Title 17
CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS
Chapters:
01 American Samoa Cultural Institutions
02 Samoan Library
03 Feleti Barstow Public Library
05 American Samoa Cultural Arts Academy
Chapter 01
Sections:
17.0101 Creation.
17.0102 Appointment of members.
17.0103 Vacancies.
17.0104 Requirement of members.
17.0105 Meetings—Function.
17.0101 Creation.
There is created an
History: 1970,
PL 11-97, 1971, PL 12-8 § 1.
17.0102 Appointment of members.
The Governor of American Samoa shall appoint 3 members of the commission and shall name 1 of the members so appointed chairman. The district governors of each district shall each appoint 1 member.
History: 1970,
PL 11-97; 1971, PL 12-8 § 1.
17.0103 Vacancies.
Any vacancy on the commission shall be filled by appointment by the official authorized to make the original appointment, and any member so appointed shall serve for the remainder of his predecessor’s unexpired term.
History: 1970, PL 11-97; 1971, PL 12-8 § 1.
17.0104 Requirement of members.
Persons appointed to serve as members of the commission
shall be knowledgeable in the history, customs, and traditions of the people
of
History: 1970,
PL 11-97; 1971, PL 12-8 § 1.
17.0105 Meetings—Function.
The commission shall meet at such times as the chairman may designate, in order to consider and recommend to the Governor programs to promote the study of American Samoa history and culture, to disseminate knowledge and understanding of these subjects to the people of American Samoa and of the United States, and to protect and preserve historical sites and artifacts which play an important or representative role in Samoan life, past or present.
History: 1970,
PL 11-97.
Title 15 Public Utilities.
Chapter 02
SAMOAN LIBRARY
Sections:
17.0201 Powers and duties of
Department of Education.
17.0202 Powers and duties of
Treasurer of American Samoa.
17.0203 Feleti Barstow Public Library.
17.0201 Powers
and duties of Department of Education.
(a) With the exception of the Feleti Barstow
Public Library, the Department of Education of the government shall be
responsible for developing and maintaining free library services for all people
residing in
(b) The Department of Education is authorized and empowered to request, accept, receive and administer for the government, any funds, books and other library materials appropriated or donated by any donor, including the government of the United States or any of its departments, boards or bureaus; which are needed to develop and improve public and school libraries with the exception of funds, grants, books and other materials designated for the Feleti Barstow Public Library.
History: 1998, PL 25-23.
17.0202 Powers
and duties of Treasurer of
The Treasurer of the government shall receive and keep all
funds appropriated by the government of the
History: 1962,
PL 7-15; 1963, PL 8-9.
17.0203 Feleti Barstow Public Library.
The library building located at the
History: 1998, PL 25-23.
Sections:
17.0301 Establishment of the Feleti Barstow Public Library.
17.0302 Powers and duties of the Feleti Barstow Public Library.
17.0303 Establishment of the public library board.
17.0304 Public library board—Powers and duties.
17.0305 Territorial
Librarian.
17.0306 Personnel.
17.0307 Assumption
of role.
17.0308 Budget.
17.0309 Fiscal
management.
17.0310 Independent audit reports—Consultants—Annual reports.
17.0301 Establishment of the Feleti Barstow Public Library.
There is established, as an agency within the Executive branch of government, the Feleti Barstow Public Library.
History:
1999, PL 26-3.
