By Joan Aguon Charfauros

Copyright kuam

18 bills are now on the Guam Legislature’s September session agenda — but all eyes will be on a potential override vote of the Fiscal Year 2026 budget bill.

Senators passed Bill 44 in August with an 11-to-4 bipartisan vote, but Governor Lou Leon Guerrero vetoed it earlier this month, objecting to a half-percent rollback of the Business Privilege Tax. Republicans, backed by two democrats, say they have the ten votes needed to override.

The budget bill is one of four vetoed measures up for possible override consideration. The governor had called lawmakers into special session with her own version of the budget that excluded the BPT rollback, but senators rejected it.

Separately, the governor has already signed a $40 million measure to help the Guam Memorial Hospital pay overdue vendor bills, repair electrical systems, and upgrade it infrastructure.

Also on the agenda: land transfers to the Guam Police Department for new public safety facilities, reforms to zoning laws for affordable housing, and proposals on re-using the old Department of Public Health building in Mangilao — including plans to support the Guam Community College’s nursing program.

Session dates will be set at the call of Speaker Frank Blas, Jr.