The resolution reads, “A bill before the 30th Guam Legislature (Bill 429) would eliminate the current exemption from the liquid fuel tax for fuel transferred to a point outside of Guam, in order to provide increased funding for potential environmental disasters related to fuel transfers.”
The chief executives also noted that although Bill 429 is intended to raise revenue to support any harmful incidents that may occur, there are already safeguards that exist under the U.S. Oil Pollution Act of 1990.
“The Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund provides up to one billion dollars per incident to mitigate harm to the environment and such resources far outweigh any revenue that could be gained by the elimination of the liquid fuel tax exemption,” Fitial’s resolution stated.
Before President Johnson Toribiong opened the floor for discussion on the resolution, Gov. Felix P. Camacho of Guam notified his colleagues that he would recuse himself from the discussion and voting to eliminate any forms of impropriety and conflict in the event the bill gets passed and transmitted to his office for action.
The chief executives acknowledged Camacho’s concerns and proceeded to open the floor for discussion.
All the remaining members agreed with the resolution proposed by Fitial and without any lengthy discussion, the members moved to vote on the measure.
With Camacho observing the proceedings, the chief executives unanimously registered their support and approval of the CNMI governor’s resolution.
The resolution was signed by President Johnson Toribiong of Palau, President Jurelang Zedkaia of the Marshall Islands, President Emanuel Mori of the FSM, Gov. Benigno R. Fitial of the CNMI, Gov. Sebastian Anefal of Yap, Gov. Wesley Simina of Chuuk, Gov. John Ehsa of Pohnpei and acting Gov. Steven George of Kosrae.
