From shuttered clinics to new police precincts and the future of our schools – senators debated who gets the land and how it should be used. 

Land. It’s more than just property lines – it’s where healthcare is delivered, where our children go to school, where first responders operate.  And it was at the center of debate this week at the People’s House. Lawmakers began with the future of the former Department of Public Health main facility in Mangilao, shuttered after a 2019 fire. 

For nearly six years, the building has sat unused, leaving a gap in services like immunizations, maternal and child health, dental care, testing, and benefits programs - all conveniently located in one place making extensive care accessible for families with limited transportation.

Bill 12 from Senator Therese Terlaje, would keep the site for Public Health in the department’s possession and work with the Guam Community College and the University of Guam to use part of the facility to provide nursing education.

Terlaje pointed to the strain on the Guam Memorial Hospital, saying a central health clinic would help prevent and manage disease. A long-delayed assessment found the building in poor condition and not up to code even before the fire. 

Using $1 million in American Recovery Plan funds designated by Governor Lou Leon Guerrero, the Department of Public Works has begun design work for renovations, estimated to cost nearly $28 million.

Senator Terlaje said, “This assessment should have been done years ago, but it wasn’t. It’s done now and I say we move forward and we don’t delay this a second longer in getting this issue settled. I don’t think there should actually be any debate. The property belongs to Public Health.”

Supporters say reopening the facility would close a major gap in care and serve as a training ground for future providers. “Public Health has always allowed – and they have a cooperation agreement with both GCC and UOG – and that’s how our nursing programs are done. They work through Public Health, Guam hospitals, and private clinics," she added.

But the measure did not move forward. Instead, Bill 21, from Senator Tina Muña Barnes, advanced. Instead, it would transfer the property to GCC for a nursing annex, with a requirement that GCC and DPHSS collaborate on shared use.

Barnes noted, “This measure addresses one of the most pressing needs, the shortage of qualified nurses and allied health professionals, by providing Guam Community College with the property needed to expand its programs and to work with DPHSS.”

Supporters said putting the land under GCC’s control strengthens the college’s ability to secure grants, but critics worried it could delay restoration of clinical services for residents who relied on Public Health in Mangilao.

Senator Telo Taitague warned that in hyperfixating tomorrow's workforce, those who need care today could be left behind.  And Senator Terlaje questioned why lawmakers would interrupt DPW’s ongoing work.

She said, “DPW is in the middle of a million-dollar contract that the Governor finally gave $1M of ARP money to proceed. This is something we’ve been asking for and she finally moved on it. And now, it’s going to be us, the Legislature, to stop them?”

“So I ask my colleagues, you want to criticize the Governor for the lack of support she’s given to Public Health and GMH? I’m very critical of that as well, but why in the world are you going to put yourselves in the middle of Public Health returning to its home now?”

And from healthcare to public safety – Bill 51, by Senator Shawn Gumataotao, would transfer two acres in Yigo from the Chamorro Land Trust to the Guam Police Department for a new precinct. “We must be a part of the solution to build a new law enforcement facility in that village that meets or exceeds current policing and safety standards," he said.

Many senators agreed Yigo needs added protection. But opponents argued that GPD already controls nearby land, and that taking CLTC property reduces what’s available for Chamorro families still waiting for leases.  “I think it’s not a wise policy because we still have thousands of beneficiaries that are waiting for their leases when in fact GPD has the space, they have the land available to them," argued Senator Sabina Perez.

Bill 51 advanced, as did Bill 70, from Senator Joe San Agustin, giving the Department of Education authority to lease underused school properties to raise funds for maintenance and repairs.  A procurement team would oversee leases, with restrictions on uses such as adult entertainment or cannabis businesses.

Supporters described it as a practical way to improve schools by putting dormant assets to work.

Bill 73, also by Senator Gumataotao, would transfer another CLTC property -- this time in Barrigada Heights -- to GPD for a centralized emergency communications center.  The goal is modernized response and interoperability among first responders, but questions remain about funding, planning, and the impact on cltc’s mission.

Some lawmakers pushed for a reversion clause if the site isn’t developed within ten years.

Other measures included:

– Bill 91, mandating five years of residency or Guard service for top Guam National Guard leaders;

– Bill 137, criminalizing interference with reporting sexual conduct;

– Bill 177, establishing December 10 as Insular Force Guard Memorial Day, while also honoring the Guam Combat Patrol

From health clinics to classrooms, police stations to emergency networks, senators weighed how to use land and laws to meet community needs.