The Law-Making Process In American Samoa

The process of how a bill becomes a law in American Samoa is similar to the process in the United States. The American Samoa Fono is a bicameral legislature, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House has 21 members representing 21 districts, with members serving a two-year term. The Senate has 18 members representing 18 districts, each serving a four-year term.

The process of how a bill becomes a law in American Samoa is as follows:

- A bill is introduced in either the House of Representatives or the Senate.

- The bill is referred to a committee for review and consideration.

- The committee may hold hearings and make amendments to the bill.

- The committee votes on the bill and, if passed, it is reported back to the full chamber.

- The full chamber debates and votes on the bill. If passed, it is sent to the other chamber.

- The other chamber reviews, debates, and votes on the bill. If amendments are made, the bill is sent back to the original chamber for concurrence.

- If both chambers pass the bill, it is sent to the Governor for approval.

- The Governor can sign the bill into law, or veto it. If vetoed, the bill is sent back to the legislature, which can override the veto with a two-thirds majority vote.

- Once signed, the bill becomes a law.

The legislative process in American Samoa

The American Samoa Fono is the territory's bicameral legislature, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House has 21 members representing 21 districts, with members serving a two-year term. The Senate has 18 members representing 18 districts, each serving a four-year term. Members of the American Samoa Fono do not have term limits.

• Bill Introduction: Any member of the House of Representatives can introduce a bill at any time while the House is in session. The member who introduces the bill is known as the primary sponsor, and an unlimited number of members can cosponsor a bill.
• Committee Referral: After introduction, the bill is referred to the appropriate committee or committees for consideration. There are currently 20 standing committees in the House and 16 in the Senate, as well as several select committees.
• Committee Consideration: The committees review the bill, conduct hearings, and may propose amendments. The committees' jurisdiction is defined by the subject matter, and each bill is referred accordingly.
• Floor Debate and Vote: Once the committee(s) have finished their work, the bill returns to the full House for debate and a vote. During this stage, members can offer amendments, and a simple majority is required for the bill to pass.
• Senate Consideration: If the bill passes the House, it moves to the Senate, where it follows a similar process of committee referral, consideration, and voting.
• Conference Committee: If the Senate passes the bill with amendments, or if there are differences between the House and Senate versions, a conference committee is formed to reconcile the differences. The conference committee includes members from both the House and the Senate.
• Final Passage: After the conference committee reaches an agreement, the bill goes back to both chambers for a final vote. If the bill is passed by both chambers in identical form, it is sent to the governor for approval.
• Governor's Action: The governor can sign the bill into law or veto it. If vetoed, the bill is returned to the legislature, which can override the veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers.
• Publication: Once a bill becomes law, it is published and distributed to the public.

The role of the American Samoa Fono

The American Samoa Fono is the territory's bicameral legislature, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House has 21 members representing 21 districts, with members serving a two-year term. The Senate has 18 members representing 18 districts, each serving a four-year term.

The Fono's role is to pass legislation, which can be initiated by any member of the Fono. The Fono's legislative powers are limited by the US Constitution, which states that only the House of Representatives may originate revenue bills. By tradition, the House also originates appropriation bills.

The Fono's legislative process is similar to that of the US Congress. Bills are introduced, referred to a committee, considered by the committee, and then reported back to the Fono with any recommended changes. The Fono then debates and votes on the bill. If the bill is passed, it is sent to the Governor for approval. If the Governor approves, the bill becomes law. If the Governor does not approve, the bill is returned to the Fono, which can override the Governor's veto with a two-thirds majority vote.

The Fono also has the power to confirm appointments made by the Governor and to propose constitutional amendments.

The American Samoa Fono's structure

The American Samoa Fono is a bicameral legislature, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House has 21 members representing 21 districts, with members serving a two-year term. The Senate has 18 members representing 18 districts, each serving a four-year term.

The Fono is responsible for passing laws, which are then sent to the Governor for approval. The Governor can either approve the bill, in which case it becomes law, or veto it, in which case it is sent back to the Fono. If the Fono passes the bill again with a two-thirds majority, it becomes law regardless of the Governor's approval.

The American Samoa Fono's powers

The American Samoa Fono is the territory's bicameral legislature, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The Fono is the sole lawmaking body in American Samoa, though the governor has the power to veto legislation. The Fono is located in Fagatogo along Pago Pago Harbour.

The House of Representatives has 21 members, each serving a two-year term. The Senate has 18 members, each serving a four-year term. Members of the Fono do not have term limits.

Senators must be US nationals, be at least 30 years old, have resided in American Samoa for at least five years (including one year immediately preceding the election), and hold a matai title in the county they will represent. Senators are elected by county councils, according to Samoan custom.

Representatives (also called faipule) and the Swains Island delegate must be US nationals, be at least 25 years old, and have resided in American Samoa for at least five years (including one year immediately preceding the election). They do not need to be matai, but usually are. Representatives are elected by secret ballot, while the Swains Island delegate is elected in an open meeting.

The Fono's powers include:

• Lawmaking: The Fono is the sole lawmaking body in American Samoa.
• Governance: The Fono has some degree of autonomy in its disposition of local revenues.
• Legislative oversight: The Fono is responsible for reviewing and studying the application, administration, execution, and effectiveness of laws dealing with subjects within its jurisdiction. It also reviews the organisation and operation of federal agencies and entities having responsibility for the administration and evaluation of those laws.

The American Samoa Fono's procedures

The American Samoa Fono is a bicameral legislature, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House has 21 members representing 21 districts, with members serving a two-year term. The Senate has 18 members representing 18 districts, each serving a four-year term. The Fono's procedures are outlined in the Revised Constitution of American Samoa.

Legislative Sessions

The Fono holds two regular sessions each year, each lasting 45 days. The first session begins on the second Monday in January, and the second on the second Monday in July. The Governor can also call special sessions.

Enactment of Laws

Bills may originate in either the House of Representatives or the Senate. Every bill must be signed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House and, before it becomes a law, be presented to the Governor for approval. If the Governor approves, they sign the bill, and it becomes a law. If they don't approve, they can return it with objections to the House in which it originated. If the Governor does not return the bill within 10 days, it still becomes a law.

If the Governor vetoes a bill, the Fono can pass it over the veto by a two-thirds majority vote in each House. If this happens, the bill is sent back to the Governor, who then has 15 days to approve or reject it. If they reject it, it is sent to the Secretary of the Interior, who has 90 days to approve or reject it.

Powers of Each House

Each House keeps a journal of its proceedings and determines its rules of procedure. A majority of each House constitutes a quorum for transacting business. Each House is the judge of the elections, returns, and qualifications of its members and can expel a member with a two-thirds majority vote.

Senators are chosen by county councils, while Representatives are chosen by secret ballot of the qualified electors of their respective representative districts.

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