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Hafa Adai Catherine,
The Committee of Finance of the 38th Guam Legislature has announced the 2nd Public Hearing date for Bill 11-38—An Act to Reduce the Business Privilege Tax (BPT) from 5% to 4%, which will take place on Monday, July 7, 2025 from 2:00 pm - 10:00 pm. The hearing time was moved to later in the day to allow for more people to provide their testimonies in person.
We thank our members who took the time to attend the June 9th public hearing. If you did not provide verbal testimony at the first hearing, we encourage you to be present at this next hearing. Even if you have already sent in written testimony, your presence for a short time would make a huge impact.
Support for this measure has been a long-standing priority of the Guam Chamber of Commerce since the BPT increase was made permanent in 2018. July 7th's hearing presents a second opportunity for voices in the private sector to present a unified, compelling case for why this legislation must be passed.
Ways that you can support this effort.
Your participation is vital in ensuring our message is heard, our concerns are recognized, and our collective voice as the business community is amplified.
Many members have asked, “How can I help?” Below are several impactful ways you can get involved:
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Attend the Hearing. Show your support for the business community that will be testifying by attending the hearing on Monday, July 7th. A full room sends a powerful message to our lawmakers.
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Testify in Person. Tell your story—whether as a business owner or community member. Even just one to five minutes of testimony can make a meaningful difference. Personal stories carry the greatest impact in advocating for this legislation.
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Submit Written Testimony. If you’re unable to testify in person, please submit a written testimony. This is just as impactful, especially if you share the challenges your business is facing. The Chamber has prepared a template to help you express your concerns and support for Bill 11-38: Letter Template to Support BPT Reduction Once your letter is complete, please email Senator Christopher Duenas and the other 14 Senators.
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Bring Your Team. There’s strength in numbers. Bring staff members with you to the hearing and show unified support. Bring signs and help us amplify the message behind Bill 11-38.
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Sign and Share the Petition. The Chamber has circulated a petition in support of Bill 11-38. Please sign it here and encourage others to do the same. The petition will be submitted as part of the official testimony—more signatures mean greater impact. *Please note, there is no fee to sign the petition; any/all donations do NOT go the Guam Chamber of Commerce.*
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Submit an Op-Ed/ Opinion Article. Consider writing and submitting an opinion editorial to a local media outlet. This helps educate the public about the importance of this bill and how it affects our community.
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Engage with Senators. Speak directly with senators to explain the importance of Bill 11-38 and the challenges the private sector is currently facing. These conversations can be incredibly influential.
We recognize that this is a significant undertaking, but with our collective effort, we can make a difference. Every action you take brings us one step closer to success, and your involvement is sincerely appreciated.
We extend our thanks to Senator Shawn Gumataotao for introducing Bill 11-38, and to Senator Chris Duenas for holding the 2nd public hearing.
Together, as Partners in Progress, Guam’s Private Sector Matters!
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