Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Questions about how American Samoa's Opioid Settlement funds are being managed emerged during last Friday's review of the Fiscal Year 2027 Special Programs budget, as lawmakers sought greater transparency on millions of dollars received through a nationwide settlement with major pharmaceutical companies.

Leading the discussion was Pago Pago Representative (faipule) Trude Ledoux-Sunia, who pointed out that annual payments received by American Samoa from the national Opioid Settlement do not appear in the government's proposed budget.

The Opioid Settlement stems from a nationwide agreement under which states and territories are receiving shares of approximately $50 billion from pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors, and related companies accused of contributing to the opioid crisis across the United States.

Ledoux-Sunia noted that information available through a national Opioid Settlement tracking website shows that American Samoa received more than $860,000 this year alone. She questioned why those funds were not clearly reflected in the FY 2027 spending plan and how they were being managed.

Responding on behalf of the administration, Governor's Executive Advisor for Finance Brett Butler said the territory currently has between $1.6 million and $1.7 million in its Opioid Settlement account.

According to Butler, the administration is still developing a comprehensive strategy for using the funds and wants to ensure the money is invested in programs that produce measurable results in addressing substance abuse and drug-related problems in the territory.

"The Governor and staff are fully committed to the war on drugs," Butler told lawmakers. "We want to make sure the right people are involved and that the money is spent effectively. We don't want to rush into funding outreach efforts that may not achieve the results we're looking for."

He explained that discussions are ongoing regarding the most effective ways to deploy the funds and that a committee is being formed to help guide spending decisions. Once a final plan is completed, he said, it will be shared with government leaders and stakeholders.

However, Ledoux-Sunia expressed concern over Butler's comments, particularly his statement that funds should be spent "the way we want."

"Brett, I'm a little worried about that statement, 'spent the way we want’,” she said. "ASTCA provided a report showing that $21,000 in Opioid Settlement funds was spent on 'fa'aaloaloga'. These funds are very important. Is that what you mean by spending the money the way you want?"

The Pago Pago lawmaker, who founded the Foeoletini Foundation to promote substance abuse awareness and prevention, argued that the settlement money could be used to support numerous community organizations, youth programs, school initiatives, and prevention campaigns aimed at reducing drug use before it becomes a larger social problem.

Butler responded by clarifying that the bulk of the settlement funds remains untouched and that the administration has not yet spent the money allocated for future anti-drug efforts. He reiterated that officials are taking a deliberate approach to ensure the funds are used responsibly and in ways that will have a meaningful impact on combating drug abuse.

"We all need to be clear on how these resources are going to be used," Butler said, emphasizing the importance of accountability and measurable outcomes.

The discussion highlighted growing interest among lawmakers in ensuring that Opioid Settlement funds are used transparently and for purposes directly related to prevention, treatment, education, and recovery programs.

The final budget reviewed before the Fono concluded its FY 2027 budget hearings on Friday was the Legislature's own spending plan.

The proposed Fono budget totals $11.7 million, funded entirely through local revenues. The amount remains unchanged from the current fiscal year, despite increasing operational costs and budget pressures facing government agencies.

While overall funding would remain flat, the number of authorized positions would increase by two, bringing the Legislature's workforce to 225 employees.

Most budget categories remain unchanged from FY 2026. The only adjustment is a slight reduction in the "All Others" category, which decreases by $500 to $749,000.

Under the proposed budget:

$7.2 million is allocated for salaries.
$2.6 million is designated for materials and supplies.
$912,000 is budgeted for travel.
$100,000 is allocated for contractual services.
$62,225 is set aside for equipment.

Unlike many of the department budgets reviewed during the hearing process, the Fono's budget generated virtually no discussion from lawmakers.

House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale acknowledged that he and Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean had pursued additional funding for the Legislature but were ultimately unsuccessful.

According to the Speaker, declining government revenues made it difficult to justify an increase for the Fono while executive agencies and departments were being asked to absorb budget reductions.

With budget hearings now completed, attention turns to the Joint Budget and Appropriations Committee, which is expected to make adjustments to the administration's proposed FY 2027 budget before it is presented for legislative approval.