Guam Visitors Bureau leaders and board members were set to take the hot seat before the legislature Friday afternoon.

That oversight hearing, however, was canceled by committee chair Sen. Amanda Shelton, after most of those expected to attend were not able to show up.

Shelton stating, “while four individuals were identified to participate in today’s scheduled meeting, that hardly reflects the number of people who are key for a successful dialogue with the industry. The committee will announce an oversight hearing soon, when others are also available to participate.”

Senators during the scheduled hearing were supposed to question GVB about their nearly year-long divide between management and the board of directors.

The by-laws were called into question nearly a year ago by GVB President and CEP Carl Gutierrez. He charged certain board members had conflicts of interest since they act on matters directly affecting their businesses. That's when management commissioned an independent review of the board by-laws to determine if they were consistent with the statute. The current directors decided not to meet again until the review was completed, and any amendments to the by-laws were adopted.

For months, there have been failed attempts to convene an official meeting.

Ahead of the planned talks Friday, Guam Attorney General Douglas Moylan gave his legal opinion that the board’s selection of the two new directors is invalid.

Moylan also affirmed the board can legally schedule future meetings without first resolving their bylaws.

To this, Gutierrez says “as our membership prepares to adopt amended by-laws, it is critical that we have our elected attorney general weigh in on a matter that has placed the board and management at odds for the better part of the past year, so the GVB’s staff and management can continue the business of reopening tourism and serving the people of Guam, unimpeded by any lingering doubts.”

There's no word yet of when the oversight hearing will be held.