The Guam Legislature passed Bill 1 (6-S) during a special session, appropriating up to $25 million to the Office of I Maga'hågan Guåhan — the governor — for emergency response and preparedness efforts ahead of Typhoon Sinlaku.
The measure, introduced by the Committee on Rules at the request of the governor, draws funding from unused appropriations previously allocated to the Department of Public Health and Social Services under Public Law 38-75 and from the Rainy Day Fund.
Thirteen senators voted in favor of the legislation. Two members, Senator Shelly Calvo and Senator Jesse Lujan, were excused from the vote.
The bill directs $1.9 million collectively to Guam's village mayors, with individual allocations of $100,000 per mayoral office to assist the most vulnerable residents, including individuals with disabilities who may require evacuation support. The remaining funds are available for broader emergency response operations, pre-positioning of personnel and equipment, and other storm-related expenditures.
Lawmakers cited lessons learned from Typhoon Mawar as a driving factor behind the legislation, noting gaps in communication infrastructure, generator readiness, and heavy equipment access during that storm's recovery.
"I'm glad that we got this bill going through," said Vice Speaker Tony Ada. "It gives the administration the opportunity to start preparing and pre-positioning equipment and personnel so that when the storm comes, immediate action can be taken."
The bill passed its third reading without engrossment and the legislature adjourned the Sixth Special Session immediately after passage.
This Storm Update is brought to you by Storm Sponsors: Tenorio Muna Barnes-Building Guam’s future together and Wise Owl Animal Hospital.
