Fono- 2nd session opens

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Sixteen of the 18 senators were present yesterday morning as the 39th Legislature of the American Samoa Senate commenced its 2nd Session.

The morning session began with a brief devotional service led by Senate Chaplain Rev. Kirifi, featuring hymns performed by Senate staff and accompanied by Lise Solaita on keyboard.

Senate President Tuaolo M. Fruean extended a warm welcome to his colleagues upon their return from the legislative recess, which began in April. He informed the chamber that he had received a list of the governor's appointments for pending departmental and agency confirmations, submitted at 4:00 p.m. last Friday.

Tuaolo announced that Governor Pulaalii N. Pula has resubmitted the nomination of Tapusalaia Maneafaiga as Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation. Tapusalaia’s previous confirmation attempt was narrowly rejected in February, falling one vote short with a 9- 7 outcome; ten votes are required for Senate approval.

The governor also submitted nominations for the positions of Budget Director and Director of the Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources (DMWR). Tuaolo added that further appointments for various government committees are expected to be submitted in due course.

Additionally, the Senate President shared that he and House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale had reached an agreement regarding the legislative calendar. The Fono will remain in session until August 1, 2025, before entering recess. Lawmakers will reconvene on September 8, 2025, with their first order of business focused on reviewing the Fiscal Year 2026 budget.

Senator Olo Uluao Letuli, Chairman of the Senate Fono Building Committee, informed the chamber that his committee will meet with their House of Representatives counterpart on July 25, 2025, to discuss and finalize the dedication date for the new Fono building.

Both committees had continued meeting during the Fono’s recess and, following a recent inspection of the building — which had initially been slated for dedication yesterday — it was mutually agreed to postpone the long-anticipated ceremony to September. The exact date will be decided at their upcoming meeting.

To conclude the session, Senate President Tuaolo addressed a matter involving Senator Ponausuia Luce Ponausuia's eligibility to occupy his Senate seat. The discrepancy stems from his title not being registered with the Office of the Territorial Registrar.

Despite certification from the County Chief confirming that Senator Ponausuia had met the qualifications to represent District #6, questions surrounding his eligibility remained unresolved until yesterday.

A law enacted by the 38th Legislature mandates that all counties must select their senators no later than the first Tuesday in December during each general election year. It also requires selected senators to submit documentation verifying their qualifications to the Senate Committee prior to being sworn in.

Under this statute, senators must provide their birth certificates to verify U.S. nationality or citizenship, confirm their age, present certification of their registered matai titles, and submit proof of residency.

Yesterday morning, Senate President Tuaolo announced that Senator Ponausuia had fulfilled all requirements and was now officially recognized as a member of the 39th Legislature.

The Senate reconvenes today.