By Pacific Island Times News Staff
The Guam Women’s Chamber of Commerce has identified six bills introduced in the 37th Guam Legislature, which the group determined to be critical and relevant to the women's sector.
While it’s not directly endorsing political candidates, the GWCC said its 2024 Legislative Impact Report released today is designed to guide its members and the general electorate’s decisions when they mark their ballots on Nov. 5.
The report, according to GWCC, serves as “an election resource aimed at informing and educating our members and the voters of Guam on critical legislative measures affecting women in business.”
“Among our key objectives is the influence of legislative policies that address the unique challenges faced by women in the workforce, including the pursuit of competitive wages and benefits, access to capital, health care and childcare,” the chamber said.
Bills receiving the thumbs up from the GWCC include:
Bill 176-37: Automated system for Guam Customs & Quarantine. Sponsored by Vice Speaker Tina Rose Muña Barnes. Cosponsors: Sens. Dwayne San Nicolas, Jesse Lujan, Chris Dueñas, Amanda Shelton, Joe San Agustin, Chris Barnett, Therese Terlaje, Roy Quinata, Wil Parkinson and Frank Blas
Bill 220-37: Expanding business privilege tax exemptions list to include prescription drugs. Sponsored by Sen. Jesse Lujan. Cosponsors: Sens. Chris Dueñas, Frank Blas Jr., Thomas Fisher and Chris Barnett
Bill 318-37: Appropriates $400,000 to Guåhan Doula Project. Sponsored by Sen. Thomas Fisher; Cosponsors: Sens. Joe San Agustin, Roy Quinata, Wil Parkinson, Dwayne San Nicolas, Cheis Dueñas, Tina Muña Barnes, Jesse Lujan and Amanda Shelton.
Bill 80-37: Appropriates $1 million from excess revenue to Guam Unique Merchandise. Sponsored by Sen Frank Blas Jr.
Bill 1 62-37: Updates the Women’s Reproductive Health Act of 2012 by removing the requirement for physicians to provide women seeking abortion with relevant printed materials detailing the procedure and adoption options among others. Sponsored by Sen. Wil Parkinson
Bill 85-37: Expands the Family and Medical Leave Act for miscarriages and stillbirths. Sponsored by Sen. Wil Parkinson. Cosponsors: Sens. Amanda Shelton, Thomas Fisher, Dwayne San Nicolas, Tina Muña Barnes and Jesse Lujan.
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“The chamber acknowledges that miscarriages are devastating and at the same
time, extremely common. It is important that employees who experience miscarriage or stillbirth be allowed an ample amount of leave to heal both physically and emotionally,” the GWCC said.
The bills were listed based on GWCC’s survey conducted during the Fanachu Famalåo'an Leadership Summit in September.
The survey, which asked members to name the bills that “resonated with them,” yielded 150 responses “with 83.55 percent identifying themselves as registered voters.”
The Democratic Party of Guam holds majority control of the 37th Guam Legislature. Eight incumbent Democrats and six Republicans are seeking reelection. Neither party has completed the 15-spot slate. All candidates from the August primary who received more than the 4 percent vote threshold to advance to the general elections have made it to the November race.
The Republican Party has 14 candidates, outnumbering the Democratic Party's 11 bets.
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Additional feedback from survey respondents included concerns about the maintenance and repair of Guam Department of Education schools, public safety, outdated zoning laws, support for a revised cottage law, updating government services, fixing our broken procurement system and updating the legislature's website with current bill status and committee reports for legislative transparency.
“As a steadfast advocate for advancing women in business, the GWCC is committed to fostering an environment where women can thrive through advocacy, networking, mentorship, and access to vital resources,” the chamber said.
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