A legislator in American Samoa has proposed a near doubling of the salaries of those in the assembly.
A bill introduced by Faimealelei Anthony Allen calls for the annual compensation of a lawmaker to be raised from 25,000 US dollars to 45,000 dollars.
According to the bill, the annual salary of the Senate President and Speaker of the House would be increased from 30,000 dollars to 50,000 dollars.
In addition to their salaries, lawmakers get tax-free expense allowances.
Faimealelei's bill does not identify a funding source for the proposed pay hikes.
The bill has been assigned to the House budget and appropriations committee, chaired by Rep Timusa lam Yuen.
The American Samoa Legislature Fono building in Fagatogo Photo: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration