FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 16, 2022 – Hagåtña, Guam) – Speaker Therese Terlaje has introduced a pair of bills that would advance CHamoru Land Trust (CLTC) efforts to develop much needed infrastructure for residential and agricultural leases on CLTC properties. The Guam Undersea Access for Homes Act (GUAHA), Bill 277-36 (COR), aims to establish a uniform policy for the licensing of submerged lands for telecommunications operators landing fiber optic cables on Guam.  The second proposal, Bill 278-36 (COR), would ensure the proceeds of these submerged lands licenses go toward infrastructure to include surveys, access roads, water, sewer, power and telecommunications resources for CLTC tracts of land.

“I am confident that the Guam Undersea Access for Homes Act will modernize our policy for the licensing of submerged lands and bring fair rates to the CLTC more in line with the rest of the world.  As the CLTC continues identifying and prioritizing tracts of land for additional residential leases, it is critical that we provide resources to support infrastructure and assist local families seeking quality homes,” Speaker Terlaje stated.

The measures follow the passage of a prior bill that authorized the licensing of submerged lands in Alupang to a local telecommunications provider.   The enactment of GUAHA would ensure parity for other companies seeking to do the same.  In addition, the proposal would require the Bureau of Statistics and Plans to make recommendations for cable landing sites that are environmentally responsible and optimal for Guam’s undersea topography, as opposed to the current ad hoc approach currently in place.

CLTC Chairman John Reyes, Jr. and Acting Director Angela Camacho backed the measures stating, “The CHamoru Land Trust Commission would like to extend our full support for the Guam Undersea Access for Homes Act (GUAHA). This Act would ensure a competitive market for submerged cable activities within the telecommunications industry.”

The Speaker stated, “I look forward to productive discussions at the public hearings for these bills and want to encourage participation from telecommunications companies, ancillary businesses, as well as residential and agricultural stakeholders for the CLTC.”

The schedule for public hearings for the bills will be announced when dates are secured.

For more information, please contact Speaker Therese M. Terlaje’s office at (671) 472-3586 or via e-mail at senatorterlajeguam@gmail.com.