17.0302 Powers and duties of the Feleti Barstow Public Library.
The Feleti Barstow Public Library:
(a) may sue and be sued;
(b) may adopt and use a seal;
(c) may make contracts, as authorized in this chapter;
(d) may adopt, amend, and repeal bylaws;
(e) may purchase or lease and hold personal property it considers necessary or convenient in the transaction of its business, may dispose of personal property held by it in accordance consistent with the laws of the government;
(f) may, in the name of the government, purchase, lease, or sell real estate, and accept title to that real estate in the name of the government, to accomplish the purposes of this chapter;
(g) may procure or contract for the procurement of supplies, equipment, materials, personal services other than by employees, and construction with any public or private entity upon terms and conditions as it finds necessary to the full and convenient exercise of its purposes and powers, subject to all applicable laws and rules of American Samoa, and shall receive and account for its inventory of materials;
(h) shall serve a center for life-long learning, dedicated to meeting the needs of all age groups, unskilled, skilled, and professional workers, students, preschoolers, business, government, elected officials, throughout the Territory;
(i) shall make available books, periodicals, government publications, audiovisual, video-conferencing, internet, and other educational and cultural materials and provide the physical facilities and equipment to use these materials and services;
(j) shall serve the informational needs of the general public, department of education staff and the staffs of other departments; and educational, community, businesses and cultural organizations;
(k) shall maintain a collection of Samoan and other Pacific Islands resources and cooperate with regional libraries and agencies of the Pacific in matters of mutual concern and benefit to the Pacific basin, including the South Pacific Commission, Pacific Forum, Nelson Memorial Library of Samoa, Universities of Guam, Hawaii and Fiji and Pacific resources for education and learning;
(l)
shall encourage life long education, instruct users of
the library on the efficient and effective use of library resources and provide
information services for social, economic and political development in
(m) shall be responsible for developing and receiving private and government grants and contributions of money or property which the library may use for or in aid of any of its purposes;
(n) shall establish fair and reasonable charges for copy services, late book fees, rental of conference rooms with and without video equipment, sale of surplus books and other surplus materials and other income producing activities;
(o) may adopt other rules pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act, 4.1001 et seq., not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter or with the rules of the government, that are necessary and proper for the administration and operation of the public library; and
(p) shall exercise all other powers not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter or with the rules of the government, which may be reasonably necessary or incidental to the establishment, maintenance and operation of the public library.
History: 1999,
PL 26-3
17.0303 Establishment of the public library board.
(a) The public library board is established. The board shall consist of eight members. The director of education or his designee, one additional member from the Department of Education, two members from the staff of the American Samoa Community College and at least two members from the private business sector. Seven members are to be appointed by the Governor with the advise and consent of the Legislature. The board members shall serve without compensation or other emoluments. Travel expenses for off island directors or for travel to board approved off island meetings will be reimbursed.
(b) In order to provide continuity in the work of the board, the term of office of six of the board members shall be for 4 years and shall be so arranged as not to expire at the same time. Members shall serve until their successor has been qualified. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as original appointments.
History:
1999, PL 26-3
17.0304 Public library board—Powers and duties.
The public library board, in addition to other provisions of this chapter:
(a) shall employ a competent and qualified Territorial Librarian;
(b) shall select its chairman, vice chairman and secretary-treasurer from among its own membership;
(c) shall develop and adopt written bylaws establishing meeting schedules and procedures, relationship with the Territorial Librarian and staff, selecting committees for specific purposes, defining fiscal procedures and other regulations required for the operations and programs of the library;
(d) shall determine, pursue and maintain adequate funds to carry on the library programs;
(e) shall develop, support and participate in a planned public relations program;
(f) shall approve both the annual budget and fund raising programs and review monthly operating statements submitted by the Territorial Librarian;
(g) shall require members to attend all board meetings unless ill or excused due to off island travel;
(h) shall review all policies regarding use of library resources and negotiate policy approvals; and
(i) shall review, correct if required, and approve the Territorial Librarian’s reports submitted at each meeting.
History:
1999, PL 26-3
17.0305 Territorial Librarian.
History:
1999, PL 26-3
17.0306 Personnel.
History:
1999, PL 26-3
17.0307 Assumption of role.
The public library board shall assume, upon approval of this act, full responsibility and right to operate all items of property, including any construction, equipment or material purchases in progress, equipment, and machinery used under the previous status of operation by the government intended or designated for the Feleti Barstow Public Library. All property used jointly by the Feleti Barstow Public Library and the government and grants and other funding available for the Feleti Barstow Public Library are hereby transferred to the Feleti Barstow Public Library. Future capital contributions to the Feleti Barstow Public Library from the government must be by separate authorization and appropriation.
History:
1999, PL 26-3
17.0308 Budget.
(b) The public library board shall submit to the Governor, upon approval of the board, a budget of estimated expenditures for the next fiscal years. The budget shall contain separate estimates for capital outlay expenses and operational expenses and shall be submitted in such form and detail as may be required by applicable laws and rules of government.
(c) Each budget shall identify clearly the amount or amounts requested to be appropriated, the amount or amounts available or estimated to be available from gifts, grants, donations, or other sources, and the amount or amounts for which application is being made or is to be made for federal aid.
