[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-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",[32,75,87],{"_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",6544733,"mediaKeyId","3511914-a9b65781037677dd4cb9758e224148ee","parentId",3511914,"title","Legislature advances vetoed public-auditor bill to voting file after debate over enforcement powers","audioSeconds",1330,"startMs",956000,"endMs",2286000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3511914-a9b65781037677dd4cb9758e224148ee&start=956&end=2286","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3511914-a9b65781037677dd4cb9758e224148ee/thumbnail_956000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6544733/Legislature-advances-vetoed-public-auditor-bill-to-voting-file-after-debate-over-enforcement-powers","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6544733-6fbbe881eb5e2331a3977ba748de2c21/orig.mp4?Expires=1771076375&Signature=HF45~ZqK7hMIFoCP5pvu6cTlB~HImEuqUl92w4Bt3PjRY7W9tLOpeLo4S634bKeLi4DW6owsE0OqME6sejPZXUDRx~VQfpZb2hUWFAHV-6hajJYs0MiliS85JTmJEJ3~yBiKKkpg9KE9ECKZwPL73-YkA8XBRUfDs0U3jF0ff2Rx~rCJk8s~BOVwgObAVCgcFWEvMO2jRPloqNFmw416gF3VgOozCraP5YpK0PPUKq7jIKCdU~H-T2PX0ywsS8N-yNRDCWHEhTnjAwh-4jWMLca2b0J3WuCXPv9VEr7C8~9XdtaQBgBGFf0EIBmhbJHkCitwngHfhkrQ79n4LkszwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Guam Legislature","date","2025-05-23T01:58:49Z","article","The Guam Legislature on the floor moved Bill 14-38 COR — a measure revising the duties of the Office of Public Accountability (OPA) — onto the voting file for the purpose of an override of the governor's veto.

The bill would allow the public auditor to take stronger steps to obtain documents and impose administrative consequences when agencies repeatedly fail to provide materials needed for timely audits, supporters said. Senator Tadhgiri, who moved the bill onto the voting file, said the measure is meant to \"ensure accountability to those in trust\" and to make audits \"useful for our budgeting purposes.\"

Supporters argued the measure responds to continuing delays in agencies' submission of required records and said the Legislature has the authority to preserve the usefulness of audits. Senator Tadhgiri told colleagues the bill \"ensures responsiveness and responsibility,\" and noted this bill was a reintroduction of similar legislation previously passed by the Legislature but vetoed by the governor.

Opponents said the bill does not go far enough to enforce timely reporting and, in some respects, creates perverse incentives. An unnamed senator who opposed the override argued the bill would risk turning the OPA into a fee collector or compliance officer and warned that nominal administrative fines could be ignored rather than prompting compliance, saying, \"This is a fee to ignore all reporting requirements.\" That senator urged colleagues to craft a version with stronger enforcement teeth instead of the measure before them.

Members cited existing statutory enforcement mechanisms in other contexts (for example, penalties related to late filings) while debating whether the proposed sanctions and discretionary authorities for the public auditor would preserve independence or erode it. Several senators said they support the goal of timely audits but differed on whether the bill's mechanisms are appropriate.

By the end of the floor debate the body voted on the motion to place the vetoed bill on the third-reading (voting) file. The motion carried after one objection was recorded. The transcript shows the motion to place Bill 14-38 COR on the third-reading (voting) file was made by Senator Tadhgiri and that debate followed. The transcript does not record a final override vote of the governor's veto during the portion provided.

The Legislature's action places the vetoed measure before the body for a future recorded vote on whether to override the governor. No override outcome is recorded in the provided transcript.

