[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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",6199652,"mediaKeyId","3824532-8a327a5829b64005ded012a28b73eb74","parentId",3824532,"title","Legislators consider temporary business licenses to expand rental housing; agencies urge standards and oversight","audioSeconds",315,"startMs",4172000,"endMs",4487000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3824532-8a327a5829b64005ded012a28b73eb74&start=4172&end=4487","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3824532-8a327a5829b64005ded012a28b73eb74/thumbnail_4172000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6199652/Legislators-consider-temporary-business-licenses-to-expand-rental-housing-agencies-urge-standards-and-oversight","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6199652-34222fc62288d641f4e4aa4c4def00fe/orig.mp4?Expires=1770680722&Signature=VrtwjDFOMdmHU13DvqlC~WbMYGwoR-OkftXcRXO6Ta6eHKM0YV1b1HAwFW~CHw~TyOkrOCMYIrBSAf1N5mrz7r4Y4-IfdunryeiE4ecZpLW21tnvHsZ5zxKawvu4yr1Tpd49y-kursTqj-kXs2cbmUgqHJ5IB0dZQWK1uhjYayrWUneDrt0U6418DcChNgPR-6IZ9Kk6nacku4xG3eI2wM~n4qTWi5EeuvWSLhiizp0LeIqdxiNgSm4b7HInmY21QVTSckRGQXd-bUIcufvXtSFtWtY~ZHvQ3m7ZhYUKgQwiwLQ8q~gnDGc284pY9LwjsuH8dDgIqZJGZtSAjfg~uw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Guam Legislature","date","2025-06-14T22:04:32.387Z","article","A bill intended to increase Guam’s available rental housing by authorizing temporary business licenses for inspected residential units received general support June 11, but agency witnesses urged clearer standards and oversight.

Senator Sean Gumitatao introduced Bill 125‑38 COR, which would allow a residential unit—single‑family homes, apartments, or condominium units that meet inspection requirements established by a certified home inspector recognized by the government of Guam—to be issued a temporary, nonrenewable business license for up to one year so the owner may rent the unit while completing permanent licensing requirements.

The sponsor said the bill aims to expand housing inventory in the face of a reported shortfall. The sponsor referenced data provided to the committee: a Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority/industry estimate of demand for roughly 9,908 additional housing units and anecdotal rental pressures that place local two‑bedroom rates near $1,250 per month while similar units occupied by military‑subsidized tenants can rent for about $2,450 per month.

Department of Revenue and Taxation Director Marie Lizama said DRT typically issues business licenses after required clearances and underscored that a temporary license should not be renewable without progressing to a permanent license: “once the temporary business license expires, that it's permanent,” she said, clarifying that the owner should not be able to repeatedly renew temporary status to avoid full licensing. DRT asked that the committee clarify who reports violations that would trigger immediate revocation and whether the owner has appeal rights equivalent to permanent license processes.

The Department of Public Works (DPW) supported the bill in concept but said its inspectors are not currently certified by the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI); DPW Director Vince Areola said his six inspectors have long experience with building codes but would need to complete InterNACHI online certification if the statute required that credential.

Fernando Estevez, deputy director at the Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority, did not take a position for or against the bill but said GURA does not conduct the inspections referenced and flagged operational and legal questions about recouping funds and civil enforcement if a temporary license holder later failed full licensing requirements.

Christopher Felix of the Guam Association of Realtors said the industry supports the bill’s intent but urged party (private) inspection to reduce permitting delay; he raised concern that requiring InterNACHI‑level inspections would be costly and that some commercial home‑inspection standards go far beyond what’s needed to certify a unit as habitable. Several senators suggested adopting the HUD‑backed INSPIRE standard (used for quality assurance in federally supported housing inspections) as a baseline for habitability rather than an exhaustive buyer’s inspection standard.

Lawmakers and agency witnesses agreed on several technical points for markup: define “residential unit” consistently with the Landlord‑Tenant law (dwelling unit), clarify whether M‑1 zoned units are eligible, specify whether temporary licenses are nonrenewable, require proof of bonding/insurance or professional liability for private inspectors if party inspection is allowed, and require DRT/DPW to submit written recommendations on inspection turnaround times and likely fees. The committee asked agencies to file written testimony and data within five working days.

No vote was taken. The sponsor said he will work with stakeholders to craft amendments for the committee’s markup and encouraged public comments and written testimony.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Public Hearing - Senator Telo T. Taitague - June 11, 2025 9AM","oneSentenceSummary","A bill intended to increase Guam’s available rental housing by authorizing temporary business licenses for inspected residential units received general support June 11, but agency witnesses urged clearer standards and oversight.","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},6199656,"Committee hears bill to let Guam accept foreign driver licenses through negotiated reciprocity agreements",1304,1752000,3056000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3824532-8a327a5829b64005ded012a28b73eb74&start=1752&end=3056","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3824532-8a327a5829b64005ded012a28b73eb74/thumbnail_1752000.jpg","/articles/6199656/Committee-hears-bill-to-let-Guam-accept-foreign-driver-licenses-through-negotiated-reciprocity-agreements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6199656-840ba3bc8a4bc528898ec114cb773377/orig.mp4?Expires=1770680722&Signature=Uwf3TB5104i56w1ON~RjWsFgt4QDyfFojzvt~F9p~a6BYaRY40zkIw2sDv2h4ku13EIhTwu6KpjmSLBgbl3dhCMS-bejKBCy7gnzlcGr1ybEzH6QIMfm6i25Ef3V1-~iAtuOPjA7x1FZ6V6fDE95i1vLJa4TV-qNL08j3tKQYrDuvJvLwhlHM8yi12oT7YzZAV8SJMb3fPnoEOnJ1RvBTEnEVj-EeuIBkjJYoyVX9J5N-eDUDReSY0KVm9gV6A36Ez7ZvkGV02VKGg4h6JaCE77fjaBm5~L8KnL1J2G-JxXzzWTKAjouY25yc0ljrnz7smbWa0k8lAUgbdFzmZHblQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A bill that would let the Department of Revenue and Taxation enter into driver‑license reciprocity agreements with foreign countries drew questions about fraud prevention, scope and rules for returning surrendered foreign licenses.

Senator Tina Rosemary Barnes presented Bill 99‑38 COR on June 11. Barnes said the measure would authorize DRT to “exchange their valid driver's licenses for a Guam license without the need for redundant ... testing,” noting similar programs exist in several U.S. states for licenses issued by Taiwan, Japan and South Korea.

Marie Lizama, director of the Department of Revenue and Taxation, told the committee DRT already administers an existing process under Public Law 27‑48 for certain countries that allows foreign license holders to drive on Guam for up to 30 days, and to register with DRT for a year after payment of a $25 fee. Lizama warned the proposed bill is broader and would open reciprocity “to all foreign countries” except those designated on terrorist lists, which prompted concerns about fraud prevention and practical administration.

The bureau of budget and management research (BBMR) supplied a fiscal note showing DRT driver's license revenues for FY2020–FY2024 (FY20 $612,151; FY21 $704,404; FY22 $1,106,498; FY23 $958,872; FY24 $859,379) but said figures do not isolate fees from foreign nationals; BBMR said it could not estimate the fiscal impact without additional DRT data on volumes and cost estimates.

Art Menel from driver licensing described Guam’s current testing regimen: a 32‑hour classroom component plus 8 hours behind‑the‑wheel for drivers receiving Guam credentials. He told the committee the department must confirm applicants meet vision and medical requirements and that renewals trigger vision checks; DRT staff stressed those safeguards.

Committee members and DRT staff discussed several operational questions: whether reciprocity should be limited to nations with an on‑island consular presence to enable notarized translation and verification; whether surrendered foreign licenses would be returned to holders upon departure (DRT said the current practice for some countries is to retain application documents and, where applicable, stamp or retain parts of licenses); and how DRT would detect fraudulent documents. DRT said it uses certified abstracts and direct communications with issuing agencies (for example, requests to provincial licensing offices in the Philippines) to verify records and recommended consultation with the Guam Police Department on traffic incident statistics.

Senator Sean Gumitatao pointed to the FMCSA veteran program and other states’ selective reciprocity agreements as precedents and asked DRT to consider implementation details in rule‑making. DRT asked for time to provide written testimony with statistics on foreign‑issued licenses and recommended that the department’s authority to set “additional requirements” (fees, testing exceptions, or documentation) remain in the bill’s language so DRT can tailor agreements.

