[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6152247,"mediaKeyId","5499341-6cbaf3493b5c099cc43c7eaff1787da0","parentId",5499341,"title","Bill to allow temporary peace‑officer certification advanced to help hire criminal‑justice graduates","audioSeconds",1461,"startMs",5804000,"endMs",7265000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5499341-6cbaf3493b5c099cc43c7eaff1787da0&start=5804&end=7265","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5499341-6cbaf3493b5c099cc43c7eaff1787da0/thumbnail_5804000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6152247/Bill-to-allow-temporary-peaceofficer-certification-advanced-to-help-hire-criminaljustice-graduates","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6152247-64a6e1295025cc8e09297e42a114ca94/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163860&Signature=mHcPQz7WkoCmni6v2zZ3rgfiEh7qX6BauwOxnmhB26k5QPik9ok7uLiWgMwzyukTmqOUNh2vOOr3guViOGlSPuifNxjvZTsANXieT~-grJZWyZvr-4~36B8C0vTQckrP3GAFyJzrRdjb6keIlpfZ~RpqcesTL-1G30dJWcih~Wb3vAzijtDB21Iym2ur1~CC-CV5rL~MtV~I3J0eSKUX8V2ipIgz4vuKkI3VsSpTT~D0gl85ja2MORYytz~rjJ2FKnwHc2cEjVCu37VC-eIzVRv2dJt3k0wcsB5fxwXT5gO89l~H4WuWpmIMtSAlfYqBCFLgrMyPMXPPmLxSxTcURg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Guam Legislature","date","2025-07-29T07:37:36Z","article","Senator Gomitato moved to place Bill 103‑38 on the third‑reading/voting file and described it as authorizing temporary peace‑officer certification for individuals with a degree in criminal justice or equivalent and who are in good standing. The measure, as amended in committee, allows employing agencies to prescribe limited duties for temporarily certified hires and requires those hires to obtain full POST certification within nine months; failure to do so may lead to separation from employment.

Why it matters: Supporters said the bill addresses a recruitment challenge: University of Guam criminal‑justice graduates and other degree holders have at times waited long periods for POST certification, limiting public agencies’ ability to hire qualified graduates. The measure was framed as a way to retain local graduates and expand the applicant pool for public safety agencies.

Key committee changes adopted and described on the floor: the nine‑month requirement to obtain full certification; preserving agency authority under 17 GCA §51105(c) to set higher qualifications than the POST Commission; authorization for the Attorney General to waive a two‑year investigative experience requirement for an AG investigator position in certain cases; and a provision that use of the Manpower Development Fund for required courses must be subject to approval by either the Guam Department of Labor director or the Guam Community College Board of Trustees.

The bill sponsor cited support from public‑safety leaders and legal stakeholders who said temporary certification would help agencies such as the Office of the Attorney General, Judiciary, Department of Corrections and Guam Police Department recruit and retain locally trained graduates. Committee members noted the POST Commission has placed temporary certification on its work plan and that the bill gives the commission statutory authority to proceed.

Outcome: The Legislature ordered Bill 103‑38, as amended, to the voting file. If enacted, agencies would retain discretion to hire temporarily certified applicants and to set additional qualification standards; the nine‑month window and funding approvals for training were included to limit risk.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","38th Guam Legislature Regular Session - July 29, 2025 PM PT. 3","oneSentenceSummary","Bill 103‑38, ordered to the voting file, would authorize temporary POST certification for degree‑qualified applicants and set a nine‑month deadline for full certification, while preserving agency discretion on hiring standards.","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},6152250,"Legislature advances bill requiring biannual public reports on use of unclassified government hires",2023,3720000,5743000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5499341-6cbaf3493b5c099cc43c7eaff1787da0&start=3720&end=5743","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5499341-6cbaf3493b5c099cc43c7eaff1787da0/thumbnail_3720000.jpg","/articles/6152250/Legislature-advances-bill-requiring-biannual-public-reports-on-use-of-unclassified-government-hires","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6152250-92588bc0dd92ed46b6ff52c181239f32/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163860&Signature=WJOW5313SFACsPPYoTEdEWpXyMCiGgHeq0nR10ETXNLDW7Gu3HHtxpALww24Bq0w-OHpSCQVk1mBlNdAXVaGv4Qv15u2ZHyDSinS1ruVoqtSHOV0axqJKCruEBdgvqfElGbMWaLL7SF605WW7kxw9NnX1bcgUb28lO228zndYMneUJoAQg7kcMucrB13rOtJj3fvLxw9pB2~xVX32bELUKJ99peuX~~mxq0U03NhjbfpL5Hukxh6-nC~UI5kf9xJe6m5L9rXeGrjC7JHE5Pw12LCGsF4Bk9MyfG~QJHx4I~bzNvRK7eeMX5hCWZ4t4QYvifHTetX6NFFkhQGh5GpLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator [author present on floor] moved to place Bill 16‑38 on the third‑reading file and described it as a transparency measure requiring biannual public reporting on the use of unclassified employment across government. The bill would require branches, agencies, autonomous agencies, instrumentalities and public corporations to report: position title and number; pay grade and step; salary; and the reason(s) why it was not practicable to use the merit system for a given post.

