Amer. Samoa is the only populated U.S. insular area that does not have a fed. court. Congress has granted the local High Court fed. jurisdiction for certain fed. matters, such as specific areas of maritime law. This is a report on Amer. Samoa¿s system for addressing matters of fed. law and discusses: (1) the current system for adjudicating matters of fed. law in Amer. Samoa; (2) the reasons offered for or against changing the current system for adjudicating matters of fed. law in Amer. Samoa; (3) potential scenarios and issues associated with establishing a fed. court in Amer. Samoa or expanding the fed. jurisdiction of the local court; and (4) the potential cost elements and funding sources associated with implementing those different scenarios. Illus.

American Samoa is a group of islands located in the South Pacific, lying roughly 2,600 miles southwest of Hawaii. It is an unincorporated territory of the United States, meaning that it is under American sovereignty but is not part of the 50 states. American Samoa consists of five volcanic islands and two coral atolls that cover an area of approximately 76 square miles. The islands have a tropical climate and are largely covered in lush rainforest with a diverse range of flora and fauna. American Samoa is home to a diverse culture that has been shaped by its unique history and geographical location. The islands were originally settled by Polynesian explorers, who brought with them their traditions, religion, and language. In 1899, the United States annexed the islands, and American Samoans became US nationals. Today, the islands are governed by an elected governor and legislature, and the people of American Samoa have a unique cultural identity that reflects their rich history and their position between Polynesia and the United States.

American Samoa (AS) is the only populated U.S. insular area that does not have a Fed. court. Congress has granted the local High Court Fed. jurisdiction for certain Fed. matters. This testimony discusses: (1) the current system for adjudicating matters of Fed. law in AS and how it compares to those in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands; (2) the reasons offered for or against changing the current system for adjudicating matters of Fed. law in AS; (3) potential scenarios and issues associated with establishing a Fed. court in AS or expanding the Fed. jurisdiction of the local court; and (4) the potential cost elements and funding sources associated with implementing those different scenarios. Includes recommend. Ill.