Senator Chris Dueñas announced Friday that two measures introduced in special session — the Governor’s Emergency Powers Act (Bill No. 1 (1-S)) and a proposal to use federal ARPA funds for Mangilao infrastructure (Bill No. 2 (1-S)) — will be referred to his committee for further review. Dueñas said the decision ensures the public has an opportunity to weigh in before lawmakers take final action.
“The bills before us will affect every household on Guam. The public must have a voice in shaping the outcome,” Dueñas said. With the support of his caucus, the senator said the Legislature now has one month to deliberate. Public hearings are scheduled for Sept. 12. “Rushing these measures without hearing from the people would be irresponsible,” he added.
Duenas who chairs the Committee on Finance and Government Operations, encouraged residents to testify on the bills, stressing the importance of community participation.
But the Governor’s Office sharply criticized the decision to recess for a month, calling it a “tragic failure of leadership.” Communications Director Krystal Paco-San Agustin said Speaker Frank Blas Jr.’s move to recess, after demanding an emergency declaration for Guam Memorial Hospital, undermines urgent action. “You don’t call something an emergency and then go into the equivalent of legislative vacation until the end of September,” she said, adding that the governor has already put forward “real solutions” to address critical health and utility needs. The administration is urging senators to reconvene immediately to act on the bills.
Governor Lou Leon Guerrero called for the special session of the 38th Guam Legislature to consider two bills: one granting her broader emergency powers to respond quickly to crises, and another allowing the use of American Rescue Plan Act funds for critical infrastructure in Mangilao.