•HJ 96 RH 
entitled ‘Joint Resolution to approve the ‘‘Compact 
of Free Association’’ between the United States and 
the Government of Palau, and for other purposes’ 
(Public Law 99–658; 48 U.S.C. 1931 note).’’. 
(3) BENEFICIARY TRAVEL.—Section 111 of title 
38, United States Code, is amended by adding at 
the end the following: 
‘‘(h)(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
the Secretary may make payments to or for any person 
traveling in, to, or from the Freely Associated States for 
receipt of care or services authorized under section 
1724(f) of this title. 
‘‘(2) A person who has received payment for travel 
in a country pursuant to this subsection shall remain eligi-
ble for payment for such travel in that country regardless 
of whether the country continues to qualify as a Freely 
Associated State for purposes of this subsection. 
‘‘(3) The Secretary shall prescribe regulations to 
carry out this subsection. 
‘‘(4) In this subsection, the term ‘Freely Associated 
States’ means— 
‘‘(A) the Federated States of Micronesia, dur-
ing such time as it is a party to the Compact of 
Free Association set forth in section 201 of the 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:42 Dec 24, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00056
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\HJ96.RH
HJ96
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
•HJ 96 RH 
Compact of Free Association Act of 1985 (Public 
Law 99–239; 48 U.S.C. 1901 note); 
‘‘(B) the Republic of the Marshall Islands, dur-
ing such time as it is a party to the Compact of 
Free Association set forth in section 201 of the 
Compact of Free Association Act of 1985 (Public 
Law 99–239; 48 U.S.C. 1901 note); and 
‘‘(C) the Republic of Palau, during such time as 
it is a party to the Compact of Free Association be-
tween the United States and the Government of 
Palau set forth in section 201 of Joint Resolution 
entitled ‘Joint Resolution to approve the ‘‘Compact 
of Free Association’’ between the United States and 
the Government of Palau, and for other purposes’ 
(Public Law 99–658; 48 U.S.C. 1931 note).’’. 
(4) LEGAL ISSUES.— 
(A) HEALTH SERVICES.—The Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the Sec-
retary of State, shall work with the govern-
ments of the Freely Associated States to facili-
tate the furnishing of health services, including 
telehealth, under the laws administered by the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs, to veterans in the 
Freely Associated States, such as by address-
ing— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:42 Dec 24, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00057
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\HJ96.RH
HJ96
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
•HJ 96 RH 
(i) licensure, certification, registra-
tion, and tort issues relating to health care 
personnel; and 
(ii) matters relating to delivery of 
pharmaceutical products and medical sur-
gical products, including delivery of such 
products through the Consolidated Mail 
Outpatient Pharmacy of the Department 
of Veterans Affairs, to the Freely Associ-
ated States. 
(B) LICENSURE
OF
HEALTH
CARE
PRO-
FESSIONALS PROVIDING TREATMENT VIA TELE-
MEDICINE
IN
THE
FREELY
ASSOCIATED 
STATES.—Section 1730C(a) of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘any 
State’’ and inserting ‘‘any State or any of the 
Freely Associated States (as defined in section 
1724(f) of this title)’’. 
(C) PAYMENT OF CLAIMS.—The Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs may pay tort claims, in the 
manner authorized in the first paragraph of 
section 2672 of title 28, United States Code, 
when such claims arise in the Freely Associated 
States in connection with furnishing hospital 
care or medical services or providing medical 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:42 Dec 24, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00058
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\HJ96.RH
HJ96
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
•HJ 96 RH 
consultation or medical advice to a veteran 
under the laws administered by the Secretary, 
including through a remote or telehealth pro-
gram. 
(5) OUTREACH
AND
ASSESSMENT
OF
OP-
TIONS.—During the 1-year period beginning on the 
date of enactment of this joint resolution, the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs shall, subject to the avail-
ability of appropriations— 
(A) conduct robust outreach to, and en-
gage with, each government of the Freely Asso-
ciated States; 
(B) assess options for the delivery of care 
through the use of authorities provided pursu-
ant to the amendments made by this sub-
section; and 
(C) increase staffing as necessary to con-
duct outreach under subparagraph (A). 
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF EDUCATION PROGRAMS.— 
(1) ELIGIBILITY.—For fiscal year 2024 and 
each fiscal year thereafter, the Government of the 
United States shall— 
(A) continue to make available to the Fed-
erated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the 
Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau, 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:42 Dec 24, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00059
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\HJ96.RH
HJ96
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
•HJ 96 RH 
grants for services to individuals eligible for 
such services under part B of the Individuals 
with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 
1411 et seq.) to the extent that those services 
continue to be available to individuals in the 
United States; 
(B) continue to make available to the Fed-
erated States of Micronesia and the Republic of 
the Marshall Islands and make available to the 
Republic of Palau, competitive grants under the 
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.), the Carl D. 
Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 
2006 (20 U.S.C. 2301 et seq.), and part D of 
the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 
(20 U.S.C. 1450 et seq.), to the extent that 
those grants continue to be available to State 
and local governments in the United States; 
(C) continue to make grants available to 
the Republic of Palau under part A of title I of 
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.), the Adult 
Education and Family Literacy Act (29 U.S.C. 
3271 et seq.), and the Carl D. Perkins Career 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:42 Dec 24, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00060
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\HJ96.RH
HJ96
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
•HJ 96 RH 
and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 
U.S.C. 2301 et seq.); 
(D) continue to make available to eligible 
institutions of higher education in the Republic 
of Palau and make available to eligible institu-
tions of higher education in the Federated 
States of Micronesia and the Republic of the 
Marshall Islands and to students enrolled in 
those institutions of higher education, and to 
students who are citizens of the Federated 
States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Mar-
shall Islands, and the Republic of Palau and 
enrolled in institutions of higher education in 
the United States and territories of the United 
States, grants under— 
(i) subpart 1 of part A of title IV of 
the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 1070a et seq.); 
(ii) subpart 3 of part A of title IV of 
the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 1070b et seq.); and 
(iii) part C of title IV of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087– 
51 et seq.); 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:42 Dec 24, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00061
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\HJ96.RH
HJ96
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
•HJ 96 RH 
(E) require, as a condition of eligibility for 
a public institution of higher education in any 
State (as defined in section 103 of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1003)) that 
is not a Freely Associated State to participate 
in or receive funds under any program under 
title IV of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.), 
that the institution charge students who are 
citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, 
the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Re-
public of Palau tuition for attendance at a rate 
that is not greater than the rate charged for 
residents of the State in which such public in-
stitution of higher education is located; and 
(F) continue to make available, to eligible 
institutions of higher education, secondary 
schools, and nonprofit organizations in the Fed-
erated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the 
Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau, 
competitive grants under the Higher Education 
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.). 
(2) OTHER FORMULA GRANTS.—Except as pro-
vided in paragraph (1), the Secretary of Education 
shall not make a grant under any formula grant pro-
gram administered by the Department of Education 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:42 Dec 24, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00062
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\HJ96.RH
HJ96
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
•HJ 96 RH 
to the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic 
of the Marshall Islands, or the Republic of Palau. 
(3) GRANTS
TO
THE
FREELY
ASSOCIATED 
STATES UNDER PART B OF THE INDIVIDUALS WITH 
DISABILITIES
EDUCATION
ACT.—Section 611(b)(1) 
of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 
(20 U.S.C. 1411(b)(1)) is amended by striking sub-
paragraph (A) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(A) 
FUNDS
RESERVED.—From 
the 
amount appropriated for any fiscal year under 
subsection (i), the Secretary shall reserve not 
more than 1 percent, which shall be used as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(i) To provide assistance to the out-
lying areas in accordance with their respec-
tive populations of individuals aged 3 
through 21. 
‘‘(ii)(I) To provide each freely associ-
ated State a grant so that no freely associ-
ated State receives a lesser share of the 
total funds reserved for the freely associ-
ated State than the freely associated State 
received of those funds for fiscal year 
2023. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:42 Dec 24, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00063
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\HJ96.RH
HJ96
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
•HJ 96 RH 
‘‘(II) Each freely associated State 
shall establish its eligibility under this sub-
paragraph consistent with the require-
ments for a State under section 612. 
‘‘(III) The funds provided to each 
freely associated State under this part may 
be used to provide, to each infant or tod-
dler with a disability (as defined in section 
632), either a free appropriate public edu-
cation, consistent with section 612, or 
early intervention services consistent with 
part C, notwithstanding the application 
and eligibility requirements of sections 
634(2), 635, and 637.’’. 
