The presiding officer ruled multiple floor amendments out of order after the Office of Finance and Budget (OFB) reported an estimated $4.5 million remaining in FY25 net unobligated excess revenues, and motions to overrule or to reconsider the chair’s rulings failed on the floor.

Senators seeking to obligate FY25 excess revenues for items including education and nonprofit support urged leniency and asked to amend amounts downward to fit the available balance. Those senators argued that Guam Department of Education had communicated an urgent need for funds to avoid cuts to staff, substitute teachers and critical services.

The chair repeatedly explained the basis for the rulings as inadequate available revenues and said previous amendments had appropriated the available amounts. Several senators attempted to overrule the chair; one senator moved to overrule and offered an explanation on the floor, but the body voted against the motion. A similar motion to reconsider the chair’s action also failed.

On the floor senators discussed audit timing and revenue estimates. One senator said the FY24 government audit could produce additional funds when it is finalized in November or December, but the chair maintained that all available FY24 and FY25 excess revenue had been previously appropriated and therefore the pending amendments could not be entertained.

The rulings affected several amendment files identified on the floor (for example, CBL9P23 and related items). The chair directed the committee to continue with the amendments already in the legislative drive for the current chapter and said the committee would provide finalized balance figures when it proceeded to the next chapter.

No new appropriations were adopted from the FY25 excess-revenue source during the sequence of rulings and failed motions.