The Second Regular Session of the 39th Legislature resumed Monday after a four-week recess.
The proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget for ASG totaling $815,392,090, was introduced in both the House and Senate.
A schedule of budget hearings—set to begin on Wednesday, September 10, and end on September 19—was also distributed.
In response to a question from Senator Magalei Logovii about a communication from the House to hold separate budget hearings, Senator Utu Sila Poasa, the Chairman of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, said that the hearings will be held jointly and this has been decided by the Fono leadership.
He also noted that the Governor had been informed of the joint budget hearing and has been sent the hearing schedule. An outstanding issue, noted Utu, is how to deal with the budgets of agencies whose directors were not submitted to the Fono for confirmation. He said this was something they could discuss together with the House at the start of the hearings.
The committee has scheduled the hearings of those agencies and departments for September 17.
The list includes the Office of Property Management; Council on Arts, Culture and Humanities; Environmental Protection Agency; Territorial Audit Office; Administrative Law Judge; Office of Disaster Assistance and Petroleum Management; Criminal Justice Planning Agency; and American Samoa Visitors Bureau. The Department of Parks and Recreation is also on the list; however, a director nominee, Andrew Pelesasa, has been submitted to the Fono for confirmation.
In the Senate, resolutions for the confirmation of two new members of the LBJ Tropical Medical Center Board, Taimalelagi Dr. Claire Poumele and Lydia Faleafine Nomura were also introduced. Dr. Poumele and Faleafine-Nomura will appear before the Senate Health Committee for confirmation hearings for September 9, at 8:30 a.m. Only Senate confirmation is needed for members of the Hospital Authority Board. 
Resolutions for the confirmation of Andrew Pelesasa as Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation were introduced in both the House and Senate. Pelesasa will have his confirmation in the Senate on Wednesday, at 8:30 a .m. before the Parks and Recreation Committee, with Vice Chairman Sii Noaese Taeatafa leading the hearing, in the absence of Committee Chairman Noa Vae.
The House Parks and Recreation Committee, chaired by Ben Vaomu Sauvao, will hold its confirmation hearing for Pelesasa on Tuesday, September 9 at 8:00 a.m.
The Senate passed a Senate Concurrent Resolution, introduced by Senator Tuaolo Manaia Fruean, paying tribute to the life of the late Le’i Sonny Thompson, honoring his service to his family, village, church, and the government.
At the start of the session, Senate President Tuaolo acknowledged the outcome of Samoa’s general elections, and offered congratulations to the incoming government of Prime Minister-elect Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt.
The House approved a House Concurrent Resolution, introduced by Reps. Faga’ima Larry Sanitoa and Ben Vaomu Sauvao, honoring the service of High Chief Liu Siakisone Fepuleai Liu.
Also approved by the House was a House Concurrent Resolution, sponsored by Rep. Fagaima, commending members of the Episcopal Conference of Bishops (CEPAC), who recently met in American Samoa.
