Special Session for the Governor's Bill 1 (11-S) which would direct nearly $20 million in Section 30 funds toward Guam Memorial Hospital and the University of Guam has been recessed to Monday, October 5 as lawmakers anticipate senior government officials they want to question to have returned from off-island.
Senator Chris Duenas the Committee of the Whole Chair at the start of Wednesday's 2 p.m. Special Session put forth two options. Option A, recess special session and wait for senior leadership from Department of Administration, Bureau of Budget Management and Research as well as the Guam Memorial Hospital and University of Guam grant program.
"The DOA Director is returning tonight, pending any flight delays. The BBMR Director is unconfirmed, tentative return is Friday, traveling I believe with the Governor. The impacted leadership GMHA Administrator is also returning tonight pending any additional flight delays. The UOG Sea Grant head is on island if anyone wants to proceed," Duenas said.
Option B was to move forward with Special Session by waving the committee of the whole report requirement and proceed directly to floor deliberations on the governor's Section 30 fund spending bill.
"I don't think anyone wants to do, but I put it out there," Duenas said.
The body chose the first option, though there was some dispute on the Committee of the Whole reporting requirement as it relates specifically to its procedural applicability to Bill 1 (11-S).
"We don't normally do one for a call by the governor anyways," but Duenas said, this case was different. "We actually referred the bill to the committee by request of a member of the body to also hear it."
Duenas later agreed to post the committee report online for public viewing.
Duenas also confirmed the additional Section 30 funds identified for use in Bill 1 (11-S) is in the bank. He also noted that the governor's bill is competing with three other bills for use of the same Section 30 funds.
The four bills being considered by the Legislature include Bill 1 (11-S), which would direct nearly $16 million to Guam Memorial Hospital's electronic health record and revenue cycle systems and $4 million to University of Guam's Blue Economy efforts at Fadian Hatchery.
Bill 356-38 would provide $300 in direct power bill relief with $16.8 million allocated to the Guam Power Authority. Bill 357-38 would provide the Guam Department of Education with nearly $20 million funding for maintenance and repairs across school facilities. Bill 358-38 would direct $19.885 million in funding toward a Simon Sanchez modernization fund.
"One committee report is completely uploaded, another is awaiting another vote and then of course this (Bill 1) committee report is being circulated as well," Duenas said.
Special Session will recess until Oct. 5 at 9 a.m. while Regular Session will resume on Oct. 1 at 9 a.m.