Domestic program requirements
Except as may otherwise be provided in this joint resolution, all United States Federal programs and services extended to or operated in the Federated States of Micronesia or the Republic of the Marshall Islands are and shall remain subject to all applicable criteria, standards, reporting requirements, auditing procedures, and other rules and regulations applicable to such programs when operating in the United States (including its territories and commonwealths).
Relations with the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands
Interagency group on freely associated states’ affairs.—
In general .—
Secretaries .—
United states appointees to joint committees.—
Joint economic management committee.—
In general .—
Departments .—
Additional scope .—
Joint economic management and financial accountability committee.—
In general .—
Departments .—
Additional scope .—
Oversight and coordination .—
Continuing Trust Territory authorization
Survivability
In furtherance of the provisions of Title Four, Article V, sections 452 and 453 of the U.S.-FSM Compact and the U.S.-RMI Compact, any provisions of the U.S.-FSM Compact or the U.S.-RMI Compact which remain effective after the termination of the U.S.-FSM Compact or U.S.-RMI Compact by the act of any party thereto and which are affected in any manner by provisions of this part shall remain subject to such provisions.
Noncompliance sanctions; actions incompatible with United States authority
Congress expresses its understanding that the Governments of the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands will not act in a manner incompatible with the authority and responsibility of the United States for security and defense matters in or related to the Federated States of Micronesia or the Republic of the Marshall Islands pursuant to the U.S.-FSM Compact or the U.S.-RMI Compact, including the agreements referred to in sections 462(a)(2) of the U.S.-FSM Compact and 462(a)(5) of the U.S.-RMI Compact. Congress further expresses its intention that any such act on the part of either such Government will be viewed by the United States as a material breach of the U.S.-FSM Compact or U.S.-RMI Compact. The Government of the United States reserves the right in the event of such a material breach of the U.S.-FSM Compact by the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia or the U.S.-RMI Compact by the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands to take action, including (but not limited to) the suspension in whole or in part of the obligations of the Government of the United States to that Government.
Continuing programs and laws
Federated States of Micronesia and Republic of the Marshall Islands
Emergency and disaster assistance
In general
Subject to clause (ii), section 221(a)(6) of the U.S.–FSM Compact and section 221(a)(5) of the U.S.–RMI Compact shall each be construed and applied in accordance with the two Agreements to Amend Article X of the Federal Programs and Service Agreements signed on , and on , respectively, provided that all activities carried out by the United States Agency for International Development and the Federal Emergency Management Agency under Article X of the Federal Programs and Services Agreements may be carried out notwithstanding any other provision of law. In the sections referred to in this clause, the term “United States Agency for International Development, Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance” shall be construed to mean “the United States Agency for International Development”.
Definition of will provide funding
In the second sentence of paragraph 12 of each of the Agreements described in clause (i), the term “will provide funding” means will provide funding through a transfer of funds using Standard Form 1151 or a similar document or through an interagency, reimbursable agreement.
Treatment of additional programs
Consultation
The United States appointees to the committees established pursuant to section 213 of the U.S.-FSM Compact and section 214 of the U.S.-RMI Compact shall consult with the Secretary of Education regarding the objectives, use, and monitoring of United States financial, program, and technical assistance made available for educational purposes.
Continuing programs
Supplemental education grants
Fiscal procedures
Appropriations made pursuant to clause (iii) shall be used and monitored in accordance with an agreement between the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Secretary of the Interior, and in accordance with the respective Fiscal Procedures Agreements referred to in section 462(b)(4) of the U.S.-FSM Compact and section 462(b)(4) of the U.S.-RMI Compact. The agreement between the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Secretary of the Interior shall provide for the transfer, not later than 60 days after the appropriations made pursuant to clause (iii) become available to the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, from the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to the Secretary of the Interior for disbursement.
