Senate of Palau
Upper house of the Palau National Congress
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Senate of Palau is the upper house of the Palau National Congress (Olbiil era Kelulau). The Senate members are elected to serve four-year terms in multi-seat constituencies. Since January 2025, the Senate has 15 members.[2] No political parties exist. The most recent election was held in November 2024.
since 19 January 2017
since 16 January 2025
since 16 January 2025
Senate | |
|---|---|
| |
| Type | |
| Type | |
| Leadership | |
President of the Senate[1] | Hokkons Baules since 19 January 2017 |
Vice President of the Senate[1] | Stevenson Kuartei since 16 January 2025 |
Floor Leader[1] | Kerai Mariur since 16 January 2025 |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 15 |
 | |
Length of term | 4 years |
| Elections | |
| Plurality block voting | |
Last election | 5 November 2024 |
Next election | 7 November 2028 |
| Meeting place | |
 | |
| Olbiil era Kelulau building in the capitol complex, Ngerulmud | |
| Website | |
Membership
The Constitution does not indicate the number of a members of the Senate. Every 8 years, the National Congress appoints a reapportionment commission to draw up and recommend a district map allocating seats in accordance with the population. Therefore, the number of senators may change as frequently as every 8 years. Any voter can challenge a reapportionment before the Palau Supreme Court.[3]
During the first legislature in 1981, there were 18 Senators, which was reduced to 14 in 1984. In 2000, the number dropped to 9, but in 2008, the number rose to 13, then increased to 15 in 2024.[3]
Committees
The Senate of Palau has 12 standing committees. They are:
| Committee |
|---|
| Ways & Means and Financial Matters |
| Judiciary and Governmental Affairs |
| Capital Improvement Projects |
| Health and Education |
| Tourism Development |
| Foreign Affairs and State Matters |
| Resources, Commerce, Trade, and Development |
| Youth and Social Welfare |
| Culture and Traditions |
| Public Utilities, Communications, and Housing Development |
| Banking and Insurance |
| Maritime and Climate Change |
Presidents of the Senate
| Name | Congress | Period | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kaleb Udui | 1st | January 1981 – November 1984 | [5][6] |
| Isidoro Rudimch | 2nd | January 1985 – October 1986 | [5] |
| Joshua Koshiba | 2nd | October 1986 – December 1988 | [5] |
| 3rd | January 1989 – 1991 | [5] | |
| Isidoro Rudimch | 3rd | 1991 – November 1992 | [5][7] |
| Peter Sugiyama | 4th | January 1993 – November 1996 | [5][7] |
| Isidoro Rudimch | 5th | February 1997 – 31 August 1999 | [5][8] |
| Seit Andres | 5th | September 1999 – December 2000 | [5][9] |
| 6th | January 2001 – December 2004 | [9] | |
| Surangel S. Whipps | 7th | January 2005 – April 2005 | [10] |
| Johnny Reklai | 7th | April 2005 – 11 March 2007 | [11] |
| Joshua Koshiba | 7th | 27 March 2007 – 25 April 2007 | [11] |
| Surangel S. Whipps | 7th | 25 April 2007 – 15 January 2009 | [10] |
| Mlib Tmetuchl | 8th | 15 January 2009 – 16 January 2013 | [12] |
| Elias Camsek Chin | 9th | 16 January 2013 – 19 January 2017 | [13] |
| Hokkons Baules | 10th | 19 January 2017 – January 2020 | |
| 11th | January 2020 – 16 January 2025 | ||
| 12nd | 16 January 2025 – | [1] |
