[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6454300,"mediaKeyId","5861333-83c48432d6afbf656823f3b6139f7f69","parentId",5861333,"title","Committee considers Bill 176-38 to let tenants in good standing renew government commercial leases at fair market value","audioSeconds",2086,"startMs",5069000,"endMs",7155000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5861333-83c48432d6afbf656823f3b6139f7f69&start=5069&end=7155","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5861333-83c48432d6afbf656823f3b6139f7f69/thumbnail_5069000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6454300/Committee-considers-Bill-176-38-to-let-tenants-in-good-standing-renew-government-commercial-leases-at-fair-market-value","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454300-8bc902784282f30b77e732e1e02ea0dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1775405509&Signature=hD8cffttITDdVC4Fbstz7pJRUhfZWIQ7o0h3hoG4HcwgMahGvDHW37GxW8URrgR7qOZ1JUevP0E~EcENBjeCbqqOy18~ZU4EThnyGYrHfTFxs915X3nhQphB6ubK9Airuy90BqmeRH8-pQTROeSXVtoTsNSlrTh3P4Ac2ehvdOdXSBcpyHmV1BztfKYM-7gOPg0YbPfOX5YtjLiGKuqJvEUjX63DMSEhxZtU5fKlqwvMDNv9BS~HLDnTErAgpzX161wh1gbg7hnIUs7d29VEou4eZEcQZbeSWGzs1QIg9rcKaqwPWntELgAB5xjMQ9Ht73~CygV50Zo0SMjFTxIZiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Guam Legislature","date","2025-09-26T12:39:14Z","article","The committee heard testimony Friday on Bill 176-38 COR, a proposed change to how the government renews commercial leases of public land. Under current practice, expiring leases typically are subject to bids and awarded to the highest bidder; the bill would allow existing tenants in good standing to renew at fair market value rather than being required to re-compete immediately for the site.

Christina Garcia, testifying for the Guam Economic Development Authority (GEDA), said the bill would support local businesses by allowing established tenants to continue operations while ensuring rent is adjusted to current fair market value. “Bill 176-38 is clear. Simple, direct, and fair,” Garcia said in testimony.

Business owners who spoke said lease continuity supports local employment and supply chains. Anthony Regis of the Americana Group (doing business as Carpet Store) told senators his family-operated businesses have occupied the site since 1981 and employ 22 local residents; he asked lawmakers to weigh the community value of long-standing tenants against the theoretical gains from re-leasing to highest bidders.

Senators raised procurement and public-asset concerns. Several members noted statutory requirements that land-related transactions meet appraisal standards and that fair market value determinations protect public trust assets; one senator cited 2 GCA §2107(b), which calls for two appraisals on certain land-related legislation. Committee members also asked how “good standing” would be verified; GEDA said it would consider on-time rent payment, compliance with lease terms and routine inspections and expected to present tenant lists and terms to the committee on request.

Opposition points raised during questioning included the risk that the bill could deny competing bidders a chance to secure longer terms and the potential for undervaluing public leases if appraisal procedures are not sufficiently robust. Senators reminded GEDA of a prior controversy involving a proposed extension for a submarine landing-station lease (cited in testimony) in which the governor vetoed an extension in part because of disagreement over fair market valuation.

