The Legislative Committee on Land, Environment & Agriculture held a public hearing on Monday to confirm the reappointment of Steven Carbullido to the board of directors of the Guam Environmental Protection Agency, as well as to discuss passing legislation to allow the agency to employ their own environmental law attorney.

Carbullido’s reconfirmation to the board was the first item of business. The current chairman of the board outlining his achievements over the past three years and highlighting the board's review and approval of island-wide cleanup programs, expenditures for waste removal, and the GEPA’s Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan.

“If you’ll let me, I hope to use my background as a Guamanian, a CHamoru, a young professional, and a licensed engineer to continue advocating for our environment and future generations," said Carbullido.

He also addressed areas needing improvement, saying, “I want to see improvement on the agency’s enforcement, notices of violations, and the Air Force’s open detonation permit.”

But to achieve this, he believes the agency needs an attorney exclusively for GEPA's use, shifting focus to Bill 83, which would allow just that.

Michelle Lastimoza, the agency's administrator, said, "These laws protect people from significant health risks and authorize us to develop and enforce environmental regulations within the regulated community in order to correct or stop activities that endanger the environment or public health."

Lola Leon Guerrero, director of the Bureau of Statistics & Plans, also supported the bill, but requesting the option to hire attorneys through additional employment mechanisms. “These alternative employment actions allow BSP to address the immediate and pressing need for an environmental attorney while avoiding long-term financial commitments tied to the indefinite funding of the position," she said.

Senators raised questions about the agency's past experiences with retaining counsel and the importance of having a dedicated  environmental law attorney. "Personally," Laztimoza noted, "I would hope that someone who has served as our AAG in the past would be interested in applying.”

“Maybe even classified employees currently that would be interested in doing a lateral transfer to our agency."

The committee is now considering all testimony heard on both matters before casting their votes.