Changes to public employee pay
The salary-step law removes the freeze provision from section 509 of title 52 of the FSM Code. The presidential announcement described the change as part of efforts to retain employees and strengthen the national government's workforce.
According to The Kaselehlie Press, the measure originated as Congressional Bill 24-116, which Senator Andy P. Choor introduced on May 12, 2026. Congress's Fifth Regular Session ended on September 25.
The measure's stated purpose is to permit pay or step-level increases based on employees' merit and qualifications, with the goal of improving morale and productivity. It sets neither a percentage increase nor a uniform additional payment for every employee, the newspaper reported.
The law leaves section 509's compensatory-time rules in place. Under those rules, authorized overtime generally earns employees paid leave rather than overtime pay.
In its earlier coverage, The Kaselehlie Press said it had not confirmed presidential approval, a public law number or other evidence of enactment as of October 2, 2026. The November 4 presidential announcement confirms that Simina has signed the measure.
National budget and project funding
The fiscal year 2027 budget establishes the funding framework for national government operations and public services. Simina also signed a $2.1 million appropriation for public projects and social programs in Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae, along with funding for the COM-FSM Endowment Fund.
Other laws revise the terms of earlier project appropriations, extending spending deadlines, changing project purposes or updating the designated allottees. These changes allow work to continue on infrastructure, community development, education, transportation, water and other public initiatives across the four states.
The announcement described the signed measures as supporting economic and social programs, public services, government operations and national development priorities. The Simina-Palik administration thanked Congress and emphasized continued cooperation to strengthen institutions, improve services and advance public well-being.
Court jurisdiction, elections and proposed judicial terms
Simina also signed changes to election laws governing voter residency requirements. Another enacted measure brings statutory jurisdiction rules into line with the constitutional amendment that gives state courts exclusive jurisdiction over cases involving interests in land.
Separately, he approved legislation proposing six-year terms for FSM Supreme Court justices. That proposal is a constitutional amendment, not an enacted change to judicial terms, and will go before voters in a national referendum as required by the Constitution.