No final vote was taken. Committee members asked GEDA for a list of affected tenants, copies of current lease terms, and clarification on appraisal procurement and how fair market value would be determined to protect the public interest before any markup.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Public Hearing - Vice Speaker V. Anthony Ada - September 26, 2025 8:30am","oneSentenceSummary","The committee heard testimony Friday on Bill 176-38 COR, which would allow existing commercial tenants on government property to renew leases in good standing at fair market value instead of going immediately to competitive bidding.","taxTitle","Legislature 2025, Guam, International","taxId",80602,"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},6454309,"Guam committee hears proposal letting homeowners buy small government lots to fix setback violations",1071,86000,1157000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5861333-83c48432d6afbf656823f3b6139f7f69&start=86&end=1157","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5861333-83c48432d6afbf656823f3b6139f7f69/thumbnail_86000.jpg","/articles/6454309/Guam-committee-hears-proposal-letting-homeowners-buy-small-government-lots-to-fix-setback-violations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454309-800a9df3e1ebef5abfa10c47cdbcb8c8/orig.mp4?Expires=1775405509&Signature=AcCo-MgOVBfPWJQ7ulkuHP0yCKe0WLBw6DzBuoJEd5KczJaBbyO2-VjKj8P6ec1ZkM44TmqWlAzr0G6qxWwftkDcoNpqUemlhEXHxAXMwuKiPUs7Qc9n17QWARIzTBcr9LqXjOHCwCoy~0Q~eBR3AVPLnYIZlB8A~dK31CvLMy3h6ngN7IkFr1Ify~IA25Zh-BQG-ZSBxEulPvVpTN-XirZW07Dn-5g9qnRZWcl1vjeGJsrasrZS1LsgH4BYkDdn1RsA2DNeOblYBuU60StD2fK9x5naJueUxFypSMxAdss9Y6ix~5VLSeDHN61S-PYDrfeVwXmvdl~qH6gxHR6uAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Vice Speaker Tony Atta convened a public hearing Friday on Bill 79-38 COR, a proposal that would authorize the sale of a portion of Block 8 (described in testimony as a park area adjacent to private homes) so that neighboring homeowners can buy land needed to meet setback requirements.

The bill’s author said the measure is intended to help homeowners whose existing houses violate current setback rules obtain mortgages and make repairs by allowing the owner to purchase up to 3,600 square feet of adjacent government property. Under the draft language, a purchaser would pay fair market value and be responsible for any required appraisals and surveys.

The measure’s sponsor and proponents said the problem arises when houses built decades ago became nonconforming under later setback rules. “I’m not here to ask for anything free from the government of Guam or to take away anything from the people. I’m here to make something right that I was not aware of,” homeowner Kevin Sysweco said in oral testimony describing his difficulty refinancing a home after a bank flagged setback issues.

Joseph Artero Cameron, introduced as a commissioner of the Chamorro Land Trust Commission, and other witnesses described practical difficulties in earlier attempts to resolve ownership and obtain a variance. Testimony noted confusion about which agency holds title to the parcel; one member said Department of Parks and Recreation had previously been identified as the owning agency for the site. Committee members asked whether alternatives such as easements had been pursued and whether proceeds from any sale should be directed to recreation programs if the land is DPR property.

A witness who identified himself as “Director Steves” cautioned the committee that different government entities hold different parcels and that some land may be subject to federal covenants or bond restrictions that could block a sale. He also suggested a limited grandfathering approach for older homes and warned of operational constraints: surveys and other implementation steps could take months because of the small number of surveyors on-island.

Committee members pressed for clearer maps and title verification; one senator said she could not find a map attached to the hearing materials and urged GEDA and the Department of Parks and Recreation to confirm ownership before markup. Questions also touched on whether proceeds from a sale should be deposited into the Tomorrowland Trust Infrastructure and Survey Fund or redirected to DPR-led recreation programs in the affected village.

No formal action or vote was taken during the hearing. Committee members said they would request additional documentation — including property maps, title/ownership confirmation, and the results of inquiries into whether federal covenants or bond restrictions apply — before any markup.

