[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6623136,"mediaKeyId","2776929-fd3c0420f68188b91da3238e3a45af7e","parentId",2776929,"title","Legislature debates modernizing public‑notice rules after concerns about reach and Guam Public Notice website","audioSeconds",5487,"startMs",193000,"endMs",5680000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2776929-fd3c0420f68188b91da3238e3a45af7e&start=193&end=5680","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2776929-fd3c0420f68188b91da3238e3a45af7e/thumbnail_193000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6623136/Legislature-debates-modernizing-publicnotice-rules-after-concerns-about-reach-and-Guam-Public-Notice-website","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6623136-589633f3815553d71e2893808afe6ec6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167415&Signature=aJEtdflYHUc2nDZFK5Z0x33wPwNTh-KYjo7kc~EFfENULFNP0Uc9oOGW9lTYxQNjwLcqu~1vg1Bk-3uZrbE-F~izSWOqc1srBBiYqSlFpCffx1XoWQUXoC7hVFAINPtPGv-s6h-gHZYn9tvUFIn4HsYN1Ho5AGAM8uaAyCaC~SZC0IGj6LCdowmHmYiYJslzHeSv6km6bBL42wUkzciHwRibVTVevC7DF9YvYhS67SaXbr2EKhFDZFmciSwBhZoPa6Fyk4YsdYly2lvBULv5h9BFWcAOxKwcfjF0RvcmQMZUUdOjIei6Kb627D0IK1AbLo5fMd9BIWkG33fgI-3QbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Guam Legislature","date","2025-03-26T07:56:59.1Z","article","Senators spent more than three hours debating a bill to modernize Guam’s public‑notice law, with lawmakers split over whether digital publication rules would actually reach the island’s local population.

The measure would expand the statutory definitions of “newspaper of general circulation” and “eligible media platform” to include electronic newspapers and qualified digital media platforms. Senator (Barragada), who proffered an amendment, read an alternative definition on the floor: “public notice as used in this chapter means a publication by newspaper of general circulation or by another eligible media platform, which is reasonably calculated to provide notice of the facts it announces to the local public at large, which is independently verifiable and by electronic publication in the Guam public notice website.”

That amendment aimed to remove a 15% audience threshold baked into the original text and to emphasize notice to the local population. Supporters of the amendment said the 15% metric could be satisfied by narrow audiences — for example, military populations or transient visitors — while the broader local public might remain uninformed. A senator supporting the amendment warned that setting a numeric threshold “undermines the purpose of open government law” and said the amendment was intended to “strengthen” that law. Opponents said the bill’s aim is modernization and that websites and electronic editions are already contemplated by the author.

Debate focused on three practical points: how an audience percentage would be measured, whether the Guam Public Notice website would remain an eligible platform, and whether the island’s only printed daily would meet new numerical thresholds. Senators noted inconsistent data during the debate: one member said the Guam Daily Post’s print circulation was 8,000 with about 8,000 online readers (a point of information that yielded an asserted total of roughly 16,000); another senator later read a February metrics report showing 64,491 website visitors for the Guam Daily Post. Opponents argued the bill’s language was vague because it does not say whether the audience threshold must be maintained continuously, averaged, or measured at a single point in time.

Senators also raised a legal concern about excluding the Guam Public Notice website. A senator opposing the original bill said the site “serves as an official online repository which provides a record for public notices” and argued that the bill’s requirement that eligible websites be components of companies licensed to do business on Guam placed the public notice website at risk of exclusion.

On the floor: a proffered amendment (time stamped 01:58 p.m.) to emphasize notice to the “local public at large” and to remove the 15% threshold failed after a show of hands. A later motion to send the bill back to committee also failed after objection and a hand vote. The author then moved the measure to third reading and that motion carried; the bill was placed on the third‑reading voting file as amended by committee and floor action.

Why it matters: public‑notice requirements determine how the government meets statutory duties to inform residents about hearings, foreclosures, probate notices and other official actions. Several senators expressed concern that shifting notice primarily to digital platforms without clear verification standards could raise due‑process and access problems for residents who are not reached by the chosen media.

