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Fono News

LAWMAKERS SUBMIT BILL TO INCREASE OMV FEES

 

Representatives Pulelei’ite Tufele Li’amatua Jr Fatulegae’e Mauga and Talamatai Su’a are co-sponsoring a measure that will increases fees for vehicle licensing and registration and appropriate a portion of the fees to the Territorial Administration on Aging (TAOA) for programs specifically and directly benefiting the elderly.

 

Among the amendments are:

• 3-year private drivers license now $12; proposed $20;

• 6-month learners permit now $5; proposed $10;

• visitors’ drivers permit now $9; proposed $12;

• provisional drivers license now $9; proposed $12;

• commercial drivers license now $8; proposed $13;

• renewal of private drivers license now $8; proposed $13;

• renewal commercial drivers license now $8; proposed $12;

• duplicate provisional, commercial or private drivers license now $6; proposed $10.

 

According to the proposed bill a total of $5 from each fee paid shall be placed in a revenue fund for Department of Public Safety law enforcement costs and maintenance and supplies for production.  Additionally, “A total of $3 from each fee paid shall be placed in a revenue account for the TAOA for programs specifically and directly benefiting the elderly.”

 

The bill also revises the registration of motor vehicles, buses, motorcycles, taxis, trailers, tractors and rentals as well as various other fees.

 

SEAWALLS AND GUARD RAILS PROPOSED FOR EASTERN DISTRICT

 

Lawmakers from the Eastern District, Fatulegae’e Mauga and Talaimatai Su’a are calling on the governor to direct the Director of Department of Public Works to provide a feasibility study for the construction of a seawall stretching from the villages of Alao to Tula and roadside guardrails for Amouli, Onenoa, Aoa and Vatia.

 

According to the resolution, the Eastern District has deteriorated to a level requiring the immediate attention of the American Samoa Government.

 

The integrity of the public highways has been seriously compromised due to the consent erosion caused by its exposure to high surf, and driving conditions have become extremely hazardous in these often traveled roadways. In recent years large portions of the highway have washed away as powerful waves pound the fragile coastline making passage oftentimes impossible. The greatest concern by residents is the inability of emergency services to reach the more remote and most easternly villages due to obstruction and washed away roads, say the lawmakers.

 

 “The government, particularly the DPW whose mandate includes the construction of highways and roadways, should conduct a feasibility study on the practicability of planning and implementing the construction of seawalls and guardrails for the eastern district of Tutuila island.

 

The DPW should also consult and work closely with their Federal counterparts for the preparation of the feasibility study and the immediate implementation of these construction projects.”