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Political Status and External Affairs Subcommittee Transition Report

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Political Status and External Affairs
Subcommittee Transition Report

The report for the Political Status and External Affairs Subcommittee for the incoming CalvoTenorio Administration has been divided into two sections. The first section addresses the Commission on Decolonization and the Political Status issue for Guam, and the second section addresses the issues related to External Affairs.

I. Political Status

Overall Description or Mission of Department/Agency

The Commission on Decolonization created by Public Law 23-147 has been inactive for a number of years. The legislation creating the Commission was enacted by I Mina’ Benti Tres na Liheslaturan Guåhan, notwithstanding the objections of the Governor, mandated the creation of a Commission on Decolonization. (PL 23-147 was overridden with sixteen (16) affirmative votes (including those of current Speaker Judi Won Pat, Senators Tom C. Ada and Vicente C. Pangelinan – incumbent Senators who have successfully retained their seats for I Mina ’ Trentai

Uno na Liheslaturan Guåhan.)

Public Law 23-147 constitutes the Commission on Decolonization and mandates that those appointed will hold their seats on the Commission for the life of the Commission. The individuals last holding seats on the Commission are:

1. Governor Felix P. Camacho, who relinquishes his seat and Chairmanship upon the inauguration of Governor-Elect Eddie B. Calvo.

2. Speaker Judith T. Won Pat, who retains her seat as Speaker of I Mina’
Trentai Uno na Liheslaturan Guåhan or, may appoint a Senator to fill her seat.

3. Senator Eddie B. Calvo, who relinquishes his seat upon inauguration as
Governor and assumption of the Chairmanship of the Commission.

4. A representative of the Youth Congress. (Current designation needs to be made).

5. Mayor Carol Tayama, Mayor of Agat 6. Mr. Antonio M. Palomo

Political Status Subcommittee Transition Report Page 2

7. Dr. Katherine B. Aguon

8. Ms. Trini Torres, Chairperson of the Independence Task Force 9. Mr. Jose U. Ulloa, Chairman of the Free Association Task Force

10. Former Senator Edward R. Duenas, Chairman of the Statehood Task Force

Brief Description of key Positions and Functions

PL 23-147 mandates that the Commission shall constitute three task forces, each to advocate for one of the three options. Each task force shall consist of seven (7) members from the general public. The staff support for the work of each task force was to be provided by the Commission on Decolonization.

The staff of the Commission consisted of an Executive Director, appointed by the Governor, and two (2) staff assistants. The Commission, like its predecessor, the Commission on Self-

Determination, was considered a bureau of the Governor’s Office. The last Executive Director

was Mr. James H. Underwood. The role of the Executive Director is to implement the intent of PL 23-147 and provide overall supervision to the Commission staff members. Additional responsibilities for the Executive Director also included setting milestones for mass public education program, supervise objective research and in-depth analyses of the three options for Statehood, Independence and Free Association, and work cooperatively with the Guam Election Commission for the implementation of the plebiscite. The Commission had the responsibility to determine the required qualification, specific job description and salary level as appropriate.

The staff assistants for the Commission are required to support and work closely with the Executive Director and provide liaison with government agencies, village mayors, educational institutions and community groups.

The outgoing Administration provided the Transition Committee with a two page summary report that listed the budget allocations for FY 2008, 2009, 2010. It did not provide reports on expenditures for those periods. It should also be noted that for FY 2010 the budget allocation was reduced by 50% of the previous year.

The Commission on Decolonization has no records of any meetings for the past several years nor are there records of any meetings of the three task forces for the same period.

Political Status Subcommittee Transition Report Page 3

Significant Issues for Governor-Elect’s Immediate Attention

The incoming Calvo-Tenorio Administration needs to call a meeting of the Commission on Decolonization within the first ninety (90) days of the Administration.

A supplemental request needs to be sent by the Governor’s Office to the Guam Legislature to

address an adequate budget for the Commission’s operations.

Listing of Department and Agency Goals and Objective

According to Public Law 23-147, “The general purpose of the Commission on Decolonization shall be to ascertain the intent of the Native Inhabitants of Guam as to their future political relationship with the United States of America. Once the intent of the Native Inhabitants of Guam is ascertained, the Commission shall promptly transmit that desire to the President and the Congress of the United States of America as well as to the

Secretary General of the United Nations.”