(4) TECHNICAL
AMENDMENTS
TO
THE
ELE-
MENTARY
AND
SECONDARY
EDUCATION
ACT
OF 
1965.—The Elementary and Secondary Education 
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.) is amended— 
(A) by striking subparagraph (A) of sec-
tion 1121(b)(1) (20 U.S.C. 6331(b)(1)(A)) and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘(A) first reserve $1,000,000 for the Re-
public of Palau, subject to such terms and con-
ditions as the Secretary may establish, except 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:42 Dec 24, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00064
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\HJ96.RH
HJ96
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
•HJ 96 RH 
that Public Law 95–134, permitting the con-
solidation of grants, shall not apply; and’’; and 
(B) by striking paragraph (36) of section 
8101 (20 U.S.C. 7801(36)) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(36) OUTLYING
AREA.—The term ‘outlying 
area’— 
‘‘(A) means American Samoa, the Com-
monwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, 
Guam, and the United States Virgin Islands; 
and 
‘‘(B) for the purpose of any discretionary 
grant program under this Act, includes the Re-
public of the Marshall Islands, the Federated 
States of Micronesia, and the Republic of 
Palau, to the extent that any such grant pro-
gram continues to be available to State and 
local governments in the United States.’’. 
(5) TECHNICAL AMENDMENT TO THE COMPACT 
OF FREE ASSOCIATION AMENDMENTS ACT OF 2003.— 
Section 105(f)(1)(B) of the Compact of Free Asso-
ciation Amendments Act of 2003 (48 U.S.C. 
1921d(f)(1)(B)) is amended by striking clause (ix). 
(6) HEAD START PROGRAMS.— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:42 Dec 24, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00065
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\HJ96.RH
HJ96
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
•HJ 96 RH 
(A) DEFINITIONS.—Section 637 of the 
Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9832) is amended, 
in the paragraph defining the term ‘‘State’’, by 
striking the second sentence and inserting ‘‘The 
term ‘State’ includes the Federated States of 
Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Is-
lands, and the Republic of Palau.’’. 
(B) 
ALLOTMENT
OF
FUNDS.—Section 
640(a)(2)(B) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 
9835(a)(2)(B)) is amended— 
(i) in clause (iv), by inserting ‘‘the 
Republic of Palau,’’ before ‘‘and the Virgin 
Islands’’; and 
(ii) by striking clause (v) and insert-
ing the following: 
‘‘(v) if a base grant has been estab-
lished through appropriations for the Fed-
erated States of Micronesia or the Repub-
lic of the Marshall Islands, to provide an 
amount for that jurisdiction (for Head 
Start agencies (including Early Head Start 
agencies) in the jurisdiction) that is equal 
to the amount provided for base grants for 
such jurisdiction under this subchapter for 
the prior fiscal year, by allotting to each 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:42 Dec 24, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00066
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\HJ96.RH
HJ96
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
•HJ 96 RH 
agency described in this clause an amount 
equal to that agency’s base grant for the 
prior fiscal year; and’’. 
(7) COORDINATION REQUIRED.—The Secretary 
of the Interior, in coordination with the Secretary of 
Education and the Secretary of Health and Human 
Services, as applicable, shall, to the maximum extent 
practicable, coordinate with the 3 United States ap-
pointees to the Joint Economic Management Com-
mittee described in section 4(b)(1) and the 2 United 
States appointees to the Joint Economic Manage-
ment and Financial Accountability Committee de-
scribed in section 5(d)(1) to avoid duplication of eco-
nomic assistance for education provided under sec-
tion 261(a)(1) of the 2023 Amended U.S.-FSM 
Compact or section 261(a)(1) of the 2023 Amended 
U.S.-RMI Compact of activities or services provided 
under— 
(A) the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 
et seq.); 
(B) subpart 3 of part A of title IV of the 
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
1070b et seq.); or 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:42 Dec 24, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00067
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\HJ96.RH
HJ96
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
•HJ 96 RH 
(C) part C of title IV of the Higher Edu-
cation Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087–51 et 
seq.). 
(c) AUTHORIZATION OF DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 
PROGRAMS.— 
(1) DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE MEDICAL FA-
CILITIES.—The Secretary of Defense shall make 
available, on a space available and reimbursable 
basis, the medical facilities of the Department of De-
fense for use by citizens of the Federated States of 
Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, 
and the Republic of Palau, who are properly referred 
to the facilities by government authorities respon-
sible for provision of medical services in the Fed-
erated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the 
Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palau, and the af-
fected jurisdictions (as defined in section 104(e)(2) 
of the Compact of Free Association Amendments 
Act of 2003 (48 U.S.C. 1921c(e)(2))). 
(2) PARTICIPATION BY SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN 
THE ARMED SERVICES VOCATIONAL APTITUDE BAT-
TERY STUDENT TESTING PROGRAM.—It is the sense 
of Congress that the Department of Defense may ex-
tend the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Bat-
tery (ASVAB) Student Testing Program and the 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:42 Dec 24, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00068
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\HJ96.RH
HJ96
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
•HJ 96 RH 
ASVAB Career Exploration Program to selected sec-
ondary schools in the Federated States of Micro-
nesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the 
Republic of Palau to the extent such programs are 
available to Department of Defense dependent sec-
ondary schools established under section 2164 of 
title 10, United States Code, and located outside the 
United States. 
