Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A Senate Joint Resolution, seeking to amend the Constitution to allow for year-long sitting of the Legislature instead of the current two-45 session days a year, was introduced in the Senate last week, with a hearing expected to be scheduled soon.

According to the joint resolution’s preamble, the Legislature finds that the 90-days per year (which is two 45-session days) is not enough time to complete all of the work they are faced with especially since the Executive and Judicial branches work year-round.

It explains that a year-long regular session meeting, with each Legislative term lasting for 2 years, will allow the Legislature more time to complete the work they must do. It also serves to raise the standing of the legislature, thereby helping to check the flow of power to the Executive branch.

Additionally, continuing Legislative oversight of the administration becomes more reasonable with year-long sessions and that administrative accountability of the execution of legislative policies would also be more easily enforced.

Furthermore, the extended time in office and the ability to devote their time to issues allows Legislators to perform their duties more effectively —  allowing adequate time for debate and hearings between the legislators and the public.

“This will ensure the decision-making process to be more informed,” the preamble said, noting the Legislature is made up of the people and for the people of American Samoa and “it is the duty of the legislature to perform in its highest capacity in service to the people by extending session days.”

Instead of two-regular sessions of the Fono each year, the joint resolution seeks to amend the constitution to reflect “one” regular session “lasting a year and scheduled jointly by both Houses” and that “neither House may adjourn for more than three days without the consent of the other House.” And the session begins on the second Monday in January every year.

If approved by the Senate and House, the joint resolution requests that the governor submit the amendments in the joint resolution to the voters in the next general election in November 2022.

There have been unsuccessful efforts in past years to increase the number of session days for the Fono and there was even a suggestion in the past for a one-Fono — or unicameral chamber.

The joint resolution, sponsored by Sens. Soliai Tuipine Fuimaono and Togiola T.A. Tulafono comes days after a Senate bill was introduced to raise the office expanse allowance for lawmakers from $40,000 each for the Fono leaders to $60,000 — and from $30,000 for Fono members to $45,000.

The bill also seeks to raise salaries of the leaders of the Executive Branch, increase the governor’s annual salary from $85,000 to $120,000 and lieutenant governor from $75,000 to $100,000.

A separate Senate bill introduced in March this year, and pending in committee, seeks to increase the annual salaries of the Senate President and House Speaker from $30,000 to $45,000. Additionally, the legislation intends to hike the salary of other members of the Fono from $25,000 to $40,000 as well providing an increase in pay for the Swains Island Delegate from $20,000 to $35,000.

Pursuant to local law, the proposed pay increases would become effective the first-day of the next Legislature after it is passed. In this case, the 38th Legislature — two years away.

BACKGROUND

Samoa News should point out that one of the complaints whenever pays raises have been sought by lawmakers is the ‘small’ number of days the Legislature is actually in session — 90 days — with naysayers noting  faipule and senators are then the highest paid people on island.

For example, with the pay raise of $40,000 for faipule, it works out at about $445 per day. With their office allowances included that would be around $945 per day. Lawmakers have responded that they actually work year long for their constituents, just not all in ’sessions’.