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Sen. Vince Borja seeks to waive sanitary permit fees for student fundraisers, in response to feedback from students, parents, teachers and community members during the Oct. 28 education town hall at Tiyan High School. Borja, chairman of the legislative committee on education, introduced Bill 215-38, which would remove the sanitary permit fees for temporary food service facilities operated by school-affiliated groups, making it easier for students to raise money for their clubs, sports teams, and class activities. It seeks to add a new subsection to Guam law, creating an exemption from sanitary permit fees for any student organization or school group at a public or private school, from elementary to post-secondary levels. Under the bill, these groups can host fundraising events for up to three consecutive days without incurring the permit fee, provided they comply with all Department of Public Health and Social Services inspection and sanitation standards and submit a certification from a school administrator verifying the fundraising purpose. “Our students are constantly working to fund their educational and extracurricular activities, from buying new uniforms for a sports team to financing a trip for a school club,” Borja said in a statement. “This bill is a simple, common-sense measure to support their initiative and hard work. By waiving this fee, we are removing an unnecessary hurdle and allowing students to keep more of the funds they raise for their intended purpose.” Bill 215-38 would ensure that while the fee is waived, public health and safety are not compromised. Student groups will still be required to meet all applicable sanitation rules and regulations under Public Health’s supervision. Public Health will be tasked with creating and implementing regulations to facilitate the exemption within 90 days of the bill’s enactment. “This legislation encourages community engagement and teaches students valuable lessons in financial management and teamwork,” Borja added. “It aligns perfectly with our goal of creating a supportive environment where our students can thrive both inside and outside the classroom. It is a small change that will make a big difference for our school communities.”