Formula education grants
42 U.S.C. 9831For fiscal years 2005 through 2023, except as provided in clause (ii) and the exception provided under clause (iii), the Governments of the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands shall not receive any grant under any formula-grant program administered by the Secretary of Education or the Secretary of Labor, nor any grant provided through the Head Start Act ( et seq.) administered by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Transition
For fiscal year 2004, the Governments of the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands shall continue to be eligible for appropriations and to receive grants under the provisions of law specified in clauses (ii) and (iii).
Technical assistance
The Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands may request technical assistance from the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, or the Secretary of Labor the terms of which, including reimbursement, shall be negotiated with the participation of the appropriate cabinet officer for inclusion in the Federal Programs and Services Agreement.
Continued eligibility for competitive grants
The Governments of the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands shall continue to be eligible for competitive grants administered by the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Secretary of Labor to the extent that such grants continue to be available to State and local governments in the United States.
Tort claims
The provisions of section 178 of the U.S.-FSM Compact and the U.S.-RMI Compact regarding settlement and payment of tort claims shall apply to employees of any Federal agency of the Government of the United States (and to any other person employed on behalf of any Federal agency of the Government of the United States on the basis of a contractual, cooperative, or similar agreement) which provides any service or carries out any other function pursuant to or in furtherance of any provisions of the U.S.-FSM Compact or the U.S.-RMI Compact or this joint resolution, except for provisions of Title Three of the Compact and of the subsidiary agreements related to such Title, in such area to which such Agreement formerly applied.
PCB cleanup
The programs and services of the Environmental Protection Agency regarding PCBs shall, to the extent applicable, as appropriate, and in accordance with applicable law, be construed to be made available to such islands for the cleanup of PCBs imported prior to 1987. The Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Defense shall cooperate and assist in any such cleanup activities.
College of Micronesia
Until otherwise provided by Act of Congress, or until termination of the U.S.-FSM Compact and the U.S.-RMI Compact, the College of Micronesia shall retain its status as a land-grant institution and its eligibility for all benefits and programs available to such land-grant institutions.
Trust Territory debts to U.S. Federal agencies
Neither the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia nor the Government of the Marshall Islands shall be required to pay to any department, agency, independent agency, office, or instrumentality of the United States any amounts owed to such department, agency, independent agency, office, or instrumentality by the Government of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands as of the effective date of the Compact. There is authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this subsection.
Judicial training
In general
In addition to amounts provided under section 211(a)(4) of the U.S.-FSM Compact and the U.S.-RMI Compact, the Secretary of the Interior shall annually provide $300,000 for the training of judges and officials of the judiciary in the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands in cooperation with the Pacific Islands Committee of the Ninth Circuit Judicial Council and in accordance with and to the extent provided in the Federal Programs and Services Agreement and the Fiscal Procedure Agreement, as appropriate.
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, $300,000, as adjusted for inflation under section 218 of the U.S.-FSM Compact and the U.S.-RMI Compact, to carry out the purposes of this section.
Technical assistance
In general
section 1982 of this titleTechnical assistance may be provided pursuant to section 224 of the 2023 Amended U.S.-FSM Compact, section 224 of the 2023 Amended U.S.-RMI Compact, or section 222 of the U.S.-Palau Compact (as those terms are defined in ) by Federal agencies and institutions of the Government of the United States to the extent the assistance shall be provided to States, territories, or units of local government.
Historic preservation
In general
Any technical assistance authorized under paragraph (1) that is provided by the Forest Service, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Marine Fisheries Service, the United States Coast Guard, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, the Department of the Interior, or any other Federal agency providing assistance under division A of subtitle III of title 54 may be provided on a nonreimbursable basis.
Grants
During the period in which the 2023 Amended U.S.-FSM Compact (as so defined) and the 2023 Amended U.S.-RMI Compact (as so defined) are in force, the grant programs under division A of subtitle III of title 54 shall continue to apply to the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands in the same manner and to the same extent as those programs applied prior to the approval of the U.S.-FSM Compact and U.S.-RMI Compact.
Additional funds
Prior service benefits program
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, persons who on , were eligible to receive payment under the Prior Service Benefits Program established within the Social Security System of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands because of their services performed for the United States Navy or the Government of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands prior to , shall continue to receive such payments on and after the effective date of the Compact.
