With no one agency immune to the ripple effects of the Trump Administrator’s “Big, Beautiful Bill,” senators confront a staggering reality: The Guam Environmental Protection Agency is about to lose $3.8 million, nearly all of its federal funding.

“So, currently we receive about $3.8M, $3.9M in our categorical grants. That goes into a consolidated grant to fund about 85% of our agency,” said GEPA Administrator Michelle Lastimoza.

Enter Bill 132.

Authored by Senator Sabina Perez, the bill proposes some major changes to GEPA’s trust fund. 

First, it would authorize spending for staff salaries, air and water quality monitoring, recycling, enforcement, and emergency response, all of which are excluded from the current trust fund.

Second, the measure would go a step further, creating a dedicated reserve fund and the agency’s emergency spending is currently capped at $5,000, unless the governor declares an emergency or the legislature appropriates additional funding for response.

“Bill 132-38 is timely and needed for continued operations of Guam EPA to minimize disruptions from federal cuts,” said Sen. Perez. 

Lastimoza confirms the cap has made it nearly impossible to use the trust fund for real emergencies.

“There’s no emergency response that we’ve encountered that would cost less than $5,000. So, we haven’t tapped into that fund because of that limitation,” added Lastimoza. 

As lawmakers pressed Lastimoza on transparency, she assured them that the agency already provides monthly expenditure reports to its board.

If passed, Bill 132 would also require annual reporting to both the legislature and the governor.

With only about $400,000 left in their trust fund, Lastimoza pointed to a separate $26 million left over balance from a federal emerging contaminants grant, but says it's restricted and not enough to sustain GEPA long-term.

“We have talked to our federal granters about possibly redirecting those monies if it becomes necessary, but we haven’t crossed that bridge yet,” said Lastimoza. 

She also clarifies that the $33 million Ordot Dump reserve fund is separate from their trust fund and that they have no control over it.

So while Bill 132 aims to get ahead of the curve and give GEPA more fiscal flexibility lawmakers noted it as a temporary solution as the agency continues its search for a reliable funding source.