[{"_1":2,"_86":-5,"_87":-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],{"_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",6199664,"mediaKeyId","3824530-3c889e10363b2044ea2e3a4a59dd7030","parentId",3824530,"title","Committee debates Bill 108-38 to authorize public‑private partnerships for cargo screening; Customs urges statutory and language changes","audioSeconds",1698,"startMs",696000,"endMs",2394000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3824530-3c889e10363b2044ea2e3a4a59dd7030&start=696&end=2394","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3824530-3c889e10363b2044ea2e3a4a59dd7030/thumbnail_696000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6199664/Committee-debates-Bill-108-38-to-authorize-publicprivate-partnerships-for-cargo-screening-Customs-urges-statutory-and-language-changes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6199664-f3bb995605e5e0144d0133b55fd77227/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152588&Signature=PnNfguZy657T9eBrRzO55rVwKyiCvEz1DlUoDQ6CYN6sKX3ys1XxpPmRwwx5yqXPWYsOEqluowG21hvW0g1MkFDjB9iYjUQL9TG7UkUmnphahASpnX2AIstwp1paJNAx8TWdN~f9ic9EA52Ew0RJyw4ioSdQ5z-QKjU2uIG4MwwJZbw7bTVA0ud~BPh8zLUtUwO~~cCUh9zXPoUEh5utHG-esAaPk0g7ov~0g~5~UK4wXO4sbFxgWezxcC84LyJKyt7l4Pv5Uu8LheNHJ79l53j9JXyoZ8KYreBhFnfxAsnMHMa~DcrLLQlu441YFfFEIZw-TLl5m8bzVW5xEjRzHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Guam Legislature","date","2025-06-12T14:29:33Z","article","The Committee on Transportation, Tourism, Customs, Utilities, Federal and Foreign Affairs took public testimony June 25 on Bill 108‑38 (COR), a measure that would authorize the Customs and Quarantine Agency (CQA) to enter into public‑private partnerships to screen cargo entering Guam at ports of entry.

Author Senator William A. Parkinson told the committee the bill was intended to allow CQA to scale screening to approach 100% of incoming containers by leveraging private capital, technology (for example high‑rate x‑ray systems and mobile scanners) and private logistics expertise. Parkinson cited law‑enforcement and medical data he said showed a sharp rise in methamphetamine‑related deaths and arrests in recent years and argued unchecked cargo is a major route for illicit drugs and invasive species. He listed examples of PPPs at mainland ports and said PPPs could reduce upfront public cost and accelerate deployment of scanning facilities and equipment.

CQA Director Sykes Perreido testified the agency supports modernizing screening and acquiring equipment, but raised substantive concerns with the draft bill’s current language and placement. Director Perreido stated that customs’ border search authority is a narrow, legally codified exception to probable‑cause/warrant requirements and that allowing private non‑sworn personnel to perform customs searches or physical inspections would conflict with those legal protections. He recommended the bill’s amendments be placed in CQA’s statutory chapter (Title 5, suggested by the director) rather than in the Port Authority of Guam statutes (Article 4, Chapter 10, Title 12), and suggested funding authority language would be more appropriate in the Tax Code (11 GCA Chapter 28) if the measure contemplates use‑tax or fee funding.

Perreido and other witnesses recommended the bill define “screening” and delineate exactly which functions may be performed by private partners (for example, equipment procurement, facility construction, maintenance, or operating scanning equipment under CQA supervision) versus which authorities must remain with sworn customs officers (document review, sworn border searches, law enforcement questioning, seizures). The director said CQA could use PPPs for infrastructure and equipment maintenance but advised against authorizing private persons to exercise customs search powers.

CQA and other witnesses described related modernization work already under way: implementation of a harmonized coding system and an automated customs platform intended to enable electronic manifests, risk assessment and improved targeting of suspicious shipments. Agency witnesses said rules and regulations for that work are being drafted and that staff training and stakeholder engagement will be required before automated systems are turned on. CQA described efforts to procure stationary x‑ray portals and mobile scanning systems and said $2,000,000 (approx.) in A&E and early project costs had been estimated for a container inspection facility; the agency said it had identified a portion of port property for such a facility and that a larger federal funding award (described in committee testimony related to transit as about $34,000,000 for a separate agency) was confirmed for other projects.

Committee members raised multiple issues during questioning: whether the Ports or CQA statute is the correct location for the authority; how the draft defines “screening”; the legal limits on delegating customs search authority to private parties; the effects on trade and port throughput of expanded physical inspection; and the need to consult port users, importers and logistics companies. Witnesses agreed that careful drafting and operational design are required to avoid criminal‑law and privacy problems, to preserve customs’ sworn‑officer authorities, and to ensure trade is not unduly delayed.

Committee actions and next steps recorded in the hearing: the chair said the committee will continue to accept written testimony for seven days following the hearing and will work with the bill author and legal staff to determine whether the existing draft can be amended in markup or whether the measure needs to be recrafted and presented in a subsequent public hearing. No vote was taken during the hearing.

Why it matters: advocates and law enforcement told the committee that improved cargo screening can reduce the flow of illicit drugs and invasive species and improve tax collection; agency witnesses said modern scanning equipment and automated manifest systems are necessary tools but stressed legal boundaries and operational logistics must be preserved.

