 (Public Law 99–239) Congress provided that paragraph (1) shall not be applied in a manner which would prevent the Government of the Marshall Islands from acting in accordance with its constitutional processes to resolve title and ownership claims with respect to such lands or from taking substitute or additional measures to meet the needs of the people of Bikini with their democratically expressed consent and approval.

(1) In the joint resolution of January 14, 1986 (Public Law 99–239) Congress provided that in furtherance of the purposes of Article I of the Subsidiary Agreement for Implementation of Section 177 of the Compact, the payment of the amount specified therein shall be made by the United States under Article I of the Agreement between the Government of the United States and the Government of the Marshall Islands for the Implementation of Section 177 of the Compact (hereafter in this subsection referred to as the “Section 177 Agreement”) only after the Government of the Marshall Islands has notified the President of the United States as to which investment management firm has been selected by such Government to act as Fund Manager under Article I of the Section 177 Agreement.

(2) In the joint resolution of January 14, 1986 (Public Law 99–239) Congress provided that in the event that the President determines that an investment management firm selected by the Government of the Marshall Islands does not meet the requirements specified in Article I of the Section 177 Agreement, the United States shall invoke the conference and dispute resolution procedures of Article II of Title Four of the Compact. Pending the resolution of such a dispute and until a qualified Fund Manager has been designated, the Government of the Marshall Islands shall place the funds paid by the United States pursuant to Article I of the Section 177 Agreement into an interest-bearing escrow account. Upon designation of a qualified Fund Manager, all funds in the escrow account shall be transferred to the control of such Fund Manager for management pursuant to the Section 177 Agreement.

(3) In the joint resolution of January 14, 1986 (Public Law 99–239) Congress provided that if the Government of the Marshall Islands determines that some other investment firm should act as Fund Manager in place of the firm first (or subsequently) selected by such Government, the Government of the Marshall Islands shall so notify the President of the United States, identifying the firm selected by such Government to become Fund Manager, and the President shall proceed to evaluate the qualifications of such identified firm.

(4) In the joint resolution of January 14, 1986 (Public Law 99–239) Congress provided that at the end of 15 years after the effective date of the Compact, the firm then acting as Fund Manager shall transfer to the Government of the Marshall Islands, or to such account as such Government shall so notify the Fund Manager, all remaining funds and assets being managed by the Fund Manager under the Section 177 Agreement.

(d) Nuclear test effects

(e) Espousal provisions

(1) In the joint resolution of January 14, 1986 (Public Law 99–239) Congress provided that it is the intention of the Congress of the United States that the provisions of section 177 of the Compact of Free Association and the Agreement between the Government of the United States and the Government of the Marshall Islands for the Implementation of Section 177 of the Compact (hereafter in this subsection referred to as the “Section 177 Agreement”) constitute a full and final settlement of all claims described in Articles X and XI of the Section 177 Agreement, and that any such claims be terminated and barred except insofar as provided for in the Section 177 Agreement.

(2) In the joint resolution of January 14, 1986 (Public Law 99–239) Congress provided that in furtherance of the intention of Congress as stated in paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Section 177 Agreement is hereby ratified and approved. It is the explicit understanding and intent of Congress that the jurisdictional limitations set forth in Article XII of such Agreement are enacted solely and exclusively to accomplish the objective of Article X of such Agreement and only as a clarification of the effect of Article X, and are not to be construed or implemented separately from Article X.

(f) DOE radiological health care program; USDA agricultural and food programs

(1) Marshall Islands program

(A) In general

(B) Continued monitoring on Runit Island

(i) Cactus Crater containment and groundwater monitoringEffective beginning January 1, 2012, the Secretary of Energy shall, as a part of the Marshall Islands program conducted under subparagraph (A), periodically (but not less frequently than every 4 years) conduct—(I) a visual study of the concrete exterior of the Cactus Crater containment structure on Runit Island; and(II) a radiochemical analysis of the groundwater surrounding and in the Cactus Crater containment structure on Runit Island.

(ii) ReportThe Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives, a report that contains—(I) a description of—(aa) the results of each visual survey conducted under clause (i)(I); and(bb) the results of the radiochemical analysis conducted under clause (i)(II); and(II) a determination on whether the surveys and analyses indicate any significant change in the health risks to the people of Enewetak from the contaminants within the Cactus Crater containment structure.

