Affairs report,
develop a
the
proposed
commission
was
to
help
Congress
"rational legal framework from the current
inconsistent and
inappropriate coverage of
the
insular
areas
in
Federal
laws
which
inhibits economic expansion, creates inequi-
ties,
denies
otherwise
recognized
Federal
responsibilities and frustrates the objectives of well intentioned federal and insular
programs."
So far,
none of these proposals have been enacted.
Department of Interior
review of laws
In late 1981, when it became apparent that a comprehensive
federal laws commission was not obtaining sufficient support,
Interior's Office of the Solicitor began a study of the applicability of laws to the U.S. territories and Trust Territory.
According to the study leader, a former Director of the Office
of Territorial Affairs, Puerto Rico is not included in the pre-
sent
analysis
However,
after
its
because
she
said
current
that
it
study
is
outside
Interior
is
plans
Interior's
to
completed
prepare
which
will
application of federal laws to Puerto Rico.
The objective of
jurisdiction.
the study is to examine all
an
addendum
detail
federal
the
.
laws
and provide a legal analysis of the respective statutes, including what the statute does, where it is applicable, and any particular problems it presents.
As of August 1984, 10 legal areas
involving
fishing,
shipping,
transportation,
bankruptcy
and
banking had been studied.
The results of the analyses have been
circulated to the territorial governments and cognizant federal
agencies for comment.
It is anticipated that legislative propoSals will be submitted to Congress based on the results of the
analysis.
October
Interior
1986.
believes
the
review
may
be
completed
by
National Marine Fisheries
Service study
;
fie
In response to concerns raised by officials from the Paci-
territories,
NMFS
adversely affected
tories.
ies and
conducted
a
review
fisheries development
NMFS reported that most federal
fisheries development were
".
.
.
mainland laws and as
9000241
wish
either
to
be
exempt
34
federal
the
laws
Pacific
that
terri-
laws concerning fisher-
such
sitive to special Island needs.
ers
of
in
are
insen-
Island lead-
from
such
laws