Lawmakers passed the budget bill for Fiscal Year 2025 today.

It's a win for the racing community as inside that measure is an amendment that paves the way to open the Yigo Raceway.

Though some concerned senators said it's not a time for celebration calling it a budget bill that falls short.

“Senators, only you can open our raceway,” a sign calling for action to save the Yigo Raceway. That call-out was answered at the Guam Congress building on Friday.

“Bill No. 236-37 COR received eight ais, six nays and one excused. Bill No. 236-37 COR is duly passed by the body,” said Spkr. Therese Terlaje.

In that measure was an amendment that mandated the Chamorro Land Trust Commission to negotiate the terms of a non commercial lease of the old Yigo Raceway specifically with the Guam Motorsports Association.

GMA Chairman Hans Ada and others in the racing community made their way to the legislature ahead of the vote.

“It’s an amendment that's going to set up the raceway for success, something that’s a viable solution,” said Ada.

Senator Dwayne San Nicolas made the amendment to the budget bill on Tuesday, with the support of eight senators, though not without hours of debate and arguments.

“It was very tense that past Tuesday when they were going back and forth. You know, the Guam Motorsports Association just wants to get this thing done. We represent all sports, all the motorsports and even things that don’t have an engine– all the activities that take place at the raceway park. We’re a formed official non profit organization that stepped up and we’re here to responsibly and respectfully operate the raceway,” added Ada.

But while it's a win for the racing community who have been waiting for a solution since the raceway closed over a year ago, the budget bill's passage has some senators voicing their concerns.

Senator Telo Taitague shared her disappointment during closing remarks.

“The budget bill is what we’re here– most especially– to pass. That’s our main goal as senators to pass. Unfortunately, this budget fell short, very short,” said Sen. Taitague.

Senator Chris Barnett said it’s not a bill on the racetrack but ‘A bill that gave the Guam Department of Education $47 million less than what they asked for.’

“We also killed the opportunity to fund the Guam Police Department to pay for police presence at our schools. Yet we’re in here clapping as very critical areas of our government… Yes, the racetrack will open. But Guam Memorial Hospital, the Guam Department of Education, the Guam Police Department? We shorted the cancer patients $2 million,” said Sen.  Barnett.

To view the full FY2025 budget in its entirety see below.