HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — Gov. Lou Leon has signed into law legislation legalizing consumer-grade fireworks on Guam, as well as a three-month extension to the Prugråman Ayuda Para I Taotao-ta Energy Credit Program.
The fireworks measure, Bill 9-37, generated some serious discussion about safety during its time in session. While the measure is now law, the governor indicated that its implementation will likely remain on hold until new related laws are adopted.
Leon Guerrero noted that the Guam Fire Department had voiced concerns that the regulatory scheme in Bill 9 would require funding and personnel. She also stated that the fireworks contemplated in the bill, while having limited pyrotechnic capabilities, can be expected to cause accidents from time to time.
The governor said she raised such issues with Sen. Dwayne San Nicolas, the author of Bill 9, who indicated that he had begun the process of drafting follow-up legislation to address safety concerns.
“Because importation and distribution of the contemplated fireworks cannot commence until such time GFD promulgates regulations for the licensing of such activities, and (Bill 9) does not require promulgation with a specified timeframe, I am satisfied that this measure will remain in a holding pattern until the Legislature passes further laws to inform the rulemaking process,” the governor stated about the bill.
For the energy credit legislation, Bill 173-37, funding had been the main issue.
Leon Guerrero said government finance officials had agreed that the Legislature over-obligated general fund revenues, such that there wasn’t enough funding to cover the $15.8 million appropriation for the extension without de-appropriating elsewhere.
“However, I am pleased to announce that recent collections exceeded projections by over $13 million, such that it is now possible to fund the program,” the governor stated.
“While our fiscal agencies have ensured there are additional revenues for the Legislature to direct, it is incumbent upon the Legislature to exercise its power of appropriation with restraint, so that it does not reverse our fiscal progress and drag our government back into a deficit,” Leon Guerrero added.
Bills now law:
Bill 54-37 now P.L. 37-48: relative to game and fishing regulations
Bill 113-37 now P.L. 37-44: restores management audit requirements for the Guam Department of Education
Bill 173-37 now P.L. 37-49 : extends the energy credit three months, from October through December
Bill 97-37 now P.L. 37-45: related to transferring ownership of the site formerly known as the Inalåhan Baptist Church to the Municipality of Inalåhan
Bill 9-37 now P.L. 37-47 : to legalize consumer-grade fireworks
Bill 90-37 now P.L. 37-46: mandates electronic reporting for government of Guam entities
This file photo shows Sen. Dwayne San Nicolas as he comments on Bill No. 9-37 during a session on Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023, at the Guam Congress Building in Hagåtña. The bill has now been signed into law as P.L. 37-47.