Proposed or Pending Rules and Regulations

None noted.

Identify Ongoing and Upcoming Initiatives

Chamorro Self-Determination

While the Government of Guam’s participation in political status and the area of Chamorro SelfDetermination has been minimal over the past eight years, there have been a number of initiatives on the part of civil society that has advanced this area of work. Initiatives towards this

end have included the following: testimonies before the United Nations’ (UN) Committee on Decolonization, the General Assembly’s Fourth Committee, and the UN Permanent Forum on

Indigenous Issues; participation in the UN Pacific Seminars bi-annually; revitalization of the Chamorro Registry; University of Guam educational initiatives; the production of scholarly articles deepening the legal understanding of Chamorro Self-Determination; and the passage of a Congressional authorization to fund a local political status educational campaign. Each of these activities is herein briefly described and reference to attachments for further information is also included.

In a resolution adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations during the Sixty-fourth

session (Agenda item 39) on January 19, 2010, the resolution stated the following: “Noting that a

number of Non-Self-Governing Territories have expressed concern at the procedure followed by

Political Status Subcommittee Transition Report Page 4

some administering Powers, contrary to the wishes of the Territories themselves, of amending or enacting legislation for application to the Territories, either through orders in council, in order to apply to the Territories the international treaty obligations of the administering Power, or

through the unilateral application of laws and regulations.”

The continuation of the report on Chamorro Self-Determination is contained on page 13 of this document.

Challenges that the Subcommittee Foresees

There are some very basic issues related to the political status initiative which must be addressed by Governor-Elect Calvo. Once he is sworn into office as Governor of Guam, he has the opportunity to pursue political status options and a plebiscite to determine the choice of the people of Guam and the ultimate political relationship of Guam with other sovereign entities of the international community. Governor-Elect Calvo and Lt. Governor-Elect Tenorio have both publicly stated their support and intent to cause a political status plebiscite to be conducted during their term of office.

Another issue that needs to be addressed is undoubtedly the most contentious issue in regards to the political status plebiscite, that is: Who will be authorized to vote on the question of political status?

The original intent of the law creating the Commission on Decolonization and the law creating the Chamorro Registry Advisory Board restricts the vote to those individuals who were inhabitants of Guam prior to the purchase of Guam by the United States as a result of the Spanish American War or 1898 and their descendants. This follows the thinking associated with the definition of when Guam became a colonial possession of the U.S. through conquest and purchase and the philosophy that the rights of individuals to determine their political allegiance is inalienable and cannot be purchased nor conquered.

There have been those who have questioned the constitutionality of this in relation to the provisions of the U.S. Constitution but, there have also been the arguments presented by others in relation to the U.N Declaration on Human Rights and the adoption of said by the United States.

The constitutionality of the laws creating the Commission on Decolonization, and the Chamorro Registry Advisory Board have never been tested in court.

Political Status Subcommittee Transition Report Page 5

Public Law 23-130, enacted into law on December 30, 1996, established the Chamorro Registry Advisory Board and the development of a Chamorro Registry under the auspices and supervision of the Guam Election Commission. The Guam Election Commission has not been sufficiently funded to carry out this mandate and the question arises as to whether the Governor-Elect intends to request local funding to enable the Guam Election Commission and the Chamorro Registry Advisory Board to develop a Chamorro Registry in accordance with PL 23-130 before 2014? A question remains as to whether federal funding can be used to fund the development of the Chamorro Registry.

Opportunities for Change or a New Direction

The incoming Calvo-Tenorio Administration has the opportunity to re-activate the Commission on Decolonization and revitalize the initiative for self-determination.

Budget

The previous FY 2010 budget in the amount of $89,000.00 from the Government of Guam is totally inadequate to address the need for staff capacity and office operations for a viable Commission on Decolonization. The Subcommittee did not note a budget appropriation to the Commission for FY 2011.

The Subcommittee recommends that at the beginning of the term of the incoming Calvo-Tenorio Administration, a formal request be made to the Guam Legislature to provide additional funds to pay for the Commission staff members, acquisition of equipment and supplies, printing of educational brochures, and research and in-depth study of the three political status options.