(iii) Funding for groundwater monitoring

(2) Agricultural and food programs

(A) In generalIn the joint resolution of January 14, 1986 (Public Law 99–239) Congress provided that notwithstanding any other provision of law, upon the request of the Government of the Marshall Islands, for the first fifteen years after the effective date of the Compact, the President (either through an appropriate department or agency of the United States or by contract with a United States firm or by a grant to the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands which may further contract only with a United States firm or a Republic of the Marshall Islands firm, the owners, officers and majority of the employees of which are citizens of the United States or the Republic of the Marshall Islands) shall provide technical and other assistance—

(i) without reimbursement, to continue the planting and agricultural maintenance program on Enewetak, as provided in subparagraph (C); and

(ii) without reimbursement, to continue the food programs of the Bikini and Enewetak people described in section 1(d) of Article II of the Subsidiary Agreement for the Implementation of Section 177 of the Compact and for continued waterborne transportation of agricultural products to Enewetak including operations and maintenance of the vessel used for such purposes.

(B) Population changes

(i) In general

(ii) Authorization and continuing appropriation

(3) Payments

(g) Rongelap

(1) In the joint resolution of January 14, 1986 (Public Law 99–239) Congress provided that because Rongelap was directly affected by fallout from a 1954 United States thermonuclear test and because the Rongelap people remain unconvinced that it is safe to continue to live on Rongelap Island, it is the intent of Congress to take such steps (if any) as may be necessary to overcome the effects of such fallout on the habitability of Rongelap Island, and to restore Rongelap Island, if necessary, so that it can be safely inhabited. Accordingly, it is the expectation of the Congress that the Government of the Marshall Islands shall use such portion of the funds specified in Article II, section 1(e) of the subsidiary agreement for the implementation of section 177 of the Compact as are necessary for the purpose of contracting with a qualified scientist or group of scientists to review the data collected by the Department of Energy relating to radiation levels and other conditions on Rongelap Island resulting from the thermonuclear test. It is the expectation of the Congress that the Government of the Marshall Islands, after consultation with the people of Rongelap, shall select the party to review such data, and shall contract for such review and for submission of a report to the President of the United States and the Congress as to the results thereof.

(2) In the joint resolution of January 14, 1986 (Public Law 99–239) Congress provided that the purpose of the review referred to in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be to establish whether the data cited in support of the conclusions as to the habitability of Rongelap Island, as set forth in the Department of Energy report entitled: “The Meaning of Radiation for Those Atolls in the Northern Part of the Marshall Islands That Were Surveyed in 1978”, dated November 1982, are adequate and whether such conclusions are fully supported by the data. If the party reviewing the data concludes that such conclusions as to habitability are fully supported by adequate data, the report to the President of the United States and the Congress shall so state. If the party reviewing the data concludes that the data are inadequate to support such conclusions as to habitability or that such conclusions as to habitability are not fully supported by the data, the Government of the Marshall Islands shall contract with an appropriate scientist or group of scientists to undertake a complete survey of radiation and other effects of the nuclear testing program relating to the habitability of Rongelap Island. Such sums as are necessary for such survey and report concerning the results thereof and as to steps needed to restore the habitability of Rongelap Island are authorized to be made available to the Government of the Marshall Islands.

(3) In the joint resolution of January 14, 1986 (Public Law 99–239) Congress provided that it is the intent of Congress that such steps (if any) as are necessary to restore the habitability of Rongelap Island and return the Rongelap people to their homeland will be taken by the United States in consultation with the Government of the Marshall Islands and, in accordance with its authority under the Constitution of the Marshall Islands, the Rongelap local government council.

(4) There are hereby authorized and appropriated to the Secretary of the Interior, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to remain available until expended, for fiscal year 2005, $1,780,000; for fiscal year 2006, $1,760,000; and for fiscal year 2007, $1,760,000, as the final contributions of the United States to the Rongelap Resettlement Trust Fund as established pursuant to Public Law 102–154 (105 Stat. 1009), for the purposes of establishing a food importation program as a part of the overall resettlement program of Rongelap Island.

(h) Four atoll health care program

(1) In the joint resolution of January 14, 1986 (Public Law 99–239) Congress provided that services provided by the United States Public Health Service or any other United States agency pursuant to section 1(a) of Article II of the Agreement for the Implementation of Section 177 of the Compact (hereafter in this subsection referred to as the “Section 177 Agreement”) shall be only for services to the people of the Atolls of Bikini, Enewetak, Rongelap, and Utrik who were affected by the consequences of the United States nuclear testing program, pursuant to the program described in Public Law 95–134 (91 Stat. 1159) and Public Law 96–205 (94 Stat. 84) and their descendants (and any other persons identified as having been so affected if such identification occurs in the manner described in such public laws). Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as prejudicial to the views or policies of the Government of the Marshall Islands as to the persons affected by the consequences of the United States nuclear testing program.

