Senators pass first dozen bills of 2012
Guam - After two days in session, lawmakers passed their first bills of 2012. The twelve bills included Senator Rory Respicio's Bill 406, which settles a 17-year-old debt for the Guam Public Market Redevelopment Project and provide assignability of offsets against Business Privilege Taxes for the outstanding debt balance owed to Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Company, and Senator Tina Muna Barnes's Bill 390, which provides the director of Parks and Recreation to determine the appropriate number of vendors for the Guam Park System.
Also, Bill 124, relative to deadbeat parents and the most wanted delinquent absent parent list and other child support lists of delinquent obligors was passed, as was Senator Chris Duenas' Bill 193, which establishes a scholarship program for economically-disadvantaged students seeking careers in the construction trades. Senator Tom Ada's Bill 309 relative to the continuing application of benefits to Guam's veterans passed, as did Senator Adolpho Palacios' Bill 296, which would establish minimum qualifications for Department of Correction officers.
Two resolutions were also adopted, including one urging President Barack Obama and Congress to reconsider funding cuts and decreases to the Department of Defense budget with the second establishing a "sister city" relationship between the Province of Pangasinan in the Philippines and Guam. Lawmakers meanwhile confirmed the appointment of Dr. John Salas as a member to the Council on Post-Secondary Institution Certification.