The Subcommittee notes that each Task Force for the Commission on Decolonization is required to provide a budget submission to the Commission to enable them carry out their advocacy program. Also noted by the Subcommittee is the Commission determines the level of budget requirements to successfully conduct the plebiscite. This requirement must also be considered by the incoming Calvo-Tenorio Administration in the budget request to the Guam Legislature.

Federal funds (from DOI OIA) have been authorized for a political status educational program. The funds can be granted to Guam from the U.S. Department of Interior. It is recommended by the Subcommittee that the incoming Administration contact Assistant Secretary for Insular Affairs, U.S. Department of Interior, Tony Babauta, to determine the designated use of the funds for the political status educational program.

Political Status Subcommittee Transition Report Page 6

It has been suggested by the Subcommittee that the political status public education program can be better accomplished by the University of Guam. If this is the desired direction of the incoming Administration, a review of Public Law 23-147 would be necessary to determine if further legislation is needed to transfer the educational program to the University of Guam.

The Subcommittee notes that the FY 2011 budget appropriated $250,000.00 from the General Fund to the Guam Election Commission (GEC) for the Decolonization Registry. According to Public Law 30-196, “ I Liheslaturan Guåhan intends that the GEC efforts to update the Decolonization Registry be prioritized and expedited, toward the goal of obtaining registrations of approximately seventy percent (70%) of those persons eligible to vote in the plebiscite in the

next fiscal year.”

Executive Summary of Recommendations

The Political Status & External Affairs Subcommittee recommends that Governor-Elect Calvo and Lt. Governor-Elect Tenorio reactivate the work of the Commission on Decolonization in order to fulfill their intentions of conducting a political status plebiscite during their term of office. This will be a major step forward due to the lack of activity during the previous administrations since Public Law 23-147 was enacted.

If Governor-Elect Calvo and Lt. Governor-Elect Tenorio intend to reactivate the Commission and its work, then they must address the appointment of those positions which are vacated, namely, the representative from the Legislative Minority, the representative from the Guam Youth Congress, and any representative from the general public who does not wish to continue.

The Calvo-Tenorio Administration must address the appointment of an Executive Director and appropriate staff for the Commission.

After the Commission is reconstituted and reactivated, the issue of the Commission’s budget

must be addressed. If local funding cannot be made available, then the Governor must ascertain whether he can utilize federal funding which has been authorized for the purpose of political status public education.

The Subcommittee also recommends that the file documents from the Commission on SelfDetermination and other related political status issues be maintained and secured for future reference. The documents are currently being stored in file cabinets at the Governor’s Office.

Political Status Subcommittee Transition Report Page 7

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES

The Subcommittee has compiled historical information concerning Guam’s political status

initiatives for the reference of the incoming Administration. Public Law 23-147 which created the Commission on Decolonization supplanted the Commission on Self-Determination which was established in 1980 and mandated to conduct a public education program on five political status options: Independence, Free Association, Statehood, Commonwealth and Status Quo. After a series of public meetings, which were classified as educational efforts, a plebiscite was conducted in 1982. All registered voters of Guam were permitted to vote. In that plebiscite, the status options of Statehood and Commonwealth garnered the highest number of votes – however, neither option garnered 50% +1 to establish a majority. A run-off was held in which the Commonwealth status garnered the greatest number and a clear majority of the votes. (A review of the Draft Commonwealth Act

will reveal that Commonwealth status was never considered a permanent political status but rather a transitional mechanism through which the final status would be resolved and established.)

In 1983, then Governor Ricardo J. Bordallo initiated efforts to develop a Draft Commonwealth Act which was placed before the people on an Article by Article basis. Of the Articles that were placed before the people – two failed to garner the required 50%+1 to be accepted. A subsequent vote was held on the two Articles and both were passed. The Draft Commonwealth Act was then presented to the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives. The Draft Act was referred to the Committee on Resources and subsequently to the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Chaired by Virgin Islands Delegate, the Honorable Ron DeLugo, and on which Guam Delegate Antonio B. Won Pat was a Member.