Why it matters: Sponsors said the measure protects career (classified) employees by ensuring that agencies justify when they hire non‑competitive, unclassified personnel for roles typically filled through the merit system. Supporters referenced Guam’s Organic Act and a history of administrative and legal disputes over classification that have produced costly settlements.

Floor supporters — including members who chaired oversight hearings and the public auditor’s office — described the bill as a tool to identify patterns of noncompetitive hiring, deter abuse of unclassified appointments, and restore morale among classified staff. The public auditor’s earlier testimony was cited in committee as a key reason to require regular reporting.

Concerns and questions: Several senators noted the Department of Administration did not testify at the committee hearing and that the fiscal and operational impact on DOA was not fully addressed in the committee report. Senator Perez asked whether DOA had been consulted about implementation; the sponsor said the committee had sought DOA input and awaited its presence. Other senators suggested aligning the new reporting requirement with existing staffing‑pattern reporting in the budget law rather than creating duplicate or inconsistent obligations.

Outcome: The Legislature ordered Bill 16‑38 to the third‑reading file without objection. The bill remains subject to later debate on the floor and possible technical amendments to address DOA implementation and penalty or enforcement provisions.

","Bill 16‑38 would require all branches, agencies and public corporations of government to report twice a year on unclassified hires occupying classified positions, including position title, pay grade/step, salary and justification why the merit system was impracticable; sponsors framed the measure as transparency to protect the merit system.",{"_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},6152254,"Legislature advances bill allowing military commercial‑driver certification to qualify for Guam chauffeur endorsements",350,3226000,3576000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5499341-6cbaf3493b5c099cc43c7eaff1787da0&start=3226&end=3576","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5499341-6cbaf3493b5c099cc43c7eaff1787da0/thumbnail_3226000.jpg","/articles/6152254/Legislature-advances-bill-allowing-military-commercialdriver-certification-to-qualify-for-Guam-chauffeur-endorsements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6152254-0ed9ed6291f23e6832a9547a7b75acf1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163860&Signature=OdcSLoVGT40qrmjxfneFDQ2jkSvf0IhrDdG6jP51Xo0ZIsQj7JyrJ-~CroYIsSPUMIxEAz1ihoMtgwqLB7-Zjo-dqD5iARKYuuhmPif2US6JTerNKh1FHIc1tZeGe~y4o7ys-C8WofUmmjTb3GxUWw5O46fff3Jn3AEQ26MXXEct2b-3vGyaIDR3B~t~VZ2ct5bSPCE1d8vvSicZbExJl0hQZiUjfAD4~MTVgA74qAHZT-TJLROZ59tQn3gUQ3MO0ISjlwRn9LbfvMldjpwI2287duwxh0zcdD7hMfWlIM2hhHh2P8dsseZTaesmjtBaZdXP9YmOZhqMNcjGhKLaUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Jesse Lujan (presenting the bill as introducer on the floor) moved to place Bill 84‑38 on the third‑reading file and explained the measure would allow Guam’s Department of Revenue and Taxation (DRT), in consultation with the Office of Veterans Affairs, to grant a chauffeur endorsement on a Guam driver’s license when an applicant holds a verified military commercial‑driver certification.

Why it matters: Proponents said the measure eases veterans’ transition to civilian employment that requires commercial‑driver qualifications by recognizing U.S. military driver training. The amended version adopted in committee adds verification and anti‑fraud provisions and allows DRT to require road testing if the military certificate is more than five years old.

The floor presentation explained the bill’s mechanics: verification of a DD‑214 (or NGB‑22 for National Guard) by Guam Veterans Affairs; authority for DRT to require additional documentation or a road test for stale certifications; and a 120‑day rulemaking deadline after enactment to create an equivalency matrix and documentation protocol. The oversight committee chair reported that amendments were adopted to guard against fraud, require documentation to support endorsement eligibility, and create a re‑testing rule for certificates older than five years. The chair said the amendment “aligns with the best practices used by commercial licensing and federal CDL waivers.”

