Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Fono passed the ASG budget bill for FY 2025 totaling $733.6 million yesterday with amendments from both chambers that didn’t increase the budget but reallocated funds to areas that each chamber believed were necessary.

The House of Representatives unanimously passed their version of the bill on Monday and it was submitted to the Senate on Tuesday morning.

Apart from the House amendments that the Joint Budget & Appropriations Committee approved last Friday, the newly approved House bill also included the amendments proposed by the Senate.

Re-allocations for all amendments occurred under the Special Programs budget administered by the Governor’s Office. The total budget for the Special Programs remains the same at $36.2 million.

Approved last Friday, the House amendments increase the subsidy for the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) under Special Programs from $1 million to $2 million, and allocate $300,000 for transportation to Manu’a and Swains’ islands.

It did so by cutting funds from the Independent Samoa Land Development Project and the Manu’a Development and Maintenance.

Senate amendments that were passed by the House include a $45,000 increase in salaries for the three district governors, raising their annual pay from $60,000 to $75,000. Additionally, $1 million has been added to the Special Programs budget for the dedication of the new Fono building next year.

The funds to cover these additional expenditures reduced the Ceremonial Activities budget and the Island Beautification budget.

During yesterday's regular session, the Senate unanimously passed in final reading their version of the bill and will vote on the final reading of the House bill today.