Indefinite land use payments
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to complete repayment by the United States of any debts owed for the use of various lands in the Federated States of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands prior to .
Communicable disease control program
There are authorized to be appropriated for grants to the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the governments of the affected jurisdictions, such sums as may be necessary for purposes of establishing or continuing programs for the control and prevention of communicable diseases, including (but not limited to) cholera, tuberculosis, and Hansen’s Disease. The Secretary of the Interior shall assist the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the governments of the affected jurisdictions in designing and implementing such a program.
User fees
Any person in the Federated States of Micronesia or the Republic of the Marshall Islands shall be liable for user fees, if any, for services provided in the Federated States of Micronesia or the Republic of the Marshall Islands by the Government of the United States to the same extent as any person in the United States would be liable for fees, if any, for such services in the United States.
Treatment of judgments of courts of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau
No judgment, whenever issued, of a court of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Republic of Palau, against the United States, its departments and agencies, or officials of the United States or any other individuals acting on behalf of the United States within the scope of their official duty, shall be honored by the United States, or be subject to recognition or enforcement in a court in the United States, unless the judgment is consistent with the interpretation by the United States of international agreements relevant to the judgment. In determining the consistency of a judgment with an international agreement, due regard shall be given to assurances made by the Executive Branch to Congress of the United States regarding the proper interpretation of the international agreement.
Establishment of trust funds; expedition of process
In general
The Trust Fund Agreement executed pursuant to the U.S.-FSM Compact and the Trust Fund Agreement executed pursuant to the U.S.-RMI Compact each provides for the establishment of a trust fund.
Method of establishment
Obligations
For the purpose of expediting the commencement of operations of a trust fund under either Trust Fund Agreement, the trust fund may, but shall not be obligated to, assume any obligations of an existing legal entity and take assignment of any contract or other agreement to which the existing legal entity is party.
Assistance
Without limiting the authority that the United States Government may otherwise have under applicable law, the United States Government may, but shall not be obligated to, provide financial, technical, or other assistance directly or indirectly to the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia or the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands for the purpose of establishing and operating a trust fund or other legal entity that will solicit bids from, and enter into contracts with, parties willing to serve in such capacities as trustee, depositary, money manager, or investment advisor, with the intention that the contracts will ultimately be assumed by and assigned to a trust fund established pursuant to a Trust Fund Agreement.
Pub. L. 108–188, title I, § 105117 Stat. 2744Pub. L. 109–270, § 2l120 Stat. 749Pub. L. 110–161, div. F, title I, § 124121 Stat. 2121Pub. L. 110–229, title VIII122 Stat. 870Pub. L. 113–128, title V, § 512(g)(1)128 Stat. 1708Pub. L. 113–287, § 5o128 Stat. 3272Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title XII, § 1259C(c)131 Stat. 1687Pub. L. 118–42, div. G, title II, § 209(b)(5)138 Stat. 443(, , ; (), , ; , , ; , §§ 803(a), 804, 805, 806(a)(3), , , 871; , , ; ()(2), , ; , , ; , (h), (j), , , 446, 447.)
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Pub. L. 108–188117 Stat. 2720section 3101 of Title 5section 1901 of this titleThis joint resolution, referred to in subsecs. (a), (b)(10), and (f)(2), is , , , known as the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003, which enacted this part and provisions set out as notes under sections 1901 and 1921 of this title and amended provisions set out as a note under , Government Organization and Employees. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 2003 Amendment note set out under and Tables.
act June 30, 1954, ch. 42368 Stat. 330section 1681 of this titleAct of , referred to in subsec. (c), is , , which enacted sections 1681 and 1681b of this title and provisions set out as notes under . For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.
Public Law 99–239Pub. L. 99–23999 Stat. 1770section 1901 of this titleThe joint resolution of (), referred to in subsec. (c)(1), is , , , known as the Compact of Free Association Act of 1985, which is classified principally to part A of this subchapter and chapter 19 (§ 2001 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under and Tables.
