Second Special Session called — $36 million surplus again on the table

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — It’s been two weeks since the Fono went on their mid-term recess, and Governor Lemanu P.S. Mauga has called back the Fono for a Second Special Session of the Thirty-Eighth Legislature to be convened today, Monday, April 25, 2024.

This past Saturday, Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean called a special informal meeting to inform senators to inform members of the governor's correspondence and the issues that he wants them to consider.

(Special sessions are called specifically with an agenda — and the session does not deviate from it.)

In a letter dated March 22, 2024, Governor Lemanu issued a call for the Second Special Session of the Thirty-Eighth Legislature to convene today for a period not exceeding twelve (12) working days.

The items to be considered are as follows:

1. Administrative Request for an Act for the Appropriation of $36,000,000 in surplus revenues received to supplement the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget;

2. Appropriating the sum of $700,000 from unobligated and unexpended revenues from FY 2022 to supplement FY 2024 budget; and,

3. Board and Appointment Nominations, including but not limited to Administrative Law Judge.

“Thank you for recognizing the importance of these matters.

“I appreciate you and your colleagues' prompt consideration of the special session agenda and dedication to your duties and the needs of our people,” the governor concluded.

It is not clear how many senators and faipule are off-island at this time.