Governor Lou Leon Guerrero signed into law Sunday emergency legislation appropriating up to $25 million for Typhoon Sinlaku response operations, while flagging concerns about how the funds are structured and financed.
The measure, now Public Law 38-124, funds emergency response operations including public safety, health services, shelters and infrastructure support. It also delivers direct funding to Guam’s mayors for immediate community-level response.
While signing the bill, the governor raised concerns about the law’s reliance on the Rainy Day Fund at this stage of the storm, noting that available General Fund resources have not yet been fully assessed or utilized.
“Put simply, this is like a family budget,” said Governor Leon Guerrero. “If your roof starts leaking, you don’t immediately drain your savings if you still have money in your checking account to make repairs. You use what’s available first — and you protect your savings for when things get worse.”
The governor warned that drawing on reserves too early reduces fiscal flexibility later and could affect the government’s long-term financial position. She also flagged inconsistencies in the law’s procurement authority, noting that while mayors were granted expanded purchasing flexibility, similar authority was not extended to executive agencies responsible for large-scale emergency operations.
Despite those concerns, Governor Leon Guerrero signed the measure to ensure resources are immediately available. Her administration said it will implement the law with a focus on accountability, transparency and protecting both the immediate needs of residents and the long-term fiscal stability of the Government of Guam.