Rules Committee clears 31 bills for upcoming session; speaker to set bill priorities and allow 15-minute author opening

The Committee on Rules of the 38th Guam Legislature on July 16 adopted a session agenda that places 16 bills on an initial list and 15 additional bills on a second list, ratified referrals and appointments for session consideration, and set guidance that the speaker will determine priorities for which bills are heard first.

The action clears a total of 31 bills to be considered during upcoming sessions and adds multiple nominees and appointments to the session calendar. Speaker Blas told the committee, “We have a very tight timeline,” citing concurrent organic-act anniversary events and the upcoming budget session.

The committee voted without recorded objection to accept the first list of 16 bills and then to accept the second list of 15 bills. The committee also ratified referral of multiple bill-number ranges and added several appointment confirmations to the session agenda. The chair subsequently moved to adopt the overall session agenda; there were “no objections” on each of the listed motions.

Why it matters: The Rules Committee’s adoption of the two lists and the session agenda sets which measures the full Legislature will be positioned to hear during the July–August session period, and the speaker’s prioritization will determine which bills receive floor time. Committee members agreed that each senator should have at least one bill heard and that, time permitting, additional bills may be scheduled.

Key details - First list accepted: 16 bills (examples read into record include Bill 16-38COR, Bill 17-38COR, Bill 30-38COR, Bill 45-38COR and others). The committee read descriptive captions that reference amendments and sections of the Guam Code Annotated for individual bills. - Second list accepted: 15 bills (examples read into record include Bill 5-38COR, Bill 12-38COR, Bill 21-38COR, Bill 24-38COR, Bill 31-38COR and others). - Appointments added for session consideration included nominees to the Guam Land Use Commission, Civil Service Commission, Guam Solid Waste Authority and Guam Regional Transit Authority. - Members agreed the speaker will organize bill order and prioritize each senator’s primary and secondary bill; senators were asked to provide their priority lists by the next morning so the speaker can set the session order. - Committee guidance: the speaker will allow up to 15 minutes for an author’s opening on their bill; other speakers’ time allotments remain at the chair/speaker’s discretion.

Discussion and directions Committee members discussed fairness in scheduling and proposed an alphabetical or rotating approach so each senator receives at least one guaranteed slot. Multiple senators supported a system that ensures every member with legislation will have at least one bill heard during the session; the speaker agreed to finalize priorities and notify members. The committee did not vote on a permanent scheduling rule; instead members directed the speaker’s office to produce and publish a prioritized order.

Formal actions recorded in committee minutes included motions to ratify referrals of bill ranges and resolutions, motions to accept both the first and second lists of bills for the session agenda, motions to add specific appointments to the session calendar, and the motion to adopt the session agenda. Each motion was adopted by voice vote with no recorded objections.

What’s next The speaker will publish the prioritized order for the session agenda after receiving senators’ primary and secondary priorities. Bills not addressed in this session will be carried forward to the next session in September, while the August session will focus primarily on the budget, the committee said.

Ending The Rules Committee adjourned at 2:45 p.m. after confirming the agenda and scheduling guidance for the upcoming session.