Acting Governor Joshua Tenorio has signed a wave of new bills into public law – impacting everything from housing and healthcare to policing and transparency – while vetoing one over environmental concerns. Here's what these new laws mean for the island’s communities, and why one measure didn’t make the cut.

In a sweeping review of recent legislation, Acting Governor Joshua Tenorio has moved forward with several key measures he says will strengthen Guam’s safety, health, housing, and transparency. Among them, Bills 51 and 73, which transfer land from the Chamorro Land Trust Commission to the Guam Police Department for two major public safety projects: a new police precinct in Yigo and a public safety communications center in Barrigada Heights. 

Tenorio says the projects will enhance public safety for residents and visitors, and close communication gaps exposed during Typhoon Mawar.

Bill 21 transfers the department of public health facility in Mangilao to the Guam Community College to build a nursing annex and new allied health programs.  While some worry it removes a vital health facility that was slated for renovation, Tenorio calls it “the beginning of a partnership between GCC and Public Health.”

On healthcare funding, Bill 1 restores the Guam Cancer Trust Fund to full strength – requiring at least 15% of the Healthy Futures Fund, or $4 million a year, for cancer prevention and treatment after years of underfunding.

And Bill 137 makes it a crime to interfere with the reporting of sexual assault – legislation Tenorio called “a critical step toward fostering an environment where victims feel safe in their pursuit of justice.”

But not every bill earned his approval.

Acting Governor Tenorio vetoed Bill 7, which would’ve allowed quarrying on a Mangilao property under the Chamorro Land Trust. He stated its passage would threaten Guam’s limestone forests and jeopardize federal conservation plans. In his veto message, Tenorio warned, “removing the limestone forest would increase sediment runoff into the coastline.”

For the acting governor, this round of decisions is defined by an endeavor towards balancing economic growth and environmental protection, innovation and accountability, and immediate needs and long-term sustainability.