(d) JUDICIAL TRAINING.—In addition to amounts 
provided under section 261(a)(4) of the 2023 Amended 
U.S.-FSM Compact and the 2023 Amended U.S.-RMI 
Compact and under subsections (a) and (b) of Article 1 
of the 2023 U.S.-Palau Compact Review Agreement, for 
each of fiscal years 2024 through 2043, the Secretary of 
the Interior shall use the amounts made available to the 
Secretary of the Interior under section 10(c) to train 
judges and officials of the judiciary in the Federated 
States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, 
and the Republic of Palau, in cooperation with the Pacific 
Islands Committee of the judicial council of the ninth judi-
cial circuit of the United States. 
(e) ELIGIBILITY FOR THE REPUBLIC OF PALAU.— 
(1) NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE CORPS.—The 
Secretary of Health and Human Services shall make 
the services of the National Health Service Corps 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:42 Dec 24, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00069
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\HJ96.RH
HJ96
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
•HJ 96 RH 
available to the residents of the Federated States of 
Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, 
and the Republic of Palau to the same extent, and 
for the same duration, as services are authorized to 
be provided to persons residing in any other areas 
within or outside the United States. 
(2) ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES.— 
The Republic of Palau shall be eligible for the pro-
grams and services made available to the Federated 
States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Mar-
shall Islands under section 108(a) of the Compact of 
Free Association Amendments Act of 2003 (48 
U.S.C. 1921g(a)). 
(3) PROGRAMS
AND
SERVICES
OF
CERTAIN 
AGENCIES.—In addition to the programs and serv-
ices set forth in the operative Federal Programs and 
Services Agreement between the United States and 
the Republic of Palau, the programs and services of 
the following agencies shall be made available to the 
Republic of Palau: 
(A) The Legal Services Corporation. 
(B) The Public Health Service. 
(C) The Rural Housing Service. 
(f) COMPACT IMPACT FAIRNESS.— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:42 Dec 24, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00070
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\HJ96.RH
HJ96
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
•HJ 96 RH 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 402 of the Personal 
Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation 
Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1612) is amended— 
(A) in subsection (a)(2), by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘(N) EXCEPTION FOR CITIZENS OF FREE-
LY ASSOCIATED STATES.—With respect to eligi-
bility for benefits for any specified Federal pro-
gram, paragraph (1) shall not apply to any in-
dividual who lawfully resides in the United 
States in accordance with section 141 of the 
Compacts of Free Association between the Gov-
ernment of the United States and the Govern-
ments of the Federated States of Micronesia, 
the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the 
Republic of Palau.’’; and 
(B) in subsection (b)(2)(G)— 
(i) in the subparagraph heading, by 
striking ‘‘MEDICAID EXCEPTION FOR’’ and 
inserting ‘‘EXCEPTION FOR’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘the designated Fed-
eral program defined in paragraph (3)(C) 
(relating to the Medicaid program)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘any designated Federal pro-
gram’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:42 Dec 24, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00071
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\HJ96.RH
HJ96
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
•HJ 96 RH 
(2) EXCEPTION
TO
5-YEAR
WAIT
REQUIRE-
MENT.—Section 403(b)(3) of the Personal Responsi-
bility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 
1996 (8 U.S.C. 1613(b)(3)) is amended by striking 
‘‘, but only with respect to the designated Federal 
program defined in section 402(b)(3)(C)’’. 
(3) DEFINITION OF QUALIFIED ALIEN.—Section 
431(b)(8) of the Personal Responsibility and Work 
Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 
1641(b)(8)) is amended by striking ‘‘, but only with 
respect to the designated Federal program defined 
in section 402(b)(3)(C) (relating to the Medicaid 
program)’’. 
(g) CONSULTATION WITH INTERNATIONAL FINAN-
CIAL INSTITUTIONS.—The Secretary of the Treasury, in 
coordination with the Secretary of the Interior and the 
Secretary of State, shall consult with appropriate officials 
of the Asian Development Bank and relevant international 
financial institutions (as defined in section 1701(c) of the 
International Financial Institutions Act (22 U.S.C. 
262r(c))), as appropriate, with respect to overall economic 
conditions in, and the activities of other providers of as-
sistance to, the Freely Associated States. 
