Search Results for keywords:"Freely Associated States"

The Department of Transportation (DOT) issued a public interest waiver allowing certain infrastructure projects in the Pacific Island territories (Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and American Samoa) and the Freely Associated States (Republic of Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Federated States of Micronesia) to bypass the Buy America requirements. These requirements usually mandate that materials like iron, steel, and manufactured goods used in U.S. infrastructure projects be made domestically. The waiver, lasting five years from January 10, 2025, aims to reduce costs and avoid project delays caused by shipping and sourcing issues from the mainland U.S. DOT decided on this waiver after considering public comments and addressing concerns about regional supply chains and cost impacts.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is holding a virtual meeting of the Advisory Committee on United States Outlying Areas and Freely Associated States. This meeting aims to advise the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on ways to improve programs and services for Veterans living in specific U.S. territories and associated regions. The meeting will be open to the public via Microsoft Teams, where participants can provide comments or listen to the discussion. Additionally, written comments can be submitted until February 4, 2025.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) is proposing a waiver for certain Buy America requirements under the Build America, Buy America Act (BABA) for infrastructure projects in the Pacific Island territories and Freely Associated States, like Guam and American Samoa. This proposal recognizes the unique challenges these regions face, such as extended delivery times and high shipping costs for U.S.-produced goods due to their geographic isolation. If approved, the waiver, which aims to ease these burdens and support project completion, would be valid for five years, allowing exceptions where necessary for strategic security. DOT seeks public comments on this proposal by December 31, 2024.

The Guam Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is holding a virtual public briefing on February 7, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. ChST (February 6, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. ET) via Zoom. The briefing will focus on the overrepresentation of Freely Associated States (FAS) members in Guam's criminal justice system. Interested participants can register to attend the meeting using a provided Zoom link and will have the opportunity to listen and provide public comments. Further details and accommodations can be requested by contacting Kayla Fajota or visiting the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights' website.