(2) In the joint resolution of January 14, 1986 (Public Law 99–239) Congress provided that at the end of the first year after the effective date of the Compact and at the end of each year thereafter, the providing agency or agencies shall return to the Government of the Marshall Islands any unexpended funds to be returned to the Fund Manager (as described in Article I of the Section 177 Agreement) to be covered into the Fund to be available for future use.

(3) In the joint resolution of January 14, 1986 (Public Law 99–239) Congress provided that the Fund Manager shall retain the funds returned by the Government of the Marshall Islands pursuant to paragraph (2) of this subsection, shall invest and manage such funds, and at the end of 15 years after the effective date of the Compact, shall make from the total amount so retained and the proceeds thereof annual disbursements sufficient to continue to make payments for the provision of health services as specified in paragraph (1) of this subsection to such extent as may be provided in contracts between the Government of the Marshall Islands and appropriate United States providers of such health services.

(i) Enjebi Community Trust FundIn the joint resolution of January 14, 1986 (Public Law 99–239) Congress provided that notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of the Treasury shall establish on the books of the Treasury of the United States a fund having the status specified in Article V of the subsidiary agreement for the implementation of Section 177 of the Compact, to be known as the “Enjebi Community Trust Fund” (hereafter in this subsection referred to as the “Fund”), and shall credit to the Fund the amount of $7,500,000. Such amount, which shall be ex gratia, shall be in addition to and not charged against any other funds provided for in the Compact and its subsidiary agreements, this joint resolution, or any other Act. Upon receipt by the President of the United States of the agreement described in this subsection, the Secretary of the Treasury, upon request of the Government of the Marshall Islands, shall transfer the Fund to the Government of the Marshall Islands, provided that the Government of the Marshall Islands agrees as follows:

(1) Enjebi trust agreement

(2) Monitor conditions

(3) Resettlement of EnjebiIn the joint resolution of January 14, 1986 (Public Law 99–239) Congress provided that in the event that the United States determines that the people of Enjebi can within 25 years of January 14, 1986, resettle Enjebi under the conditions set forth in paragraph (2) of this subsection, then upon such determination there shall be available to the people of Enjebi from the Fund such amounts as are necessary for the people of Enjebi to do the following, in accordance with a plan developed by the Enewetak Local Government Council and the people of Enjebi, and concurred with by the Government of the Marshall Islands to assure consistency with the government’s overall economic development plan:

(A) Establish a community on Enjebi Island for the use of the people of Enjebi.

(B) Replant Enjebi with appropriate food-bearing and other vegetation.

(4) Resettlement of other location

(5) Interest from Fund

(6) Disclaimer of liability

(j) Bikini Atoll cleanup

(1) Declaration of policy

(2) Cleanup funds

(3) Conditions of funding

(k) Agreement on auditsThe Comptroller General (and his duly authorized representatives) shall have the authorities necessary to carry out his responsibilities under section 232 of the U.S.-RMI Compact and the agreement referred to in section 462(b)(4) of the U.S.-RMI Compact, including the following authorities:

(1) General authority of the Comptroller General to audit

(A) The Comptroller General of the United States (and his duly authorized representatives) shall have the authority to audit—

(i) all grants, program assistance, and other assistance provided to the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands under Articles I and II of Title Two of the U.S.-RMI Compact; and

(ii) any other assistance provided by the Government of the United States to the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

Such authority shall include authority for the Comptroller General to conduct or cause to be conducted any of the audits provided for in section 232 of the U.S.-RMI Compact. The authority provided in this paragraph shall continue for at least three years after the last such grant has been made or assistance has been provided.

(2) Comptroller General access to records

(B) Such records, documents, working papers, automated data and files, and other information regarding each such grant or other assistance shall be maintained for at least five years after the date such grant or assistance was provided and in a manner that permits such grants, assistance and payments to be accounted for distinct from any other funds of the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

(3) Status of Comptroller General representatives

(4) Audits definedAs used in this subsection, the term “audits” includes financial, program, and management audits, including determining—

(A) whether the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands has met the requirements set forth in the U.S.-RMI Compact, or any related agreement entered into under the U.S.-RMI Compact, regarding the purposes for which such grants and other assistance are to be used; and

(B) the propriety of the financial transactions of the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands pursuant to such grants or assistance.

