Legislators received broad stakeholder support Oct. 30 for Bill 199-38, which would add a lifetime teaching certificate for educators on Guam who have completed long service in the classroom.

Senator Vincent Borja, the bills author and chair of the education committee, told the hearing the measure would "recognize the dedication of our island's most committed educators," reduce administrative burdens and help retain experience in classrooms. He described the proposed lifetime certificate as intended for teachers with 25 or more years of service.

Dr. Michelle Santos, executive director of the Guam Commission for Educator Certification (GCEC), said the commission had already prioritized lifetime certification and provided input to the bill. "This legislation appropriately recognizes the dedication of educators who have served Guam's students for 25 years or more," she said, and told the committee that GCEC does not project a detrimental fiscal impact from the measure.

Guam Commission Chair Roberta Abadai also testified in support, noting commissioners had researched and discussed lifetime certification since May 2024 and that the commissions recommended language is reflected in the bill.

Barbara Adames, acting deputy superintendent for educational support and community learning at the Guam Department of Education, supported the bill while underscoring its accountability elements. Adames described three safeguards embedded in the draft: periodic reporting to GCEC every five years, satisfactory evaluation through the Guam Professional Teacher Evaluation Program (PTEP) every five years and continuing participation in school or district professional development. "Lifetime certification doesn't mean a free pass," she said. "It means honoring long time service while maintaining high standards."

Committee members pressed witnesses on fiscal effects and ethics enforcement. Witnesses and GCEC representatives said the fiscal impact on certification-fee revenue would be minimal because not all certificate holders would qualify or choose lifetime status; BBMR's fiscal note outlined potential reductions in recurring renewal fees for individual teachers. On ethics enforcement, GCEC officials said their statutory authority (title and section references provided in testimony) allows investigatory steps when complaints are filed, but that the commission lacks a dedicated investigator and can act only on reports; principals currently have mandatory reporting duties.

No final action was taken in the hearing. Committee members indicated they would work with the commission and GDOE to refine language and bring the measure back for markup and possible placement on a session agenda.