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Guam senators hear support and caveats for adding public-safety vehicles to QC investments
Summary
At a public hearing on Bill 225-38, Guam Economic Development Authority staff and the Guam Fire Department endorsed allowing qualifying-certificate (QC) public investments to fund emergency vehicles and equipment, while GEDA warned QC contributions are variable and may not reliably cover large purchases; senators asked for historical QC benefit data before advancing the measure.
A Guam legislative committee heard competing views Thursday on Bill 225-38, which would explicitly allow public-safety vehicles and rescue equipment to qualify as permitted public investments and community contributions under the territory's Qualifying Certificates (QC) program.
Guam Fire Department Chief Darren Burrier urged lawmakers to adopt the change, saying it would help the department keep pace with rapid development and new hazards such as data centers and battery-storage facilities. "Economic development and public safety must advance together," Burrier said, arguing the bill would make aerial ladders, fire trucks, ambulances, police vehicles and water-rescue assets eligible under the QC law.
But Guam Economic Development Authority officials told the committee the QC program's funding profile limits how useful it is for high-cost procurements. Christina Garcia's written testimony, read into the record by GEDA staff, noted that QC…
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