“Bill 42-36 provides a 15-year funding bridge for the government of Guam and GMH to build a more sustainable model for patient care which starts with keeping local nurses on Guam,” stated Speaker Terlaje. © 2021 36th Guam Legislature This Website is the Official Website of the Guam Legislature This website was developed with individuals with disabilities in mind and has been tested for accessibility using WAVE (http://wave.webaim.org). Kelly Marsh was the only incumbent that failed to secure a seat in the 36th Guam Legislature. B. Update on additions since 2011 to the  Guam Ancestral Lands Commission Excess Lands Registry. I think it’s a very legitimate question for the Legislature to be involved in because it is the Legislature who’s going to have to allocate remaining government of Guam funds as necessary to those not covered by federal funds.”. “The nursing shortage at GMH has been well documented for years, underscoring the need for long-term solutions that incentivize filling and maintaining these crucial positions at our only public hospital. Bill 15-36 was introduced exactly a year after Sen. Moylan introduced Bill 265-35 in the 35th Guam Legislature. The measure proposes to address perennial nursing shortages at Guam Memorial Hospital Authority (GMHA) which have impacted the hospital’s ability to maximize bed capacity in its ICU, Emergency, and Clinical Areas. come into situations where you may just be isolating and quarantining people maybe unnecessarily[.] Guam, the largest among the thousands of small western Pacific islands that are collectively known as Micronesia, is located in the Pacific Ocean about three-fourths of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines.1,2 The island has been a U.S. territory since 1898, and it is close to the International Date Line. Guam Memorial Hospital Authority (GMHA) has faced perennial nursing shortages for decades which have impacted the hospital’s ability to maximize bed capacity in its ICU, Emergency, and Clinical Areas. The agencies continue to operate with assistance from the federal government, through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act as well as reimbursements from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, according to the joint testimony. “We can immediately improve patient care at GMH by retaining enough nurses for all of the available beds in the ER, ICU and critical care units. 252 to be allocated to health care (priority to Guam Memorial Hospital and Department of Public Health and Social Services), Medicaid matching, MIP payments; public safety; economic development with a priority on the promotion of the medical industry and small business; higher education, and cultural preservation. The new Legislature drifts a bit from the Democrat-led, woman-majority of last year. 42-36, introduced last month by Speaker Therese Terlaje and co-sponsored by Senator Joe San Agustin, will be heard publicly on February 24, 2021 at 2pm at the Guam Congress Building by the Committee on Appropriations. ALL DOCUMENTS FOR THIS OVERSIGHT HEARING CAN BE ACCESSED AT THE HYPERLINKS ABOVE OR THROUGH ATTACHMENTS BELOW. The oversight hearing can be viewed on Youtube at the Guam Legislature Media Channel. That measure proposed to enact “The Citizen’s Legislative Reform Act of 2020” or a Part Time Legislature. All 15 senators have served in the Legislature before. The 36th Guam Legislature is represented by Legislative Counsel, Ana Won-Pat Borja, Esq. Presidente de los Estados Unidos es el título del jefe de Estado y jefe de Gobierno de los Estados Unidos y el más alto cargo político del país por influencia y reconocimiento. During his tenure in the Guam Legislature, Senator Charfauros dedicated his time and work in sponsoring laws that established a vehicle registration notification program, renovated the Inarajan Pool, reserved land for Inarajan Junior High School, provided assistance to non-profit corporations organized for the furtherance of the CHamoru culture, paid public safety officers their overtime pay, provided uniforms, supplies, and equipment for the Police Reserve Command, completed the construction of Agat Junior High School, installed adequate waterlines and pumps in Talofofo, and established a policy for the orderly planned growth of tourism to result in the maximum benefit to the people of Guam. Lawmakers could vote to end the declaration at any time under current law, but that needs majority support and there has so far been no such resolution on the table. The Speaker added: “On behalf of