Members of the public who have been overcharged vehicle registration fees will have to wait till a law is passed authorizing refunds.
That’s according to testimony by Commissioner of Public Safety Le’i Sonny Thompson before the House Public Safety Committee last week.
A series of stories by the Samoa News exposed that the Office of Motor Vehicles has charged members of the public higher fees than what the law prescribes for vehicle registration.
Both the House and Senate have held hearings into the matter.
Last week, Commissioner of Public Safety Lei Sonny Thompson was questioned by the House Public Safety Committee chaired by Rep. Manumaua Wayne Wilson.
Le’i confirmed that vehicle registration is $32 and $12 per ton for first time registration and just $32.00 for renewal.
But it turns out that all this time OMV has been charging the tonnage fee for renewals.
This has set off a barrage of complaints and calls from members of the public for OMV to refund the money they were overcharged.
The commissioner told the hearing that no refunds will be issued until enabling legislation is approved though he didn’t go into detail.
Le’i said after consulting Attorney General Talauega Eleasalo Ale, he has advised the Manager of OMV not to issue any refunds until such legislation is approved.
To those who are expecting refunds for the overcharged fees, Commissioner Le’i said the Department of Public Safety is not issuing any refunds per the AG’s legal opinion.
The commissioner also told the House hearing Thursday that the tonnage fee has been discontinued for renewals.
Maoputasi faipule, Vailoata Amituana’i advised the Commissioner to consult with the AG again on the matter and try to prevent legal action that would cost the government more money.
During an earlier hearing with the Senate Public Safety Committee on the OMV fees, Attorney General Talauega apologized to members of the public for the error and said, “thank you for helping the government.”
Senator Magalei Logovii was of the opinion that Treasury should issue a refund in this instance because the government had overcharged.
He said only if there’s a dispute should the AG’s opinion be sought.
