The Senate has approved in a second reading, the House version of the supplemental budget bill for Fiscal Year 2022, totaling $7.4 million, with amendments.
The administration had proposed ten uses for the funds, which are unobligated and unspent money from Fiscal Year 2021.
*4.1 million for emergency response in Manu’a related to the earthquakes;
* $500,000 for the Fono for critical operational needs not addressed in the Fiscal Year 2023 budget;
* $250,00 to extend the Centennial Book contract;
* $300,000 for the completion of the American Samoa Veterans Memorial;
* $500,000 for local matching funds for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law projects;
* $500,000 to the Dept. of Legal Affairs for legal fees for off island counsel in ongoing and anticipated litigation;
* $500,000 to the Samoan Language Commission to pay for rent, salaries and other expenses;
* $150,000 for the Territorial Audit Office to pay for salaries and related personnel expenses;
* $100,000 for the American Samoa Resilience Commission and the Governor’s Resiliency Office; and
* $500,000 to the Governor’s Office for drug enforcement efforts.
The House approved the bill as proposed, but the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee endorsed a recommendation by Senator Togiola Tulafono to approve just $500,000 for the Fono, $1 million for emergency response in Manu’a —related to the recent earthquakes—and to use the balance of $5.9 million for ASG’s capitalization or investment in the Territorial Bank of American Samoa.
Togiola said, the other items listed by the administration are either not urgent or unnecessary. The amendments were approved by the Senate during the bill’s second reading this morning.
The bill looks set to clear in a final reading in the Senate tomorrow, then it will be returned to the House. If Representatives go along with the Senate changes, the bill will be enrolled and sent to the Governor for his decision. If the House doesn’t approve the amendments, a conference committee of the House and Senate is necessary to reach a compromise.
