Senator Shonika Vitato moved to place Bill 73-38 COR in the third-reading file and described the measure as an authorization to transfer ownership and administrative jurisdiction of Lot 15, Block F, Tract 9 in Barragada Heights from the Chamorro Land Trust Commission (CLTC) to the Guam Police Department (GPD) for development of a public-safety emergency communications center.

Vitato said the proposal responds to interoperability problems among local first responders and with federal and regional partners. Vitato quoted the Guam Police Department chief’s May 22 public hearing testimony: "There is a critical need to construct this purpose built facility in a location that is centralized and in an isolated area, which is a strategic combination to ensure security, resilience, and effectiveness in emergency response operations," attributed to Guam Police Chief Stephen Ignacio.

Vitato and other proponents said a centralized, purpose-built facility would allow GPD and the Guam Fire Department to co-locate dispatch and next-generation 9-1-1 capabilities and support updated land-mobile radio systems. Vitato said Barragada was chosen after consultations and a site visit with Barragada Mayor June Blas and that the Barragada Municipal Planning Council passed a resolution supporting the project.

Opponents and several senators urged caution and raised procedural and fiduciary issues tied to the CLTC. Senators citing CLTC hearing minutes said the trust told the Legislature it had issued more leases in Barragada Heights than there is land available, and suggested the acting CLTC director identify alternate parcels suitable for GPD’s needs. One senator said Chamorro Land Trust representatives made a motion at their meeting to notify the bill’s author and the oversight chair that the trust would identify alternate lots for the agency.

Multiple senators warned about the CLTC’s fiduciary duty to beneficiaries and the risk of litigation if assets are permanently removed from the trust without recompense. One legislator cited a prior court ruling about ancestral land removal that found permanent removal of trust assets could constitute a compensable taking under U.S. and Guam law; that senator urged the body to avoid steps that might prompt more lawsuits.

Legislators also debated practical project issues: site control is commonly needed before agencies can complete design and seek federal or other grants; some witnesses in committee testimony said HUD Community Planning and Development (CPD) funds were not appropriate at this time; proponents said securing the lot is necessary to pursue specific grants and to finalize site plans.

A motion — a notwithstanding motion to send the bill back to committee so CLTC could identify alternate lots — failed on a show-of-hands vote. The Legislature accepted an amendment that added a reversion clause requiring the property to revert to the Chamorro Land Trust Commission if the Guam Police Department "fail[s] to construct the public safety emergency communication center after 10 years from the date of enactment." The amendment passed without recorded objection, and the author said the bill would be advanced with that amendment. The final motion to move the bill to third reading passed by show of hands.

Clarifying details discussed on the record include the lot identification as Lot 15, Block F, Tract 9 in Barragada Heights as stated in the bill title; the mayor of Barragada's role in proposing the site; testimony that CLTC may have over-issued leases in Barragada Heights and offered to identify alternate available parcels; and that available funding sources being explored include local appropriations, federal grants, E-911 funds and potential cost-sharing with military partners, though no funding agreement was reported on the floor.

Ending: With the 10-year reversion clause added and the motion to advance passed, Bill 73-38 COR was placed on the third-reading file for a future vote; sponsors said they will pursue funding and design work once site control is secured.