President of Parliament Hon. drs. Gracita Arrindell recently received from the Vice Chairlady of the State Council of Advice (AC) Hon. Mavis Brooks-Salmon the Council’s 2010 Annual Report.
Arrindell said during the meeting that a number of issues were discussed, including the difficulty in finding staff and the procedural process to submit initiative laws. Regular meetings will take place between the Vice Chair of the AC and President of Parliament.
"I believe formal as well as informal communication is very essential between the new high councils of state of the new country, especially at the infant stage of getting these institutions off the ground and up and running. There is a lot of work to be done and everyone has their role to play. Both bodies are in the process of putting personnel in place.
"The AC just as Parliament is looking to hire legal advisors and it’s basically fishing in the same pond for that expertise. The AC is presently working with guidelines from the Advisory Councils of State of Curacao, Aruba and the Kingdom Council.
"Parliament has also sent its first draft initiative law change to the AC according to article 85, paragraph three of the Constitution. According to that article, Parliament presents a draft law to the AC before Parliament takes it into discussion. I was pleased to have met with Brooks-Salmon and her legal advisor," President of Parliament Hon. Gracita Arrindell said.
The 24-page report covers the first three months of the Council’s operations.
The AC is an independent organ of Government which is anchored in the Constitution of St. Maarten. According to the Constitution, the task of the Advisory Council is to advise the Government and Parliament, when it presents an initiative bill, about proposals of legislation and regulation of or with regard to the country.
The AC comprises of five members including the vice-chair and five extra ordinary members.