Act amending Chapter 21 of Title 1 of Guam Code (P.L. 28-144)

I MINA’BENTE SIETE NA LIHESLATURAN GUÅHAN file:///D/HTML/gum68370.htm[15.01.2025 17:38:05] Public Law 27-144 I MINA’BENTE SIETE NA LIHESLATURAN GUÅHAN 2004 (SECOND) Regular Session Bill No. 394 (LS) As amended by the Committee on Utilities and Land, and further amended on the Floor. Introduced by: v. c. pangelinan L. A. Leon Guerrero F. B. Aguon, Jr. J. M.S. Brown F. R. Cunliffe Carmen Fernandez Mark Forbes L. F. Kasperbauer R. Klitzkie J. A. Lujan T. R. Muña Barnes J. M. Quinata R. J. Respicio Toni Sanford Ray Tenorio AN ACT TO AMEND §2104 OF CHAPTER 21 OF TITLE 1, GUAM CODE ANNOTATED, RELATIVE TO THE COMPOSITION OF THE COMMISSION ON DECOLONIZATION. BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF GUAM: Section 1. Legislative Findings and Intent. I Liheslaturan Guåhan finds that the Commission on Decolonization needs to include members that have the desire, interest and commitment in the decolonization of the Chamorros through the exercise of a vote on self-determination. Its current membership mainly consists of elected leaders who, for one reason or another, have been unable to move the issue forward resulting in a vote through a plebiscite. Therefore, in order to assist the Commission on Decolonization in timely addressing the issues that face the Commission, I Liheslaturan Guåhan intends to amend the membership composition of the Commission. Section 2. §2104 of Chapter 21 of Title 1, Guam Code Annotated, is hereby amended to read as follows: “§2104. Creation and Membership on Commission. There is established a Commission on Decolonization for the Implementation and Exercise of Guam Self-Determination for the Native Inhabitants of Guam, which shall be composed of eleven (11) members, including the Chairperson. I Maga'lahen Guåhan shall serve as the Chairperson of the Commission. Three (3) members of the Commission shall be appointed by I Maga'lahen Guåhan; one (1) shall be a member of and be selected by I Liheslaturan Guåhan's minority; one (1) member to be appointed by the Speaker of I Liheslaturan Guåhan, who may appoint himself; one (1) member of the Mayors Council to be appointed by the Council; one (1) member to represent the task force members who are advocating the political status of Independence to be appointed by the Chairman of the task force, who may appoint himself; one (1) member to represent the task force members who are advocating the political status of Free Association to be appointed by the Chairman of the task force, who may appoint himself; one (1) member to represent the task force members who are advocating the political status of Statehood to be appointed by the Chairman of the task force, who may appoint himself; and one (1) member to represent the youth of Guam to be appointed by the Speaker of the Youth Congress from among the qualified members of the Congress, who may appoint himself. The Commission shall choose a Vice-Chairperson from among the members of the Commission. No person shall be eligible to serve as a member of the Commission unless that person shall be a citizen of the United States qualified to vote on the plebiscite for political self-determination. Except for the Chairperson, members shall serve throughout the life of the Commission and shall elect among themselves a Vice-Chairperson, who shall serve as Chairperson in the absence of I Maga'lahen Guåhan. Vacancies in the membership shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. Any appointed member of the Commission who fails to attend, without being excused pursuant to a motion passed by the Commission, three (3) consecutive regularly scheduled meetings shall automatically be disqualified to I MINA’BENTE SIETE NA LIHESLATURAN GUÅHAN file:///D/HTML/gum68370.htm[15.01.2025 17:38:05] continue serving in his or her position and the appointing authority shall then be required to appoint a replacement for said member.” Section 3. Severability. If any provision of this Act or its application to any person or circumstances is found to be invalid or contrary to law, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of this Act which can be given effect without the invalid provisions or applications, and to this end the provisions of this Act are severable.