The Committee of the Whole considered the FY2026 appropriation for the Guam Commission for Educator Certification (GCEC) and several senators raised concerns that the commission’s request was higher than the status‑quo amount included in the bill.

OFB reported the GCEC appropriation for FY26 is $296,271 and that the appropriation is drawn from the Guam Educational Facilities Fund. Senators noted a letter from GCEC director Dr. Michelle Santos requesting $372,401 to fund desired staff levels and the new executive director. Senator Barnett read the commission’s letter into the record and said the commission had described the appropriation as critical to maintaining educator certification standards.

OFB staff said there is no statutorily required percentage of the Guam Educational Facilities Fund that must go to any single entity; appropriations are set by the Legislature. OFB also said special‑revenue tracking shows the education facilities fund is currently tracking below the prior estimate (the fund was tracking at roughly $33.7M compared with the $35.9M estimate), which informed the conservative appropriation level.

Senators discussed the possibility of addressing a small gap through miscellaneous appropriations if the commission’s request is deemed necessary; Senator Borja suggested internal adjustments or a later miscellaneous appropriation could be used to cover the shortfall. Senators also noted that rev and tax revaluation activity may change real property tax collections that feed the education facilities fund and that mid‑year adjustments might be possible if revenues increase.

Ending: Committee members asked OFB and staff to review the commission’s request and consider whether the small funding gap could be addressed in a later amendment or in miscellaneous appropriations; no amendment was adopted during this session.