(h) CHIEF OF MISSION.—Section 105(b) of the Com-
pact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003 (48 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:42 Dec 24, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00072
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\HJ96.RH
HJ96
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
•HJ 96 RH 
U.S.C. 1921d(b)) is amended by striking paragraph (5) 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘(5) Pursuant to section 207 of the Foreign 
Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 3927), all United 
States Government executive branch employees in 
the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of 
the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau fall 
under the authority of the respective applicable chief 
of mission, except for employees identified as ex-
cepted from the authority under Federal law or by 
Presidential directive.’’. 
(i) ESTABLISHMENT OF A UNIT FOR THE FREELY 
ASSOCIATED STATES IN THE BUREAU OF EAST ASIAN 
AND PACIFIC AFFAIRS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE 
AND INCREASING PERSONNEL FOCUSED ON OCEANIA.— 
(1) DEFINITION
OF
APPROPRIATE
CONGRES-
SIONAL COMMITTEES.—In this subsection, the term 
‘‘appropriate congressional committees’’ means the 
Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and 
the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
Representatives. 
(2) REQUIREMENTS.—The Secretary of State 
shall— 
(A) assign additional full-time equivalent 
personnel to the Office of Australia, New Zea-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:42 Dec 24, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00073
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\HJ96.RH
HJ96
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
•HJ 96 RH 
land, and Pacific Island Affairs of the Bureau 
of East Asian and Pacific Affairs of the De-
partment of State, including to the unit estab-
lished under subparagraph (B), as the Sec-
retary of State determines to be appropriate, in 
accordance with paragraph (4)(A); and 
(B) establish a unit in the Bureau of East 
Asian and Pacific Affairs of the Department of 
State to carry out the functions described in 
paragraph (3). 
(3) FUNCTIONS OF UNIT.—The unit established 
under paragraph (2)(B) shall be responsible for the 
following: 
(A) Managing the bilateral and regional re-
lations with the Freely Associated States. 
(B) Supporting the Secretary of State in 
leading negotiations relating to the Compacts of 
Free Association with the Freely Associated 
States. 
(C) Coordinating, in consultation with the 
Department of the Interior, the Department of 
Defense, and other interagency partners as ap-
propriate, implementation of the Compacts of 
Free Association with the Freely Associated 
States. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:42 Dec 24, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00074
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\HJ96.RH
HJ96
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
•HJ 96 RH 
(4) FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT EMPLOYEES.—The 
Secretary of State shall— 
(A) not later than 5 years after the date 
of enactment of this joint resolution, assign to 
the Office of Australia, New Zealand, and Pa-
cific Island Affairs of the Bureau of East Asian 
and Pacific Affairs, including to the unit estab-
lished under paragraph (2)(B), not less than 4 
additional full-time equivalent staff, who shall 
not be dual-hatted, including by considering— 
(i) the use of existing flexible hiring 
authorities, including Domestic Employees 
Teleworking Overseas (DETOs); and 
(ii) the realignment of existing per-
sonnel, including from the United States 
Mission in Australia, as appropriate; 
(B) reduce the number of vacant foreign 
service positions in the Pacific Island region by 
establishing an incentive program within the 
Foreign Service for overseas positions related to 
the Pacific Island region; and 
(C) report to the appropriate congressional 
committees on progress toward objectives out-
lined in this subsection beginning 1 year from 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:42 Dec 24, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00075
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\HJ96.RH
HJ96
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
•HJ 96 RH 
the date of enactment of this joint resolution 
and annually thereafter for 5 years. 
(j) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—Section 105 of the 
Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003 
(48 U.S.C. 1921d) is amended by striking subsection (j) 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘(j) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Technical assistance may 
be provided pursuant to section 224 of the 2023 
Amended U.S.-FSM Compact, section 224 of the 
2023 Amended U.S.-RMI Compact, or section 222 
of the U.S.-Palau Compact (as those terms are de-
fined in section 2 of the Compact of Free Associa-
tion Amendments Act of 2023) by Federal agencies 
and institutions of the Government of the United 
States to the extent the assistance shall be provided 
to States, territories, or units of local government. 
‘‘(2) HISTORIC PRESERVATION.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Any technical assist-
ance authorized under paragraph (1) that is 
provided by the Forest Service, the Natural Re-
sources Conservation Service, the United States 
Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Marine 
Fisheries Service, the United States Coast 
Guard, the Advisory Council on Historic Pres-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:42 Dec 24, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00076
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\HJ96.RH
HJ96
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
•HJ 96 RH 
ervation, the Department of the Interior, or any 
other Federal agency providing assistance 
under division A of subtitle III of title 54, 
United States Code, may be provided on a non-
reimbursable basis. 
