The Guam Legislature on the floor advanced Bill 192-38 COR as amended, a measure restructuring the Guam Veterans Commission and clarifying the powers and duties of the Guam Office of Veterans Affairs (GOVA).

The sponsor described the bill as "written by veterans and for veterans," saying the measure responds to long-standing issues and aims to restore accountability, transparency and better representation. She named the veterans working group that helped draft the bill, including Roy Gamboa, Vincent Santiago, Chris Turan, Joseph Yatar, Timothy Puzon, Rose Bland, Tom Atta, Lee Weber Sr., and Nicholas (de) Francisco.

Floor debate centered on an amendment that would tighten eligibility for organizations to serve on the commission by requiring them to be duly registered as nonprofit organizations with the Guam Department of Revenue and Taxation and to furnish documentation of nonprofit status and bylaws. Concerned senators argued the original amendment language could exclude local veterans organizations or impose federal IRS-exemption requirements; the sponsor withdrew and re-proffered a revised amendment that removed federal IRC-exemption requirements and instead required local registration and proof of good standing with Guam DRT. That amended amendment passed after extended debate ('Amendment passes').

Senators also debated broader structural changes in the bill, including making the Guam Office of Veterans Affairs director an unclassified position and giving the commission governing authority rather than purely advisory functions. Supporters emphasized this is intended to improve local governance and advocacy for veterans; some raised caution about limits on autonomy and the administrative burden on small local VSOs.

The sponsor moved Bill 192-38 COR, as amended on the floor, to the voting file; the presiding officer recorded no objections and the motion carried. The sponsor and supporters said additional implementation work will follow to ensure the commission and GOVA can meet the bill’s mandates if enacted.

Next steps: Bill 192-38 COR was placed on the voting file; if enacted, the commission will be expected to adopt internal rules, submit annual reports, and coordinate implementation with GOVA and other stakeholders.