USC Chapter 19

USC Chapter 19
in effect

48 U.S.C. § 2001 Findings

The Congress finds that— (1) the United States does not have a clearly defined policy for United States noncontiguous Pacific areas (including the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, the State of Hawaii, and the State of Alaska) and for United States-associated noncontiguous Pacific areas (including the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau); (2) the Federal Government has often failed to consider the implications for, effects on, and potential of noncontiguous Pacific areas in the formulation and conduct of foreign and domestic policy, to the detriment of both the attainment of the objectives of Federal policy and noncontiguous Pacific areas; (3) policies and programs designed for the United States as a whole may impose inappropriate standards on noncontiguous Pacific areas because of their unique circumstances and needs; and (4) the present Federal organizational arrangements for liaison with (and providing assistance to) the insular areas may not be adequate—(A) to coordinate the delivery of Federal programs and services to noncontiguous Pacific areas; (B) to provide a consistent basis for administration of programs; (C) to adapt policy to the special requirements of each area and modify the application of Federal programs, laws, and regulations accordingly; (D) to be responsive to the Congress in the discharge of its responsibilities; and (E) to attain the international obligations of the United States.

48 U.S.C. § 2002 Reports

(a) SubmissionNot later than one year after January 14, 1986, and each five years thereafter, the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Secretary of State, shall submit to the Congress and the President a report on United States noncontiguous Pacific areas policy together with such recommendations as may be necessary to accomplish the objectives of such policy. (b) ContentsThe reports required in subsection (a) of this section shall set forth clearly defined policies regarding United States, and United States associated, noncontiguous Pacific areas, including—(1) the role of and impacts on the noncontiguous Pacific areas in the formulation and conduct of foreign policy; (2) the applicability of standards contained in Federal laws, regulations, and programs to the noncontiguous Pacific areas and any modifications which may be necessary to achieve the intent of such laws, regulations, and programs consistent with the unique character of the noncontiguous Pacific areas; (3) the effectiveness of the Federal executive organizational arrangements for—(A) providing liaison between the Federal Government and the governments of the noncontiguous Pacific areas; (B) coordinating Federal actions in a manner which recognizes the unique circumstances and needs of the noncontiguous Pacific areas; and (C) achieving the objective of Federal policy and ensuring that the Congress receives the information necessary to discharge its responsibilities; and (4) actions which may be needed to facilitate the economic and social health and development of the noncontiguous Pacific areas, consistent with their self-determined objectives.

48 U.S.C. § 2003 Conference

(a) MeetingPrior to submitting the reports required under section 2002(b) of this title, the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Secretary of State, shall convene a conference to obtain the views of the noncontiguous Pacific areas on the matters required to be addressed in such reports. (b) ParticipantsRepresentatives of each of the noncontiguous Pacific areas; and the heads of all executive departments and agencies, and other public and private organizations concerned with the noncontiguous Pacific areas as requested by the Secretary of the Interior shall be entitled to be participants in the conference. (c) Written commentsThe Secretary of the Interior shall afford participants in the conference an opportunity to submit written comments for inclusion in the reports required under section 2002 of this title.

48 U.S.C. § 2004 Administrative matters

(a) Administrative supportThe Secretary of the Interior shall provide all necessary administrative support to accomplish the requirements of sections 2002 and 2003 of this title. (b) Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter.