Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — This week the Speaker of the House Savali Talavou Ale confirmed 16 House Committees assignments for the 38th Legislature, where all of the newly elected faipule now hold chairs in their assigned committees. Committee chairmen, vice chairmen along with members were finalized during a House session on Tuesday prior to its regular session.

Surpisingly, two old-hand faiipule were not given chairs, but do serve as vice-chairs.They are  Swains Island faipule, Su’a Alex Eli Jennings, who has been with the House for over 10 years, and Tualauta Faipule Larry Sanitoa, who has served off-and-on over the last 10 years also.

Su’a was made Vice Chair for the Port Administration/ Transport Committee, Hh had served as the chair of the Human & Social Services Committee during the 37th Legislature.

Sanitoa was appointed as Vice Chair for the Homeland Security/ Local Government/ Youth and Women’s Affairs and Human Social Services Committee.

Newly elected lawmakers Fiu Johnny Saelua, Tapai Alalilepule Benjamin Vaivao, Malaeoletalu Melesio Gurr, Sausetoa Tautoloitua S. Ho Ching and returning faipule, Tupua Shaun O. Va’a, were each assigned to lead their committee.

COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS

House Rules Committee Chair is Vice Speaker Fetui Fetu while Vice Chair is Faimealelei Anthony Allen. This committee has nine members, including Chair and Vice Chair for a total of 9.

Budget & Appropriations Committee Chair is Vailoata Eteuati Amituana’i while Vice Chair is Manuamaua W. C. Wilson. This committee has 9 members, in addition to the chair and vice-chair for a total of 11.

Ways & Means Committee is chaired by returning Faipule, Tupua Shaun O. Va’a and Vice Chair is Tapai Alalilepule Benjamin Vaivao. Total: 9

Government Operations Committee Chair is Faimealelei Anthony Fu’e Allen — a chair he held during the 37th Legislature —  while the Vice Chair is Tupua Shaun O. Va’a. Total: 9

The Education & Scholarships Committee Chair is Fiu, while Manavaalofa Tutuila Manase a former educator remains as Vice Chair. Total: 9

Health Committee Chair is Manumaua and Malaeoletalu has been appointed as Vice Chair. Total: 9

Legal Affairs/ Judiciary Committee Chair is new lawmaker Tapai and Vice Chair is Alumamalu Ale Filioalii. Total: 9

Public Works/ and Parks & Recreation Committee Chair is Malaeoletau while Ape Mike Asifoa remains as Vice Chair. Total: 11

Public Safety/ Local Government Chair and Vice Chair remains the same,  with Avagafono Vaimaga Maiava, a former Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety, along with Luaitaua Gene Pan, respectively. Total: 9

Homeland Security/ Local Government/ Youth and Women’s Affairs and Human Social Services Committee Chair is new faipule Sauasetoa with Larry Sanitoa as Vice Chair. Total: 9

Communications Committee chair is Luaitaua and Vailoata remains as Vice Chair. Total: 9

American Samoa Power Authority (ASPA) Committee chair remains with Alumamalu Ale Filoialii while Vice Chair is Titialii Kitara Vaiau. Total: 9

Port Administration/ Transportation Committee chair is Tiaoalii Fauagiga T. Sai while Vice Chair is Su’a. Total: 9

Agriculture/Marine & Wildlife/ Forestry Committee Chair is Ape and the Vice Chair is Tiaoalii. Total: 9

Commerce, Economic Development/ Retirement Committee is chaired by Samuel Meleisea, who has held the chair for three consecutive terms now, and Vice Chair is Sausetoa. Total: 9