Laws Applicable to Guam

The Laws in force in Guam constitute those portions of the Constitution, treaties and laws of the United States of America applicable to Guam; Acts of I Liheslaturan Guåhan; the Guam Code Annotated; Executive Orders of I Maga’lahen Guåhan promulgated pursuant to the Organic Act of Guam and pursuant to Acts of I Liheslatura; decisions of the Supreme Court of Guam; decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States ruling upon those portions of the Constitution, treaties and laws of the United States applicable to Guam and upon cases and controversies applicable to Guam; decisions of the appellate courts given jurisdiction to hear cases from Guam in those matters applicable to Guam; and, as to the individual case, decisions of the Superior Court of Guam. SOURCE: Added by P.L. 15-104:1 (Mar. 5, 1980). Compare § 1-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) and § 22, Trust Territory Code (1959). Amended by P.L. 27-077:2 (Apr. 26, 2004). COMPILER’S COMMENT: This Section gives the hierarchy of laws in force in Guam. This Section reflects the existing situation and is not intended to change the present pattern. No existing law contains reference to this hierarchy, except that the Organic Act provides “the legislative power of Guam shall extend to all subjects of legislation of local application not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act and the laws of the United States applicable to Guam.” (Organic Act, § 11) In addition, the Organic Act, § 6, ¶6 provides that “the Governor shall have the power to issue executive orders and regulations not in conflict with any other applicable law.”