The committee closed the hearing and invited additional written testimony; it did not make a final determination on the bill’s statutory placement or on the exact scope of authorities to be granted to private partners.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Public Hearing - Senator Jesse A. Lujan - June 12, 2025 9:30AM","oneSentenceSummary","The Committee on Transportation, Tourism, Customs, Utilities, Federal and Foreign Affairs took public testimony June 25 on Bill 108‑38, which would authorize the Customs and Quarantine Agency to enter public‑private partnerships to screen all cargo entering Guam.","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":44,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6199669,"Senate committee hears nomination of Jeffrey D. Kasaka to Guam Regional Transit Authority board",438,258000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3824530-3c889e10363b2044ea2e3a4a59dd7030&start=258&end=696","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3824530-3c889e10363b2044ea2e3a4a59dd7030/thumbnail_258000.jpg","/articles/6199669/Senate-committee-hears-nomination-of-Jeffrey-D-Kasaka-to-Guam-Regional-Transit-Authority-board","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6199669-1549cbe0cc9f294fc10a60f8722df035/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152588&Signature=C8LeqU6xvmswAhc-QwzBHRIzZlEAQwEa5bXlElF21dxw1q7uS7yyIQCs46-u-pMFW5xkI-fA7W~ug56vwK-QVk8vyAYDc5Us0ytNCxq90A8mY7207FuxoFdr4k8Wlg2fPTpUGXCb7ZdlvtUfQ~JYnxmVq7WIoYz~~BlsTcun6RrCQD8eGbdKKm1p0l9N9FtobsIw-1TOdYXk-aBcJ-4Qi0~VfDq6w92GXEkYRQ~rgddNf3Abe~eWH82CsM06y9uUUJnqyca6i4CU6xXQP9NsMLCNZqraAaWieV~CRQlV9NydRQiAVTw2fPbSbGTaFuL7CoBgZyp6WEaTkbFj4pDXnQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jeffrey D. Kasaka appeared by video and answered senators' questions June 25 during a confirmation hearing before the Committee on Transportation, Tourism, Customs, Utilities, Federal and Foreign Affairs at the Calvo Arriola Building in Hagatna.

Kasaka told the committee he is a U.S. veteran and former federal employee who has worked on logistics, mobile delivery services and veterans’ transition programs. He said his priorities as a GRTA board member would be improving accessibility and equity across transit services, strengthening partnerships with village mayors and nonprofit and private partners, supporting economic opportunity through transit connectivity, promoting environmentally sustainable equipment and ensuring fiscal responsibility and transparency.

The nominee described particular concern for southern villages and for veterans, seniors and residents with disabilities. He told the committee he would press the board and management to pursue routes and services that reach underserved communities and to coordinate with village mayors and veterans’ service providers.

The committee heard supporting testimony from GRTA interim managers and community members. Pierre Tim Ogan, who identified himself as interim CEO/executive manager for Guam Regional Transit Authority, described a master plan through 2050 and said GRTA is procuring buses and expanding operations. Ogan said 23 buses and vans were in procurement at the time of the hearing, with a goal of reaching 60 vehicles and establishing four transfer terminals (one north, one central, two south) to create express-service hubs and improve on-time performance. Ogan also told senators the agency had federal awards he described as about $34,000,000 and that those funds had been confirmed and would not be retracted, while noting GRTA still needs general fund support to hire employees and operate new services.

GRTA staff described the agency’s current workforce as roughly 52 employees, of which about 15–17 were classified positions; leadership said increased staffing would be required to expand services and that autonomy for the agency would speed hiring and operations.

Committee members asked Kasaka and GRTA staff several operational questions. Senators pressed Kasaka on how the board would measure whether transit reaches underserved populations; he answered that the board should work with management and community partners to develop performance measures and to prioritize service to southern villages, veterans and people with disabilities. Senators also asked about accountability, website updates and whether the nominee would support performance‑based decision making; Kasaka pledged transparency and cooperation with GRTA management.

Several senators on the panel gave verbal endorsements. Senator William A. Parkinson said he knows Kasaka and would support the nomination. Other senators who spoke in favor emphasized Kasaka’s military background, fleet and maintenance experience, and community work; one senator cited the importance of not abandoning the agency but fully boarding GRTA so it can operate effectively.

Committee directions and next steps: the chair said the committee will prepare its committee report and work to transmit the nomination packet to the full legislature; the chair indicated the intent to get the nomination on the July session calendar. Committee staff also were asked to coordinate with the nominee and GRTA management to transmit any outstanding material for floor consideration.

Why it matters: GRTA provides scheduled and paratransit services relied upon by residents who lack private vehicles, veterans, seniors and people with mobility needs; testimony at the hearing stressed that improved reliability, expanded routes and better transparency would affect daily commutes, access to health care and economic activity for island residents.

The confirmation hearing concluded with the committee thanking witnesses and noting it would follow up on outstanding paperwork and scheduling. No confirmation vote took place during the hearing.","Jeffrey D. Kasaka appeared by video and answered senators' questions June 25 during a confirmation hearing before the Committee on Transportation, Tourism, Customs, Utilities, Federal and Foreign Affairs at the Calvo Arriola Building in Hagatna.","actionData","errors"]

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Committee debates Bill 108-38 to authorize public‑private partnerships for cargo screening; Customs urges statutory and language changes

Senate committee hears nomination of Jeffrey D. Kasaka to Guam Regional Transit Authority board