Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Gov. Lemanu P. S Mauga is encouraging ASG agencies that have not completed their rule reform project with the Governor’s Rule Reform Panel to do so as the government is keeping with the timeline to finalize this important project by the end of next month.

As previously reported by Samoa News, the reform panel was first established in early 2019 by then- Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga and the panel was tasked with acting in an advisory capacity to assist departments and agencies of ASG with repealing, replacing, formulating and modifying rules to promote efficiency.

Lolo set-up the panel in a 2019 executive order, which establishes a process to ensure a coherent and efficient rule-making system exists within the Executive Branch that “can continuously operate into the future to lower public costs and regulatory burdens” on local residents.

In a Dec. 16 memorandum to cabinet members, Lemanu noted that the “work undertaken by everyone involved with the Rule Reform Project is important for the people of American Samoa and to this administration.”

He recalled that the 2019 executive order ssued by Lolo requires all agencies with rule-making authority to review and update their administrative rules in the American Samoa Administrative Code in order to alleviate unnecessary public costs and regulatory burden.

“Everyone who is to be involved with the project should review the implementation framework for the Rule Reform Project” established by the 2019 executive order and two other directives that followed in 2020 and 2021, and “ensure their agency is doing everything possible to participate and successfully complete their part of the project,” the governor said.

Lemanu acknowledged and commended the ASG agencies, departments, and commissions that have adhered to the 2019 executive order and completed their rule reform with the Rule Reform Panel (RRP).

“For those who have started their rule reform but have stalled for any reason, take the actions necessary to complete the process,” the governor said.

For the ASG entities that have yet to appoint a Rule Reform Officer (RRO) — directed in the executive order — and carry out their rule reform with the RRP, “you are asked to now show your support and give your full cooperation to the Rule Reform Panel,” the governor said.

And these entities are requested by the governor to designate their RRO and to contact David Wiesner and Kylie Wilson of the Office of the Secretary of American Samoa — who is Lt. Gov. Talauega E.V. Ale —  in order to implement the rule reform project before Jan. 31, 2023

According to Lemanu, the RRP comprises a representative from each of these departments or offices: the Lieutenant Governor in his capacity as the Secretary of American Samoa (Chair), Attorney  General (Vice Chair), Governor, Administrative Law Judge, Director of the Office of Program Planning and Budget, Treasurer, and the Executive Director of the American Samoa Economic Development Authority.

The RRP chairman have been asked to inform the governor of any agencies who have yet to appoint an RRO or appear stalled in their efforts as of January 31, 2023, according to Lemanu’s memo.

“Give the Rule Reform Panel your full support and cooperation and complete this important work for your agency and the people of American Samoa,” the governor concluded.