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$20 departure fee proposed in bill by Lolo admin

The Lolo and Lemanu administration is proposing another money bill, and this time it’s the adoption of a $20 clearance fee for all passengers boarding common carriers who are departing from Pago Pago International Airport and the Port.

 

In a letter to Fono leaders, the governor pointed out that American Samoa is in a unique position, “quite distinct from any other of the states and territories. We control and manage our own borders and do so, at our own expense,” he explained.

 

According to the letter, Lolo stated that this comes at a cost to the territory that is not faced by any other jurisdiction. Elsewhere, the cost of border control is borne by the United States government, he said.

 

“The cost of providing these services has been absorbed by the government for many years, placing an increased burden upon all of the taxpayers. We believe the cost of these services should be assumed, in part at least, by the traveling public that is making use of them.”

 

Lolo further stated that for these reasons, the administration is proposing the adoption of a $20 clearance fee to be levied upon all departing passengers boarding common carriers departing the Port and the Airport. “In principle, this would apply to the Lady Naomi and other ferry boats operating internationally, and to scheduled or unscheduled passenger air carriers operating internationally.”

 

According to the governor, this proposal is not intended to encompass ships or airplanes not engaged in the routine carriage of passenger traffic, and “it does not apply to transportation to Manu’a.”

 

“We think it’s fair and reasonable that the consumers of these extraordinary services should contribute to the cost of providing these services.” he stated.

 

Of note, the Senate has recently told the government that until they get more information concerning ASG’s current workforce — costs and amount of people employed, including new hires — they will not be working on any of the proposed revenue bills from ASG. (Read story below)

 

BILL

 

According to the proposed measure, the $20 fee shall be collected by the common carrier whether by ocean or air transport and remitted to the Treasurer on the 15th of every month. The method of reporting passenger count and making remittances shall occur in such form and manner as may be determined from time to time by the Treasurer, according to the measure.

 

The proposed bill shall not apply to the passengers of cruise ships, or to the crews of commercial cargo, commercial fishing or scientific research vessels, nor to aircrews (pilots and flight attendants), nor to persons departing on yachts.

 

Also, it’s not applied to US or foreign government naval vessels or military or diplomatic aircraft, nor to transient, non scheduled aircraft calling at the airport or transit passengers on common carriers not exiting the departure lounge.