The governor may be the determining signatory on which two competing pieces of legislation being debated in the Guam Legislature would become law. Bills 156-34 and 45-34 attempt to legislate election reform related to primaries. While Bill 156 intends to change the date of the primary election and the date of filing candidate nomination papers – to ease the burden on the Guam Election Commission – Bill 45 would eliminate the primary entirely. Sen. Mary Torres introduced Bill 156, while Sen. Joe San Agustin introduced Bill 45.
During session on Oct. 24, the Legislature’s legal counsel informed Speaker Benjamin Cruz that, if both bills are passed, the last bill signed into law would overrule the first bill.
Sen. Fernando Esteves attempted to put Bill 156 aside, assuming lawmakers act on Bill 45. Torres objected, however, stating that it is up to individual lawmakers to decide which bill they support and which will ultimately be passed by the Legislature.
Bill 156 was reported to the third reading file, while Bill 45 has been set aside for later discussion.
Full Article: Election reform may depend on governor | Guam News | postguam.com.