A mainland company that the American Samoa Government contracted to get the territory in compliance with federal regulations for drivers’ licenses is refusing to provide any services for the territory until ASG pays outstanding bills.
The company was to bring the territory in compliance with the Real ID Act of 2005, which was enacted by Congress in response to the September 11, 2001, terror attacks on the United States.
American Samoa was awarded about $1 million in FY2007-2008 by the federal government to implement requirements of the Act.
But according to testimony by Commissioner of Public Safety Save Liuato Tuitele at a House hearing today, none of the requirements have been put in place and the government owes the east coast company contracted to carry out the work more than $30,000.
Commissioner Save said when DPS tried to contact the company for drivers licenses the company referred to the outstanding bills.
In the meantime, effective in October, driver’s licenses from American Samoa will no longer be accepted by Department of Defense installations as proof of identity for people trying to gain access.
The Commissioner said the national standard driver’s license can substitute for a passport when going through security clearance by the Transportation Security Administration.
The Commissioner told the House Public Safety Committee that his office is trying to locate receipts to verify how much DPS owes the east coast company.
The commissioner said another requirement was for American Samoa to draft a bill identifying an appropriation to complete tasks to meet provisions of the Real ID Act.
The driver license regulations will be enforced in October.
