Guam Legislature moves bill to let governor use ARPA funds for Mangilao utilities into Committee of the Whole

The Guam Legislature convened a fifth special session on Nov. 25, 2025, and moved Bill 15s — an act authorizing the installation of utilities infrastructure on Lot 5280‑3 in Mangilao using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds — into the Committee of the Whole for further questioning and testimony.

Supporters urged quick action to avoid forfeiting federal money. “If this money is not spent by, I believe it’s December 26, any money unspent is sent back to the federal government,” said a senator who moved the bill to third reading, arguing the legislature could act now to keep roughly $100–104 million in ARPA commitments from being returned. Proponents described the measure as a one‑off authorization for the specific lot to allow utilities work — power, water, wastewater and environmental assessments — to proceed.

Opponents and cautious members pushed for more information and for the presence of key officials. Several senators said GPA, GWA, the attorney general’s office and representatives of the governor’s office should appear to answer questions about procurement, contract timelines and litigation. “We’re being asked as a legislature to do something quite…