Bills that May Impact Your Business

The Guam Legislature is acting on bills in the last month of the year which also marks the last days of the current Legislative body. We are looking at the following measures and guidelines that may impact how you do business. As you scroll through the items below, you may want to take note and contact your Senators on how they can help you continue to operate and stay open in these challenging times.

Bill No. 373-35

This proposal has been added to the upcoming Legislative Session scheduled for Monday, December 7th. The bill seeks to completely ban the sale and distribution of carryout bags made of plastic by retail & wholesale establishments on Guam. If passed, the bill will be implemented on January 1, 2021.

We have heard from restaurateurs, retail establishments and other businesses that have expressed concern regarding this bill. As there seems to be full support from the current legislative body for this measure, we suggest that the implementation date be moved to 2022. We are urging businesses that will be impacted by this measure to contact your senators as soon as possible to let them know how they can help you. Your actions can make a difference on how they act on this bill. Call your Senators today.

View Committee Report

Bill No. 404-35

This bill, introduced by Senator Regine Biscoe-Lee, seeks to prohibit any further use of septic tanks on certain lots located in the groundwater protection zone regardless of whether said lots are part of parental subdivisions. The realtors have expressed concern regarding this measure as it will unintentionally hurt families that intend to conduct a Parental Subdivision, and prevent any further development of these lots. If enacted, this mandate will also cause the price of real property to increase.

A public hearing was held on December 1, 2020. View here.

View your Chamber's testimony here.

Senator San Agustin will reconvene the public hearing on Wednesday, December 9, 2020, 5:00 p.m.

TO PROVIDE ORAL TESTIMONY: To provide oral testimony, you must email: [email protected] and provide your name and contact number no later than 24 hours priorto the hearing to obtain the virtual hearing link. An email will be sent to you for verification purposes with hearing guidelines, and the link will be sent to you no later than 12 hours prior to the hearing.

TO SUBMIT WRITTEN TESTIMONY: Written testimonies may be addressed to Sen. Joe S. San Agustin, Chairman of the Committee on General Government Operations, Appropriations and Housing and sent via email to [email protected].

FOR ASSISTANCE: Individuals with disabilities who may require additional assistance are asked to contact the office at 989-5445 or via email, [email protected] for assistance.

WATCH IT LIVE: The public hearing will broadcast on local television, GTA Channel 21, Docomo Channel 117/60.4 and stream online via I Liheslaturan Guåhan’s live feed. A recording of the hearing will be available online via Guam Legislature Media on YouTube after the hearing.

Guam Cannabis Industry Act [PL 35-5]

Your Guam Chamber provided testimony on the proposed Rules and Regulations pertaining to the Guam Cannabis Industry Act. View our letter here.

Speaker Tina Muña Barnes

477-2520