Committee advances multiple Chapter 11 funding amendments; key measures pass, some blocked as out of order

The Senate Committee on General Government Operations and Appropriations considered a slate of Chapter 11 supplemental and continuing-appropriation amendments on July 30, 2025, advancing several small grants and continuing-appropriation measures while blocking others as out of order or unsuccessful on voice/hand votes.

Committee members spent the evening voting through a long list of targeted appropriations and transfers drawn from FY2025 unobligated excess revenues reported in the July 2025 Consolidated Review and Expenditure Report (CRER). Lawmakers repeatedly cited the committee's internal rule limiting changes to funding sources for amendments and the body's effort to hold approximately 50% of projected excess revenue in reserve as reasons for objecting to some proposals.

The committee approved a number of continuing-appropriation items that let agencies and programs use unexpended balances from FY2025 and prior fiscal years. Passed items included continuing-authority language or specific small appropriations for Guam Department of Education-related programs (PTO grants request), Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services (targeted lapses/continuing use), Bureau of Statistics and Plans, Guam EPA, DISID (Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities), Guam Ethics Commission, Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center lapse authority, Harvest House (through DPHSS pass-through), the mayor's council (after an amendment setting the amount), the Fisherman's Co-op, and several other targeted grants. Several of those measures passed by unanimous voice or without recorded objection.

Not all proposals advanced. An $80,000 supplemental appropriation for the Guam Commission for Educator Certification (GCEC), presented by Senator Barnett, drew an objection and failed after a challenge and a failed motion to reconsider. A proposed $1 million direct appropriation for the Office of Veterans Affairs was objected to and failed. Several amendments were explicitly ruled out of order because they specified the general fund or would change the funding source while the committee was working in Chapter 11.

Votes at a glance

- Borja: Reappropriate DOE mold-mitigation/fencing monies (author: Senator Borja). Outcome: approved by no-objection voice/hand vote; details: author argued the funds were transferred to the executive branch earlier and should be returned to GDOE for mold mitigation/fencing work; committee later identified chapter/fund sequencing issues for related language.

- Borja: "Quentin Salapi principal" allocation (small school maintenance/classroom supplies). Outcome: amendment to change language from "appropriation" to "allocation" passed, but the chair later ruled that including the general fund in Chapter 11 language made the measure out of order for final placement (no action as incorporated into the bill).

- Barnett: Guam Commission for Educator Certification — $80,000 (author: Senator Barnett). Outcome: objected to and failed; a motion to reconsider also failed. Committee discussion recorded disagreement about whether the commission's shortfall should be addressed in this chapter.

- Barnett: Continuing appropriation for charter schools (allow prior-year allotments to carry into FY2026). Outcome: passed (no objection).

- Barnett: Continuing appropriation for Department of Corrections (allow prior-year lapses to continue into FY2026). Outcome: passed (no objection).

- Barnett: Parent-Teacher Organization grants ($205,000 to DOE to allow $5,000 PTO grants). Outcome: passed after debate and hand/voice vote.

- Barnett: Office of Veterans Affairs — $1,000,000. Outcome: objected to and failed after debate (members cited committee's policy of limiting FY2026 appropriations from projected excess revenues pending further revenue tracking).

- Blas / Blossom: Two small appropriations to support foster-care providers/Harvest House Resource Center (pass-through via DPHSS). Outcome: passed; language clarified as DPHSS pass-through to Harvest House.

- Perez: DISID private caregiving services ($150,000) and a follow-on $23,000. Outcome: both passed (no objections). The funding was described as paying roughly 16'21 hours of care per week for dozens of clients at $15'$20/hour.

- Perez: Allow Bureau of Statistics & Plans, Guam EPA, DPHSS, DISID, and Guam Ethics Commission to use prior-year unexpended balances. Outcome: passed by no-objection voice votes.

- Metinani / Mayors: After an amendment and an amendment-to-amend, the mayor's council received $2,000,000 continuing-appropriation language. Outcome: amendment as amended passed.

- Duenas: Fisherman's Co-op — $300,000 to support temporary facility and transition costs. Outcome: passed (no objections).

- Talahi: Adjust FY2023 audited-excess split (move funds from GVB to Guam Memorial Hospital). Outcome: objected and failed on hand/voice vote.

- Paris: $2,500,000 supplemental for DPHSS Medicaid match and program needs. Outcome: objection; motion failed.

How decisions were reached and process notes

• Multiple items were resolved by voice or hand vote; committee records do not include a roll-call tally for those measures. Several measures were explicitly objected to and failed after members raised concerns about appropriating FY2026 funds before revenue realization. Committee leadership repeatedly cited the July 2025 CRER and a conservative approach to spending projected excess revenue as justification for objections.

• The committee chair ruled some amendments out of order when proposals tried to specify the general fund or change funding sources while the body was confined to Chapter 11 language. That procedural ruling removed at least one otherwise debated amendment from consideration.

• Several members asked for more time and for follow-up: a number of amendments preserved continuing-appropriation language so agencies can use prior-year lapses and unexpended balances through FY2026, which supporters said will avoid service interruptions.

What matters next

The committee closed Chapter 11 after exhausting amendments. Membership debate throughout the evening highlighted tension between immediate targeted aid for hospitals, veterans and social services versus conservative stewardship of projected FY2026 excess revenues. Committee members and sponsors signaled follow-up work: supplemental appropriations or later reconsideration after additional CRER updates and revenue tracking in the next fiscal quarter.