Title 17 — Visitor's Bureau and Cultural Institutions
6 chapters · 57 sections in this title.
A.S.C.A. § 17.0601 Short title
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This act may be cited as the Tourism Development Act of 2008. History: 2008, PL 30-15.
A.S.C.A. § 17.0602 Purposes
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This act shall be construed and applied to advance its underlying purposes listed in no order of priority, which are: (1) to promote American Samoa as a tourist destination for the Pacific region and around the world; (2) to promote tourism within American Samoa and among its peo…
A.S.C.A. § 17.0603 Interpretation
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In this act, unless the context otherwise requires, words in the singular include the plural, and words in the plural include the singular. History: 2008, PL 30-15.
A.S.C.A. § 17.0604 Severability clause
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If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of this act that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this…
A.S.C.A. § 17.0605 Authority to adopt rules
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The board of the American Samoa Visitors Bureau shall adopt administrative rules pursuant to A.S.C.A., 4.1001 et seq., to implement the provisions of this title. History: 2008, PL 30-15.
A.S.C.A. § 17.0606 Definitions
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For purposes of this title: (1) “Act” shall mean the Tourism Development Act of 2008. (2) “Board” shall mean the American Samoa Visitors Bureau Board. (3) “Bureau” shall mean the American Samoa Visitors Bureau. (4) “Chairman” shall mean the chairman of the American Samoa Visitors…
A.S.C.A. § 17.0607 Establishment of the American Samoa Visitors Bureau
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There is established a government agency within the Executive branch of the government known as the American Samoa Visitors Bureau. History: 2008, PL 30-15.
A.S.C.A. § 17.0608 Powers and duties of the bureau
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The American Samoa Visitors Bureau: (1) may sue and be sued as set forth in 43.1203 and 43.1205; (2) may adopt and use a seal; (3) may make contracts, as authorized in this chapter; (4) may adopt, amend, and repeal bylaws; (5) may purchase or lease and hold personal property it c…
A.S.C.A. § 17.0609 Creation of the position of executive director—Selection
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The American Samoa Visitors Bureau shall be headed by an executive director, to be selected by the board. History: 2008, PL 30-15.
A.S.C.A. § 17.0610 Duties and responsibilities of the executive director
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The director shall be responsible for the following: (a) investigate, determine, research and observe the current situation of tourism in American Samoa, by utilizing such methods as public hearings, forums, questionnaires, studies, and all other such research methodologies neces…
A.S.C.A. § 17.0611 Creation of the American Samoa Visitors Bureau Board
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There is created the American Samoa Visitors Bureau Board consisting of seven (7) members nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the Legislature of American Samoa. History: 2008, PL 30-15.
A.S.C.A. § 17.0612 Composition and qualifications of board members—Chairman—Terms—Quorum
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(a) The board shall consist of the following members: (1) one member shall be an employee of the Department of Commerce; (2) one member shall be selected from the Office of Samoan Affairs; (3) two members shall be selected from the American Samoa Visitors Association (ASVA) from …
A.S.C.A. § 17.0613 Board administrator
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The board shall be staffed by one employee from the bureau appointed by the director who shall be known as the Board administrator. History: 2008, PL 30-15.
A.S.C.A. § 17.0614 Board duties and responsibilities
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The board shall meet at least once a month and shall have the following duties and responsibilities: (a) hire an executive director who shall be directly responsible to the board for the proper and efficient management of the bureau; (b) review and decide upon the annual operatin…
A.S.C.A. § 17.0615 No compensation for board members—Special meetings
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(a) Board members shall not be entitled to compensation, special benefits or reimbursements. (b) The chairman shall call special meetings at the request of the director of the bureau, or three members of the board. History: 2008, PL 30-15.
A.S.C.A. § 17.0616 Attorney General as legal counsel
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The Attorney General of American Samoa shall provide legal counsel to the bureau and the board unless there is a conflict, or until such time the Legislature provides for alternate counsel. History: 2008, PL 30-15.
A.S.C.A. § 17.0617 Dissolution of the Office of Tourism—Personnel
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(a) At a date fixed by the Governor, the Office of Tourism shall be dissolved. All personnel presently assigned to the tourism office shall remain with the Department of Commerce, unless acquired by the bureau. Employees so transferred to the bureau shall do so without any change…
A.S.C.A. § 17.0618 Transfer of assets
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At a date fixed by the board, and approved by the Governor, all tangible assets formerly listed under the Office of Tourism shall be transferred to the bureau with the rights to operate all items of property including construction that may be in progress. History: 2008, PL 30-15.…
A.S.C.A. § 17.0619 Transfer of liabilities
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At a date fixed by the board and approved by the Governor, all outstanding liabilities incurred by the former Tourism Office, including all contracts and statutory obligations, shall remain with the Department of Commerce. History: 2008, PL 30-15.
A.S.C.A. § 17.0620 Source of funding
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(a) Funding for the bureau shall be provided for by the Governor pursuant to Title 10, A.S.C.A. (b) Funds appropriated for the Tourism Office which are unspent at the time that office is dissolved pursuant to section 17.0617 above shall be transferred to the bureau and considered…
A.S.C.A. § 17.0621 Audit
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The bureau shall employ the Territorial Auditor’s Office to examine and report on the condition of financial records and accounts no less than once a year. The report shall be presented to the Governor upon its issuance. History: 2008, PL 30-15.
A.S.C.A. § 17.0622 Accounting and budget
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The bureau shall assume responsibility for its accounting and financial management and shall perform all related accounting functions, including, but not limited to, general ledger, fixed assets, accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll and cash. The bureau shall apply and …
A.S.C.A. § 17.0623 Procurement
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The bureau may 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 pow…