The committee did not take a vote. Members asked DRT to provide written follow‑up about the number of licenses issued to foreign nationals, recommended safeguards against fraud, and examples of reciprocity agreements used by other U.S. jurisdictions. The hearing record will be updated with the requested materials for the committee’s markup stage.","A bill that would let the Department of Revenue and Taxation enter into driver‑license reciprocity agreements with foreign countries drew questions about fraud prevention, scope and rules for returning surrendered foreign licenses.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6199661,"Guam committee hears bill to let veterans use military driver certifications for chauffeur licenses",656,271000,927000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3824532-8a327a5829b64005ded012a28b73eb74&start=271&end=927","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3824532-8a327a5829b64005ded012a28b73eb74/thumbnail_271000.jpg","/articles/6199661/Guam-committee-hears-bill-to-let-veterans-use-military-driver-certifications-for-chauffeur-licenses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6199661-6079a700788fbc869b09a9dd8f09139d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770680722&Signature=MJW7FFKu5k6oioHUXe9JeeTL7z5Vg2cF5n1~4Q9Tp9ECCCANQyX44enCUTN63yHts~oafClYRzUZvnq67O14h0nUHGZo8ctdAsQD7lsyrreJY0T5xIL7PbN~cTFqrOpJpjGOXImaepn0fF9cd6Bo2gx73K36XUtXYui2zJgfd5LI8~wfCJsJa1rCT~3TrobSXUNHRsIuRRAJAihCFxcxRDjdgI448D4FZwpUr~0qSwgJQ5ZE0Z4VgoqnKiT3jpJSY0wqnntu7ByAsFtNcx~bq~IWQyciWOiZNSg3WMmh3Uaz7KlnN1c-fm7CNM1jSpp2Pvx668poWSxgDnx8bhTThA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senators heard testimony June 11 on a measure to let veterans use military driver training as the basis for a Guam chauffeur's license.

The bill, Bill 84‑38 COR, was explained by Senator Joe St. Augustine in a prepared statement read by Senator Tina Rosemary Barnes: “This bill proposes that any veteran with an honorable discharge verified through a DD 214 or an NGB 22, who have completed the military drivers training program, should be eligible for the for a Guam chauffeur's license.” The bill would extend relevant endorsements based on military qualifications.

The measure’s stated intent is to remove what its sponsor described as redundant testing for veterans who completed comprehensive military driver training. Senator Barnes told the committee the training “covers everything from accident avoidance to convoy operations and equipment maintenance” and that adopting military certifications would help veterans transition into civilian jobs.

Marie Lizama, director of the Department of Revenue and Taxation, told the committee the agency “agree[s] that it will streamline the process” and said the department already accepts state endorsements; adding military certifications explicitly would “remove any confusion.” Lizama said, based on a fiscal note from the Bureau of Budget and Management Research, the bureau “finds that Bill 84‑38 as currently written is administrative in nature and poses no fiscal impact upon any funds of the government of Guam.”

Joseph Augustine, director of Veterans Affairs, urged a verification step so the office can certify that military certificates are authentic before the department issues endorsements. Augustine said his office could “certify as legit” the certificates veterans present and recommended the bill include a registry or verification process to guard against fraudulent documents.

Technical questions focused on what endorsements would be issued and whether experience requirements should be added. Art Menel of the motor vehicle licensing staff explained Guam’s licensing structure: a chauffeur endorsement covers lighter commercial work, while larger passenger or heavy-vehicle endorsements (buses, tractor‑trailers) require additional testing and behind‑the‑wheel experience. Senator Sean Gumitatao and others asked whether the federal FMCSA program that waives road skills tests for veterans with two years of experience would inform Guam’s policy and whether any time window should be required between discharge and application.

The committee collected oral testimony and asked agencies to submit written comments and any fiscal documentation. No formal vote or committee action was taken; the hearing record will be supplemented by requested written testimony and agency follow‑up.

Committee staff indicated they will work with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Revenue and Taxation to draft any clarifying amendments that define which military certificates qualify, how endorsements map from military qualifications to Guam license classes, and the verification process for presented documents.

The hearing concluded with no vote on the measure; the committee will accept written testimony and technical recommendations for the bill’s markup.","A legislative hearing considered Bill 84‑38 COR to allow veterans with verified military driver training to receive Guam chauffeur endorsements without repeating civilian testing; officials said the measure appears administrative with no immediate fiscal impact but asked for verification steps and clarifications on endorsements and documentation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Legislators consider temporary business licenses to expand rental housing; agencies urge standards and oversight

Committee hears bill to let Guam accept foreign driver licenses through negotiated reciprocity agreements

Guam committee hears bill to let veterans use military driver certifications for chauffeur licenses