(5) Cooperation by the Republic of the Marshall Islands

(l) Kwajalein

(1) Statement of policy

(2) Failure to pay

(A) In general

(B) Resolution

(3) Disposition of increased payments pending new land use agreement

(4) Notifications and report

(A) The Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands shall notify the Government of the United States of America when an agreement amending or superseding the land use agreement dated October 19, 1982, is concluded.

(B) If no agreement amending or superseding the land use agreement dated October 19, 1982 is concluded by the date five years after December 17, 2003, then the President shall report to Congress on the intentions of the United States with respect to the use of Kwajalein Atoll after 2016, on any plans to relocate activities carried out on Kwajalein Atoll, and on the disposition of the funds and interest held in escrow under paragraph (3).

(5) Assistance

(Pub. L. 108–188, title I, § 103, Dec. 17, 2003, 117 Stat. 2727; Pub. L. 110–229, title VIII, § 806(a)(1), May 8, 2008, 122 Stat. 871; Pub. L. 112–149, § 2, July 26, 2012, 126 Stat. 1144.)

§ 1921c. Interpretation of and United States policy regarding U.S.-FSM Compact and U.S.-RMI Compact

(a) Human rights

(b) Immigration and passport security

(1) Naturalized citizens

(2) Passports

(3) Information-sharing

(4) Transition; construction of sections 141(a)(3) and 141(a)(4) of the U.S.-FSM Compact and U.S.-RMI Compact

(d) Nuclear waste disposal

(e) Impact of the U.S.-FSM Compact and the U.S.-RMI Compact on the State of Hawaii, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa; related authorization and continuing appropriation

(1) Statement of congressional intent

(2) Definitions

For the purposes of this part—

(A) the term “affected jurisdiction” means American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or the State of Hawaii; and

(B) the term “qualified nonimmigrant” means a person, or their children under the age of 18, admitted or resident pursuant to section 141 of the U.S.-RMI or U.S.-FSM Compact, or section 141 of the Palau Compact who, as of a date referenced in the most recently published enumeration is a resident of an affected jurisdiction. As used in this subsection, the term “resident” shall be a person who has a “residence,” as that term is defined in section 101(a)(33) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended [8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(33)].

(3) Authorization and continuing appropriation

There is hereby authorized and appropriated to the Secretary of the Interior, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to remain available until expended, for each fiscal year from 2004 through 2023, $30,000,000 for grants to affected jurisdictions to aid in defraying costs incurred by affected jurisdictions as a result of increased demands placed on health, educational, social, or public safety services or infrastructure related to such services due to the residence in affected jurisdictions of qualified nonimmigrants from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau. The grants shall be—

(A) awarded and administered by the Department of the Interior, Office of Insular Affairs, or any successor thereto, in accordance with regulations, policies and procedures applicable to grants so awarded and administered; and

(B) used only for health, educational, social, or public safety services, or infrastructure related to such services, specifically affected by qualified nonimmigrants.

(4) Enumeration

The Secretary of the Interior shall conduct periodic enumerations of qualified nonimmigrants in each affected jurisdiction. The enumerations—

(A) shall be conducted at such intervals as the Secretary of the Interior shall determine, but no less frequently than every five years, during the period of fiscal years 2003 through 2023;

(B) shall be supervised by the United States Bureau of the Census or such other organization as the Secretary of the Interior may select; and

(C) for the period of fiscal years 2004 through 2023, shall be funded by the Secretary of the Interior by deducting such sums as are necessary, but not to exceed $300,000 as adjusted for inflation pursuant to section 217 of the U.S.-FSM Compact with fiscal year 2003 as the base year, per enumeration, from funds appropriated pursuant to the authorization contained in paragraph (3) of this subsection.

(5) Authorization for health care reimbursement

(6) Use of DOD medical facilities and National Health Service Corps

(A) DOD medical facilities

(B) National Health Service Corps

(7) Reporting requirement

Not later than one year after December 17, 2003, and at one year intervals thereafter, the Governors of Guam, the State of Hawaii, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa may provide to the Secretary of the Interior by February 1 of each year their comments with respect to the impacts of the Compacts on their respective jurisdiction. The Secretary of the Interior, upon receipt of any such comments, shall report to the Congress not later than May 1 of each year and include the following:

(A) The Governor’s comments on the impacts of the Compacts as well as the Administration’s analysis of such impact.

(B) The Administration views on any recommendations for corrective action to eliminate those consequences as proposed by such Governors.

(C) With regard to immigration, statistics concerning the number of persons availing themselves of the rights described in section 141(a) of the Compact during the year covered by each report.

