A bill that would require residents to subscribe to garbage collection was vetoed by Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero Wednesday.

“The bill aims to lower rates per subscriber and to reduce illegal dumping thoughout the island,” said Gov. Leon Guerrero. “I am in favor of islandwide garbage collection and support the bill’s goals, but this bill does not fully address the concerns of our residents who are unable to add an additional bill to their monthly budget.

Bill 165, introduced by Sen. Sabina Perez, would have established an islandwide trash collection.

“Islandwide collection is an important step forward in reclaiming our utility, and demonstrating that we as a community can sustainably run a sanitary landfill, clean up the Ordot dump, and provide a safety net for those in need,” said Sen. Perez after it passed on session floor on April 26.

The governor said in her veto message the legislation did not detail how the program would be implemented or funded.

“The bill provides no immediate solutions,” Leon Guerrero said. “…we cannot impose this requirement on individuals who have the least ability to absorb the cost without assisting them in meeting this new burden.”

Prison lease-back

The governor also vetoed a measure that seeks to increase the pledge or revenues for rental payments under the lease and lease-back for a new Department of Corrections Adult Correctional Facility for no more than $5-million to no more than $15-million in annual appropriations from the general fund.

“Unfortunately, Bill 234 fails to address important fiscal concerns associated with these efforts,” she said. “I support the financing, construction, and maintaining a new Department of Corrections facility. However, we must ensure that our efforts are consistent with our fiscal policies, and do not compropose our current or future financial health.”

New laws

Five bills were signed into law to include Bill 262, which approves the terms and conditions of the issuance by Guam Power Authority of revenue and bonds to refund outstanding GPA revenue bonds.

Also signed into law:

Bill No. 85-37 - AN ACT TO ADD A NEW SUBSECTION (c)(5) TO § 3603 OF ARTICLE 6, CHAPTER 3, TITLE 22, GUAM CODE ANNOTATED, RELATIVE TO EXTENDING FAMILY CARE AND MEDICAL LEAVE FOR MISCARRIAGE AND STILLBIRTHS.

Bill No. 198-37 - AN ACT TO AMEND § 3116 OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 3, TITLE 16, GUAM CODE ANNOTATED, RELATIVE TO REQUIRING THE DISTRIBUTION OF DRIVER'S HANDBOOKS TO GUAM PUBLIC AND CHARTER HIGH SCHOOLS.

Bill No. 211-37 - AN ACT TO ADD A NEW § 3223 TO ARTICLE 2 OF CHAPTER 3, TITLE 17, GUAM CODE ANNOTATED, RELATIVE TO PRIORITIZING ACCESS TO FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE THROUGH THE COMPLETION OF THE FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA) BY GUAM DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HIGH SCHOOL AND ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL SENIORS.

Bill No. 244-37 - AN ACT TO ADD A NEW § 57109 TO CHAPTER 57 OF TITLE 10, GUAM CODE ANNOTATED, RELATIVE TO PROVIDING A GUAM IDENTIFICATION CARD AND GUAM REAL ID FEE WAIVER FOR JUNIORS AND SENIORS IN HIGH SCHOOL, FOSTER CHILDREN OR CHILDREN UNDER THE CUSTODY OF CPS, A JUVENILE UPON ORDER BY THE COURT, AND RESIDENTS OF GUAM AGED SIXTY-FIVE (65) YEARS OR OLDER.