What happens next: The bill's placement on the voting file means the Legislature will schedule a recorded vote on the override. If an override is to succeed it must meet the supermajority threshold provided by Guam law for overriding executive vetoes; the transcript portion provided does not include the final recorded override tally.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","38th Guam Legislature Regular Session - May 27, 2025 AM","oneSentenceSummary","The Guam Legislature moved Bill 14-38 COR—aimed at strengthening the Office of Public Accountability's ability to obtain timely audit materials—onto the voting file for a future veto-override vote after floor debate about the measure's enforcement role and potential consequences for agency independence.","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},6544728,"Votes at a glance: nominations placed in voting file and floor agenda motions",1516,2211000,3727000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3511914-a9b65781037677dd4cb9758e224148ee&start=2211&end=3727","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3511914-a9b65781037677dd4cb9758e224148ee/thumbnail_2211000.jpg","/articles/6544728/Votes-at-a-glance-nominations-placed-in-voting-file-and-floor-agenda-motions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6544728-da3be6b5429e804a72b560bf1d105b61/orig.mp4?Expires=1771076375&Signature=Xeje-1SzAySAkg8AalFKrVWpasLah6v~ZT4cqzI89p4xZBLImWfWborumxYtPaQJwF89Y7n96NmEItkbH40pVbJady3TTo081PV-7~n7MW5Ma~CCAqYh6EKqSMUjzQCXsO1yjKLC8RAFLGLkvARTzqsGT5h72feiRYeVAmiYU1gSRWmJkFliKRPgvh6AppIjhH3lmvXe9euHa9R4BOlmmOwBYjVv4wJAJLqoEpKnnD-Jz5CtN8obuOyUidBlv1MOzutid48k0-f3es6ZrKozTAdp7HX30Ihj2Ddmw5IKinWvHIjEEud6iqozEaiVeB3B6x6a1zqWvZ8QiO4MEFcySQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The following items were moved on the floor and recorded in the provided transcript. Items listed below were placed on the voting file (concurrence) or otherwise had floor action taken; most were approved on voice or without recorded objection in the provided transcript.

- Felix C. Beneventi: Motion to place nomination to serve as a member of the Hag\u0000at\u0000na Restoration and Redevelopment Authority Board of Commissioners into the voting file with recommendation to confirm. Mover: Senator (unnamed) / result: no objection recorded; motion carries.

- Christina R. Flores (also cited as Christina Art Folores): Motion to place nomination to Guam Council on the Arts and Humanities Agency Board of Directors into the voting file with recommendation to confirm. Result: no objection; motion carries.

- Patricia Ann Perez Ada: Motion to place nomination to Agat\u0000na Restoration and Redevelopment Authority Board of Commissioners into the voting file with recommendation to confirm. Result: no objection; motion carries.

- Krista L. Blankenship: Motion from the Committee on Health and Veterans Affairs to place the nomination to the Guam Memorial Hospital Authority Board of Trustees into the voting file with recommendation to confirm. Result: no objection; motion carries.

- Marvin Q. Aguilar: Motion to place nomination to serve as planning alternate representative on the Guam Historic Preservation Review Board into the voting file with recommendation to confirm. Result: no objection; motion carries.

- Dolores Lily Seiberdaglio, DBA: Motion to place nomination to serve as a community-at-large representative of the Guam Commission for Educator Certification into the voting file with recommendation to confirm. Result: no objection; motion carries.

- Nicole A. Calvo: Motion to place nomination to serve as planning representative on the Guam Historic Preservation Review Board into the voting file with recommendation to confirm. Result: no objection; motion carries.

- Stephen P. Carballito: Motion to place nomination to the Guam Environmental Protection Agency Board of Directors into the voting file with recommendation to confirm. Result: no objection; motion carries.

- Ho Esun: Motion to place nomination to the Guam Visitors Bureau Board of Directors into the voting file with recommendation to confirm. Result: no objection; motion carries.

- Heather M. Kirigua, PC: Motion to place nomination to the Guam Environmental Protection Agency Board of Directors into the voting file; reported out only. Result: no objection; motion carries.

- Conchita S. Antitano: Motion to place nomination to the Port Authority Board of Directors into the voting file with recommendation to confirm; an objection was noted on the motion but the final voice/hand vote carried as recorded on the floor.

Notes on agenda procedure: Several senators raised procedural objections about the speaker's reordering of the session agenda without a formal motion by the Committee on Rules. The speaker explained that the committee had provided an approved list of bills and that the speaker had discretion to set the order for floor consideration; one senator cited the rule that the Committee on Rules shall set the session agenda and that changes require eight votes to adopt. The transcript records floor discussion and at least one failed motion to overrule the chair on an unrelated motion.