(D) With regard to trade, an analysis of the impact on the economy of American Samoa resulting from imports of canned tuna into the United States from the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

(8) Reconciliation of unreimbursed impact expenses

(A) In general

(B) Terms and conditions

(i) Substantiation of impact costs

(ii) Congressional notification

(iii) Congressional review and comment

(iv) Expiration

(9) Authorization of appropriations for grants

(f) Foreign loans

(g) Sense of Congress concerning funding of public infrastructure

(h) Reports and reviews

(1) Report by the President

Not later than the end of the first full calendar year following enactment of this resolution, and not later than December 31 of each year thereafter, the President shall report to Congress regarding the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, including but not limited to—

(A) general social, political, and economic conditions, including estimates of economic growth, per capita income, and migration rates;

(B) the use and effectiveness of United States financial, program, and technical assistance;

(C) the status of economic policy reforms including but not limited to progress toward establishing self-sufficient tax rates;

(D) the status of the efforts to increase investment including: the rate of infrastructure investment of U.S. financial assistance under the U.S.-FSM Compact and the U.S.-RMI Compact; non-U.S. contributions to the trust funds, and the level of private investment; and

(E) recommendations on ways to increase the effectiveness of United States assistance and to meet overall economic performance objectives, including, if appropriate, recommendations to Congress to adjust the inflation rate or to adjust the contributions to the Trust Funds based on non-U.S. contributions.

(2) Review

(i) Construction of section 141(f)

(j) Inflation adjustment

(k) Participation by secondary schools in the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) Student Testing Program

(Pub. L. 108–188, title I, § 104, Dec. 17, 2003, 117 Stat. 2737; Pub. L. 110–229, title VIII, § 806(a)(2), May 8, 2008, 122 Stat. 871; Pub. L. 111–68, div. A, title I, § 1501(c), Oct. 1, 2009, 123 Stat. 2041; Pub. L. 118–42, div. G, title II, § 209(l)(2), Mar. 9, 2024, 138 Stat. 448.)

§ 1921d. Supplemental provisions

(a) Domestic program requirements

(b) Relations with the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands

(1) Appropriations made pursuant to Article I of Title Two and subsection (a)(2) of section 221 of article II of Title Two of the U.S.-FSM Compact and the U.S.-RMI Compact shall be made to the Secretary of the Interior, who shall have the authority necessary to fulfill his responsibilities for monitoring and managing the funds so appropriated consistent with the U.S.-FSM Compact and the U.S.-RMI Compact, including the agreements referred to in section 462(b)(4) of the U.S.-FSM Compact and U.S.-RMI Compact (relating to Fiscal Procedures) and the agreements referred to in section 462(b)(5) of the U.S.-FSM Compact and the U.S.-RMI Compact (regarding the Trust Funds).

(2) Appropriations made pursuant to subsections (a)(1) and (a)(3) through (6) of section 221 of Article II of Title Two of the U.S.-FSM Compact and subsection (a)(1) and (a)(3) through (5) of the U.S.-RMI Compact shall be made directly to the agencies named in those subsections.

(3) Appropriations for services and programs referred to in subsection (b) of section 221 of Article II of Title Two of the U.S.-FSM Compact or U.S.-RMI Compact and appropriations for services and programs referred to in subsection (f) and section 1921g(a) of this title shall be made to the relevant agencies in accordance with the terms of the appropriations for such services and programs.

(4) Federal agencies providing programs and services to the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands shall coordinate with the Secretaries of the Interior and State regarding provision of such programs and services. The Secretaries of the Interior and State shall consult with appropriate officials of the Asian Development Bank and with the Secretary of the Treasury regarding overall economic conditions in the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands and regarding the activities of other donors of assistance to the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

(5) Pursuant to section 3927 of title 22, all United States Government executive branch employees in the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau fall under the authority of the respective applicable chief of mission, except for employees identified as excepted from the authority under Federal law or by Presidential directive.

(6)Interagency group on freely associated states’ affairs.—

(A)In general.—The President is hereby authorized to appoint an Interagency Group on Freely Associated States’ Affairs to provide policy guidance and recommendations on implementation of the U.S.-FSM Compact and the U.S.-RMI Compact to Federal departments and agencies.

(B)Secretaries.—It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Interior shall be represented on the Interagency Group.

(7)United states appointees to joint committees.—

(A)Joint economic management committee.—

(i)In general.—The three United States appointees (United States chair plus two members) to the Joint Economic Management Committee provided for in section 213 of the U.S.-FSM Compact and Article III of the U.S.-FSM Fiscal Procedures Agreement referred to in section 462(b)(4) of the U.S.-FSM Compact shall be United States Government officers or employees.