the 36 th Guam Legislature and the people of Guam, we extend a sincere Un Dångkulu na Si Yu' os Må' ase’ to the late Honorable Sen. Michael Reidy and his … Technical review by the Application Review Committee (ARC) agencies: Written notice of public hearing by certified mail  to property owners within a radius of 500 ft. Notice of public hearing on a 4’x 8’ sign on the property, Municipal Public Hearing in the village of the proposed project, Resolution in support from the Municipal Planning Council. Bill No. Bill 11 proposes to remove the governor’s power to extend public health emergency declarations and place that authority into the hands of the Legislature. *Please bear with us as we work on improving the live video stream of our Legislative events. As a result, it is the first place in the United States to see each new day, which is why Guam is known as the place "Where America's Day Begins. There were none that were ready to be placed on the GLUC agenda for action. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Individuals in need of assistance or accommodations should also contact the Office of Speaker Therese M. Terlaje. . “Even the CNMI who has not had any community spread of COVID-19 for months is still in a state of emergency. The 36 th Guam Legislature is represented by Legislative Counsel, Ana Won-Pat Borja, Esq. Because these conditions are difficult to enforce after a project is completed, the measure would amend the law to increase the Department of Land Management’s (DLM) role in ensuring compliance at three additional stages: during the building permit phase, at the certificate of occupancy phase, and at the approval of business licenses. However, the adopted amendment maintains the 30-day limit for any renewals granted by the Legislature. The measure seeks to strengthen enforcement of terms imposed by the Guam Land Use Commission (GLUC) for conditional use permits, variances and zone changes. The specific quarantine and isolation procedures being challenged (10 GCA Sections 19604 and 19605) give due process and an opportunity for a court hearing to those in quarantine and were set in statute years ago as necessary protections against arbitrary confinement and abuse of power. Several agencies related to public health and emergency response submitted joint testimony to the Legislature on Tuesday, asking that lawmakers reject Bill 11. GEDA would also retain $200,000 annually from the GRMC community contribution, which could still be disbursed to various non-profits on-island through the Qualifying Certificate Community Contribution Grant Program. Senator Charfauros was elected by the people of Guam to serve our island in the 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, and 17th Guam Legislatures from 1975 to 1983 and served as a member of the second Special Commission on Political Status from 1975 to 1976. The hearing will also stream online via I Liheslaturan Guåhan’s live feed at http://www.guamlegislature.com/live_feed.htm. Moylan, Ada, Duenas and Blas announced they will introduce a series of proposals known as the "Let's Get Guam Moving" initiative, focused on the island's businesses. Identification of ancestral landowners of federal excess properties returned, designated for return, or requested to be returned to Guam pursuant to: •       Department of Navy’s 2011Net Negative commitment and Navy’s June 2017_Report to Congress_Net Negative_Policy_Guam ; •       JRM Net Negative Inventory of Guam Land pursuant to 2019 NDAA, •       GEDA 2019 excess lands report and GEDA 2018 excess lands reports of potentially releasable federal lands (reports attached below); and, •       SECNAV Braithwaite Letter to Gov. The agencies that wrote to the Legislature stated that if Guam were to end the public health emergency, then it will be essential to identify local resources to support community needs. The measure proposes to redirect a portion of the GRMC Annual Community Contribution mandated by the terms of their Qualifying Certificate (QC) for the sole purpose of increasing the nursing differential pay at GMH. Recently, the GMHA Board of Trustees explored increasing the 16% differential pay for nurses to 22% in order to achieve parity at Guam Memorial Hospital with competing nursing salaries on and off island. It gives GMH more tools and is a step in the right direction towards recruitment and retention of nurses which is sorely needed to find real solutions to our nursing shortage. “There appears to be some progress, but I want to find more ways to assist