Legislature of Guam

Legislature of Guam
Name	Legislature of Guam
Native name	Guam Legislature
Legislature type	Unicameral
Established	1950
Preceded by	Guam Congress
Members	15
Leader1 type	Speaker
Leader1	Therese M. Terlaje
Party1	Democratic Party of Guam
Session room	Guam Legislature Building
Meeting place	Hagåtña, Guam

Legislature of Guam The Legislature of Guam is the unicameral territorial lawmaking body established under the Organic Act of 1950. It operates in Hagåtña alongside executive offices such as the Office of the Governor and judicial institutions like the Supreme Court of Guam. The chamber interacts with federal entities including the United States Congress, the Department of the Interior, and the Federal Aviation Administration.

History

The modern body traces origins to the Guam Congress of the early 20th century, shaped by events such as the Spanish–American War, the Treaty of Paris (1898), and the Occupation of Guam during World War II. Key milestones include passage of the Organic Act of Guam by the United States Congress and presidency of figures like Carlos P. Taitano, Ricardo J. Bordallo, and Joseph F. Ada who influenced territorial status debates. Debates over political status have involved organizations including the Guam Legislature, the Guam Commission on Decolonization, the National Association of Attorneys General, and representatives to the Pacific Islands Forum. Historic sessions addressed issues related to the Compact of Free Association, military buildup agreements involving the U.S. Department of Defense, and legislative responses to typhoons such as Typhoon Pongsona and Typhoon Mawar.

Structure and Composition

The body is unicameral with fifteen senators elected at-large, reflecting influences from political parties such as the Democratic Party of Guam and the Republican Party of Guam. Prominent members have included Carlos Camacho, Felix P. Camacho, Madeleine Bordallo, and Antonio Borja Won Pat. Legislative offices interface with the Guam Election Commission, the Guam Police Department, and the Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services. The building in Hagåtña adjoins landmarks like the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica and the Latte of Freedom.

Powers and Functions

Statutory authorities derive from the Organic Act and include enactment of local codes, appropriation of funds for agencies like the Guam Power Authority, Guam Waterworks Authority, Guam Solid Waste Authority, and oversight of public institutions including the University of Guam and Guam Community College. The chamber issues resolutions affecting relations with the United States Congress, the Department of Defense, the Federal Communications Commission, and territorial boards such as the Guam Election Commission. It conducts oversight over executive actions by the Governor, implements procurement regulated by the Guam Procurement Law, and confirms gubernatorial appointments to entities like the Guam Public Utilities Commission and Guam Memorial Hospital Authority.

Elections and Terms

Senators are elected biennially in general elections overseen by the Guam Election Commission, with notable contests featuring candidates like Madeleine Bordallo, Benigno Fitial, Carl T.C. Gutierrez, and Eddie Baza Calvo. Voter registration and turnout are influenced by community organizations such as the Guam Federation of Teachers and the Chamorro Association. Campaigns interact with federal statutes administered by the Federal Election Commission and with media outlets including the Pacific Daily News and KUAM News. Special elections and recalls have involved the Office of the Guam Public Defender and local courts, with term rules set by the Organic Act and local election codes.

Leadership and Committees

Leadership positions include the Speaker, Vice Speaker, Majority and Minority Leaders, held by legislators such as Joseph F. Ada, Vicente T. Blas, and Tina Muna Barnes. Standing committees mirror policy areas affecting the Guam Department of Education, Guam Department of Revenue and Taxation, Guam Police Department, Guam Fire Department, Guam Department of Labor, and Guam Department of Public Works. Committee chairs coordinate with federal agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on matters affecting Apra Harbor, Andersen Air Force Base, and the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument.

Legislative Process

Bills can be introduced by senators or via public initiatives, undergo committee referral, public hearings, and floor debate before passage and presentation to the Governor for signature or veto. The process references statutory frameworks such as the Guam Code Annotated and procedural precedents set in rulings by the Supreme Court of Guam. Legislative records interact with archival institutions including the Guam Public Library System and the University of Guam Micronesian Area Research Center. Emergency measures coordinate with agencies like the Federal Emergency Management Agency during crises such as typhoon recovery.

Relationship with Federal and Territorial Government

The Legislature maintains a complex relationship with the United States Congress, negotiating issues tied to the Insular Cases, the Jones Act, territorial representation including the Guam delegate to Congress, and interactions with agencies like the Department of the Interior and the Department of Defense over land use and military realignment. Territorial coordination involves the Office of Insular Affairs, the Government Accountability Office, the National Governors Association, and regional partners including the Pacific Islands Forum and the Northern Mariana Islands government. Policy disputes have addressed topics involving federal Medicaid provisions, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, immigration enforcement coordinated with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and infrastructure funding from the Department of Transportation.

Category:Politics of Guam Category:Unicameral legislatures Category:Government of Guam