Guam hearing advances bill to reshape EMS Commission; homeland security seeks voting seat

Senator Therese Terlaughey introduced bill 299‑38 COR, saying the measure would update the Emergency Medical Services Commission’s membership to improve quorum and operational fit. “So, the bill would change the number of appointed members from 17 to 16,” the senator said, and the proposal would add a Guam Regional Medical City seat, add a U.S. Naval Hospital seat as nonvoting, reduce public members from two to one and remove the incumbent local exchange carrier seat.

Witnesses from multiple agencies testified for and against elements of the draft. Lucia Perez, ESF‑2 lead at the Guam Office of Homeland Security and Civil Defense and former EMS Commission chair, said the territory’s federal emergency management obligations require a stronger role for homeland security: “Voting authority on the EMS Commission is essential to meeting the EMPG's coordination and governance benchmarks.” Esther JC Agague, the homeland security adviser, said her office supports the bill’s goals but opposed the draft as written and asked the committee to report a substitute that, among other fixes, makes GHS OCD a voting member and preserves carrier expertise for NG911 in at least an advisory role. Thermese Areola, director of the Department of Public Health and Social Services, said public health supports the bill’s intent and favors “a balanced structure of voting and nonvoting members” so the commission can both broaden participation and remain able to conduct official business.

The committee requested documentary records of prior EMS Commission action and attendance; HPLO acting administrator Brianna Sablan said minutes from March and April 2026 were submitted to the legislature and governor. The chair closed the hearing and tentatively scheduled a markup for Monday, Aug. 24, 2026, noting written testimony will be accepted through Aug. 17.