Many businesses were represented at the June 9th public hearing in support of Bill No. 11-38, which seeks to roll back the Business Privilege Tax (BPT) from 5% to 4%. Almost all waited hours to testify, but did not have the opportunity. Senator Christopher Duenas decided not to adjourn the hearing but place it in recess to schedule another time for businesses that could not make the June 9th hearing or did not have a chance to provide verbal testimony. A date has not yet been set, but the Senator advised that he would hold the hearing from 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Companies that did not provide testimony but would like to can still send in their written testimonies to Senator Christopher Duenas, Chairman, Committee on Finance and Government Operations. You are also urged to send copies of your testimony to all the senators. Their email addresses can be found here.

The Chamber would like to thank all the companies that arranged their schedules to present in support of the bill, sent in testimonies, and signed the petition. You are awesome, but it's not over! Help us encourage more businesses to come forward, tell their stories with their presence and their written support. We will continue to keep you informed about the next date that will be scheduled.

Chamber Testimony on Bill No. 11-38

Template letter in support of Bill No. 11-38

The Real Impact of the Business Privilege Tax - Chamber Release

Watch the Public Hearing on Bill 11-38 Part 1 and Part 2

SIGN THE PETITION



If you believe that reducing the Business Privilege Tax (BPT) will provide much-needed financial relief to all Guam businesses, which in turn benefits working families while helping to spur economic opportunities, potentially lower consumer costs, and support long-term sustainability, sign the petition.

If lowering the BPT will help your business or your favorite retail or service outlet stay afloat in this challenging economy, we encourage you to sign the petition today.

L-R: Matthew Hunter, Chairman, Guam Contractors Association (GCA), Ernie Galito, Immed. Past Chairman, Guam Chamber of Commerce, Jovyna Lujan, Chairwoman, Guam Travel & Tourism Association (GTTA), Senator Sabina Perez, Catherine Castro, Chamber President, Speaker Frank Blas, Jr., David Tydingco, GTTA, Benjamin J.F. Cruz, Public Auditor, Bill Nault, GTTA.

June 12, 2025 - A Summit on Government Procurement, held at the Hyatt Regency Guam this past Thursday, was hosted by the Guam Chamber of Commerce, the Guam Contractors Association (GCA), and the Guam Travel & Tourism Association (GTTA). The event brought together government officials, industry leaders, and procurement professionals for a day of candid discussion and collaboration. The event focused on improving the efficiency, transparency, and effectiveness of Guam’s procurement processes to better serve the island’s community and economy.

Leaders from GPA, GCC, UOG, and the Airport Authority opened the panel discussion to share successes and challenges in Guam’s procurement system, emphasizing the need for streamlined processes, cross-agency collaboration, and strategic planning to support major capital projects and federal funding compliance. Each panelist highlighted their agency’s procurement capacity, upcoming initiatives—ranging from infrastructure expansion to legal fellowships—and stressed the importance of skilled personnel, training, and pre-planning for effective procurement execution.

Experts from the Procurement Summit’s second panel identified key issues plaguing Guam’s procurement system, including ambiguous solicitations, delayed payments, lack of qualified staff, absence of a centralized electronic system, and outdated laws that enable inconsistent practices. Panelists emphasized the need for clearer RFP standards, better-trained personnel, more transparent processes, and structural reforms to restore fairness, reduce protests, and ensure timely, value-driven procurement outcomes.

At the Procurement Summit’s third and final panel, speakers emphasized practical steps to improve Guam’s procurement system, including better communication of specifications, standardization of processes, and system upgrades that unify procurement and accounting. Panelists advocated for increased government transparency, regulatory updates, and cross-agency collaboration to minimize protests, encourage competition, and ensure government spending is fair, efficient, and accountable.

In summary

The Summit allowed for government and industry leaders to examine the strengths, challenges, and opportunities within Guam’s procurement system. Panelists from key agencies highlighted the importance of streamlined processes, skilled personnel, and strategic planning to support critical projects and ensure compliance with federal funding requirements. Experts identified major system-wide issues, including ambiguous solicitations, staffing shortages, delayed payments, and outdated laws, and called for greater clarity, standardization, and transparency. The summit concluded with actionable recommendations focused on regulatory updates, unified financial systems, and cross-agency cooperation to foster fairness, reduce delays, and deliver better outcomes for the island community.

Pacific Daily New coverage

KUAM News coverage

How the Senate Can Cement Pro-Growth Tax Policy

Last month, the U.S. House of Representatives took a crucial step toward averting the largest automatic tax increase in American history at the end of this year by passing the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”

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• The Senate is now working on its version of the bill to provide permanent tax reforms that will help communities thrive.

Why it matters: Many of the reforms enacted in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) are set to expire at the end of 2025.

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• Ensuring that America has a stable, pro-growth, and globally competitive tax code is central to achieving the goal of at least 3% annual economic growth.
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Here is where the Senate can build on the House’s important work:

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Restoring a pro-growth business tax base. The U.S. Chamber has long championed permanently restoring three critical business tax policies: the immediate deduction for research and development (R&D) expenses; 100% bonus depreciation; and a globally competitive (EBITDA-based) limitation on the business interest deduction.

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• The House-passed bill would generally reinstate all three polices for five years. It would also introduce a new policy allowing businesses to immediately expense the cost of building new factories.
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• To maximize economic growth, the Senate must take the next step and make the bill’s business tax provisions permanent.
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Keeping the U.S. tax system globally competitive. The House-passed bill seeks to maintain the overall competitiveness of our post-TCJA international tax system. The Senate should permanently extend the effective U.S. tax rates on international business income to provide U.S. companies the predictability necessary to support continued investment and innovation. It must also address structural tax issues like the global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI) “haircut.”

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Supporting American energy. The U.S. Chamber urges policymakers to preserve tax policy that enhances U.S. energy competitiveness and security, including credits for clean hydrogen production, carbon oxide sequestration, as well as technology-neutral credits to help meet the country’s rapidly growing demand for electricity generation. READ MORE.

ALL BUSINESS IS LOCAL

Roll Back Regulations. Unleash Opportunity

Unnecessary regulations hold America back. Bureaucratic micromanagement of business will cost the economy $1.8 trillion and impact Americans’ lives and pocketbooks through higher prices, lower wages, and fewer jobs.

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By cutting the red tape, we can unlock innovation, spark growth, and help businesses thrive. It's about progress for every community, including yours.

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The State of American Business 2025 shows that the decisions made in Washington affect people, businesses, and communities across the country. Our leaders must prioritize growth and opportunity for all Americans. READ MORE.

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Ada's Trust & Investment, Inc. • Arnett Consulting, LLC • Assurance Brokers, Inc. dba: AB Risk Solutions • Bank of Hawaii • Black Construction Corporation

California Pacific Technical Services, LLC • Coffman Engineers, Inc.

Guam Insurance Adjusters, Inc. • Guam Music, Inc. • Hilton Guam Resort & Spa

HMI Guam • Hotel Nikko Guam • Island Skin Spa • Joe & Franks Auto

Jerold W. Filush, CPA • Marianas Steamship Agencies, Inc. • Matson Navigation Company

Micronesian Drivers Associations, Inc. • North Wind Group • Outback Steakhouse

Pacific Islands Development Bank • Phoenix Pacific (Guam), Inc.

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Triple J Five Star Wholesale Foods, Inc. • Triple J Rentals (Guam), Inc. dba: Hertz Licensee