Lawmakers advanced Bill 128‑38 COR to the third‑reading file after floor debate focused on improving transparency for above‑step (higher than standard step) government hires.

The bill requires agencies to post above‑step recruitment petitions on the Guam Public Notice website for 10 days and deliver a copy to the Speaker 10 days prior to hiring. It also requires semiannual reporting of above‑step recruitment attempts to the Speaker to create an auditable, permanent record. The Office of Public Accountability testified in committee in support of the bill’s intent.

Why it matters: floor speakers cited instances in which petitions justifying above‑step hires (for example at Guam Memorial Hospital) were missing or incomplete when requested, which undermines public trust and the merit system. Supporters said publication will deter misuse, allow oversight by the Legislature and the public auditor, and help employees and applicants understand hiring priorities.

Floor action and amendments: senators discussed scope and possible improvements to data collection and consistency across agencies. Several senators were added as cosponsors on the floor and clarifying language was accepted; the committee’s amendments and floor additions were agreed to with no objections, and the bill was placed on the third‑reading file.

Implementation notes: the bill asks DRT and agencies to use the public portal and to provide a standard record of recruitment difficulty and justification used to request above‑step authority. The fiscal office (BBMR) indicated the proposed amendments were administrative with no fiscal impact.

Next steps: the bill was placed on the third‑reading voting file with no objections recorded on the floor; further oversight and possible auditing by OPA were discussed to monitor compliance.