the Commission and all agencies tied into this process, to make it a more timely and precise process, that nurtures development and investment while not compromising the safety of the community and our resources,” stated the Speaker. The terms of the QC state that community contributions may benefit healthcare with a priority to GMH and DPHSS. “With the general fund tracking $100 Million below projections for this fiscal year and the 2022 Executive Budget Request proposing zero dollars ($0) from the General Fund for GMH, it is imperative that a tangible and stable source of funds is identified for Nurse Pay, to shore up gaps in patient care while long-term solutions to expand recruitment and retention are planned and executed,” said Speaker Terlaje. Therese Terlaje unanimously elected Speaker of the 36th Guam Legislature. Leon Guerrero on Excess Lands July 2, 2020. Lawmakers extended that initial deadline to 90 days through an amendment from Sen. Telena Nelson on Wednesday, which she proffered in order to grant the government time to develop a “battle rhythm” in terms of combating public health threats. Attached is a copy of the Brief of Interested Party which can also be found at www.senatorterlaje.com. Please contact the Office of Speaker Therese M. Terlaje at 472-3586 or email senatorterlajeguam@gmail.com. 42-36 (COR) would redirect to GMHA a portion of the GRMC Annual Community Contribution mandated by the GRMC Qualifying Certificate (QC)  for the sole purpose of increasing the nursing differential pay at Guam Memorial Hospital Authority to adequately recruit and retain nursing staff at Guam’s only public hospital. Terlaje stated that “from all indications” the receipt of this potential funding is “not contingent on the declaration of a health emergency according to Chapter 19” of Guam law, nor would Bill 11 affect the receipt of those funds, she added. Won Pat International Airport recognizing the hard work of staff, managment, board, & stakeholders! Incoming Republican senators to introduce measures reducing BPT, suspending property tax, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. More: Incoming Republican senators to introduce measures reducing BPT, suspending property tax. The hearing will be held in the Public Hearing Room at the Guam Congress Building, as well as utilizing the Guam Legislature’s virtual meeting platform, for the following agenda items: §  Oversight Hearing on the Guam Ancestral Lands Commission, to receive updates on: A. Members of the 36th Guam Legislature will be inaugurated Monday morning at a COVID-19-regulated ceremony at the Guam Congress Building in Hagåtña. Introduced by Senator Mary Camacho Torres, Senator Telena C. Nelson, and Vice Speaker Tina Muña Barnes, Bill No. With particular concerns raised about housing for temporary workers for construction projects in the near future, Chief Planner Cruz advised that there are three temporary workforce housing conditional use applications in the first stage of the process requiring review by DLM, one that is pending ARC action, and two that are pending a municipal public hearing. On Guam, we have done our best to respond to the pandemic, keeping in mind that our highest priority is the health and safety of our people,” Paco-San Agustin said. Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. . Some in the new Legislature have already announced plans for the year. 11-36 on the session floor, http://www.guamlegislature.com/36th_Guam_Legislature/Bills_Introduced_36th/Bill%20No.%2014-36%20(COR).pdf. However, as discussed during the hearing, certain agencies, despite diligent efforts, have not been able to meet that deadline due to other agency priorities, staffing shortages or the need for complex and technical reviews for certain projects. Current proposals for Temporary Workers Housing Facilities are pending for the villages of Tamuning, Dededo, Barrigada and Mongmong/Toto/Maite. Of them, 11 are incumbents from the 35th Legislature, and four are former senators: Ada, Blas, Duenas and Brown. The public hearing for Bill 14-36 (COR) is scheduled for Thursday, February 4, 2021 at 2 pm via Zoom. “All of our agencies, particularly (the Department of Public Health and Social Services), found their budgets drastically cut in the last session.”