Convening for their first session of the new year, lawmakers debated and advanced legislation focused on housing discrimination and public safety – marking the start of a busy session that continues this week. As Guam’s housing market tightens and public safety disruptions grow more frequent, senators began their first session of 2026 advancing bills aimed at stability – and accountability. 

First, Bill 29 by Senator Sabina Perez would adopt prohibitions against housing discrimination based on income – including federal housing vouchers.  While the fair housing act does not require landlords to accept vouchers, Perez says the consequences of that gap are clear.

“So, federal housing vouchers help about 2.3 million low-income households and veterans live in adequate and stable housing. However, it is currently legal for landlords to reject these vouchers in states where there are no protections," she said.

data from the Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority underscores the scale of the issue – with nearly 75% of needed housing units serving households below HUD income eligibility thresholds, and 2,718 authorized vouchers already leased at a 97% rate.

The senator said, “This overwhelming need and utilization rate is currently challenged by Guam’s increasingly unaffordable housing market.”

Under the bill, landlords would be barred from refusing to rent, misrepresenting availability, or advertising exclusions based on income, while still retaining the ability to conduct affordability checks. And violations could result in fines starting at $2,000.

Senator Telo Taitague rose in support of the measure saying the phrase ‘Priced out of paradise’ is no longer just a saying, but a stark reality on Guam. She said, “That ripples through our workforce, our schools, our local economy, weakening the very fabric our community makes and calls it home.”

The measure also addresses concerns over limiting rentals to military-only tenants –  with supporters saying the goal is a fairer market open to all qualified renters. Bill 29 ultimately advanced to the voting file.

Second, lawmakers took up Bill 162 by Vice Speaker Tony Ada –  a response to the scourge of bomb threat scares.

The bill strengthens penalties for terroristic conduct involving bomb threats – whether written or digital – expands protections for public spaces, and even allows impacted businesses to pursue civil lawsuits. 

Proposed fines range from $2,500 to $25,000, with possible prison sentences of up to 10 years.

“Mr. Speaker, most people in Guam consider bomb scares as active stupidity. As stupidity as the nuisance can be, they are costly to the victims and to the offenders, and they should be held both criminally and financially responsible.”

Lawmakers collectively pointed to evacuations at Micronesia Mall, a lockdown at Guam Memorial Hospital, and coordinated threats targeting schools, hotels, shopping centers, and even the Governor’s Office over the years – incidents that disrupted daily life and induced fear among parents, students, and workers.

With unanimous support, Bill 162 was also moved to the voting file. While these measures move forward, they represent just the opening chapter. 

Lawmakers continue session this week, with more bills scheduled for debate and action.