(ii)Departments.—It is the sense of Congress that 2 of the 3 appointees should be designated from the Department of State and the Department of the Interior, and that U.S. officials of the Asian Development Bank shall be consulted in order to properly coordinate U.S. and Asian Development Bank financial, program, and technical assistance.

(iii)Additional scope.—Section 213 of the U.S.-FSM Compact shall be construed to read as though the phrase, “the implementation of economic policy reforms to encourage investment and to achieve self-sufficient tax rates,” were inserted after “with particular focus on those parts of the plan dealing with the sectors identified in subsection (a) of section 211”.

(B)Joint economic management and financial accountability committee.—

(i)In general.—The three United States appointees (United States chair plus two members) to the Joint Economic Management and Financial Accountability Committee provided for in section 214 of the U.S.-RMI Compact and Article III of the U.S.-RMI Fiscal Procedures Agreement referred to in section 462(b)(4) of the U.S.-RMI Compact shall be United States Government officers or employees.

(iii)Additional scope.—Section 214 of the U.S.-RMI Compact shall be construed to read as though the phrase, “the implementation of economic policy reforms to encourage investment and to achieve self-sufficient tax rates,” were inserted after “with particular focus on those parts of the framework dealing with the sectors and areas identified in subsection (a) of section 211”.

(8)Oversight and coordination.—It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Interior shall ensure that there are personnel resources committed in the appropriate numbers and locations to ensure effective oversight of United States assistance, and effective coordination of assistance among United States agencies and with other international donors such as the Asian Development Bank.

(9) The United States voting members (United States chair plus two or more members) of the Trust Fund Committee appointed by the Government of the United States pursuant to Article 7 of the Trust Fund Agreement implementing section 215 of the U.S.-FSM Compact and referred to in section 462(b)(5) of the U.S.-FSM Compact and any alternates designated by the Government of the United States shall be United States Government officers or employees. The United States voting members (United States chair plus two or more members) of the Trust Fund Committee appointed by the Government of the United States pursuant to Article 7 of the Trust Fund Agreement implementing section 216 of the U.S.-RMI Compact and referred to in section 462(b)(5) of the U.S.-RMI Compact and any alternates designated by the Government of the United States shall be United States Government officers or employees. It is the sense of Congress that the appointees should be designated from the Department of State, the Department of the Interior, and the Department of the Treasury.

(10) The Trust Fund Committee provided for in Article 7 of the U.S.-FSM Trust Fund Agreement implementing section 215 of the U.S.-FSM Compact shall be a nonprofit corporation incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia. To the extent that any law, rule, regulation or ordinance of the District of Columbia, or of any State or political subdivision thereof in which the Trust Fund Committee is incorporated or doing business, impedes or otherwise interferes with the performance of the functions of the Trust Fund Committee pursuant to this joint resolution, such law, rule, regulation, or ordinance shall be deemed to be preempted by this joint resolution. The Trust Fund Committee provided for in Article 7 of the U.S.-RMI Trust Fund Agreement implementing section 216 of the U.S.-RMI Compact shall be a non-profit corporation incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia. To the extent that any law, rule, regulation or ordinance of the District of Columbia, or of any State or political subdivision thereof in which the Trust Fund Committee is incorporated or doing business, impedes or otherwise interferes with the performance of the functions of the Trust Fund Committee pursuant to this joint resolution, such law, rule, regulation, or ordinance shall be deemed to be preempted by this joint resolution.

The authorization provided by the Act of June 30, 1954, as amended (68 Stat. 330) shall remain available after the effective date of the Compact with respect to the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands for the following purposes:

(1) Prior to October 1, 1986, for any purpose authorized by the Compact or the joint resolution of January 14, 1986 (Public Law 99–239).

(2) Transition purposes, including but not limited to, completion of projects and fulfillment of commitments or obligations; termination of the Trust Territory Government and termination of the High Court; health and education as a result of exceptional circumstances; ex gratia contributions for the populations of Bikini, Enewetak, Rongelap, and Utrik; and technical assistance and training in financial management, program administration, and maintenance of infrastructure.