The committee adjourned the public hearing on Bill 79-38 COR and moved to the next item.","Vice Speaker Tony Atta convened a public hearing Friday on Bill 79-38 COR, a proposal that would authorize the sale of a portion of Block 8 (described in testimony as a park area adjacent to private homes) so that neighboring homeowners can buy land needed to meet setback requirements.",{"_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},6454304,"Guam committee hears bill to ban source-of-income housing discrimination; enforcement and scope debated",3883,1159000,5042000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5861333-83c48432d6afbf656823f3b6139f7f69&start=1159&end=5042","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5861333-83c48432d6afbf656823f3b6139f7f69/thumbnail_1159000.jpg","/articles/6454304/Guam-committee-hears-bill-to-ban-source-of-income-housing-discrimination-enforcement-and-scope-debated","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454304-bff73dcd18c5ee58c3324222ed146734/orig.mp4?Expires=1775405509&Signature=PxZqQfW9G6VqNoKOBKxWWcSJ9Jr8hxAumE5Zhbgb7EBkqXD56kwsFrZWyrlnt022pfVy~FsHU5MsKGOu7Zo4x0O4jozioJqunczMzHtoPVSLKg5gF9NSdvkFEzOIUR1rJLLzQk63LEp18i2R3fRpC~duUtkkLHwzLgelmgys0llvjKRlWFXBXb-2igGTmFlS6jkr5kfZdbP8Nn1vkys61ziHcCsBYuLoz6JBRTx4-HbAIRJHpV8wjAwuucxFDGYVXwZ~Tg08l8kf-hkfOH2oTDMW176DiQYFC-w3S0b5nc1naOuswCoiE4zRazpKFRq9SyCD-qTSENc9dGdwnaUMHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Guam Legislature’s committee on land and housing heard testimony Friday on Bill 29-38 COR, which would add a prohibition on housing discrimination based on a person’s source of income, including federal housing vouchers, Veterans Affairs supportive housing vouchers, Social Security benefits, guardian or trust payments and other lawful sources.

Senator Sabina Perez, the bill’s author, said the measure seeks to expand equitable access to housing for families, veterans and people with disabilities. The bill cites national research and local needs, noting that Guam had 2,718 authorized Section 8 vouchers and a 97% lease rate reported in testimony; a 2020 Guam housing study cited in testimony reported that 74.7% of needed units are for households below HUD income eligibility thresholds.

Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority (GURA) Deputy Director Fernando Steves told the committee that GURA supports the bill’s intent but recommended amendments to address enforcement and common practices that could evade the statute — for example, “bait and switch” pricing where advertised rents change after a landlord learns a prospective tenant’s income source. Steves said such practices have appeared in rapid rehousing and disaster-relief placements and argued the bill should consider consumer-protection approaches to require advertised prices be clear and not adjusted because of a tenant’s income source. GURA also said administering enforcement would require staff time and suggested an initial budget request of about $50,000 to start baseline investigations and rulemaking if the legislature assigns enforcement to an agency.

Nonprofit WestCare Pacific Islands and the Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities (DISID) testified in strong support. WestCare said clients seeking housing are often denied despite having a lawful means to pay rent and argued the bill will promote stability and reduce long-term public costs by preventing homelessness. The acting DISID director said source-of-income protection would address equity and break down stigma faced by people with disabilities.

The Attorney General’s Office, represented by Deputy Attorney General Lee Miller, warned the committee that many protections described by proponents already exist under federal Fair Housing law, the Americans with Disabilities Act and other federal statutory schemes. He recommended narrowing the bill or considering enforcement via executive agency processes rather than relying primarily on the courts. Miller also suggested removing certain tenant transfer fees and other transaction charges from statute and urged the committee to consider consumer-facing enforcement methods rather than making the judiciary the principal enforcement channel.

Committee members raised implementation questions about enforcement pathways (judicial vs. executive), how complaints would be documented and resourced, and whether other laws — including Guam consumer-protection statutes (cited in testimony as Section 32103q, Chapter 32, Title 5, Guam Code Annotated) — should be integrated into the bill to prevent bait-and-switch practices. Witnesses and senators discussed a possible markup to refine enforcement language, exemptions (testimony suggested excluding temporary lodging, commercial rentals and sales of real property), and whether GURA would be the logical administrative agency if enforcement is handled by executive staff.

No vote was taken at the hearing. Committee members asked for possible amendments to address advertised-pricing protections and enforcement mechanisms and encouraged nonprofit providers to report instances of discrimination so the extent of the problem can be documented for lawmakers.","Bill 29-38 COR would make it unlawful in Guam for landlords to deny housing, raise price, or otherwise discriminate because a tenant’s income comes from vouchers, veterans’ benefits, disability payments or other lawful sources. GURA, nonprofits and disability services supported the intent but disagreed on enforcement mechanisms and gaps such as “","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee considers Bill 176-38 to let tenants in good standing renew government commercial leases at fair market value

Guam committee hears proposal letting homeowners buy small government lots to fix setback violations

Guam committee hears bill to ban source-of-income housing discrimination; enforcement and scope debated