. Bill No. The 35th Guam Legislature was the meeting of the Guam Legislature that was convened in Hagatna, Guam on January 7, 2019 and ended on January 3, 2021, during the first and second years of Lou Leon Guerrero's Governorship.. The projects range from approval for conditional use, variances, zoning, and subdivisions among others. This video is unavailable. Meanwhile, lawmakers have advocated for additional information from the executive branch on its decision-making during the pandemic, which Bill 11 would allow by requiring the governor to seek the Legislature’s approval for renewals. Leon Guerrero on Excess Lands July 2, 2020. reducing the business privilege tax from 5% to 4%; placing a two-year suspension on the property tax increase for those improvements valued at $1 million or more, with the only exception individual homes valued at more than $1 million; and. For more information, please contact Speaker Therese M. Terlaje’s office at (671) 472-3586 or via e-mail at senatorterlajeguam@gmail.com. 36th Guam Legislature inaugurated. It was also clear during discussions on the Nurse Licensure Compact that improving pay and the work environment for nurses needed to be addressed concurrently with the implementation of the Compact to stave off potential out-migration of nurses. The inauguration ceremony for the 36th Guam Legislature was held Monday morning. Additionally, COVID-19 restrictions have prohibited the public hearing process for most of 2020, however, Chief Planner Celine Cruz advised that protocols are being put in place to address sanitation and safety in order to resume public hearings by next month for eight applications that are at this step of the process. Bill 14-36 (COR) is sponsored by Senator Joe San Agustin and proposes to waive the following steps in the regular GLUC permitting process for Temporary Workers Housing Facilities during a pandemic: o   Department of Parks and Recreation and Historic Preservation Office. An immediate, fully-funded increase in nurse pay for our local nurses at GMH is an ideal retention tool and ideal healthcare use of over $1.2 M from QC contributions for the next  15 years while we build a new hospital, ” stated Speaker Terlaje. She reported that action was taken on all items on the GLUC agenda, the fifth and final step of the process, and was mindful of delays occurring at earlier phases of the five-step process. 48-34 (LS) Relative to observing Women’s History Month: 03/15/17, Farmer’s Resolution Presentation: 02/28/17, Astumbo Elementary Kaddon Pika Challenge: 2/16/17, Respect the Chamorro People Rally: 4/7/17, Public Hearing 3/28/17: Confirmation Hearing Joseph Certeza, Joseph Franquez, and Bill No. = Protocol Officer/Facilities Manager: Mr. Joe R. San Agustin will be serving as the Protocol Officer and Facilities Manager. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (February 15, 2021 – Hagåtña, Guam) – With the support of her colleagues, Speaker Therese Terlaje successfully moved Bill 39-36 (COR) to the voting file during the first regular session of the 36th Guam Legislature. Unlike other nurse pay bills, this Bill 42-36 fully funds an increase in GMH nurse differential pay to 22%  in order for GMH to better compete with nursing salaries on and off island . 42-36 (COR), introduced by Speaker Therese Terlaje and Senator Joe San Agustin would redirect a portion of the Annual Community Contribution amount mandated in the Qualifying Certificate (QC) to GRMC to GMHA for the sole purpose of increasing the nursing differential pay at Guam Memorial Hospital Authority to adequately recruit and retain nursing staff at Guam’s only public hospital. Click here for Speaker Terlaje’s Remarks on Bill No. Terlaje said she disagreed with the finding that the governor has acted “in an arbitrary and capricious fashion” while using her authority during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Annual Community Contribution was  recommended in §3.12.02 of QC No. “I extend my most sincere condolences to the Charfauros family. After the necessary formalities such as the presenting of certificates of election, the senators of the 36th Guam Legislature took their oaths of office. The local government may receive another $661 million in federal aid through the third round of federal COVID-19 aid. There are many examples of projects that despite media and community outcry have not followed through on the conditions placed on them by the GLUC. Bill 39-36 proposes to give more authority to the Department of Land Management to enforce terms and conditions imposed by the GLUC even if the property is transferred. Ms. Cruz will be going on her 6th term as the Legislature’s CFO. Written testimony may be delivered to the Office of Speaker Therese M. Terlaje at 163 W Chalan Santo Papa, Hagåtña, Guam 