(d) Survivability

(e) Noncompliance sanctions; actions incompatible with United States authority

(f) Continuing programs and laws

(1) Federated States of Micronesia and Republic of the Marshall Islands

In addition to the programs and services set forth in section 221 of the Compact, and pursuant to section 222 of the Compact, the programs and services of the following agencies shall be made available to the Federated States of Micronesia and to the Republic of the Marshall Islands:

(A) Emergency and disaster assistance

(i) In general

(ii) Definition of will provide funding

(B) Treatment of additional programs

(i) Consultation

(ii) Continuing programs

The Government of the United States—

(I) shall continue to make available to the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands for fiscal years 2004 through 2023, the services to individuals eligible for such services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.) to the extent that such services continue to be available to individuals in the United States; and(II) shall continue to make available to eligible institutions in the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and to students enrolled in such institutions, and in institutions in the United States, its territories, and the Republic of Palau, for fiscal years 2004 through 2023, grants under subpart 1 of part A of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a et seq.) to the extent that such grants continue to be available to institutions and students in the United States.

(iii) Supplemental education grants

In lieu of eligibility for appropriations under part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.), titles I [29 U.S.C. 3111 et seq.] (other than subtitle C [29 U.S.C. 3191 et seq.]) and II [29 U.S.C. 3271 et seq.] of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, title I of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2321 et seq.), the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.), and subpart 3 of part A, and part C, of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070b et seq., 42 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.),1

1 See References in Text note below.

there are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Education to supplement the education grants under section 211(a)(1) of the U.S.-FSM Compact and section 211(a)(1) of the U.S.-RMI Compact, respectively, the following amounts:

(I) $12,230,000 for the Federated States of Micronesia for fiscal year 2005 and an equivalent amount, as adjusted for inflation under section 217 of the U.S.-FSM Compact, for each of fiscal years 2005 through 2023; and(II) $6,100,000 for the Republic of the Marshall Islands for fiscal year 2005 and an equivalent amount, as adjusted for inflation under section 218 of the U.S.-RMI Compact, for each of fiscal years 2005 through 2023,

(iv) Fiscal procedures

(v) Formula education grants

(vi) Transition

(vii) Technical assistance

(viii) Continued eligibility for competitive grants

(C) The Legal Services Corporation, which shall also continue to be available to the citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Palau, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands who legally reside in the United States (including territories and possessions).

(D) The Public Health Service.

(E) The Rural Housing Service (formerly, the Farmers Home Administration) in the Marshall Islands and each of the four States of the Federated States of Micronesia: Provided, That in lieu of continuation of the program in the Federated States of Micronesia, the President may agree to transfer to the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia without cost, the portfolio of the Rural Housing Service applicable to the Federated States of Micronesia and provide such technical assistance in management of the portfolio as may be requested by the Federated States of Micronesia.

(2) Tort claims

(3) PCB cleanup

(g) College of Micronesia

(h) Trust Territory debts to U.S. Federal agencies

(i) Judicial training

(1) In general

(2) Authorization and continuing appropriation

(j) Technical assistance

(1) In general

(2) Historic preservation

(A) In general

(B) Grants

(3) Additional funds

Any funds provided pursuant to this subsection, subsections (c), (g), (h), (i), (k), (l), and (m), section 1921a(a) of this title, and subsections (a), (b), (f), (g), (h), and (j) of section 1921b of this title shall be in addition to, and not charged against, any amounts to be paid to the Federated States of Micronesia or the Republic of the Marshall Islands pursuant to—

(A) the U.S.-FSM Compact;

(B) the U.S.-RMI Compact; or

(k) Prior service benefits program

(l) Indefinite land use payments

(m) Communicable disease control program

(n) User fees

(o) Treatment of judgments of courts of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau

(p) Establishment of trust funds; expedition of process

(1) In general

(2) Method of establishment

The trust fund may be established by—

(A) creating a new legal entity to constitute the trust fund; or

(B) assuming control of an existing legal entity including, without limitation, a trust fund or other legal entity that was established by or at the direction of the Government of the United States, the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or otherwise for the purpose of facilitating or expediting the establishment of the trust fund pursuant to the applicable Trust Fund Agreement.

(3) Obligations

(4) Assistance

(Pub. L. 108–188, title I, § 105, Dec. 17, 2003, 117 Stat. 2744; Pub. L. 109–270, § 2(l), Aug. 12, 2006, 120 Stat. 749; Pub. L. 110–161, div. F, title I, § 124, Dec. 26, 2007, 121 Stat. 2121; Pub. L. 110–229, title VIII, §§ 803(a), 804, 805, 806(a)(3), May 8, 2008, 122 Stat. 870, 871; Pub. L. 113–128, title V, § 512(g)(1), July 22, 2014, 128 Stat. 1708; Pub. L. 113–287, § 5(o)(2), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3272; Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title XII, § 1259C(c), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1687; Pub. L. 118–42, div. G, title II, § 209(b)(5), (h), (j), Mar. 9, 2024, 138 Stat. 443, 446, 447.)

