FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (April 4, 2022 – Hagåtña, Guam) – A public hearing has been scheduled for two measures introduced by Speaker Therese Terlaje aimed to bring direct relief to residents at the gas pumps.  The hearing for Bills 260-36 (LS) and 261-36 (LS) will be convened on Thursday, April 7, 2022, in person at the Guam Congress Building beginning 1:30 p.m.

Bill 260-36 (LS) proposes to repeal Public Law 34-44 which increased the Liquid Fuels Tax Rate by four cents ($0.04) per gallon in 2017.  The second measure, Bill 261-36 (LS) proposes to repeal 11 GCA Chapter 26 Articles 4 & 5, which would eliminate the Liquid Fuels Tax altogether, currently estimated at least $0.15 for each gallon.

“Our residents are experiencing a dramatic increase to their cost of living on Guam due to uncertainty around the world and a slowly recovering economy. I believe that with proper use of $62 million excess revenues, road repairs exceeding the current $10.5 million annually collected from the Liquid Fuels Tax can still be prioritized while bringing relief to struggling families and small businesses on Guam,” stated the Speaker.

Speaker Terlaje added, “These efforts are important in ensuring that our families who are struggling to pay rent and utilities are given sustainable financial support. I want to encourage our community to attend the public hearing this Thursday and to weigh in on these bills, especially if they want $0.15 per gallon cut from their final costs at the gas pump.”

The public hearing will be convened by the Committee on General Government Operations, Appropriations and Housing Chaired by Senator Joe San Agustin.