Guam Legislature debates Bill 25‑38 to broaden where public notices can appear; reporting amendment fails

The Guam Legislature opened extended debate over Bill 25‑38 on changes to the island’s open‑government public‑notice rules, with senators sharply divided over whether agencies may replace traditional newspaper, radio or television notices with notices on newly defined “eligible media platforms.”

Bill 25‑38 would amend 5 GCA §8104 (the open‑government chapter being revised by the bill) to allow public notices to appear on electronic newspapers, websites and other digital platforms described in the bill rather than requiring publication in print, radio or broadcast outlets. The author and multiple senators emphasized the change is intended to provide agencies with more publication options; opponents said it risks excluding residents without reliable internet access and could weaken archival safeguards.

Why it matters: Public notice statutes are a key transparency tool used to inform residents about hearings, legal actions and agency decisions. Senators noted Guam has limited print circulation, uneven broadband access across villages and an older population that may rely on print or broadcast media. Opponents warned that moving to online‑only notice risks reducing public participation and makes long‑term archival access harder to verify.

Senator Waines, who raised committee‑report and notice questions at the start of the session, told the chamber that “the wrong bill in terms of what was submitted to the committee was placed in the drive and also put on the floor,” and said legal counsel and rules staff had since reviewed and cleared bills remaining for the session. Waines also pressed for proof that the public‑hearing notice for Bill 25‑38 had been published as required under Guam’s…