Guam EPA reports to board on testimony for local waste bills, plastic bag ban and fee schedule review

Guam EPA staff briefed the board on recent legislative activity at the March 20 meeting, including agency testimony on a draft universal-waste/solid-waste bill and ongoing work related to the island’s paper bag ban.

Glenn Snickis said he submitted agency testimony in support of a version of a bill described as "bill 30-38," which would add new code sections to Guam law to establish an islandwide collection plan under the Guam Solid Waste Authority. He told the board the draft adds exemptions and mechanisms intended to help low-income participation and to identify funding options.

Separately, Snickis described Public Law 36-98 (a paper carryout bag ban) and said a phase-out of paper carryout bags is effective July 1, 2025. He explained a discussion with a senator about luxury-brand bags and said Guam EPA's position is that branded luxury bags used exclusively as product packaging are functionally equivalent to standard reusable supermarket bags and could be treated differently than general carryout bags.

Board members requested earlier notification when rapid legislative changes arise. The board also discussed permit fees and fee schedules: members asked staff to evaluate if current inspection and permit services should be charged and to return with options, noting any fee changes would require a public hearing and could take significant time.

The board packet included testimony on Bill 57-38 as well; members noted that some items had moved quickly in the new legislature and asked agency staff to highlight fast-moving matters in future reports.