by Lannie Walker

Guam - Controversial topics such as shark finning, animal abuse, and sexual abuse were at the center of legislation voted on by Guam senators today. Senators of the 31st Legislature made quick business on 10 bills this afternoon.

Bill 34, authored by Senator B.J. Cruz, extends the time a person could bring a civil case for sexual abuse was passed on a vote of 9 to 6. Six other bills passed by unanimous vote, including Bill 55 to authorize the Guam Memorial Hospital to contract vendor services; bill 44, to prohibit the possession, selling and trading of shark fins; Bill 9, to strengthen the penalties for animal cruelty on Guam; Bill 58, an act relative to administrative leave for volunteer sign language and foreign language interpreters; Bill 33, which will repeal the statute of limitation for the prosecution of a sex crime involving a victim who is under the age of the majority; and Bill 41, to amend Guam code related to bullying, cyberbulling and sexting.

Three other bills also garnered the majority vote on the floor: Bill 16, relative to the composition and powers of the Guam Parole Board; Bill 36, which will establish a Government of Guam Mitigation Program for Business Interruption; and Bill 48, to expedite procurement procedures and assist with the distribution of stimulus funds under the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.