Pub. L. 91–23084 Stat. 175section 1400 of Title 20The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, referred to in subsec. (f)(1)(B)(ii)(I), is title VI of , , , which is classified generally to chapter 33 (§ 1400 et seq.) of Title 20, Education. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see and Tables.
Pub. L. 89–32979 Stat. 1219section 1001 of Title 20The Higher Education Act of 1965, referred to in subsec. (f)(1)(B)(ii)(II), (iii), is , , . Subpart 1 of part A of title IV of the Act is classified generally to subpart 1 (§ 1070a et seq.) of part A of subchapter IV of chapter 28 of Title 20, Education. Subpart 3 of part A of title IV of the Act is classified generally to subpart 3 (§ 1070b et seq.) of part A of subchapter IV of chapter 28 of Title 20. Part C of title IV of the Act was formerly classified generally to part C (§ 2751 et seq.) of subchapter I of chapter 34 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, prior to transfer to part C (§ 1087–51 et seq.) of subchapter IV of chapter 28 of Title 20. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under and Tables.
Pub. L. 89–1079 Stat. 27section 6301 of Title 20The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, referred to in subsec. (f)(1)(B)(iii), is , , . Part A of title I of the Act is classified generally to part A (§ 6311 et seq.) of subchapter I of chapter 70 of Title 20, Education. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under and Tables.
Pub. L. 113–128128 Stat. 1425section 3101 of Title 29The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, referred to in subsec. (f)(1)(B)(iii), is , , . Title I of the Act is classified generally to subchapter I (§ 3111 et seq.) of chapter 32 of Title 29, Labor. Subtitle C of title I of the Act is classified generally to part C (§ 3191 et seq.) of subchapter I of chapter 32 of Title 29. Title II of the Act is classified generally to subchapter II (§ 3271 et seq.) of chapter 32 of Title 29. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under and Tables.
Pub. L. 88–21077 Stat. 403Pub. L. 109–270, § 1(b)120 Stat. 683section 2301 of Title 20Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006, referred to in subsec. (f)(1)(B)(iii), is , , , as amended generally by , , . Title I of the Act is classified generally to subchapter I (§ 2321 et seq.) of chapter 44 of Title 20, Education. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under and Tables.
Pub. L. 97–3595 Stat. 499section 9801 of Title 42The Head Start Act, referred to in subsec. (f)(1)(B)(iii), (v), is subchapter B (§ 635 et seq.) of chapter 8 of subtitle A of title VI of , , , as amended, which is classified generally to subchapter II (§ 9831 et seq.) of chapter 105 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under and Tables.
Amendments
Pub. L. 118–42, § 209(h)section 3927 of title 222024—Subsec. (b)(5). , added par. (5) and struck out former par. (5) which read as follows: “United States Government employees in either the Federated States of Micronesia or the Republic of the Marshall Islands are subject to the authority of the United States Chief of Mission, including as elaborated in and the President’s Letter of Instruction to the United States Chief of Mission and any order or directive of the President in effect from time to time.”
Pub. L. 118–42, § 209(b)(5)Subsec. (f)(1)(B)(ix). , struck out cl. (ix). Text read as follows: “The government, institutions, and people of Palau shall remain eligible for appropriations and to receive grants under the provisions of law specified in clauses (ii) and (iii) until the end of fiscal year 2024, to the extent the government, institutions, and people of Palau were so eligible under such provisions in fiscal year 2003.”
