Guam Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero has called the legislature into special session Tuesday to discuss a bill that would allow the installation of hospital infrastructure in Mangilao using American Rescue Plan Act funds.
The governor called lawmakers into session last week for the same bill, but she canceled the session after the court ruled in favor of landowners in a condemnation case involving the new hospital complex.
The governor said Monday a legal review determined the condemnation case involved a different piece of property, and the infrastructure land is not part of any litigation.
She said the bill has been revised to specify the parcels needed for the utilities.
“The purpose of the bill remains the same: to allow GPA and GWA to proceed, to prevent the loss of $104 million in federal funds, and to keep the new hospital project on schedule,” Leon Guerrero said in a video message. “Every day we wait increases the risk that this $104 million—money already allocated to Guam—could be taken back by the federal government. Delay also drives up construction costs and slows down the vital improvements our people deserve. This is about protecting Guam’s future, strengthening our healthcare system, and ensuring we don’t lose once-in-a-generation federal investments.”
The deadline for obligating the funds was Dec. 31. 2024, so the money must be used for that purpose.
The deadline to spend the money is Dec. 31, 2026.
Lawmakers went into special session on Sept. 29 to discuss the same piece of legislation, but they adjourned without action.
"I respectfully urge the Legislature to pass this revised bill without delay — because the cost of inaction is simply too high," Leon Guerrero said.