Looking ahead: the measure was advanced to third reading for a later legislative vote. Senators asked for clearer language on how audience thresholds will be measured, who will perform “independent verification,” and explicit preservation of the Guam Public Notice website as an eligible platform.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","38th Guam Legislature Regular Session - March 26, 2025 PM","oneSentenceSummary","Senators spent more than three hours debating a bill to modernize Guam’s public‑notice law, with lawmakers split over whether digital publication rules would actually reach the island’s local population.","taxTitle","General Government Operations and Appropriations\t, Legislative, Guam","taxId",18139,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6623122,"Legislature clears path for CAHA to award missed Guam Masters Awards for 2018 and 2022",2128,11112000,13240000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2776929-fd3c0420f68188b91da3238e3a45af7e&start=11112&end=13240","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2776929-fd3c0420f68188b91da3238e3a45af7e/thumbnail_11112000.jpg","/articles/6623122/Legislature-clears-path-for-CAHA-to-award-missed-Guam-Masters-Awards-for-2018-and-2022","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6623122-11d7a78441cb046b331ac84c655cc1f1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167415&Signature=jjufR2lGtG09v6q~UuXWVHgdF8q8NoDzm0aB0AppkZxEwKlhgkmagmolKF6nOheKUB1KQrXbnn5SqND473GtfwJRh7ih6YfgaejFqBjpJIsocYI9WDyHYOCwD4qnIfUSLOIcVDekEiCLc3fw93mNpG1Cj0GM7mkSjhIcovCMEcUMAJzTWl4lof-jz-NvmKWnnZ2I9c2OFmDai7-QXUVMElpABBNy0tk-rMZ4GjRKFBftmGTlkbIy-kpxqIO03m9yIlTlfL6g8AbsRob-7V7H2pBUHrhidu2sYr8KOTosF3HUl6RszmnbSU1DCDa8TK-soHLzuJ0Mw5OoH8deLmEDfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Guam Legislature advanced a bill authorizing the Guam Council on the Arts and Humanities Agency (CAHA) to retroactively present up to eight Guam Masters Awards for the 2018 and 2022 award years, two years in which CAHA said awards were not issued.

The Guam Masters Award recognizes living master practitioners of the island’s heritage arts — including weavers, carvers, storytellers and traditional craft specialists — for exemplary practice, teaching and efforts to preserve cultural traditions. Supporters on the floor emphasized that the bill addresses missed recognition and called the measure a restoration of dignity for artists who were not honored due to administrative and pandemic‑related interruptions.

CAHA staff testified in committee that 13 nomination packets had been submitted and vetted for a recent round, of which five met eligibility criteria; the council asked legislative authority to proceed with awards that could not be issued in prior years. Senators recounted examples of past master awardees — carvers, storytellers, weavers and traditional healers — and urged prompt action, noting many nominees are elders.

The bill was amended on the floor to add cosponsors and then placed on the third‑reading voting file. Senators urged CAHA to move quickly, observe the statutory selection criteria and publicize the program and winners so the public — and the next generation of apprentices — can learn about the honorees’ work.

Why it matters: the Guam Masters Award is a high cultural honor that recognizes lifetime stewardship of Chamorro and other local heritage arts. Supporters said retroactive awards correct an administrative lapse and publicly reaffirm the community’s commitment to cultural continuity.

Looking ahead: with the law advanced to third reading, CAHA told senators it had already conducted judging for nominations and would proceed to board action once legislative authorization is in place.","A bill enabling the Guam Council on the Arts and Humanities Agency (CAHA) to retroactively grant up to eight Guam Masters Awards for the 2018 and 2022 award years was advanced to third reading; senators said the measure restores honors missed due to administrative delays and the pandemic.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6623127,"Legislature approves bill to ban certain sunscreen chemicals; fines to fund Guam Environmental Trust Fund",1643,8577000,10220000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2776929-fd3c0420f68188b91da3238e3a45af7e&start=8577&end=10220","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2776929-fd3c0420f68188b91da3238e3a45af7e/thumbnail_8577000.jpg","/articles/6623127/Legislature-approves-bill-to-ban-certain-sunscreen-chemicals-fines-to-fund-Guam-Environmental-Trust-Fund","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6623127-5a978ec0d2021db749d636a947f40d52/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167415&Signature=XdTgP5VwXHskKGvAKyBipUSs7cL8hZitBmndnTmtzsfGGts3fZI0nQ6w7xFlYngLNJrYOo8Hry4A1LEx0AGDMwe8T3ZRVeQxUqqvUrSuv1Z2cAfgOl5fxAlzG~ZBGxj7ORXzwWWuWe08CsXyDXTzHWckBv2eXnVNidhiKNrPMei4mfp~lzJAojwwbuRo0xKuNPiTJrktljcAkTQzcoGEl3xk6F4ndK7OKozwdTUJtFUMlTodunjSj~wxv6ZEobuQuo7y3q963ZMxZna68on7D7Fvhp2Le0N8udBjU01eFBirMDxlP5UIKUDZ~Jup42F-ouSEpESlC3mFmfyNd8uifw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Guam Legislature moved forward a measure to prohibit the importation of skin‑care products that contain chemicals federal and territorial authorities have identified as harmful to coral reefs and marine life.

Vice Speaker Tonyotta, the bill’s author, said the measure targets specific sunscreen ingredients — oxybenzone, octinoxate and octocrylene — and does not ban sunscreen use. \"This bill does not ban the use of sunscreen. It simply requires retailers to offer products that are safe for the environment,\" he said on the floor.

Supporters invoked scientific findings and actions taken in other U.S. jurisdictions. The bill follows ordinances in places such as Hawaii, Key West (Florida) and the U.S. Virgin Islands that limit sunscreen chemicals linked in studies to coral bleaching and harm to marine organisms. Senators urged that protecting reefs supports tourism, coastal protection and cultural fisheries.

