Senate Briefs

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Governor Lemanu P. S. Mauga’s nomination of Faipule Vailoata Eteuati Amituanai as a member of the Immigration Board of American Samoa was introduced in the Senate on Monday July 10, 2023.

 “This resolution confirms the Governor’s nomination of Representative Vailoata Eteuati Amituanai as a member of the Immigration Board of American Samoa,” according to the resolution.

As reported earlier in Samoa News, in the letter to Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean and House Speaker Savali Talavou, dated April 27, 2023, the governor submitted Vailoata’s nomination to the Immigration Board for confirmation by the Legislature pursuant to local law.

If confirmed, Vailoata’s term would expire in 2028 and he would replace former Faipule Vaetasi Tuumolimoli Moliga, who did not seek re-election in the 2020 mid-term election.

In his nomination letter to Fono leaders, the governor said that Vailoata, “possesses the requisite knowledge and understanding of the role of the Immigration Board in protecting our borders and preserving economic opportunities for the people of American Samoa.  I ask for your support and that of your colleagues in confirming this nominee to the Immigration Board.”

The governor’s nomination was assigned to the appropriate Senate committee for their review, with a hearing slated for today.

DEVELOPMENT BANK OF AMERICAN SAMOA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Governor Lemanu has appointed Faipule Manumaua Wayne C. Wilson as a member of the Development Bank of American Samoa Board of Directors.

In his letter the Governor submitted Rep. Manumaua Wayne C. Wilson for a term expiring 2025. Faipule Wilson fills a vacancy created by the departure of Faipule Vailiuama Steven Leasiolagi.

The governor’s nomination is assigned to the appropriate Senate committee for their review and vote is expected in the coming days. 

ASGERF BOARD

Senate President Tuaolo Manaia E. Fruean referred to Committee on Government Employees Retirement Fund a bill requiring Board of Trustees members to be ASG Employees. 

According to Senate documents “This bill removes the selection of private sector members to the American Samoa Government Employee’s Retirement Fund (ASGERF) Board of Trustees and requires that all members of the Board be ASG employees.