Legislature(2025 - 2026)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
05/17/2025 10:00 AM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB107 | |
| SR3 | |
| HB17 | |
| HJR13 | |
| HCR6 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 107 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SR 3 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 17 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HJR 13 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HCR 6 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SR 3-SAMOAN SERVICE & VOTING RIGHTS
10:06:17 AM
CHAIR KAWASAKI announced the consideration of SENATE RESOLUTION
NO. 3 Urging the United States Congress to grant American
Samoans the ability to serve as commissioned officers in the
uniformed services of the United States and the right to vote in
federal elections.
10:06:30 AM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI summarized SR 3. He stated American Samoa
is the only U.S. territory where residents are U.S. nationals,
not citizens. The people of American Samoa people serve in the
military at high rates and pay taxes but can't vote in federal
elections or serve as commissioned officers. He stated that this
resolution urges Congress to grant them those rights.
10:07:55 AM
SENATOR BJORKMAN asked why Samoans are classified as nationals
rather than citizens and whether the government of American
Samoa was asked their perspective.
10:08:35 AM
MAXINE LABERGE, Researcher, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau,
Alaska, answered questions about SR 3 and said America Samoa
does have representation in congress but they would like to have
voting rights.
10:09:13 AM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI stated that there is broad support in
American Samoa for voting rights and serving as commissioned
officers. However, there's some debate over whether they want
U.S. citizenship instead of national status.
10:09:57 AM
CHAIR KAWASAKI solicited the will of the committee.
10:10:00 AM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI moved to report SR 3, work order 34-
LS0963\N, from committee with individual recommendations and
attached fiscal note(s).
10:10:18 AM
CHAIR KAWASAKI found no objection and SR 3 was reported from the
Senate State Affairs Standing Committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
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