[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6671252,"mediaKeyId","2171432-3b2c216d23be5076d64efb769730d236","parentId",2171432,"title","Legislature backs resolution asking VA to establish regional office on Guam for Pacific veterans","audioSeconds",1886,"startMs",8398000,"endMs",10284000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2171432-3b2c216d23be5076d64efb769730d236&start=8398&end=10284","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2171432-3b2c216d23be5076d64efb769730d236/thumbnail_8398000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6671252/Legislature-backs-resolution-asking-VA-to-establish-regional-office-on-Guam-for-Pacific-veterans","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6671252-14ff9d5b93f1034831d110a934404662/orig.mp4?Expires=1771063161&Signature=SFcBrPBpWnc87DlbVFf5QkyVHlcQN9ZkN0ZkRSeMsaWN1pm1ReZOvIKYm4u6jVdrt1qbic9oJc0W0DqDyXNF6FgyBY-KXykbhIz1RdFDLMeg~fAoOwXjl2JWExZ76ckgx1dWhOPf6yLi-MXFI~0u~IaotGn~k8hIH~N4Q~Hnx2qwtWe0z5IHsChBpFXtWcqgkM6XepnwovwRCOz4a-HKTQhCNNTdyEBIlfqWpLuC-hlhhdsBhtyg1L0tPv5YhcaEYSK9r1mj2LZIUuVyDh9lkTmQGbqJCybqtvMVecm1K7afKbt3GnaPB8KfDSSKYm~WdWr0688bvbR5PUAfnPQGsg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Guam - General Government Operations and Appropriations","date","2025-01-01T05:04:02.373Z","article","The Legislature advanced Resolution 472-37 to third reading after senators voiced broad support for asking the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to establish a regional office on Guam to serve veterans in Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the freely associated states.

Senator Taidagwe, the resolution’s sponsor, said the measure seeks to reduce delays and administrative burdens that local veterans face when the nearest VA office is in Hawaii. “Our veterans are underserved,” Taidagwe said during floor remarks, and the resolution was brought to the floor after testimony at a public hearing such as comments from veterans and veterans advocates.

Supporters noted frequent problems veterans face when filing claims through the Hawaii office, citing lost documents, slow adjudication and travel burdens. Senator San Nicolas described personal experience helping veterans and urged greater local capacity for medical and claims services. Senator Perez and others highlighted steps recommended at the public hearing, including a veteran population assessment, gap analysis of access to VA health care, and engaging local providers.

Senators also said a local VA hub could serve the Northern Marianas and freely associated states, and could reduce travel costs and processing delays for claims tied to service-related illnesses. The sponsor moved the resolution to the third-reading (voting) file; clerks reported no objection and the resolution was placed on third reading.

The resolution now goes to the Legislature’s third-reading docket to await final consideration and any further amendments. Senators urged coordination with the Guam congressional delegation and the VA to pursue a regional office.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","37th Guam Legislature Regular Session - December 12, 2024","oneSentenceSummary","Lawmakers unanimously advanced Resolution 472-37 asking the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to establish a regional office on Guam to serve veterans throughout Micronesia, citing long delays and paperwork burdens from Hawaii-based services.","taxTitle","General Government Operations and Appropriations\t, Legislative, Guam","taxId",18139,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6671256,"Guam Legislature cuts prison appropriation to $1 million after heated DOC hearing; bill advances to third reading",8275,91000,8366000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2171432-3b2c216d23be5076d64efb769730d236&start=91&end=8366","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2171432-3b2c216d23be5076d64efb769730d236/thumbnail_91000.jpg","/articles/6671256/Guam-Legislature-cuts-prison-appropriation-to-1-million-after-heated-DOC-hearing-bill-advances-to-third-reading","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6671256-8631d9f4699ea058cbb45defb5ecc268/orig.mp4?Expires=1771063161&Signature=W3F2B9Cqtdp7ZVLW2lkEJ76MRRGIKxWJVO~V1bZ5L~tDN3N3cOnC0-MhH8UKvUdvex4VeYv52BXSlI7kbb3~PBgYyzLFVCfDLHNY3LD0zbrQQVWe4Me3sQVheMSQSagieRKgbZc-zXJN7fAQUtGylOb~22-FmDE11JfeDiuD~OTaVP5CHLCjR5X7VBJ-8nR0UKhvgyErGNdJuFuNdlg8Qm5BpWVImnhq9YBAxkncgjiZfiC43ifeLd29q~L3TPh6-TMMYpOexgKWOV6guP0CG2f-3SIfQanB8Loj0CUuH~6uQGk9mZA30mw5Sv6Uyk7IICM05qWs6o~g4sB3Z5yStg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senators moved on an amendment that reduced an appropriation for the Department of Corrections (DOC) from $5,000,000 to $1,000,000, and the amended bill was placed on third reading after floor debate and questions of DOC leadership.

