Governor signs six new laws
Nestor Licanto | Monday, November 13th 2023
Over the weekend, Governor Lou Leon Guerrero signed six bills into law, addressing a range of issues from fireworks legalization to the extension of power bill subsidies and the requirement for yearly management audits of the Guam Department of Education.
One notable bill, sponsored by Speaker Therese Terlaje, authorizes $15 million to continue assisting residents in offsetting rising electricity costs.
The measure extends the $100 monthly subsidies for another three months, providing crucial support to those still grappling with the economic challenges. In an October session, Terlaje shared,
"People are still struggling. On top of the global pandemic, they have suffered the war in Ukraine inflation, which increased gas and power prices. Typhoon Mawar came, and we have compounded now rolling power outages. Many have told us that they are still suffering, and if you look at the number of people who have applied for unemployment, it's very clear that they could use this help so that they do not have to choose between food and power.”
Governor Leon Guerrero also approved Senator Chris Barnett's measure calling for the reinstatement of annual management audits of the Guam Department of Education.
These audits have not been conducted since 2009. The bill aims to evaluate the efficiency of the department and assess the impact of suggested changes on the cost of education on the island.
Senator Barnett highlighted a previous audit, stating, "Florida-based Evergreen Solutions had performed a management audit, a 399-page audit report stated that GPSS could, over the next five years, realize a savings of over $156 million."
Barnett added, “The timing’s actually perfect to reinstate the management audit and hopefully allow for the superintendent to implement these sweeping changes across the department.”
Governor Leon Guerrero also signed Senator Roy Quinata's bill, handing over the oversight of the old Inalahan Baptist Church to the village for rehabilitation.
Another Quinata bill, approved by the governor, mandates electronic reporting for all GovGuam entities.
Finally, Senator Sabina Perez's bill to standardize penalties for the violation of game and fish statutes received the governor's approval, completing the list of bills signed into law over the weekend.
Source: https://www.kuam.com/story/49988609/governor-signs-six-new-laws