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To establish Palau Language Commission, RPPL 8-7 2009

PALAU

EIGHTH OLBIIL ERA KELULAU
RPPL No. 8-7

Second Regular Session, April 2009 (Re: as Senate Bill No. 8-53, SD1)

AN ACT

To establish a Palau Language Commission, to provide for the development and preservation of the Palauan language, and for other related purposes.

THE PEOPLE OF PALAU REPRESENTED IN THE OLBIIL ERA KELULAU DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1. Legislative findings.   The Olbiil Era Kelulau finds it critically important that the Palauan language be standardized and preserved,  but  also remain flexible so it may evolve in response to the realities of cultural exchange, technological advancement, and knowledge expansion.  To meet these two goals, it is important that a set of rules be established to determine the appropriate spelling of Palauan words, as well as the proper grammar and usage of the Palauan language. There should also be a procedure by which new words may be added to the official Palauan language. Finally, these rules should be set into a curriculum that should be implemented in Palau's schools.  The Olbiil Era Kelulau further finds the best way to  meet these goals is by establishing a Palau Language Commission  ("Commission"), comprised of experts in Palauan language and culture, which shall be charged with establishing rules for the spelling of Palauan words and standards for Palauan grammar and usage. The Commission will also be responsible for approving new words in the Palauan language, and for recommending content for a curriculum for the teaching of the Palauan language.

Section 2. Palau Language Commission.
(a) This Act hereby establishes a Palau Language Commission, for the purpose of preserving the Palauan language and maintaining standards for its use.    

(b) The Commission shall be comprised of seven members, six of whom shall be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate of the Olbiil Era Kelulau, and one of whom shall be the Director of Curriculum of Instruction from the Ministry of Education, or his or her designee.  The six members appointed by the President shall have educational or work experience related to language development and preservation.

(c) After their initial terms, members of the Commission shall serve staggered terms of four years. The initial terms of the members shall be as follows:

(1) Two members shall serve an initial term of two years.

(2) Two members shall serve an initial term of three years.

(3) Two members shall serve an initial term of four years.

(d) The Commission may adopt rules and procedures not inconsistent with this Act. These rules shall be exempt from 6 PNC Chapter 1, the Administrative Procedures Act.

(e) The Commission shall convene its initial meeting within 30 days after the appointment and confirmation of all members. At the initial meeting, the Commission shall elect a chairperson by majority vote.

(f) The Commission shall meet at least once per calendar year, and beyond that may meet as often as shall be determined by a majority vote of its members.

(g) A majority of the members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum.

(h) Members who are not employees of the National Government or a state government shall be paid $35.00 per day while on the business of the Commission, which  shall  be paid from the Palau Language Commission fund established pursuant to Section 4 of this Act.  However, no member shall receive this fee if the Commission determines, pursuant to its own rules, that the Fund is not sufficiently capitalized to pay the members.   No member shall be paid more than $490.00 per year for that member's work for the Commission.

Section 3. Powers and duties.
(a) Pursuant to its rules, the Commission shall develop standards and rules for:

(1) The uniform spelling of Palauan words.

(2) Palauan grammar and usage.

(b) Pursuant to its own rules, the Commission shall approve amendments to the language standards established in subsection (a) of this Section, and approve the addition of new words to the Palauan language.

(c)  The Commission shall prepare and publish, or assist in the preparation and publication of, dictionaries, books on grammar and usage, and other works on the Palauan language.

(d) To fulfill the duties of subsections (a), (b), and (c) of this Section, the Commission may:

(1)  Consult Volumes 1 and 2 of the Handbook of Palauan Grammar by Lewis S. Josephs, including inserts, supplements, or subsequent volumes.

(2)  Consult with or seek assistance from universities, non-government organizations, the National Government, state governments, or foreign governments, or other institutions.

(e)  The Commission shall investigate methods for developing, preserving, and encouraging the use of the Palauan language, and report to the Olbiil Era Kelulau and the President of the Republic of Palau on its findings.

(f) In consultation with the Ministry of Education and private educational institutions, the Commission shall recommend content for a curriculum for the teaching of the Palauan language at all grade levels.  Based on the Commission's recommendation, the Ministry of Education shall develop and implement this language curriculum.

(h) The Commission may solicit, apply for, and accept grants, donations, or other forms of aid from any source for the purpose of fulfilling its responsibilities under this Act.

(i) The Commission may take any other actions it deems necessary and appropriate to further the purposes of this Act.

Section 4. The Palau Language Commission Fund.
(a) This Act hereby establishes a Palau Language Commission Fund.

(b) The following shall be paid into the fund:

(1) Appropriations from the Olbiil Era Kelulau.

(2)  Grant funding received from government agencies, non- government organizations, or other entities.

(3) Donations from individuals, corporations, or other institutions.

(c)  Money may be spent from the Fund only upon the Commission finding, by a majority vote of its members, that it furthers the purposes of this Act.

Section 5. Effective date.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval by the President of the Republic of Palau or upon its becoming law without such approval, except as otherwise provided by law.

PASSED: August, 2009
Approved this  18th   day of  August, 2009.
                                /s/                                
Johnson Toribiong
President
Republic of Palau