During floor debate senators proposed and adopted an amendment to designate that civil fines collected under the law be deposited into the Guam Environmental Trust Fund for hazardous‑substance mitigation and environmental programs. Another technical floor amendment corrected an internal cross‑reference in the effective‑date language. The bill also sets most provisions effective on enactment but makes certain enforcement items effective 180 days after enactment so retailers can manage existing inventory.

The author said enforcement would be a joint effort among Guam EPA, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (Division of Environmental Health) and the Department of Agriculture, and customs enforcement was mentioned as a practical mechanism to block prohibited imports at the border.

Why it matters: Guam’s reefs are a keystone of the island’s environment, fisheries and visitor economy. Supporters said the measure is a precautionary public‑health and conservation policy that follows scientific concerns about specific UV filters; critics (not in the floor record) might raise trade or retail compliance questions.

Looking ahead: with floor amendments adopted, the bill was placed on the third‑reading voting file. Agencies were instructed to prepare rules and implementation plans and to coordinate on enforcement and customs control.

","Lawmakers advanced a bill that would bar importation of sunscreens containing oxybenzone, octinoxate and octocrylene and allow agencies to restrict other harmful chemicals; floor amendments directed civil fines into the Guam Environmental Trust Fund and adjusted timing for enforcement.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6623132,"Legislature advances bill requiring drug tests before reemployment to close perceived loophole",2839,5721000,8560000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2776929-fd3c0420f68188b91da3238e3a45af7e&start=5721&end=8560","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2776929-fd3c0420f68188b91da3238e3a45af7e/thumbnail_5721000.jpg","/articles/6623132/Legislature-advances-bill-requiring-drug-tests-before-reemployment-to-close-perceived-loophole","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6623132-49337284838fdadd7300df353f673f7d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167415&Signature=ohH8QFvX7gBK22ZuT31Fgo9UP5i~pamCaFBSOxMcjthP6lFIrT2z6zJV1VPI8yC2H4fAtrqfkjFi-0PkAgCVO82bAAFAqYPyDBKbAMJUcXhi7fiO-5IzELwN3lbDMdFrRHbiqnM7~d1A5ajYzpHy6SsYN5N-aSVfn8Uu7V1Ph4b2tZWiFUtW9waz4ev1XTaqLG27YdtHvMG48y0ILJ1IT5WCAsRAQku-MjVwOHaKyfa9ejXbQ0OHg3F9L7i38DJGhytIfj3QPV6ntBSRffKaXcPmDYMwp4Vcioky1jv~1d5vLK6OL5TkQClk0Qtrc5BrYH8jp0yHeby4stILLF1P3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Guam Legislature voted to advance a bill designed to close what backers called a loophole that lets employees resign to avoid mandatory drug screening and later seek reinstatement without testing.

The bill requires any person who resigns from government service within 30 days of an announced government‑sponsored drug testing to submit to and pass that drug screening to retain reemployment rights. The author told colleagues the measure is narrowly drawn to require testing prior to reemployment rather than post‑hire screening that had raised constitutional concerns in prior iterations.

Sponsor remarks recalled the measure’s history: an earlier near‑identical bill passed the 36th Guam Legislature but was vetoed by the governor because of a post‑employment testing provision. The current version was modified so testing would be completed prior to reemployment, which the author said addresses the prior veto rationale.

Floor debate included support from multiple senators who described the bill as a fairness and workplace‑safety measure and cautioned about potential corner cases — for example, employees who resign for legitimate personal reasons during the 30‑day window. One senator asked why the bill uses 30 days; the author said 30 days was chosen for policy reasons and agreed to discussion about alternative timeframes.

Members added a floor amendment changing the phrasing to cover situations where an employee resigns “within 30 days of an announced or random government‑sponsored drug testing.” The amendment was accepted without objection on the floor. The author also added multiple cosponsors on the record. The author then moved the bill to the third‑reading voting file; the motion carried.

Why it matters: the measure targets positions subject to drug testing and seeks to prevent employees from evading random or scheduled testing by resigning then later seeking reemployment without screening. Sponsors said the change balances constitutional limits on post‑hire testing with a mechanism to prevent evasion.

Looking ahead: the bill is on the third‑reading voting file. Senators requested attention to implementation details such as how the rule applies to agencies that do not publicly announce random tests and whether the 30‑day window is the appropriate standard.

","A bill that would require employees who resign within 30 days of a government drug‑testing announcement to submit to and pass drug screening before being eligible for reemployment was advanced to the third‑reading voting file after senators added clarifying language on random testing and cosponsors.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Legislature debates modernizing public‑notice rules after concerns about reach and Guam Public Notice website

Legislature clears path for CAHA to award missed Guam Masters Awards for 2018 and 2022

Legislature approves bill to ban certain sunscreen chemicals; fines to fund Guam Environmental Trust Fund

Legislature advances bill requiring drug tests before reemployment to close perceived loophole