Overview:
House delegates led the lawmaking push in the first year of Palau’s 12th OEK, introducing 32 of the 40 bills filed. The proposals focus on labor and Social Security reform, education, public safety and government accountability, with several already enacted and others still moving through the legislative process.
By: L.N. Reklai
KOROR, Palau — Lawmakers in Palau’s House of Delegates introduced a high volume of legislation during the first year of the 12th Olbiil Era Kelulau, using delegate-authored bills to drive policy changes across the economy, labor, education, public safety and governance.
From early 2025 through the end of the year, 40 bills were introduced in the House. Of those, 32 were authored by delegates, while eight originated from President Surangel Whipps Jr.
Economic, labor and social security reforms dominate
Economic and labor reforms emerged as a central focus of delegate-authored legislation. Early measures sought to preserve the Palau Livestock Fund, adjust hotel room and vessel cabin occupancy taxes to benefit outlying states, and revise mandatory retirement rules for civil service employees.
As the year progressed, delegates introduced a broader reform package that included proposals to raise work permit fees, designate the minister of finance as the procurement officer for contractual services, increase employer and employee contributions to the Social Security system, lift the mandatory retirement age to 65, revise utility tariff-setting procedures, and raise the eligibility age for old-age insurance benefits.
Social protection and public-sector employment were also prominent. Delegate Soalablai introduced legislation to protect overseas Social Security payments made to non-citizens. Speaker Gibson Kanai Jr. advanced a bill to repeal the mandatory national government workweek schedule, while another Kanai-sponsored proposal would extend the period during which former presidents are eligible to receive stipends.
Together, the measures reflect legislative efforts to recalibrate labor rules, retirement benefits and government employment policies in response to workforce and fiscal pressures.
Education, youth and culture initiatives gain traction
Delegates also turned attention to education and youth policy. Del. Gibbons Jr. proposed changes to scholarship work and repayment requirements, along with career placement support for returning graduates, linking public education funding more closely to workforce outcomes.
Later proposals by Delegates Marino and Otong focused on cultural preservation and youth health. One bill would require instruction in traditional Palauan languages for kindergarten through third grade in publicly funded schools. Another would mandate semiannual youth substance awareness programs from kindergarten through 12th grade in both public and private schools.
Several of these education and youth measures advanced through committee review and House passage with amendments, indicating growing support among members.
Public safety, justice and governance reforms
Public safety and justice were another major legislative theme. Delegates backed amendments to child protection laws and juvenile detention standards and proposed creating a civil cause of action for constitutional rights violations committed under color of law.
Floor Leader Umetaro and co-sponsors introduced a bill requiring moped operators and passengers to wear helmets. Speaker Kanai and other delegates proposed updates to bonding requirements for government construction projects and increased penalties for inaccurate currency declarations.
Governance and integrity issues were addressed through Delegate Kemesong’s proposal to include traditional chiefs serving in state legislatures under the definition of public officials in the ethics code. Kanai also sponsored several bills aimed at strengthening national security coordination and clarifying how Interpol Red Notices may be considered in extradition proceedings.
Additional measures from Delegate Gulibert and others focused on preserving state and presidential records, reflecting a broader push for transparency and institutional memory.
Bills enacted and measures still pending
Several delegate-authored bills have completed the full legislative process, passing the House and Senate and being transmitted to the president. Among them are Soalablai’s livestock fund legislation, Umetaro’s national identification reforms, and Gibbons Jr.’s scholarship amendments, each of which completed all required readings and final House action.
Other major proposals — including the comprehensive Social Security and retirement reform package, along with fourth-session bills addressing youth substance awareness, national security coordination and moped helmet requirements — remain in committee or in the early stages of floor consideration as of Dec. 8, 2025.
As the 12th OEK continues, the volume and scope of House-authored legislation highlight how delegates are using their own bills to shape long-term policy across Palau’s labor system, social protections, education framework, public safety laws and governance structures.
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