GuamBill No. 253-38 (COR)38th Guam Legislature (2025-2026)legislature

AN ACT TO ADD A NEW §47113 TO CHAPTER 47, TITLE 10 GUAM CODE ANNOTATED RELATIVE TO PROHIBITING AND DETERRING SEABED MINING IN THE WATERS OF GUAM AND THE SURROUNDING SEA.

Sponsored By: Therese M. Terlaje (Democrat)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Guam bans mining in its seabed

The law bans seabed mineral mining, extraction, and removal within three nautical miles seaward of Guam’s baseline, covering waters, seabed, and subsoil under Guam’s jurisdiction. It also bans permits for related facilities and infrastructure; violations of either ban carry civil penalties of $10,000 to $50,000 per day. Genuine scientific research or collections by or for educational, scientific, or government entities are allowed only with prior written notice to the Department of Agriculture’s Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources and no objection from that Division. Existing rights, privileges, and practices of Native CHamoru people remain unchanged. Covered minerals include metals, gemstones, ores, nonmetallic minerals, polymetallic nodules, and cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts; the Department of Agriculture can issue rules to implement and enforce the law.

Guam tightens port access for vessels

Vessels engaged in or contracted for seabed mining in nearby federal or international waters cannot use Guam’s ports, harbors, anchorages, or territorial waters as staging, supply, or logistics bases without approval. Both Guam’s government and the relevant federal authority must approve that use after full consultation with the Department of Agriculture and affected communities. The Port Authority can delay or deny vessel entry or departure after another agency reports vessel or crew violations involving environmental protection, maritime transport, illegal contraband, or undersea mineral collection or extraction without required licenses or permits. When credible information supports a reasonable belief of a violation, it can require certification of compliance with environmental and extraction laws and deny entry or services if certification is missing. It can also approve commercial harbor use in coordination with the relevant agency.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Therese M. Terlaje

    Democrat • legislature

Cosponsors

  • Chris “Malafunkshun” Barnett

    Democrat • legislature

  • Joe S. San Agustin

    Democrat • legislature

  • Sabina F. Perez

    Democrat • legislature

  • Shelly V. Calvo

    Republican • legislature

  • Telo T. Taitague

    Republican • legislature

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 13 • No: 1

legislature vote • 5/21/2026

Floor Vote

Yes: 13 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Public Law 38-129 — signed

    6/3/2026Governor
  2. Committee report filed

    5/5/2026legislature
  3. Public hearing held

    4/1/2026legislature
  4. Fiscal note filed

    1/13/2026legislature
  5. Referred to committee

    1/13/2026legislature
  6. Introduced as Bill No. 253-38 (COR)

    1/8/2026legislature
  7. Transmitted to Governor

    legislature

Bill Text

  • Introduced

    1/8/2026

  • Committee Report

  • Enrolled (Public Law)

  • Transmittal

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