The Legislature of American Samoa has officially approved a measure that gives lawmakers the authority to override a vote by the governor instead of the U.S. Secretary of Interior.
This followed an endorsement on Friday by the House of Representatives while the Senate gave its approval last month.
The measure now goes to the Governor, who will prepare an official communication to the chief election officer for placing the issue on a referendum for voters to decide on in the November 2014 general election.
The governor, Lolo Matalasi Moliga, has already publicly supported the proposal.
Our correspondent says because the measure requires amending the American Samoa Constitution, the legislation will go to the U.S. Congress for final approval, if its endorsed by voters.
This is the third time in the last 10 years that such a measure was put to voters to decide on, and was rejected.
