The Fono adjourned Friday for a mid session break and will reconvene on September 8.
Senators have unanimously approved the House Concurrent Resolution stating the Fono’s position on deep sea mining and extending support to the effort of Governor Pulaalii Nikolao Pula and Congresswoman Uifaatali Amata to protect the environmental integrity and cultural heritage of American Samoa’s maritime resources.
It states that the Legislature formally opposes deep sea mining without science driven policies, legal transparency and full recognition of Pacific island sovereignty, mandating that all entities engaging in marine extraction respect the binding fiduciary duty outlined in the Deeds of Cession. It measure reinforces the provisions of the Dedds of Cession of Tutuila and Aunuu and Manu’a and the A t of Congress designating Swains island as part of American Samoa as solemn contracts with the United States “establishing a relationship grounded in mutual respect and responsibility, ensuring the protection of our lands, waters and traditional way of life.”
Among bills that the Senate approved in the first 15 days of the second regular session are a bill provided automatic resignation of government employees who are appointed to executive boards and commissions, once their employment with ASG ends.
Another mandates the appointment of a member of the House and a senator to the Immigration Board, and a similar bill requires that a House Representative and a Senator be members of the Board of Directors of the Development Bank of American Samoa. 
The House of Representatives adjourned without taking a second vote on the nomination of Brett Butler to the Board of the American Samoa Economic Development Authority.
The Senate had approved Butler during the last Fono session, however the House did not pass him earlier this week. The vote was 10 for and 7 against. 11 votes are needed in order to be approved in the House. A motion for reconsideration that was passed means the nomination is still alive, and a second vote should take place when the House reconvenes in September.