History:
1999, PL 26-3
17.0309 Fiscal management.
The Feleti Barstow Public Library is responsible for the management and operation of its fiscal affairs. It shall establish procedures based on principles of sound bookkeeping and fiscal management, with the approval of the board, for the administration of all accounting systems, including, but not limited, general ledger, fixed assets, accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll and cash. The board shall submit quarterly performance reports to the office of planning and budget as required by section 10.0509.
History:
1999, PL 26-3
17.0310 Independent
audit reports—Consultants—Annual reports.
(b) The public library board may make intergovernmental or contractual agreements for expert consultants to advise or consult with it in all matters related to the operation of the public library, including systems design, plant design, planning, budgeting and legal matters.
(c) The public library board shall provide an annual report for each fiscal year, which shall include descriptions of financial and programmatic activities of the public library during the year, to the Governor and the Legislature, not later than 31 December.
History:
1999, PL 26-3
Sections:
17.0401 Established.
17.0402 Purpose.
17.0403 Funding.
17.0404 Functions.
17.0405 Board of trustees.
17.0406 Limit of obligations—Approval of contracts by
Governor.
17.0407 Transfer of artifacts.
17.0408 Theft of objects—Penalty.
17.0401 Established.
There is established within the executive branch of the government,
under the direction of a board of trustees, the
History: 1971, PL 12-30 §
2; 1999, PL 26-3.
17.0402 Purpose.
The purposes of the museum shall be to:
(1) Establish, maintain, acquire and supervise the collection, study, preservation, interpretation and exhibition of fine art and objects, and such relics, documents, paintings, artifacts and other historical and related materials as will evidence and illustrate the history of the Samoan Islands and the culture of their inhabitants, particularly of American Samoa;
(2) interpret Samoan culture in relation to other Polynesian cultures; and
(3) recognize and preserve Samoan cultural values.
History: 1971,
PL 12-30, § 2; 1999, PL 26-3.
17.0403 Funding.
The Legislature
of American Samoa hereby states its intention to appropriate such local revenue
as may be reasonably necessary to operate the
History: 1971,
PL 12-30 § 5; 1999, PL 26-3.
17.0404 Functions.
The
(1) acquire by purchase, lease, gift, loan, or otherwise, and hold, manage and administer, all such property, real or personal, as it deems necessary to carry out its purposes;
(2) accept from the federal government or any other government, organization, body or agency, public or private, services, equipment, supplies, materials or funds by way of gift, loan or grants; provided, that all funds shall be for the purposes of 17.0401 and 17.0402 and no other;
(3) apply for tax-exempt status;
(4) adopt, amend, and repeal bylaws;
(5) make contracts as authorized, and sue and be sued in its own name;
(6) adopt and issue such rules and regulations not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter as may be necessary for the operation and maintenance of the museum, and for the conduct of visitors, patrons and the general public; and
(7) employ such personnel as are deemed necessary by the board of trustees.
History: 1971,
PL 12-30 § 3; 1999, PL 26-3.
17.0405 Board of trustees.
(a) The
(b) The Governor shall appoint 1 of the trustees as chairman.
(c) The presence of 3 persons shall be necessary to constitute a quorum and the vote of the majority of those present shall be necessary to decide any issue.
(d) The trustees shall serve without compensation.
(e) A trustee may succeed himself.
History: 1971, PL 12-30 § 4; 1999,PL 26-3.
17.0406 Limit
of obligations-Approval of contracts by Governor.
Nothing in this chapter may be deemed to authorize the museum of American Samoa to obligate the government for expenditures or other amounts in excess of such sums as may be appropriated by the Legislature, or are available through contributed funds or federal funds, nor may the museum mortgage or encumber any of its property. The Governor shall approve all contracts in writing.
History: 1971,
PL 12-30 § 6; 1999,PL 26-3.
17.0407 Transfer of artifacts.
The board may accept all artifacts, objects, and other related historical and cultural materials of the present museum located at government house, and upon said acceptance cause an inventory to be made of all items so transferred and accepted by the board.
History: 1971,
PL 12-30 § 7; 1999, PL 26-3.
17.0408 Theft of objects-Penalty.
Any person who steals or assists in stealing any pamphlet, map, chart, picture, photograph, engraving, manuscript, statue, coin, model, apparatus, specimen, work of literature, object of art or curiosity deposited in the museum of American Samoa shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and may be fined not more than $1,000, or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both.
History: 1971,
PL 12-30 § 8; 1999, PL 26-3.
