The Guam Legislature convened the 11th special session Tuesday at the request of Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero on Bill 1 (11-S), which would direct nearly $20 million in excess Section 30 funds to the Guam Memorial Hospital and the University of Guam, however, lawmakers opted to wait for public hearings on three additional bills seeking to use the same funds.

Sen. Chris Duenas the chair of the Committee of the Whole, motioned to recess the special session because the bill is appropriating funds that are the subject of Bill 356-38, 357-38 and 358-38, which are scheduled for a public hearing on Sept. 21.

"I think it's appropriate to hear those bills and come back in reconsideration after those bills have been heard as I think they have equal importance and equal weight before we deliberate this measure as proposed by the governor," Duenas said.

Senators also agreed to hold a public hearing on Bill 1 (11-S) on Tuesday, Sept. 22.

"We can notice that today, if that's the will of the body, probably should be heard as well. And so, I don't have any issue with that. I will also note, I don't know if members have been able to go in and read the fiscal notes, but the fiscal notes yesterday came out for all of the proposed legislation as well. Just one note of my observation on those fiscal notes. There was a statement in there that says the proposed funding source still requires to be reconciled. And so, I believe that we're in good standing to hear the three measures that are going to be heard on Monday, as well, as schedule a hearing for the governor's proposal," Duenas said.

Four bills propose to use the Section 30 funds.

Bill 356-38 (COR) would appropriate $16.8 million in fiscal 2027 Section 30 funds to the Guam Power Authority. The measure introduced by Sen. William Parkinson would use the funds to provide a three-month extension of the Prugraman Ayuda Para I Tatao-ta Energy credit program. The bill would provide three $100 energy credits for September, October and November 2026 to GPA customers.

Bill 357-38, introduced by Sen. Vincent Borja would appropriate $20 million in Section 30 funds to the Guam Department of Education in fiscal 2027 to bring Guam's public school facilities into "good condition." This bill comes after the department noted it would cost $427 million to address the facility needs at GDOE schools.

Bill 358-38, introduced by Sen. Sabrina Salas Matanane would appropriate $19.885 million to GDOE specifically for the Simon Sanchez High School modernization fund. Ahead of the special session, Salas Matanane urged for her bill to be heard.

"The students, the faculty, the parents have waited long enough for a new Simon Sanchez high school," she said. "Bill 358, finally sends a message, at least for me, that I'm listening, and I'm tired, too. I'm frustrated just as you are."

The governor's proposal Bill 1 (11-S) would direct $15,885,394 to the Guam Memorial Hospital Authority in response to a letter from Interim Hospital Administrator and CEO Dr. Joleen Aguon on Sept. 14, which requested emergency funding for a new modern electronic health record and revenue cycle management system.

It also would direct $4 million to the University of Guam to support the development of the Blue Economy Innovation Center at the Fadian Hatchery.

The governor's office said the funds would go toward rehabilitating and modernizing the hatchery to expand sustainable local aquaculture production and research. The project is intended to support Guam's food security, reduce reliance on food imports and create local jobs.

On Tuesday, the legislative body voted to recess the special session until Wednesday, Sept 23, at 2 p.m.