Health Dept. proposes new fee schedule for various health permits

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Through the regulatory process, the Health Department has proposed to implement a new fee schedule for Facility Health Permits, creating a new regulation under the American Samoa Administrative Code.

The proposed fees were announced by DoH in a July 6, “Notice of Intended Action”, which shows a “flat rate” of $100 for “Health Permits” for all food and non-food establishments such as: barber shop, salon, beauty parlor, message parlor, tattoo shop, tattoo parlor, auto shop, auto paint shop, laundromat and any similar business affecting health and environmental.

Additional activities have a proposed fee of $50; while Health Permits, for all other non-food entities is $50, according to the proposal, which also shows the following fee schedule:

•           Temporary Health Permits: $100 per day for an organization; and $50 per day for an individual

•           Post Business inspection follow-ups: $50 first follow-up; and continuous follow-until inspection is corrected is $25 per day

•           Violation- risk factors: $50 per risk factors/food safety violation identified during inspection if business is not closed

•           Closure of activity: $5,000 for first closure; $7,000 for second closure; and $10,000 for third closure

•           Closure due to a food-borne illness outbreak: $5,000

•           Certificate of food condemnation: $100 per certificate

•           Export Health Certificates for Containers: $200 per export container

•           Burial transit permit:  $50 per permit

•           Exhumation permit: $50 per permit

•           Assessment with condemnation certificate: $50

•           Copy of Permit/Certificate: $10

According to DoH, a copy of the proposed amendments is available and may be picked up at its Headquarters at Tafuna or the DoH Environmental Health Services Division Office at Fagatogo, ask for Aileen Solaita.

The proposed fee schedule can also be downloaded from the ASG website (www.americansamoa.gov). Interested persons may submit written comments on the proposed amendments to the Department of Health at the Tafuna Office or the Fagatogo Office on or before July 30, 2023.

No date is provided in the notice as to when the fees would go into effect.