‘‘(B) GRANTS.—During the period in 
which the 2023 Amended U.S.-FSM Compact 
(as so defined) and the 2023 Amended U.S.- 
RMI Compact (as so defined) are in force, the 
grant programs under division A of subtitle III 
of title 54, United States Code, shall continue 
to apply to the Federated States of Micronesia 
and the Republic of the Marshall Islands in the 
same manner and to the same extent as those 
programs applied prior to the approval of the 
U.S.-FSM Compact and U.S.-RMI Compact. 
‘‘(3) ADDITIONAL FUNDS.—Any funds provided 
pursuant to this subsection, subsections (c), (g), (h), 
(i), (k), (l), and (m), section 102(a), and subsections 
(a), (b), (f), (g), (h), and (j) of section 103 shall be 
in addition to, and not charged against, any 
amounts to be paid to the Federated States of Mi-
cronesia or the Republic of the Marshall Islands pur-
suant to— 
‘‘(A) the U.S.-FSM Compact; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:42 Dec 24, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00077
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\HJ96.RH
HJ96
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
•HJ 96 RH 
‘‘(B) the U.S.-RMI Compact; or 
‘‘(C) any related subsidiary agreement.’’. 
(k) CONTINUING TRUST TERRITORY AUTHORIZA-
TION.—The authorization provided by the Act of June 30, 
1954 (68 Stat. 330, chapter 423), shall remain available 
after the effective date of the 2023 Amended U.S.-FSM 
Compact and the 2023 Amended U.S.-RMI Compact with 
respect to the Federated States of Micronesia and the Re-
public of the Marshall Islands for transition purposes, in-
cluding— 
(1) completion of projects and fulfillment of 
commitments or obligations; 
(2) termination of the Trust Territory Govern-
ment and termination of the High Court; 
(3) health and education as a result of excep-
tional circumstances; 
(4) ex gratia contributions for the populations 
of Bikini, Enewetak, Rongelap, and Utrik; and 
(5) technical assistance and training in finan-
cial management, program administration, and 
maintenance of infrastructure. 
(l) TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) PUBLIC
HEALTH
SERVICE
ACT
DEFINI-
TION.—Section 2(f) of the Public Health Service Act 
(42 U.S.C. 201(f)) is amended by striking ‘‘and the 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:42 Dec 24, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00078
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\HJ96.RH
HJ96
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
•HJ 96 RH 
Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands’’ and inserting 
‘‘the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of 
the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau’’. 
(2) COMPACT IMPACT AMENDMENTS.—Section 
104(e) of the Compact of Free Association Amend-
ments Act of 2003 (48 U.S.C. 1921c(e)) is amend-
ed— 
(A) in paragraph (4)— 
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking 
‘‘beginning in fiscal year 2003’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘during the period of fiscal years 2003 
through 2023’’; and 
(ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking 
‘‘after fiscal year 2003’’ and inserting ‘‘for 
the period of fiscal years 2004 through 
2023’’; 
(B) by striking paragraph (5); and 
(C) 
by 
redesignating 
paragraphs 
(6) 
through (10) as paragraphs (5) through (9), re-
spectively. 
SEC. 9. ADDITIONAL AUTHORITIES. 
(a) AGENCIES, DEPARTMENTS, AND INSTRUMENTAL-
ITIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Appropriations to carry out 
the obligations, services, and programs described in 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:42 Dec 24, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00079
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\HJ96.RH
HJ96
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
•HJ 96 RH 
paragraph (2) shall be made directly to the Federal 
agencies, departments, and instrumentalities car-
rying out the obligations, services and programs. 
(2) OBLIGATIONS, SERVICES, AND
PROGRAMS 
DESCRIBED.—The obligations, services, and pro-
grams referred to in paragraphs (1) and (3) are the 
obligations, services, and programs under— 
(A) sections 131 and 132, paragraphs (1) 
and (3) through (6) of section 221(a), and sec-
tion 221(b) of the 2023 Amended U.S.-FSM 
Compact; 
(B) sections 131 and 132, paragraphs (1) 
and (3) through (6) of section 221(a), and sec-
tion 221(b) of the 2023 Amended U.S.-RMI 
Compact; 
(C) sections 131 and 132 and paragraphs 
(1), (3), and (4) of section 221(a) of the U.S.- 
Palau Compact; 
(D) Article 6 of the 2023 U.S.-Palau Com-
pact Review Agreement; and 
(E) section 8. 