.
Sections:
17.0501 Purpose and policy.
17.0502 Definitions.
17.0503 Establishment of Academy.
17.0504 Board of Governors.
17.0505 Executive director of the academy.
17.0506 Finances.
17.0507 Nonprofit and nonpolitical nature of institute.
17.0508 Tax status—Tort liability.
17.0501 Purpose
and policy.
The Legislature finds that:
(1) Samoan art, culture and traditions have contributed greatly to the artistic and cultural richness of the Samoan people;
(2) Samoan art and culture occupy a unique position in Samoan history as being our only native art form and cultural heritage;
(3) the enhancement and preservation of Samoan native art, culture and traditions has a fundamental positive influence on Samoans everywhere;
(4) although the encouragement and support of Samoan arts and crafts are primarily a matter for private initiatives, it is critically imperative that the American Samoa Government also establish as a matter of law, the need to provide for a national institute whereby specific programs are organized to produce needed results for the preservation and enhancement of the Samoan language, a comprehensive Samoan-English dictionary, and the transformation of English words into te Samoan language;
(5) it is appropriate and necessary for the American Samoa Government to support research and scholarship in Samoan art, culture and traditions and to complement programs for the advancement of such art, culture and traditions by private and public agencies and organizations;
(6) current initiatives in the area of Samoan cultural arts and traditions are fragmented and inadequate; and
(7) in order to coordinate efforts to preserve, support, revitalize, and disseminate Samoan art, culture and tradition it is therefore necessary for the American Samoa Government to establish a Samoan cultural arts academy for that purpose.
History: 2000, PL 26-32.
17.0502 Definitions.
As used in this chapter, unless the context clearly requires otherwise:
(1) “Samoan art, culture and traditions” means, but is not limited to, the traditional and contemporary expressions of Samoan language, history, anthropology, archaeology, linguistics, music, social institutions, more/values, legends, mythologies, and other related studies, research and analyses that pertain to the Samoan culture and traditions.
(2) “Academy” means the academy established to promote and enhance the objectives and purposes of this Act.
(3) “Board” means the board of governors of the academy established under this act.
(4) “Samoan” means any person who is of Samoan ancestry and who actively participates and engages in the practice of Samoan culture, language arts and traditions.
(5) “Governor” means the governor of
(6) “Legislature” means the Legislature of American Samoa.
History: 2000, PL 26-32.
17.0503 Establishment
of academy.
(a) In general: There is established a non-profit and
semi-independent corporation to be known as the “
(b) Succession and amendment of charter. The corporation established under this act shall continue in existence until dissolved by an act of the American Samoa Government.
History: 2000, PL 26-32.
17.0504 Board of Governors.
(a) Composition.
(1) The voting members of the Board of Governors of the academy shall be:
(1) Secretary of Samoan Affairs.
(2) District Governor of Manu’a.
(3) District Governor of the Eastern District.
(4) District Governor of the Western District.
(5) Chairman, Senate committee on Samoan Affairs.
(6) Chairman, House committee on Samoan Affairs.
(7) President,
(8)
(9)
(2) The non-voting members of the board of governors of the academy shall be:
(1) Governor of
(2) Lieutenant Governor of
(3) Chief Justice of the High Court of
(4) President of the Senate
(5) Speaker of the House of Representatives
(6)
(7) Territorial Historic Preservation Officer
(8) Territorial archivist
(9) Superintendent of the
(b) Terms of office. Members of the board shall serve in accordance with their appointments or election into the offices or positions to which they are officially appointed or elected. Non-voting members may actively participate in board meetings.
(c) Vacancies. A vacancy occurs when a member is removed for cause or no longer serves in one of the positions listed in subsection (a). Any vacancy shall be filled when a successor is appointed or elected to the then vacant position.
(d) Removal. No member of the board may be removed during the term of office of such member except for just and sufficient cause.
(e) Chairman and other officers: call of meetings.
(1) The chairman and vice chairman shall be selected from the members of the board, and shall serve at the pleasure of the board.
(2) The Secretary of Samoan Affairs shall call the first meeting of the board no later than two months after the effective date of this act. The chairman and vice-chairman shall be selected at this first meeting.
(3) The board may select other officers as may be necessary.
(4) The chairman may call meetings of the board as he or she deems beneficial, and must call a meeting of the board within 10 days at the written request of any 5 voting members.
