It is the purpose of this Article to clarify the role of the Guam Legislature in appropriating Federal funds received by Guam so as to assure that the purposes of the government of Guam are served and legislative priorities are adhered to by the acceptance and use of such funds. SOURCE: GC § 6800 added by P.L. 14-83:1. 2018 NOTE: References to “Territory” removed and/or altered to “Guam” pursuant to 1 GCA § 420.
COMMENT: 1. Annual Budget laws usually contain one or more provisions applicable to the use of federal funds. Therefore, please look at each year’s annual budget to see the latest provisions on this subject. 2. Section 1423j of Title 48, United States Code, is paramount to local legislation [this Article] and provides that the United States Congress can make appropriations directly to the government of Guam. Where these appropriations or grants completely fund a specific purpose without the need of local funding, and where the appropriation or grant does not provide for local legislative control, there is no authority for the Guam Legislature to assume the responsibility for reappropriating these funds. Wong, Deputy Consumer Counsel v. Camina, Director, Bureau of Budget & Management Research, 2 Guam R. 132, 133 (1978).