(3) AUTHORITY.—The heads of the Federal 
agencies, departments, and instrumentalities to 
which appropriations are made available under para-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:42 Dec 24, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00080
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\HJ96.RH
HJ96
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
•HJ 96 RH 
graph (1) as well as the Federal Deposit Insurance 
Corporation shall— 
(A) have the authority to carry out any ac-
tivities that are necessary to fulfill the obliga-
tions, services, and programs described in para-
graph (2); and 
(B) use available funds to carry out the ac-
tivities under subparagraph (A). 
(b) ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE.—Any assistance pro-
vided pursuant to section 105(j) of the Compact of Free 
Association Amendments Act of 2003 (48 U.S.C. 
1921d(j)) (as amended by section 8(j)) and sections 4(a), 
5(a), 6(b), and 8 shall be in addition to and not charged 
against any amounts to be paid to the Federated States 
of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and 
the Republic of Palau pursuant to— 
(1) the 2023 Amended U.S.-FSM Compact; 
(2) the 2023 Amended U.S.-RMI Compact; 
(3) the 2023 U.S.-Palau Compact Review 
Agreement; or 
(4) any related subsidiary agreement. 
(c) REMAINING BALANCES.—Notwithstanding any 
other provision of law, including section 109 of the Com-
pact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003 (48 
U.S.C. 1921h)— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:42 Dec 24, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00081
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\HJ96.RH
HJ96
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
•HJ 96 RH 
(1) remaining balances appropriated to carry 
out sections 211, 212(b), 215, and 217 of the 2023 
Amended U.S.-FSM Compact, shall be programmed 
pursuant to Article IX of the 2023 U.S.-FSM Fiscal 
Procedures Agreement; and 
(2) remaining balances appropriated to carry 
out sections 211, 213(b), 216, and 218 of the 2023 
Amended U.S.-RMI Compact, shall be programmed 
pursuant to Article XI of the 2023 U.S.-RMI Fiscal 
Procedures Agreement. 
(d) GRANTS.—Notwithstanding any other provision 
of law— 
(1) contributions under the 2023 Amended 
U.S.-FSM Compact, the 2023 U.S.-Palau Compact 
Review Agreement, and the 2023 Amended U.S.- 
RMI Compact may be provided as grants for pur-
poses of implementation of the 2023 Amended U.S.- 
FSM Compact, the 2023 U.S.-Palau Compact Re-
view Agreement, and the 2023 Amended U.S.-RMI 
Compact under the laws of the United States; and 
(2) funds appropriated pursuant to section 10 
may be deposited in interest-bearing accounts and 
any interest earned may be retained in and form 
part of those accounts for use consistent with the 
purpose of the deposit. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:42 Dec 24, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00082
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\HJ96.RH
HJ96
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
•HJ 96 RH 
(e) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Except as specifically 
provided, nothing in this joint resolution or the amend-
ments made by this joint resolution amends the following: 
(1) Title I of the Compact of Free Association 
Act of 1985 (48 U.S.C. 1901 et seq.). 
(2) Title I of Public Law 99–658 (48 U.S.C. 
1931 et seq.). 
(3) Title I of the Compact of Free Association 
Amendments Act of 2003 (48 U.S.C. 1921 et seq.). 
(4) Section 1259C of the National Defense Au-
thorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (48 U.S.C. 
1931 note; Public Law 115–91). 
(5) The Department of the Interior, Environ-
ment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 
2018 (Public Law 115–141; 132 Stat. 635). 
(f) CLARIFICATION RELATING
TO APPROPRIATED 
FUNDS.—Notwithstanding section 109 of the Compacts of 
Free Association Amendments Act of 2003 (48 U.S.C. 
