Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Senate, in a vote of 15-1 last week, approved in final reading the Administration’s $7.4 million Supplemental Budget for FY 2023.

Sen. Togiola T.A Tulafono cast the sole “no” vote. Before announcing the final vote, Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean asked Togiola if he maintains the “no” vote and Togiola reaffirmed his sole no vote for the legislation.

As Samoa News reported last year, the Senate amended the FY2022 supplemental bill of $7.4 million by allocating $5.9 million to the Territorial Bank of American Samoa (TBAS) — a move that was proposed by Togiola, who is also the bank’s board chairman. (See Samoa News edition Nov. 23, 2022 for details). However, it was not supported by the House.

The Senate version of the FY 2023 supplemental bill, approved by senators without any changes, now goes to the House for its review and approval. The House is expected to hold a hearing on its version of the supplemental bill in the coming days.

The supplemental appropriation includes $1 million for the 75th birthday celebrations of Legislature and $500,000 for Fono expenses not covered in the FY2023 budget.

FONO PLANNED RECESS

During last Friday’s session, Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean informed senators that he and the House Speaker have planned the time-frame for the mid-session recess, next month.

Tuaolo explained that the plan at this point is to convene for one-Saturday in the next weekend or so, in order to complete the first 20-session days of the First Regular Session of the 38th Legislature.

And then lawmakers will take the midsession recess from Feb. 06 and reconvene on Mar. 13. During the recess, lawmakers - from both the Senate and House - will be able to attend the American Samoa Government Employees Retirement Fund meeting set for Feb. 15 and Feb. 16 in Las Vegas.

Tuaolo says lawmakers will return on Mar. 13 to finish out the First Regular Session, which would have 25-days to complete.