Sen. Shawn Gumataotao said more accountability is needed at the Office of Homeland Security and Office of Civil Defense following an oversight hearing that highlighted unresolved federal reimbursement issues.
In a statement released Monday, Gumataotao said agencies were unable during the hearing to confirm how much local funding remains unreimbursed. A 2024 audit by the Office of Public Accountability estimated $8.4 million in federal reimbursements were outstanding out of $71.3 million in total grant funding awarded to Guam.
Gumataotao said the funding gap directly affects the availability of local resources for public safety and essential services, including police, fire, schools and the Guam Memorial Hospital.
“As discussions move forward on the possibility of appropriating local funds directly to OHS and OCD, the Committee is acutely aware of the financial track record of these entities,” he said.
The oversight session was the first in a series planned for 2026 by the Legislature’s Committee on Emergency Management. Lawmakers are reviewing audit findings and considering reforms tied to performance-based budgeting and proposals aimed at modernizing Guam’s emergency management system.
Gumataotao said temporary fixes are not enough and called for systemic changes, noting that federal partners providing funding and technical support are aware of ongoing shortcomings.
“Our citizens expect and deserve an emergency management infrastructure that responsibly manages federal and local resources, complies with applicable laws and regulations, and demonstrates 24/7 readiness,” he said.
Some reform measures remain on hold while lawmakers continue discussions, but Gumataotao said leadership must be willing to challenge the status quo to strengthen preparedness and accountability.