Guam - Governor Eddie Calvo recently submitted legislation allowing hundreds of Chamorro Land Trust Commission property holders to develop the land they are leasing by exempting the certifications of survey from Guam Land Use Commission approval. Additionally, the bill grants the exemption so that Department of Land Management can record the surveys.

The Calvo Administration noted that when CLTC was created, there was a rush to issue land leases. To meet the demand, CLTC permitted the use of certifications of surveys prepared by land surveyors. However, because these certifications of survey were never approved by the GLUC or DLM, lessees have been unable to apply for bank financing and unable to hook-up utilities.

The legislation replaces Bill 241, which Governor Calvo vetoed because it didn't require the certifications of survey to be reviewed by any government agency. This version of the bill still requires DLM to review and approve the certifications of surveys.

This would require only a nominal application fee, but eliminates the lengthier and more expensive GLUC approval process.