The US Senate has passed territories legislation that would improve air service within American Samoa.
KHJ News Washington Correspondent Matt Kaye has the full details:
The Senate passed by voice vote, the Omnibus Territories Act sponsored by Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chair Lisa Murkowski.
The bill includes language identical to Congresswoman Aumua Amata Radewagen’s cabotage reform bill, introduced in the House earlier this year, and still pending in committee.
The Senate bill’s provision like the House bill, reforms air service restrictions, making it easier for foreign air carriers to transit between the islands of Tutuila and Manu’a.
Foreign carriers would not have to renew their US waivers within American Samoa for 180 days, versus every 30-days, now.
Congresswoman Radewagen worked on her bill with Interior Assistant Secretary Esther Kia’aina and introduced it in the House in February.
The administration’s endorsement of a cabotage waiver for American Samoa, and the Senate’s approval is good news for the territory, seeking to broaden its economic horizons with more emphasis on tourism.
Cabotage reform was one of Amata’s first goals after taking office last year: changing the law to allow foreign carriers to make multiple stops within American Samoa, without having to first return to foreign soil or get a federal waiver each month.
The Senate Omnibus bill will come to the House after the November election…and could be passed in a lame duck session.
Radewagen’s office says the bill may still have to go through committee, if panels with jurisdiction want input.
But the bill could also go directly to the House floor and be voted on, under rules for speedy consideration of non-controversial measures.
