The Joint Committee on Compact Review and Planning (JCRP) and its Secretariat was established by PL 19-85, as amended, “for the purpose of coordinating the Nation’s preparation efforts towards effective and smooth post Compact government upon expiration of the Compact in 2023, and for other purposes.”
JCRP is mandated by law to carry out the following responsibilities and obligations:
(1) In consultation with the Congress, set goals and objectives in anticipation of the termination of the Amended Compact of Free Association;
(2) Conduct a thorough analysis of all factors relating to the future of the Nation;
(3) Develop all necessary strategies and approaches to enable the Federated States of Micronesia to explore alternatives for the future of the Nation; provided that any contemplated or proposed negotiations with the United States related to the Amended Compact of Free Association be limited solely to the expiring terms of the Amended Compact;
(4) Direct its Secretariat in preparing the documentation necessary to accomplish its responsibilities hereunder;
(5) Analyze all economic information available on the Federated States of Micronesia, with the aim of identifying the FSM’s continuing requirement for reasonable, fair, and effective financial assistance from all sources from the year 2023 onward;
(6) Provide reports periodically to the Congress at each regular session, and to the Office of the President, on all developments, actual or potential, positive or negative, that may be related to the future of the Nation, including but not limited to new information, actions, communications, domestic and foreign policies, bilateral and multilateral plans, as well as periodic surveys exploring the value of net benefits to a foreign nation from an exclusive security prerogative;
(7) Collaborate with the State Governments, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Congress, and the Office of the President in identifying the nominees for the JCRP whose selection will be subject to Congress’s expressed approval;
(8) Use funds for each separate category of expense only up to the aggregate amount of the line-items of the corresponding expense category set out in the associated appropriations bill or bills approved by Congress, and select and hire the personnel needed to staff the Secretariat; and
(9) Conduct negotiations on the expiring terms of the Amended Compact of Free Association with the United States of America.