American Samoa Senate
| American Samoa Senate | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Type: | State senate |
| Term limits: | None |
| Leadership | |
| Senate President: | Tuaolo Fruen |
| Structure | |
| Members: | 18 |
| Length of term: | 4 years |
| Salary: | $25,000/year $30,000/year (Senate President) |
| Elections | |
Meeting place: | |
The American Samoa Senate is the upper house of the American Samoa Fono. There are 18 members: three from the Manu’a District, six from the Western District, and nine from the Eastern District.[1] Each member represented an average of 2,761 residents as of the 2020 Census.[2] Senators serve four-year terms and are not subject to term limits.[3] The chamber is nonpartisan.
Members
Leadership and members
- Senate president: Tuaolo Fruen
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Salaries
As of 2023, members of the American Samoa Senate were paid $25,000/year. The Senate president was paid $30,000/year.[4]
When sworn in
American Samoa's legislators assume office at noon on January 3 following their election.[3]
Qualifications
Article II, Section 3 of the American Samoa Constitution states that a senator shall:
- be a United States National;
- be at least 30 years of age at the time of his election;
- have lived in American Samoa at least 5 years and have been a bona fide resident thereof for at least 1 year next preceding his election; and
- be the registered matai of a Samoan family who fulfills his obligations as required by Samoan custom in the county from which he is elected.
Elections
Manner of election
Article II, Section 4 of the American Samoa Constitution contains provisions relating to the election of senators. Senators are elected by county councils, with the decision certified by the county chief. Each county or group of counties may elect a different number of senators as prescribed by the constitution. Ma’uputasi County elects three senators, while three other individual counties also elect two senators each.
Vacancies
Under Article II, Section 3 of the American Samoa Constitution, if there is a vacancy in the Senate, the governor of American Samoa must call a special election to fill the vacancy unless it occurs within three months of the next regularly-scheduled election. In that case, the governor will appoint a replacement. Prior to the appointment of a replacement, the governor must consult with the district governor and the county chief. A replacement senator serves the remainder of the previous member's term.
Sessions
Article II, Section 8 of the American Samoa Constitution contains provisions relating to the timing and length of sessions. There are two regular sessions held each year, both lasting 45 days. The first session starts on the second Monday in January and the second on the second Monday in July.
The governor may call the legislature into special session and set the session's start time and length.[5]
See also
External links
- List of American Samoa Senators
- American Samoa Government
- Revised Constitution of American Samoa
- Annotated Code of American Samoa
Footnotes
- ↑ American Samoa Bar Association, "American Samoa Constitution," accessed August 9, 2023(Article II Section 2)
- ↑ U.S. Census Bureau, "Population of American Samoa: 2010 and 2020," August 8, 2023
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 American Samoa Bar Association, "American Samoa Constitution," accessed August 9, 2023(Article II Section 6)
- ↑ American Samoa Bar Association, "American Samoa Code Annotated," accessed August 9, 2023(Code 2.0102)
- ↑ American Samoa Bar Association, "American Samoa Constitution," accessed August 9, 2023(Article II Section 8)
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