(f) Support staff. Secretarial and administrative staff support for the purposes of maintaining a proper records, financial reports and all important decisions of the board shall be provided through the office of the President of the American Samoa Community College, until established otherwise by the board.
(g) Powers. The board is hereby authorized to conduct the following:
(1) to achieve to the maximum extent possible, the findings contained in this act;
(2) to establish a duly organized program whereby the Samoan language is given under study to the fullest extent possible in terms of origin and meanings, diction, grammar, and usage of Samoan words and the Samoan language. This program shall be called the “Samoan language institute”;
(3) to establish an organized program to properly transform as many words as practical of the English language into words of the Samoan language. This program shall be designated the “Samoan-English words transformation institute”;
(4) to organize and establish a program whereby a comprehensive Samoan-English dictionary text be written and compiled. This program shall be called the “Samoan-English dictionary institute”;
(5) to properly screen, review and give approval, support or non-support of proposals that claim expertise on Samoan culture;
(6) to establish a cultural center;
(7) to direct and manage the academy;
(8) to adopt a corporate seal and logo;
(9) to make agreements and contracts with persons, private or governmental entities and to make payments or advance payments under such agreements;
(10) to sue and be sued in its corporate name and to complain and defend in any court of competent jurisdiction;
(11) to represent itself, or to contract for representation, in all judicial, legal, and other proceedings;
(12) to solicit, accept, and dispose of gifts, bequests, devises of money, securities, and other properties of whatever character, for the benefit of the academy;
(13) to receive grants from, and enter into contracts and other arrangements with, federal, state, or local government, public and private agencies, organizations, institutions, and individuals;
(14) to acquire, hold, maintain, use, operate, and dispose of such real property, including improvements thereon, personal property, equipment, and other items, as may be necessary to enable the board to carry out the purposes of this act.
(15) to obtain insurance to cover all activities of the academy including coverage relating to property and liability, or make other provisions against losses;
(16) to exercise all lawful powers necessarily or reasonably related to the establishment of the academy in order to carry out the provisions of this act and the exercise of the powers, purposes, functions, duties, and authorized activities of the institute.
(h) Accounting and audit reports. The executive director, through the board, shall be responsible for the submission of an annual audit report of all official expenses, assets, liabilities and financial operations. The report shall be submitted to appropriate federal and local agencies, and major private donors. The report shall be made available to any person or organization who has an interest in the activities of the academy.
(i) Interest and income. Interest and earnings on amounts received by the academy shall be the property of the academy and shall be expended to carry out the purposes of this act. The board shall be held to a reasonable and prudent standard of care, given such information and circumstances as existed when decisions are made.
History: 2000, PL 26-32.
17.0505 Executive
director of the academy.
(a) First executive director. After the first organizational meeting of the board and for no more than 2 years thereafter, the President of the American Samoa Community College shall serve as the interim executive director.
(b) Other executive directors. No more than two years after the initial meeting of the board, the board shall appoint an executive director.
(c) Duties of the executive director. The executive director is responsible for the administration of the policies and functions of the academy as determined by the board. The executive director shall be responsible for the preparation and submission of an audit and annual financial report which shall include statements of all significant financial activity, as well as its assets and liabilities.
(d) Compensation. The Executive director and clerical staff shall be compensated as determined by the board.
History: 2000, PL 26-32.
17.0506 Finances.
All funds received by the Institute from any source whatsoever, shall be deposited in an account or accounts at a federally-insured banking or savings institution.
History: 2000, PL 26-32.
17.0507 Nonprofit
and nonpolitical nature of institute.
(a) Stock. The academy shall have no power to issue any shares of stock or to declare or pay any dividends.
(b) Nonprofit nature. No part of the income or assets of the academy shall insure to the benefit of any board member or employee, or any other individual except as salary or reasonable compensation for services.
(c) Nonpolitical nature. The academy shall not contribute to, or otherwise support, any political party or candidate for elective public office.
History: 2000, PL 26-32.
17.0508 0Tax
status—Tort liability.
(a) Tax status. The academy and the franchise, capital, reserves, income, and property of the academy shall be exempt from all taxation now or hereafter imposed by the American Samoa Government.
(b) Tort liability. The academy shall be subject to liability relating to tort claims to the same extent as other eleemosynary or nonprofit corporations.
History: 2000, PL 26-32.