A proposal aimed at modernizing how Guam’s airport leases its facilities inches closer to final passage. Bill 67 by Senator Jesse Lujan would grant the A.B. Won Pat International Airport Authority sweeping power to manage lease agreements – a move he says is long overdue.

“Colleagues, our airport is more than just a transportation hub: it is a gateway to economic opportunity. It supports our tourism industry, empowers small businesses, and is essential to regional commerce. But today, it is constrained by outdated limitations that undermine our ability to attract and retain meaningful investment," the senator stated. His measure would let the airport offer lease terms up to 50 years and adopt more flexible procurement practices. 

Lujan says this is key to attracting investors: from airlines that want to build hangars to companies looking to avoid tariffs by assembling goods on Guam. But the bill faced a series of amendments aimed at tightening oversight — all of which failed. 

Senator Therese Terlaje tried to reinsert Guam’s procurement law, known as Chapter 5, to ensure deals are made with transparency. “This bill exempts the Airport Authority, currently, from the procurement law in Chapter 5 § 5127," she said. “My amendment is to put back in Chapter 5, the procurement law.”

Senator Telo Taitague supported the amendment, calling it a crucial safeguard. Another failed amendment would have required minimum rent adjustments every five years, based on the current appraised value of leased land — an attempt to ensure the government doesn’t shortchange itself on long-term agreements.

A third amendment would have barred tenants from selling, mortgaging, or otherwise transferring their interests in airport properties without explicit approval, meant to prevent Guam from losing control over public assets.

“This is very proper and just to ensure that we don’t give away the store," Senator Taitague said. “This at least would be acceptable considering they want to bypass procurement law. Something like this is to protect the people’s interests, the people’s property. It’s not the airport’s property: it’s entrusted to the airport, but it’s the people’s property.”

Terlaje’s final amendment would have required all lease agreements to be executed by the governor, attested by the lieutenant governor, and approved by the attorney general - another safeguard that ultimately failed.

Terlaje said, “I just think this is a big investment by the people of Guam. We don’t need to wave every single law to [boost] the economy on Guam, to get business investments.”

Lujan, however, says these amendments would reimpose the very red tape he believes has held Guam back for years, noting, “GIAA already has the safeguards in place. It has its own boards and internal procurement policies that are reviewed, audited, and approved.”

With those amendments rejected, the bill now heads to the Third Reading File for a final vote. Supporters argue it’s a bold step forward for Guam’s economy, while critics warn it could bind future generations to deals made today.