by Jolene Toves

Guam - It wasn't discussion on affordable homes or its newest initiative to bring cops into Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority neighborhoods but rather Bill 65, which took up a bulk of the talk at today's GHURA board meeting. Hot on today's agenda was discussion regarding the proposed legislation.

Otherwise known as The Responsible Board and Commission Education Act, the legislation would mandate that each board or commission to have an educational program to prepare its members for the duties of the board or commission to which they are appointed. GHURA's board, however, found inconsistencies within the legislation.

Chairman Dave Sablan said, "Failure to complete an educational program within 180 days of a board or commission members appointment there's a conflict so they are saying you got to do it in 30 days. This one here says if you fail within 180 days to complete it, there's already a conflict right there."

Sablan wanted clarification as to when the deadline is to be applied to board members, noting, "Appointment needs to be defined it not defined. Does it mean after the Guam Legislature approves us, which means we are fully on board or before we get approval by the Legislature, which means governor's appointment.

Sablan brings to light that if a member is appointed by the governor but not approved by the Legislature and have gone through the education process it would be a waste of government money, but says the board has no problem with the bill's intent in educating board members. "We have our own programs like Ms. Blas stated regarding how we manage our programs here at GHURA with respect to public housing Section 8 and other community block grants," he said.

Sablan acknowledges that the bill seeks to have board members knowledgeable in other aspects with respect to procurement and applicable local laws and commends the bill for its efforts. However, he wants clarification on who will be responsible for conducting the classes, who will validate, and who will fund the educational expenses, stating that free training is fine but GHURA does not have the budget to pay out of pocket.