Yap Constitution Article 15

Section 1. The Legislature [shall] may provide for the codification of traditional laws of the State of Yap [within a reasonable time after the effective date of this Constitution].

Constitional amendment: Section 1 was amended as set forth above (with added language underlined and deleted language bracketed) by a constitutional amendment adopted by Yap State voters on November 7, 2006 and certified by the Yap State Election Commissioner on November 24, 2006. The amendment was set forth in Proposal No. 2004-40, D2 of the 2004 Yap Constitutional Convention.

Section 3. None of the decisional law developed by any predecessor [the High Court of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands] shall have the force of stare decisis in the adjudication of any case of controversy in the State Court.

Constitional amendment: Section 3 was amended as set forth above (with added language underlined and deleted language bracketed) by a constitutional amendment adopted by Yap State voters on November 7, 2006 and certified by the Yap State Election Commissioner on November 24, 2006. The amendment was set forth in Proposal No. 2004-18, D2 of the 2004 Yap Constitutional Convention.

Section 4. Except as otherwise provided in this Constitution, all rights, titles, actions, suits, contracts, and liabilities and all pending civil, criminal or administrative proceedings shall continue unaffected, and the constitutional State Government shall be the legal successor to the chartered State Government in all matters; provided that, all rights, claims and defenses which the State of Yap may have against any other predecessor [the Government of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands] are expressly reserved.

Constitional amendment: Section 4 was amended as set forth above (with added language underlined and language bracketed) by a constitutional amendment adopted by Yap State voters on November 7, 2006 and certified by the Yap State Election Commissioner on November 24, 2006. The amendment was set forth in Proposal No. 2004-18, D2 of the 2004 Yap Constitutional Convention.

Section 5. Political subdivisions of the chartered State Government existing on the effective date of this Constitution shall continue to exercise their powers and functions under existing law, pending enactment of legislation to carry out the provisions of this Constitution. New political subdivisions may be created only in accordance with this Constitution.

Section 6. All officers of the chartered State Government, or under its laws, on the effective date of this Constitution shall continue to perform the duties of their offices in a manner consistent with this Constitution until they are superseded by officers of the constitutional State Government.

Section 7. The November 2, 1982, general election under the Charter of the Yap State Government is confirmed as the first general election pursuant to this Constitution; provided that there shall be a special election for the Office of Lieutenant Governor at the same time as the next general election for members of the Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia or later date set by statute if the Constitution has not been approved prior to such election. The Office of Lieutenant Governor becomes vacant when the Governor takes his oath of office set by statute if the Constitution has not been approved prior to such time.