The amendment carried by unanimous consent after more than two hours of questioning about the status of architectural and engineering (A&E) procurement, the estimated A&E cost, availability of other funds and whether FEMA or ARP money could be used for urgent repairs.

The debate centered on two competing priorities: immediate repairs and safety upgrades at the existing prison, and funding the A&E and initial phases of a new facility. Speaker Terlahi, who led several rounds of questioning of DOC and procurement staff, said he was “very hesitant to not fund a new prison,” but pressed officials on why DOC had already solicited A&E bids without a clear funding source for the award. Terlahi cited a consultant estimate for A&E work of about $16,483,590 and asked how that would be paid for.

Senators repeatedly pressed DOC leadership on short-term cash needs. Senator Fisher argued the body needed to find at least $1,000,000 immediately to begin repairs and avoid further attrition of correctional officers. Senator Senecas, the bill’s sponsor, said he preferred the full $5,000,000 but lacked votes and settled on the $1,000,000 compromise, saying, “If that million saves lives, I hope I make you happy.”

DOC Director Fred Berdaglio told senators the department is “in dire straits” and that “the bottom line is we do need a new prison,” while also describing an immediate list of repairs and operational shortfalls such as generators, air conditioning, cameras and basic supplies. Department staff described procurement delays involving the new FMIS procurement system and GSA, which DOC said prevented timely use of some ARPA requisitions. DOC staff reported approximately $79,315.57 in ARPA requisitions that had not moved through GSA at the time of questioning.

Senators also discussed FEMA reimbursement rules. Committee members were told FEMA typically reviews costs after local funds have been expended and that DOC would need to front the estimated $2,000,000 in typhoon-related repairs before seeking reimbursement. DOC staff said they had not set aside a funding source to cover those upfront costs and that recovery-office staffer Doris Kitchoo (on leave) was coordinating FEMA claims.

Several senators warned that using the $5,000,000 originally earmarked for the new facility for short-term repairs would undermine momentum for the new prison A&E and construction. Senator Blas moved to restore the full $5,000,000 at one point; that motion was amended on the floor and members ultimately approved the $1,000,000 amendment. After the amendment was agreed to, the sponsor moved the bill to third reading, and clerks reported no objection.

DOC officials committed to providing progress reports and expenditure updates if funds are released. Senators repeatedly urged DOC to document maintenance-of-effort and to coordinate with the governor’s office and federal partners to maximize FEMA reimbursements and other available funds.

Votes at a glance: the amendment reducing the appropriation from $5,000,000 to $1,000,000 carried by unanimous consent on the floor; the bill as amended was ordered to third reading.

The bill remains before the Legislature; senators asked DOC to return with timelines, scopes of work and regular expenditure reports if the appropriation is enacted and signed into law.","Lawmakers reduced an appropriation intended for a new Department of Corrections facility from $5 million to $1 million after extended questioning about procurement, FEMA reimbursements and competing budget priorities. The amended bill was placed on third reading by unanimous consent.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Legislature backs resolution asking VA to establish regional office on Guam for Pacific veterans

Guam Legislature cuts prison appropriation to $1 million after heated DOC hearing; bill advances to third reading