The bill providing for drug and alcohol tests to be part of the application process for ASG employment was approved in second reading by the House of Representatives today.
The House has amended the bill to include elected officials among those who will be subject to the tests.
Vice Speaker Fetu Fetui maintained his opposition to the amendment and even said he wasn’t at the committee hearing when the motion to amend the bill, made by Rep Vailoata Amituanai, was approved.
The Vice Speaker was present when the House Government Operations Committee agreed to amend the bill.
Representatives also voted to approve in second reading the administration bill that would bring American Samoa in compliance with the REAL ID Act.
While the Commissioner of Public Safety had suggested higher fees than what was proposed in the bill, the House agreed to the fees presented in the bill.
According to the bill only two types of drivers licenses shall be issued in American Samoa.
A private driver’s license and a limited term driver’s license. The provisional driver’s license will be removed.
A driver’s license would be good for 5 years and would cost $40….currently its $12 for 3 years.
The limited term driver’s license shall be issued to individuals who meet the requirements for a driver’s license but are unable to provide evidence of lawful presence in the United States.
This card is also good for 5 years but distinguished from the driver’s license by a unique design, color or other means. The cost is also $40.
Another major change is that the Office of Motor Vehicles will issue ID cards, a function now carried out by the Office of Vital Statistics.
An individual who meets requirements for an ID card but unable to provide evidence of lawful presence in the US would be issued an ID card that displays on the front “This card is not REAL ID compliant.”
All other fees now charged by OMV remain the same.
The bill provides that 75% of each fee paid is placed in a revenue fund for Public Safety for law enforcement costs, maintenance and supplies for production of driver licenses.