","During the session the Legislature placed several executive and advisory-board nominations into the voting file (concurrence), approved a floor amendment on Bill 78-38, and approved changes to the session agenda. The following is a concise list of motions and outcomes recorded on the floor.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6544732,"Legislature advances bill to let eligible SNAP recipients buy prepared meals at approved restaurants",0,3776000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3511914-a9b65781037677dd4cb9758e224148ee&start=3776&end=3776","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3511914-a9b65781037677dd4cb9758e224148ee/thumbnail_3776000.jpg","/articles/6544732/Legislature-advances-bill-to-let-eligible-SNAP-recipients-buy-prepared-meals-at-approved-restaurants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6544732-e303dd740649bdd41bb659ceb83cffec/orig.mp4?Expires=1771076375&Signature=E6TZdXO3NZIL2Be~382pmEFs~0Rs~FY00ZnPplb5qqi87qLxFgdmD3s64Ks0yvZLQ3kQukrMyN~iT46HJtyVeIPAMMpY1gjuNVM1sOP1eaAOA~3BmfK53PGd2K-ZK37J6fn11uxTxQ6AUddTUwAGNsg7~ZaDynyGJzhZcMtnuVHvF8SmiDXAVPJmKs8gcFTKUaNZO1LNbQOGujQq-gakZWGxw5yZl1gkGLngrZSc~Z66eZvaYV0WuHgGNHr9mIBme3pSKrzluVx8O1vcsOssuyG2SD3RH2XyVnp3E1kEvWeBymDGxxWzy2kKUGVaOqfiimU~aRveT8H3625d0ijkAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Guam Legislature placed Bill 78-38 COR — a measure to establish a restaurant meals program (RMP) that would allow eligible Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to buy prepared meals at authorized restaurants — onto the third-reading (voting) file after floor debate and an amendment.

Senator Calvo, the bill's sponsor, told colleagues the measure aims to expand food access for seniors, people with disabilities, and people experiencing homelessness by allowing those who cannot prepare meals to use EBT at approved restaurants and mobile vendors. She said Guam receives more than $100,000,000 in federal SNAP allocations annually and argued that \"keeping these federal dollars circulating on Guam benefits restaurants, retailers, and agricultural producers.\"

The bill as amended conditions program implementation on both federal approval and an identified funding source. During floor questions members raised concerns about startup and ongoing costs and the potential impact of pending federal changes to SNAP rules. A member representing MTM asked whether a proposed U.S. House budget provision that could require territories to shoulder 5% to 25% of SNAP costs would affect Guam's ability to fund an RMP. Senator Calvo answered that the bill \"explicitly conditions implementation of the RMP on an identified funding source and federal approval\" and said she had discussed possible funding options with the Office of Finance and Budget (OFB) and DPHSS, identifying roughly $470,000 to $500,000 in potential start-up funding from lapsed/unexpended DPHSS balances.

Supporters said RMP would improve nutrition access, reduce reliance on emergency food services and keep federal SNAP dollars in the local economy. They cited other states' experience—California, Massachusetts and others—that have implemented RMP and, in some cases, adapted it to include food trucks and delivery options for homebound residents. Opponents and skeptical speakers raised questions about the program's cost estimates (witnesses and members referenced figures ranging from about $400,000 to $1,000,000 for first-year start-up), the administrative burden on DPHSS, the need for clear guardrails to protect nutrition outcomes and fraud prevention, and the timing of local implementation while federal SNAP rules remain in flux.

On the floor the Legislature approved a single-word amendment that changed the bill's language on the department's duty from \"shall\" to \"may\" (page 6, line 16) and then the body unanimously (no objections recorded in the provided transcript) moved the amended bill to the third-reading/voting file. The author subsequently added a list of cosponsors on the floor. The transcript shows the bill's placement on the voting file but does not record a final third-reading roll-call vote in the portion provided.

What to watch next: Implementation requires federal approval of Guam's amended SNAP plan and the Legislature or agency must identify and authorize local funding before DPHSS establishes the program. The bill's supporters and DPHSS indicated the development and federal approval process could take 12 to 16 months.

","Lawmakers advanced Bill 78-38 COR, which would authorize Guam to seek federal approval to allow certain Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to use benefits at approved restaurants. The measure was amended and moved to the voting file; implementation is conditioned on federal approval and an identified local funding source.","actionData","errors"]

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Legislature advances vetoed public-auditor bill to voting file after debate over enforcement powers

Votes at a glance: nominations placed in voting file and floor agenda motions

Legislature advances bill to let eligible SNAP recipients buy prepared meals at approved restaurants