Senate introduces bill to increase salaries of Governor and Lt. Gov

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Senate yesterday introduced a bill that would increase the salaries of the Governor to $150,000 and Lieutenant Governor to $140,000.

The bill comes a year after the current Legislature approved the increase for the Governor from $85,000 to $120,000 and Lt Governor $75,000 to $100,000.

The effective date of this Act upon passing shall be the first day of the next administration in 2026.

The bill also seeks to amend the former governors’ monetary allowance to reflect the current salary of the Governor in office.

According to the preamble, the bill proposes Article IV of the Revised Constitution of American Samoa outlines the duties and responsibilities of the elected Governor and Lieutenant Governor.

“These duties and responsibilities require extensive measures of ensuring that proper actions and services are effectively provided to the people of the territory.  “Since the outbreak of the pandemic, additional responsibilities and priorities of the government and leaders have shifted.

“These effects have increased the work load of our leaders in assessing and administering proper measures to safeguard our people; and as the primary leaders of our government, the governor and lieutenant governor serve to ensure that the greater good of the people are in place for the quality of life and service.

“And the health and welfare of our people continues to be a priority of the government and the duties and responsibilities will continue to increase with the social and economic challenges of inflation and various diseases that reach our shores.”

The proposed bill outlines that the current law mandates that each former governor is entitled to a monetary allowance of 60 percent based on their salary when in office.

“However, with the fluctuating cost of living it is fitting for this allowance to reflect the current salary of the Governor; and it is proposed that these amendments are to be effective in the next administration in 2026.”

That Section 4.0110 is amended to read, Compensation and perquisites--Allowances for former Governor and surviving spouses-“Former Governor” defined.

“The Governor is entitled to an annual salary of $120,000-150,000 and other perquisites provided by law including but not limited to: the rent-free use of Government House (the Governor’s official residence in Fagatogo); the free use of vehicles for executive, ceremonial duties and family use; and a reasonable food, beverage and entertainment budget for the official residence specified by line item in the Governor’s annual fiscal budget.

“The Lieutenant Governor is entitled to an annual salary of $100,000$140,000 a year and other perquisites as provided by law including rent free government quarters, and free use of a vehicle for executive, ceremonial duties and family use.

“Each former Governor shall be entitled, for the remainder of his life, to receive from the American Samoa Government a monetary allowance at the rate per annum of 60% of his highest salary during his last year in office the current governor’s annual salary, payable monthly by the treasurer of American Samoa Government.

“However, such allowance is not payable for any period during which such former Governor holds an appointive or elective office or position in or under the American Samoa Government or the Federal Government to which is attached a rate of pay other than a nominal rate.

“The surviving spouse of each former Governor shall be entitled to receive from the American Samoa Government a monetary allowance at the rate per annum of 30% of the former Governor’s highest salary during his last year in office, payable monthly by the Treasurer of the American Samoa Government.

“The monetary allowance of such surviving spouse; commences on the day after the former Governor dies; terminates on the last day of the month before such widow dies; or  remarries; and is not payable for any period during which such widow holds an appointive or elective office or position in or under the American Samoa Government or the Federal Government to which is attached a rate of pay other than a nominal rate.”

The term “former Governor” means a person: who, on or after January 1, 1978, shall have held the office of the Governor of the Territory of American Samoa for a full term of at least 4 years; whose service in such office shall have terminated other than by removal pursuant to A.S.C.A., 4.0109 of this chapter; and who does not then currently hold such office.

Funds shall be made available from the Office of the Governor’s budget.