Outcome: The body ordered Bill 84‑38, as amended, to third reading without objection. The bill’s sponsor asked that the committee chair be added as a cosponsor on the floor; the request was granted.

What’s next: If the measure is enacted, DRT and the Guam Office of Veterans Affairs will draft the verification processes and rules; DRT will promulgate implementing regulations within 120 days as required by the amendment.

","Bill 84‑38 would let Revenue and Taxation grant chauffeur endorsements on Guam licenses when veterans verify federal military driver certification; the bill adds safeguards including veteran verification, testing if certification is older than five years, and a 120‑day rulemaking mandate.",{"_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},6152259,"Guam Legislature advances bill expanding Good Samaritan immunity to ambulance transport and bystanders",3054,132000,3186000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5499341-6cbaf3493b5c099cc43c7eaff1787da0&start=132&end=3186","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5499341-6cbaf3493b5c099cc43c7eaff1787da0/thumbnail_132000.jpg","/articles/6152259/Guam-Legislature-advances-bill-expanding-Good-Samaritan-immunity-to-ambulance-transport-and-bystanders","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6152259-c98672555474cb942a794b370289690a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163860&Signature=QcjV6HXEOf~qmTkqtGGksH1xvwdJyiSTaRkE5GsEcC~f80zHcMf7fI7jV6ekT~wAi3Zk4dK8RXZ7biB33e0m9tFDwgjLAHEUIYtc2Nr-MzI79RO9bDdxdAYwINO6YI7KCWOG6KCMuW~PQ0Bu~RC08Sfz2UXLZA79I0Zzotmv7rKkwsfjkMDktibmvaX-6tNb0YePDpPk0YsJFbxdp330fZFfDHrcSzuvWPCR6NKTx1yn0yBUUR8z~7wq2Ybc05u0Y0~6npugY3lxDNueM~rAK2Tz2UFkstFfF5BXoRdmYdQ1khWP6k7yqpPRjihuwxnPu~NDpmBHKkNP0nG3DWS20w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Speaker Frank Blasch, the bill’s author, moved Wednesday to place Bill 76-38 — a proposal “to add a new subsection 2104.1 to article 1, part 1, chapter 2, title 20, Guam Code Annotated relative to emergency care immunity from liability” — on the third‑reading file and opened floor discussion. The measure would expand civil immunity for people who render emergency medical assistance in good faith, including bystanders, CPR‑trained individuals and emergency responders, and would explicitly extend protections during transport to medical facilities.

Why it matters: Supporters said the change reduces hesitation to offer life‑saving aid and fills a gap they say exists in local law for care rendered while a patient is in transit. Opponents and some agency witnesses cautioned the bill’s language could unintentionally shield regulated private companies or medical providers who operate for pay.

On the floor, Blasch said the bill “provides immunity, protection from liability, for primarily those individuals that provide and render emergency medical assistance in good faith,” and he emphasized the expansion to cover care “during transport” as the central change. He also said the definition of good faith in the measure is tied to the absence of gross negligence: “good faith is the absence of gross negligence,” he said, adding that he had consulted the Criminal Law Revision Commission and the Attorney General’s office on that definition.

Senators supporting the bill pointed to examples in other U.S. jurisdictions and urged protections for volunteers and trained responders. Senator Tietaly said federal and state analogs “provide immunity from emergency medical aid and AED … assistance must be given without the expectation of compensation.” Senator Cowell said the bill “does not protect reckless or malicious behavior” and called it a balance between encouraging aid and protecting the public.

Several senators raised concerns about breadth. Senator Trelahi and others questioned whether the bill might apply to private ambulance companies or clinics that normally carry insurance and operate for compensation. The author and supporters responded by moving two floor amendments inserting the phrase “without compensation” in key subsections so that protections would clearly apply to unpaid aid; the amendments were adopted on the floor. Senator Law and Senator Chilayi asked whether amendments should instead expand the existing 20 GCA §2104 (the statute on persons rendering emergency assistance) rather than create a separate subsection, to avoid unintended coverage changes.

The Guam Fire Department and Department of Public Health and Social Services had testified during earlier hearings that some protections already exist under current law and departmental protocols; proponents of the bill said the measure clarifies coverage for modern EMS practice and for advanced lifesaving techniques applied in transport. Blasch cited operational gaps and emergency response capacity on the island, noting there were “only 6 ambulances” and referencing National Fire Protection standards that would call for more vehicles.

