Senators reject late attempts to add $3.5M school repair and $32.3M energy credit bills over lack of hearings and funding clarity

Lawmakers rejected motions to add two appropriation bills to the session agenda after senators raised procedural and fiscal objections.

A senator moved, notwithstanding standing rules, to add bill 40‑38 COR to appropriate $3.5 million from FY25 excess general fund revenues to the Guam Preservation Trust for rehabilitation of the historic Francisco Q. Sanchez Elementary School. Several senators objected that the bill had not had a public hearing and that statutory requirements for revenue bills had not been met; one senator noted administration statements and CRER/BBMR reports indicating insufficient excess revenues. After debate the motion to place bill 40‑38 on the agenda failed.

The same senator later moved to add bill 289‑38 COR, an act to appropriate $32,266,200 from FY26 excess general fund revenue to the Guam Power Authority to extend an emergency energy credit program. Opponents again emphasized the lack of a public hearing and flagged BBMR/CRER reports suggesting a revenue shortfall; one committee chair said he would schedule a hearing only after a viable funding source and fiscal note are available. The motion to place bill 289‑38 on the agenda likewise failed after objections.

Floor managers and proponents argued excess revenues should be prioritized for emergency relief and critical projects; opponents stressed fiscal prudence and the need to have BBMR and finance officials testify under oath about the excess‑revenue calculations before appropriations are advanced.

The Legislature recessed until 9 a.m. tomorrow to continue committee‑of‑the‑whole items and remaining second‑reading bills.

Provenance: Motions to add bill 40‑38 and bill 289‑38 are introduced on the floor (topic intros: “I would like to add bill number 40 dash 38...,” “I would like to add bill number 2 89 dash 38...”), and subsequent floor debate and votes record objections and failed motions (topic finishes: “Motion fails”).