FINAL BILL REPORT

                           SSJM 8009

                     AS PASSED LEGISLATURE

Brief Description:  Supporting Guam in its quest for commonwealth status.

SPONSORS: Senate Committee on Trade, Technology & Economic Development (originally sponsored by Senators Bluechel, Snyder, Sellar, Skratek, M. Rasmussen, Erwin, Gaspard, Fraser, McDonald, Franklin, Winsley and Oke)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRADE, TECHNOLOGY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRADE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & HOUSING

BACKGROUND:

Guam, acquired by the United States at the end of the Spanish-American War, is a self-governing, organized, unincorporated United States territory.   Commonwealth status would increase the degree of autonomy enjoyed by Guam.  Guam's citizens chose by plebiscite in 1976 the political status of commonwealth and ratified the draft Guam Commonwealth Act in 1987.  The Guam Commonwealth Act is expected to be reintroduced in Congress later this year.

SUMMARY:

The Legislature supports the efforts of Guam to achieve commonwealth status and petitions the President and Congress to recognize Guam's right to self-determination.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

Senate    48   0

House     98   0