96910 or via email to senatorterlajeguam@gmail.com. In 2018, the 35th Guam Legislature made history when a record number of 10 women were voted into office. It convened in Hagatna, Guam on January 4, 2021, during the governorship of Lou Leon Guerrero's. When asked if the agency review process through the ARC should be bypassed to expedite the review by Senator Chris Duenas, a majority of the agency members opposed it. “What might be affected by this bill is how we move forward in recovery, and how we allocate the $661 million. The part-time legislature is a recurring proposal that always hits a dead end. Thank you for visiting. To watch the full public hearing, click below: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (February 21, 2021 – Hagåtña, Guam) – Bill No. Therese Terlaje will serve as speaker of the 36th Guam Legislature. Unlike other nurse pay bills, Bill 42-36 fully funds this increase. In honor of Airport Week and their 42nd anniversary, Senator Frank B. Aguon, Jr. presented a Legislative Resolution to the Antonio B. “I believe she’s acted in very good faith and tried to protect the people of Guam, but I still believe that all of policymaking and policy rearranging and exemptions from policy would benefit from consultation with the Legislature,” Terlaje said. Even if the bill passes, the governor has been against the measure, stating that it violates the separation of powers doctrine and could undermine responses to an emergency. Each senator-elect was afforded seating for one guest, with limited further seating in accordance with current Public Health protocols. Each year GMHA loses nurses due to transfer to off-island and on-island  public or private entities  or retirement, and is forced to recruit at higher costs from off-island. *The live stream is still a work in progress so the feed may cut in and out as we work on stablizing the stream. http://www.guamlegislature.com/live_feed.htm, 21-GCA-Chapter-80-Guam-Ancestral-Lands-Commission, 2019-GEDA-REPORT-_Potentially-Releasable-Federal-Lands, 2018-Potentially-Releasable-Federal-Lands-Final-Draft. 10-34 (COR): 03/14/17, Presentation on Resolution No. 87-36 would authori... To stem the rising tide of drug abuse, Guam’s first line of defense needs the tools to deter illegal activity and ensure criminals don’t profit from their crimes. And it might affect who on Guam will be taken care of and who won’t be. The 34th Guam Legislature was the last meeting of the Guam Legislature.It convened in Hagatna, Guam on January 2, 2017 and ended on January 7, 2019, during the third and fourth years of Eddie Calvo's 2nd Gubernatorial Term.. This video is unavailable. We cannot afford to lose our local nurses to off-island opportunities and must attract and retain our most talented nurses in order to provide the best patient care possible for our community,” stated Speaker Terlaje. MITT, MIRC, and the Programmatic Agreement, Joint Informational briefing on the 2019 MITT Draft Supplemental EIS, Senator Therese Terlaje’s submitted comments on 2019 draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS), Litekyan (Ritidan), Live-Fire Training Range Complex (LFTRC), Programmatic Agreement Memos and Projects For Comment, University of Santo Tomas Induction of Officers Ceremony: 03/11/17, Public Hearing on Resolution No. Stay connected by signing up for PDN's text alerts. Director Borja added that there were 22,000 previously approved temporary workers housing units but less than 3000 have been built. The Republican leadership of the 36th Guam Legislature has introduced Resolution 19-36 with the intent of assuring that the standing rules of the current legislative body provide for equal opportunities when it comes to lawmakers being able to do the very jobs, they were elected by … Watch Queue Queue. Volume 90%. There are generally five steps in the GLUC process beginning with the Preliminary Application Interview (PAI), then the Application Review Committee position statements, the Municipal Public Hearing, the Municipal Planning Council public hearing if necessary, followed by the GLUC public meeting and action (approval or disapproval). Additionally, DLM testified that they do not have a ready list of projects that aren’t in compliance with these conditions and the authority to enforce zoning resides with the Building Official at the Department of Public Works. Each year GMHA loses nurses due to retirement, resignation, or transfer to other public or private entities on island or off-island opportunities. Attached is a copy of the