A full slate of bills have moved through the Guam Legislature – from plans to keep veteran teachers in the classroom to tens of millions of dollars aimed at stabilizing the Guam Memorial Hospital.  In a session packed with long-term policy decisions, senators first took up Bill 199 – a measure that would give lifetime teaching certificates to educators with 25 years or more of service.

Sponsor Senator Vince Borja stressed the bill is about honoring careers, not lowering expectations, saying, “Lifetime certification doesn’t mean lifetime immunity.” Teachers would still need continuing education and performance evaluations every five years. 

And after debate, senators expanded eligibility to include teachers who retired in good standing within the past decade. Supporters say the change strengthens retention and could restore experience in high-need areas like Chamoru language and cultural studies.

Still, Senator Sabina Perez cautioned against easing recertification too much – saying it exists to keep educators current. 

Despite concerns, the bill moved forward. Lawmakers then advanced the veto override of Bill 119, restoring legislative oversight of line agencies’ approval of land leases longer than 15 years, which have been moving forward without public hearings or legislative scrutiny.

“The public’s trust is at risk if we do not override the veto of Bill 119," Perez noted. "Who stands to benefit? You know, our people have lost trust in our government for many actions. By vetoing Bill 119, that adds to the distrust.”

The override moved forward, as well.

Attention later shifted to GMH, as senators resolved into a Committee of the Whole over Senator Sabrina Salas Matanane’s Bill 186 – a proposal to release $8.1 million from the Pharmaceutical Fund that GMH says it’s legally owed.

GMH chief financial officer Yuka Hechanova outlined how that money would shore up the hospital’s tight fiscal year, saying, “The $8.1 million will be used to fund the final $3 million shortage in the Fiscal Year FY ’26 budget, and the remaining $5 million will fund the Supplies Reserve Fund.”

But the Department of Administration pushed back, saying those dollars don’t actually exist in the General Fund – igniting a debate over whether the funds were truly collected or simply reflected outdated accounting practices.  Attempts to return the bill to committee failed, and it advanced.

And finally, lawmakers took up Salas Matanane’s Bill 187 – appropriating $19.7 million in confirmed bond-refinancing savings for GMH infrastructure and equipment. "We amended the bill responsibly to focus on the $19 million currently confirmed and ready this fiscal year. That amendment ensures alignment with real-time hospital priorities and transparency about available resources," Matanane said.

Hospital leaders detailed major project areas — from structural repairs and utility upgrades to medical equipment and it modernization. GMH's Jesse Quenga emphasized that broad project categories give the hospital flexibility as bids come in and emergencies arise.

From classrooms to hospital corridors, the measures taken up today move Guam one step closer to long-awaited changes. 

What those decisions mean for families and frontline workers will become clearer as the legislation moves forward.