Governor calls special session for supplemental appropriation bills

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Two proposed supplemental appropriation bills are on the agenda for the Special Session of the Fono next month, called by Gov. Lemanu P. S. Mauga, who issued the call prior to departing the territory early last week to attend the U.S Coral Reef Task Force meeting in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

According to the governor’s call-letter, dated Oct. 16, the first special session for the 38th Legislature is to convene on Monday, Nov. 13, “for a period not to exceed ten (10) calendar days.”

“I am confident you will recognize the need to consider these important matters and I appreciate the prompt consideration and attention you and your esteemed colleagues will dedicate to the special session agenda,” the governor wrote to Fono leaders.

Two agenda items for the special session are cited in the governor’s letter, with the first one a proposed measure appropriating $2.5 million from unobligated and unexpended revenues from fiscal year 2022 to supplement the FY 2024 budget.

No explanation was provided in the letter regarding this proposed supplemental, and how the requested funding will be spent. Nor was the source of the “unobligated and unexpended revenues” identified.

The second proposed measure for the special session is appropriation of $36 million in “Surplus Revenues Received to Supplement the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget.”

While no details were mentioned in the call-letter, Samoa News notes that this is the same measure submitted by the Administration during the recently completed 2nd Regular session of the 38th Legislature, where lawmakers in both the Senate and House voted to table it to be taken up in January when the new legislative session begins.

It was the opinion of lawmakers that since the money is already spent by the Administration, and admin is only seeking Fono approval, there’s no need to rush through with a review and decision.

The governor’s call letter for the special session is slowly making its way to lawmakers — several of them, currently off island.

Under the Revised Constitution of American Samoa, the sitting governor has the authority to call a special session and the call must include agenda items for consideration by the Fono and how long the special session should last. The governor also has the authority to extend convening days of a special session.