Pub. L. 118–42, § 209(j)Subsec. (j). , added subsec. (j) and struck out former subsec. (j). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “Technical assistance may be provided pursuant to section 224 of the U.S.-FSM Compact or the U.S.-RMI Compact by Federal agencies and institutions of the Government of the United States to the extent such assistance may be provided to States, territories, or units of local government. Such assistance by the Forest Service, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Marine Fisheries Service, the United States Coast Guard, and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, the Department of the Interior, and other agencies providing assistance under division A of subtitle III of title 54, shall be on a nonreimbursable basis. During the period the U.S.-FSM Compact and the U.S.-RMI Compact are in effect, the grant programs under the National Historic Preservation Act shall continue to apply to the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands in the same manner and to the same extent as prior to the approval of the Compact. Any funds provided pursuant to subsections (c) and (g) to (m) and sections 1921a(a) and 1921b(a), (b), (f) to (h), and (j) of this title shall be in addition to and not charged against any amounts to be paid to either the Federated States of Micronesia or the Republic of the Marshall Islands pursuant to the U.S.-FSM Compact, the U.S.-RMI Compact, or their related subsidiary agreements.”
Pub. L. 115–912017—Subsec. (f)(1)(B)(ix). substituted “2024” for “2009”.
Pub. L. 113–12829 U.S.C. 280129 U.S.C. 288120 U.S.C. 92012014—Subsec. (f)(1)(B)(iii). , in introductory provisions, substituted “titles I (other than subtitle C) and II of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act,” for “title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 ( et seq.), other than subtitle C of that Act ( et seq.) (Job Corps), title II of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 ( et seq.; commonly known as the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act),”.
Pub. L. 113–28780 Stat. 91516 U.S.C. 470–470tSubsec. (j). substituted “division A of subtitle III of title 54” for “the National Historic Preservation Act (; )”.
Pub. L. 110–229, § 806(a)(3)2008—Subsec. (b)(1). , substituted “Trust Funds)” for “Trust Fund)”.
Pub. L. 110–229, § 803(a)Subsec. (f)(1)(A). , amended subpar. (A) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (A) related to the continuing availability of programs and services of the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Pub. L. 110–229, § 804(1)Subsec. (f)(1)(B)(ii)(II). , substituted “, its territories, and the Republic of Palau” for “and its territories”.
Pub. L. 110–229, § 804(2)Subsec. (f)(1)(B)(iii). , which directed the substitution of “, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Republic of Palau” for “, or the Republic of the Marshall Islands”, in subcl. (II) of cl. (iii), was executed by making the substitution in the concluding provisions of cl. (iii), to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
Pub. L. 110–229, § 804(3)Pub. L. 110–161Subsec. (f)(1)(B)(ix). , which directed substitution of “government, institutions, and people” for “Republic” in two places and substitution of “2009” for “2007” and “were” for “was”, could not be executed because of the prior identical amendments by . See 2007 Amendment note below.
Pub. L. 110–229, § 805Subsec. (f)(1)(C). , inserted before period at end “, 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)”.
Pub. L. 110–1612007—Subsec. (f)(1)(B)(ix). substituted “government, institutions, and people” for “Republic” in two places, “2009” for “2007”, and “were” for “was”.
Pub. L. 109–2702006—Subsec. (f)(1)(B)(iii). substituted “Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006” for “Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act of 1998”.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2014 Amendment
Pub. L. 113–128section 506 of Pub. L. 113–128section 3101 of Title 29Amendment by effective on the first day of the first full program year after (), see , set out as an Effective Date note under , Labor.
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Pub. L. 110–229, title VIII, § 803(b)122 Stat. 870
Continued Applicability of Subsection (f)(1)(B)(ix)
The following laws provided for the continued applicability of subsection (f)(1)(B)(ix) of this section from 2009 to 2019:
Pub. L. 115–245, div. B, title III, § 303132 Stat. 3105, , .
Pub. L. 115–141, div. H, title III, § 305132 Stat. 750, , .
Pub. L. 115–31, div. H, title III, § 305131 Stat. 552, , .
Pub. L. 114–113, div. H, title III, § 306129 Stat. 2637, , .
Pub. L. 113–235, div. G, title III, § 306128 Stat. 2504, , .
Pub. L. 113–76, div. H, title III, § 306128 Stat. 399, , .
Pub. L. 112–74, div. F, title III, § 306125 Stat. 1099, , .
Pub. L. 111–117, div. D, title III, § 309123 Stat. 3272, , .