By Pacific Island Times News Staff
Sen. Sabina Flores Perez has introduced a bill mandating the Department of Public Works to take the lead in coordinating streetlight installation, maintenance and operation in consultation with the Guam Power Authority and Guam Police Department.
Perez said Bill 60-37 is aimed at addressing the backlog of streetlight projects that have been stalled due to a lack of coordination and access to funding of different agencies that control streetlights.
"Bill 60-37 would streamline the process, giving DPW the mandate it needs to address streetlight insufficiencies and also ensures that funding earmarked for the purposes of these projects are spent as it was intended for and to promote public safety,” Perez said.
Bill 60-37, co-sponsored by Vice Speaker Tina Muña Barnes and Sens. Joe S. San Agustin, Barnett and Roy Quinata.
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Perez also introduced Bill 55-37, which seeks to improve Guam Environmental Protection Agency's access to local funds to increase enforcement capacity.
Co-sponsored by Barnett, Bill 55-37 streamlines the distribution of 20 percent of use tax collections earmarked for the Guam Environmental Protection Agency, addressing the longstanding need to increase the resources GEPA needs to match its regulatory demands.
“Guam EPA’s enforcement of laws to ensure the health and protection of our environment and people have increased significantly due to the expansion of environmental laws, increased permitting applications for construction projects, and increased incidences of violations, such as illegal dumping," Perez said.
"Additionally, Guam EPA’s regulatory capacity has been challenged due to higher salaries offered by the private sector and federal government. Bill 55-37 aims to increase access to local funds to address these regulatory demands and challenges that are essential to protecting our land, water, air, and the health of our people,” she added.
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