1921h)— 
(1) funds appropriated by that section and de-
posited into the RMI Compact Trust Fund shall be 
governed by the 2023 U.S.-RMI Trust Fund Agree-
ment on entry into force of the 2023 U.S.-RMI 
Trust Fund Agreement; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:42 Dec 24, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00083
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\HJ96.RH
HJ96
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
•HJ 96 RH 
(2) funds appropriated by that section and de-
posited into the FSM Compact Trust Fund shall be 
governed by the 2023 U.S.-FSM Trust Fund Agree-
ment on entry into force of the 2023 U.S.-FSM 
Trust Fund Agreement; 
(3) funds appropriated by that section and 
made available for fiscal year 2024 or any fiscal year 
thereafter as grants to carry out the purposes of sec-
tion 211(b) of the 2003 U.S.-RMI Amended Com-
pact shall be subject to the provisions of the 2023 
U.S.-RMI Fiscal Procedures Agreement on entry 
into force of the 2023 U.S.-RMI Fiscal Procedures 
Agreement; 
(4) funds appropriated by that section and 
made available for fiscal year 2024 or any fiscal year 
thereafter as grants to carry out the purposes of sec-
tion 221 of the 2003 U.S.-RMI Amended Compact 
shall be subject to the provisions of the 2023 U.S.- 
RMI Fiscal Procedures Agreement on entry into 
force of the 2023 U.S.-RMI Fiscal Procedures 
Agreement, except as modified in the Federal Pro-
grams and Services Agreement in force between the 
United States and the Republic of the Marshall Is-
lands; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:42 Dec 24, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00084
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\HJ96.RH
HJ96
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
•HJ 96 RH 
(5) funds appropriated by that section and 
made available for fiscal year 2024 or any fiscal year 
thereafter as grants to carry out the purposes of sec-
tion 221 of the 2003 U.S.-FSM Amended Compact 
shall be subject to the provisions of the 2023 U.S.- 
FSM Fiscal Procedures Agreement on entry into 
force of the 2023 U.S.-FSM Fiscal Procedures 
Agreement, except as modified in the 2023 U.S.- 
FSM Federal Programs and Services Agreement. 
SEC. 10. COMPACT APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) FUNDING FOR ACTIVITIES OF THE SECRETARY 
OF THE INTERIOR.—For the period of fiscal years 2024 
through 2043, there are appropriated to the Compact of 
Free Association account of the Department of the Inte-
rior, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appro-
priated, to remain available until expended, the amounts 
described in and to carry out the purposes of— 
(1) sections 261, 265, and 266 of the 2023 
Amended U.S.-FSM Compact; 
(2) sections 261, 265, and 266 of the 2023 
Amended U.S.-RMI Compact; and 
(3) Articles 1, 2, and 3 of the 2023 U.S.-Palau 
Compact Review Agreement. 
(b) FUNDING
FOR ACTIVITIES
OF
THE UNITED 
STATES POSTAL SERVICE.— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:42 Dec 24, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00085
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\HJ96.RH
HJ96
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
•HJ 96 RH 
(1) APPROPRIATION.—There is appropriated to 
the United States Postal Service, out of any funds 
in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated for each 
of fiscal years 2024 through 2043, $31,700,000, to 
remain available until expended, to carry out the 
costs of the following provisions that are not other-
wise funded: 
(A) Section 221(a)(2) of the 2023 Amend-
ed U.S.-FSM Compact. 
(B) Section 221(a)(2) of the 2023 Amend-
ed U.S.-RMI Compact. 
(C) Section 221(a)(2) of the U.S.-Palau 
Compact. 
(D) Article 6(a) of the 2023 U.S.-Palau 
Compact Review Agreement. 
(2) DEPOSIT.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—The amounts appro-
priated to the United States Postal Service 
under paragraph (1) shall be deposited into the 
Postal Service Fund established under section 
2003 of title 39, United States Code, to carry 
out the provisions described in that paragraph. 
(B) REQUIREMENT.—Any amounts depos-
ited into the Postal Service Fund under sub-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:42 Dec 24, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00086
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\HJ96.RH
HJ96
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
•HJ 96 RH 
paragraph (A) shall be the fiduciary, fiscal, and 
audit responsibility of the Postal Service. 
(c) FUNDING FOR JUDICIAL TRAINING.—There is 
appropriated to the Secretary of the Interior to carry out 
section 8(d) out of any funds in the Treasury not other-
wise appropriated, $550,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 
through 2043, to remain available until expended. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:42 Dec 24, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00087
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\HJ96.RH
HJ96
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
Union Calendar No. 775 
118TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. J. RES. 96 
[Report No. 118–785, Part I] 
JOINT RESOLUTION 
To approve the 2023 Agreement to Amend the 
U.S.-FSM Compact, and related agreements, be-
tween the Government of the United States of 
America and the Government of the Federated 
States of Micronesia, the 2023 Agreement to 
Amend the U.S.-RMI Compact, and certain re-
lated agreements between the Government of the 
United States of America and the Government of 
the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the 
2023 U.S.-Palau Compact Review Agreement be-
tween the Government of the United States of 
America and the Government of the Republic of 
Palau, to appropriate funds to carry out the 
agreements, and for other purposes. 
DECEMBER 19, 2024 
Committees on Veterans’ Affairs, Oversight and Account-
ability, Agriculture, and Ways and Means discharged; 
committed to the Committee of the Whole House on 
the State of the Union and ordered to be printed 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:42 Dec 24, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00088
Fmt 6651
Sfmt 6651
E:\BILLS\HJ96.RH
HJ96
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB