It’s now up to the House of Representatives to decide if the ballot for the November general elections will have a proposed constitutional change concerning the Secretary of Interior’s veto override power.
The Senate on Monday, approved by unanimous vote a Senate Joint Resolution that would remove the Interior Secretary’s authority to decide bills vetoed by the Governor and repassed by the Fono.
The change would mean that if the Governor vetoes a bill and the Fono passes it again by a two thirds majority vote in each chamber, the bill becomes law. Currently, the Governor has the option of signing the bill or sending it to the Secretary of Interior with his comments, and the Secretary makes the final decision on the bill.
The measure is now before the House of Representatives.
If the House approves the resolution, it will be on the ballot when voters go to the polls November 5.
