In the process of proposing amendments to the Judicial Efficiency Act of 2006 two years ago, he said his staff “inadvertently omitted” the judges and justices from their originally implemented annual leave exemption.
The senator also added that this omission was not brought to his attention until a couple of weeks ago.
“I proposed those amendments two years ago that restored annual leave to four, six, and eight hours,” he said, adding that “By omitting them [judges and justices], they were inadvertently reinstated, even though that was not the intention.”
In its proposed form, Bill 221 states that “annual leave shall be granted to employees occupying permanent positions” except personnel of the Department of Education, the Guam Community College or the University of Guam, who are employed on a school year basis “and judges of the Superior Court and justices of the Supreme Court.”
The bill will ultimately have its time in public hearing under judiciary committee chairman, Sen. Frank B. Aguon Jr.
According to Palacios, whether the previously omitted language is restored into law or not, it would at least be properly debated since, aside from its inadvertent omission, was not the central topic during the initial amendment process that took place in 2006.
Palacios also said that it may not be easy to restore the annual leave exemption for both justices and judges. “Based on my observation, it appears my colleagues have divided positions on this bill.”