Outcome: On a motion by Speaker Frank Blasch, with no recorded objections on the floor, the Legislature ordered Bill 76‑38 placed on the third‑reading file as amended. The bill as amended adds the words “without compensation” in specified subsections and includes additional technical clarifications adopted on the floor; cosponsors were added during debate.

What’s next: The bill moves to third reading for final floor debate and a roll‑call vote. If enacted, agencies such as the Department of Public Health and Social Services and the Guam Fire Department would continue to play a role in implementing and interpreting standards for EMS care and transport.

","Legislators voted to move Bill 76-38 to third reading after debate and on‑the‑floor amendments to clarify that immunity applies only when emergency care is provided in good faith and without compensation; lawmakers discussed scope for private transport, obstetrical care and existing Guam statute protections.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6152243,"Legislature advances requirement that plea agreements include proof victims were notified",582,7514000,8096000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5499341-6cbaf3493b5c099cc43c7eaff1787da0&start=7514&end=8096","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5499341-6cbaf3493b5c099cc43c7eaff1787da0/thumbnail_7514000.jpg","/articles/6152243/Legislature-advances-requirement-that-plea-agreements-include-proof-victims-were-notified","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6152243-20959645c979b198cdd471770862e643/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163860&Signature=W6qroSIwt9Uj1Kh-9T89s~8b2ajg3Po06z418B7QFkSMcb7d4LOE2hfzh8oQgeAbCA5ob0BYsERPQy4c4tVuAEK3Vs9oWF40NVoCDKrhueWTCm6W2iV-o5s3ZfsQ0X8ejKAzcCbsgU4-Gjs3sOuNp9qsYbEGvWwHLMM1-hVE2SUnJuCyYJbhwC8i1FO3TEQ9qXHbcmYdmZYVkuyQ0ywduX2hx1WKYI-rLbAlis~a2FV0~Uk3dpPiqftyfBjiQHeR5FnT0E5VG-5LxJm0MDuagFzMXgY8dVpuKLRRWIpuEYhFsLt4csdsPh~NOQYSqNvSCIaXxFfrigMLQ6YQ3yWDKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Parkinson (bill sponsor on floor) moved to place Bill 106‑38 on the third‑reading file, describing the bill as amending Guam law to require that no plea agreement be accepted by a court unless the prosecution provides reasonable documented proof that the victim has been notified. Sponsors and supporters framed the measure as a guardrail to prevent victims from being blindsided by plea outcomes and to formalize existing practices used by the Attorney General’s Victims’ Response Unit.

Why it matters: Supporters said victims’ advocates and trauma‑informed practitioners report that victims can be re‑traumatized when they are not informed about plea outcomes or do not have an opportunity to express their views before a court accepts a plea. The bill requires documented proof that either the AG’s crime victims response unit or a prosecutor assigned to the case certified that the victim had been notified or that reasonable efforts were made to notify the victim.

Committee and floor actions: The committee reported extensive hearings and testimony from victims’ advocates, Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center and the National Association of Social Workers (Guam chapter). At the committee’s suggestion, the floor adopted an amendment to expand the certification language so the required certification can be provided by either the Attorney General’s crime victims response unit or the prosecutor assigned to the case. That amendment was debated on the floor; a motion to reconsider the body's earlier objection to adding prosecutors failed and the amendment was adopted by recorded voice/hand count.

Supporters urged passage as a measure that formalizes victim notification practices and that would add a certification requirement to the plea process. Some committee testimony and floor discussion emphasized the role of trained victim advocates in communicating with victims, especially those with trauma, language or cultural barriers; proponents said the bill does not prevent victim advocates from being involved.

Outcome: The bill was ordered to third reading as amended in committee and on the floor. The floor adopted the amendment specifying that certification may be provided by the AG’s crime victims response unit or by the prosecutor assigned to the case.

What’s next: The bill will return for final consideration on third reading; if enacted, courts and the Attorney General’s office would need to adopt or document procedures for producing the required proof of notification before plea acceptance.

","Bill 106‑38 would require courts to accept plea agreements only when the prosecution supplies documented proof that victims were notified; the committee added a floor amendment to allow either the Attorney General’s crime‑victim response unit or the prosecutor assigned to the case to certify notification.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bill to allow temporary peace‑officer certification advanced to help hire criminal‑justice graduates

Legislature advances bill requiring biannual public reports on use of unclassified government hires

Legislature advances bill allowing military commercial‑driver certification to qualify for Guam chauffeur endorsements

Guam Legislature advances bill expanding Good Samaritan immunity to ambulance transport and bystanders

Legislature advances requirement that plea agreements include proof victims were notified