Brief of Interested Party which can also be found at www.senatorterlaje.com. That may prove difficult as budget cuts were adopted due to reduced revenue expectations and even then, fiscal year 2021 is tracking to end with a shortfall. Then Senator Lou Leon Guerrero rose to support the passage of the bill and stated, “ [the Bill] I think protects the individuals who are isolated or quarantine[d] and [] feel that their rights have been violated, because sometimes in emergency situations panic can occur and you maybe . Land Management Director Joe Borja recognized that most agencies have timely submissions of their position statements, however, he noted that the Bureau of Statistics and Plans, Guam EPA and Department of Agriculture have submitted statements after 60 days. For individuals wishing to provide live testimony via videoconferencing, please contact our office by email at senatorterlajeguam@gmail.com to register or call 671-472-3586 by COB on Wednesday, February 3, 2021. Pursuant to Public Law 33-209, ARC members are required to submit position statements that provide information regarding surrounding infrastructure and the potential impacts of the project within thirty (30) days of receipt of the application. All eight Democrat senators emerged from caucus with a unanimous vote regarding the new Legislature… An initial emergency declaration lasts 30 days before expiring unless renewed by the governor, or the Legislature – if Bill 11 becomes law. "3 Surrounded by coral reefs, Guam sits on the edge of the M… 42-36 (COR), The GMHA Nurse Recruitment and Retention Act of 2021, authored by Health Oversight Chair, Speaker Therese Terlaje and co-sponsored by Senator Joe San Agustin, had its public hearing today under the Committee on Appropriations. Proposed Rules and Regulations for Land Bank Program extinguishment of claims, award of just compensation. The discretion of these funds would fall under the purview of GEDA. I urge the executive branch agencies and the Commission to continue to work with developers and the Legislature to promptly address the delays and impediments.”. The Chairperson of the Board estimated that approximately $827,000 is needed annually to increase the 16% differential pay for RN and LPNs to 22%. Régine Biscoe Lee and Louise Muña didn't run for another term, and Wil Castro ran for Guam's delegate position but lost in the primary. 36th Guam Legislature Archives - PNC News First. 36 th Guam Legislature Participates in Nationwide COVID-19 Memorial January 20, 2021 January 21, 2021 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (January 20, 2021 – Hagåtña, Guam) – The 36 th Guam Legislature commemorated the Nationwide COVID-19 Memorial on the front steps of the Guam Congress Building at 8:05 AM on Wednesday, January 20, 2021. Dr. Anita Enriquez, Chair for the Guam Land Use Commission, advised that GLUC meetings have resumed twice monthly since November. 39-34 (COR) and Bill No. Reach her at akaur@guampdn.com. The 36th Guam Legislature has eight women and seven men. Often the GLUC imposes conditions or covenants to address concerns about projects that were brought up at municipal public hearings or through the regulatory agency review process. While this bill does not raise wages for all nurses on island, it does prioritize GMH and ensures there is a viable funding source to pay for this long overdue increase. In addition, the Bureau of Statistics and Plans Coastal Management Program also testified at the public hearing that there is no clear mechanism to enforce compliance for stormwater management and environmentally based requirements other than directly through the Territorial Seashore Protection Commission, which is the Guam Land Use Commission, and asked that TSPC enforcement be strengthened as well. amending the gross threshold of the limited exemptions of the business privilege tax enacted by the 35th Guam Legislature, from $250,000 to $500,000. 42-36 (COR): Speaker Terlaje discusses Bill No. The following measures will be introduced during the 36th Guam Legislature's inaugural session, they said: Reporter Anumita Kaur covers military, business and tourism on Guam. Joe S. San Agustin Senator 26.59 55,307.20 16,017.36 71,324.56 Mary Camacho Torres Senator 26.59 55,307.20 17,207.90 72,515.10 William M. Castro Senator 26.59 55,307.20 19,798.80 75,106.00 The Department of Public Health and Social Services approved a floor plan, allowing each senator to bring one guest into the session hall, according to a letter from the Legislature's central operations.