§ 1921e. Construction contract assistance

(a) Assistance to U.S. firms

In order to assist the Governments of the Federated States of Micronesia and of the Republic of the Marshall Islands through private sector firms which may be awarded contracts for construction or major repair of capital infrastructure within the Federated States of Micronesia or the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the United States shall consult with the Governments of the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands with respect to any such contracts, and the United States shall enter into agreements with such firms whereby such firms will, consistent with applicable requirements of such Governments—

(1) to the maximum extent possible, employ citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands;

(2) to the extent that necessary skills are not possessed by citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, provide on the job training, with particular emphasis on the development of skills relating to operation of machinery and routine and preventative maintenance of machinery and other facilities; and

(3) provide specific training or other assistance in order to enable the Government to engage in long-term maintenance of infrastructure.

Assistance by such firms pursuant to this section may not exceed 20 percent of the amount of the contract and shall be made available only to such firms which meet the definition of United States firm under the nationality rule for suppliers of services of the Agency for International Development (hereafter in this section referred to as “United States firms”). There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for the purposes of this subsection.

(b) Authorization of appropriations

(Pub. L. 108–188, title I, § 106, Dec. 17, 2003, 117 Stat. 2755.)

§ 1921f. Prohibition

All laws governing conflicts of interest and post-employment of Federal employees shall apply to the implementation of this Act.

(Pub. L. 108–188, title I, § 107, Dec. 17, 2003, 117 Stat. 2755.)

§ 1921g. Compensatory adjustments

(a) Additional programs and services

(b) Further amounts

(1) The joint resolution of January 14, 1986 (Public Law 99–239) provided that the governments of the Federated States of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands may submit to Congress reports concerning the overall financial and economic impacts on such areas resulting from the effect of title IV of that joint resolution upon Title Two of the Compact. There were authorized to be appropriated for fiscal years beginning after September 30, 1990, such amounts as necessary, but not to exceed $40,000,000 for the Federated States of Micronesia and $20,000,000 for the Marshall Islands, as provided in appropriation acts, to further compensate the governments of such islands (in addition to the compensation provided in subsections (a) and (b) of section 111 of the joint resolution of January 14, 1986 (Public Law 99–239) [48 U.S.C. 1911(a), (b)]) for adverse impacts, if any, on the finances and economies of such areas resulting from the effect of title IV of that joint resolution upon Title Two of the Compact. The joint resolution of January 14, 1986 (Public Law 99–239) further provided that at the end of the initial fifteen-year term of the Compact, should any portion of the total amount of funds authorized in section 111 of that resolution not have been appropriated, such amount not yet appropriated may be appropriated, without regard to divisions between amounts authorized in section 111 for the Federated States of Micronesia and for the Marshall Islands, based on either or both such government’s showing of such adverse impact, if any, as provided in that subsection.

(2) The governments of the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands may each submit no more than one report or request for further compensation under section 111 of the joint resolution of January 14, 1986 (Public Law 99–239) and any such report or request must be submitted by September 30, 2009. Only adverse economic effects occurring during the initial 15-year term of the Compact may be considered for compensation under section 111 of the joint resolution of January 14, 1986 (Public Law 99–239).

(Pub. L. 108–188, title I, § 108, Dec. 17, 2003, 117 Stat. 2755; Pub. L. 113–128, title V, § 512(g)(2), July 22, 2014, 128 Stat. 1708.)

§ 1921h. Authorization and continuing appropriation

(a) There are authorized and appropriated to the Department of the Interior, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to remain available until expended, such sums as are necessary to carry out the purposes of sections 1921d(f)(1) and 1921d(i) of this title, sections 211, 212(b), 215, and 217 of the U.S.-FSM Compact, and sections 211, 212, 213(b), 216, and 218 of the U.S.-RMI Compact, in this and subsequent years.

(b) There are authorized to be appropriated to the Departments, agencies, and instrumentalities named in paragraphs (1) and (3) through (6) of section 221(a) of the U.S.-FSM Compact and paragraphs (1) and (3) through (5) of section 221(a) of the U.S.-RMI Compact, such sums as are necessary to carry out the purposes of sections 221(a) of the U.S.-FSM Compact and the U.S.-RMI Compact, to remain available until expended.

(Pub. L. 108–188, title I, § 109, Dec. 17, 2003, 117 Stat. 2756.)