Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — After the House of Representatives and Senate concluded their final sessions of the Fourth Regular Session of the 39th Legislature last Friday, lawmakers gathered for a milestone event many had been waiting years to celebrate: the official opening of their new offices at the Fono complex in Fagatogo.

The occasion marked the end of a long period during which senators and faille operated without permanent offices following the demolition of the old Fono building in 2017. For nearly nine years, lawmakers conducted legislative business from temporary locations while construction of the new legislative complex progressed.

The opening ceremony had originally been scheduled to take place in the open-air courtyard separating the new office wing from the main Fono building. However, intermittent showers prompted organizers to move the event indoors to the building's spacious main foyer.

The ceremony was relatively intimate, attended primarily by senators, faille, legislative staff, and a handful of family members, including the wives of several lawmakers. Notably absent were representatives of the executive and judicial branches, as well as officials from Paramount Builders, the company responsible for constructing the new offices, as well as the new iconic Fono building.

The service began with an opening prayer and sermon delivered by Reverend Faalili Otineru of CCCAS Fagalii, who offered blessings for the new facility and for those who will occupy it in service to the people of American Samoa.

Following the religious service, lawmakers and guests moved to the office wing for the ceremonial portion of the program. There, the wives of Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean and House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale cut celebratory cakes prepared for the occasion.

The festivities continued with a ribbon-cutting ceremony symbolizing the official opening of the offices. Two ribbons were cut, one for the western wing housing the offices of House members and another for the eastern wing occupied by senators. Mrs. Fruean and Mrs. Ale performed the honors, formally opening the facilities for use.

In addition to the new office space, visitors entering the main Fono building are now greeted by an extensive display of historical and contemporary portraits honoring legislative leaders.

Along the Senate side of the foyer, a series of black-and-white portraits chronicles the history of the upper chamber's leadership, beginning with Leiato Tunu, who served as Senate President in 1948, and continuing through successive administrations to the current Senate President, Tuaolo.

The House display features portraits of current members of the House of Representatives, with Speaker Savali Talavou Ale and Vice Speaker Fetui Fetu Jr. prominently positioned above the photographs of their colleagues.

The portrait project was completed by the American Samoa Council on Arts, Culture and Humanities, under the direction of Ammon Fepulea'i and his staff, who photographed, prepared, and mounted the images now displayed throughout the foyer.

For many lawmakers, the opening represented more than the dedication of a new office building. It marked the completion of a long-awaited chapter in the Legislature's history and the restoration of a permanent workspace where senators and representatives can meet with constituents, conduct legislative business, and carry out their duties under one roof.

For many House representatives/ faipule, the opening of the new offices was an achievement tinged with uncertainty. After waiting nearly nine years for a permanent legislative home, lawmakers finally received the office space they had long anticipated. 

However, with the general election just weeks away, many of those who toured their new offices on Friday do not know whether they will return after November to occupy them. Only those faipule running unopposed can be assured of returning to the offices when the 40th Legislature convenes in January 2027.

Samoa News points out that in addition to their salaries, senators and faipule receive a $65,000 annual office expense allowance, while the Senate President and House Speaker receive $85,000 per year. 

The office allowance is intended to cover expenses incurred in the discharge of official legislative duties. Under American Samoa law, legislators are not required to provide an accounting of how the allowance is spent, and they can also choose to pay taxes on the amount or not. 

Not paying taxes on the office allowance has been a matter of contention with the Tax Office, who maintain that taxes are required. As it stands, it is still up to the individual lawmaker.

If they do pay taxes on the allowance, it would be included in the calculation of their retirement deductible which would then lead to a higher retirement amount received when they are no longer serving or retire from senatorial duties. Samoa News understands that very few lawmakers — both senators and faipule — have chosen to pay taxes on their office allowance.

BACKGROUND

The final cost of the total Fono Complex project continues to remain unknown, with no official accounting publicly announced. 

When it began, the total was just above $10 Million for the main Fono building, and it did not contain lawmakers’ offices. However, after several setbacks that included re-building the foundation to meet federal flood zone standards, COVID time/ supply delays, and then plans added for the new office wing, the total is said to be around $38 million. It is not known, if this amount includes the cost of furniture and fixtures, parking lot, etc., with some estimating the final cost to be around $60 Million, when all is said and done.