The first hearing on the Draft Act was held in December, 1989 in Honolulu by the Subcommittee. The Guam Commission on Self-Determination was present at that subcommittee hearing and providing testimony were the following:

1. Governor Joseph F. Ada, Commission Chairman 2. Senator Francisco R. Santos, Vice Chairman and Chairman of the

Guam Legislature’s Committee on Federal and Foreign Affairs

3. Senator Madeleine Z. Bordallo, representing the Legislative Majority 4. Senator Marilyn Manibusan, representing the Legislative Minority 5. Judge Alberto Lamorena, representing the Superior Court of Guam 6. Mayor Francisco N. Lizama, Mayors Council Member

Political Status Subcommittee Transition Report Page 8

7. Attorney David Lujan, Public Member 8. Mr. Rufo Taitano, Public Member

Major disagreements surfaced at the public hearing, primarily objections posed by the Executive Branch of the Federal Government, voiced by then Assistant Secretary of Interior Richard Montoya, on the following provisions:

1. The Article in the Draft Commonwealth Act, which limits the final vote on selfdetermination to indigenous Chamorros, as defined in the Draft Act was an issue of contention. The U.S. Department of Justice noted that there would be Constitutional Issues with such.

2. The Article in the Draft Commonwealth Act which calls for MUTUAL CONSENT on any proposed changes to the Commonwealth Act after enactment. The U.S. Department of Justice argued that this would grant Guam veto power over the Congress and the federal government.

3. The Article containing provisions for certain local authorities in the area of immigration.

4. The Article containing provisions recognizing the independence of the Guam
Judiciary (recognition of the decisions and citations by the Guam courts and the length of the probationary period when all decisions of the Guam courts would be reviewed by the 9th Circuit Court).

The Department of Interior, Office of Insular Affairs, was tasked with conducting negotiations between a federal task force (consisting of several federal agencies) to develop language that would be acceptable to both sides. Chair of the DOI team were Assistant Secretary Richard Montoya and Assistant Secretary Stella Guerra. Agreements were reached on several articles and issues, including the issue of immigration and the issue of independence for the Guam Judiciary.

Historical Notation

Donald McHenry (1975: 14), former US Ambassador to the United Nations during President

Jimmy Carter’s administration, quoted President Kennedy’s message on colonialism, one which

sealed the United States [policy] in all subsequent debates on colonialism in the United Nations as follows:

Political Status Subcommittee Transition Report Page 9

“ Within the limit of our responsibility in such matters, my country intends to be a participant and not merely an observer, in the peaceful expeditious movement of nations [people] from the status of colonies to the partnership of equals.   That continuing tide of self-determination, which runs so strong, has our sympathy and our support.   But colonialism, in its harshest form, is not only the exploitation of new nations by old, of dark skins by light, or the subjugation of the poor by the rich.   My nation was once a colony, and we know what colonialism means: the exploitation and subjugation of the weak by the powerful, of the many by the few, of the governed who have given no consent to be governed, and whatever their continent, their class, or their

color”.

POLITICAL SELF-DETERMINATION

The Subcommittee provides the following outline of historical events related to Guam’s political self-determination initiative.

For more than three decades, the question of Guam’s political status has been the subject of

debates by local lawmakers and island community leaders. As early as the decade of 1970, the Guam Legislature created a committee to study the various options Guam could pursue to improve its limited self-government which the 1950 Organic Act established and at the same time granted U.S. citizenship to the inhabitants.

Listed below is a snapshot of Guam’s Political evolution:

1898 … U.S. captured Guam from Spain during the Spanish-American War.

1899… In the Peace Treaty of Paris signed by the U.S. and Spain at the end of the war, Spain

ceded Guam, along with the Philippine Islands, Virgin Island, Cuba and Puerto Rico. This treaty calls for the U.S. Congress to determine the political status of Guam. The island was placed under naval administration with the commanding officer also serving as naval governor to handle civil affairs.
1901…Petition requesting the U.S. government to consider granting a permanent civil government to Guam was signed by some 30 Chamorro leaders.
1908 … The Navy Department informed the naval governor of Guam that the people of
Guam will eventually be granted U.S. citizenship.

1917 … Guam Congress was established as an advisory body, with its members comprising

of Chamorro leaders appointed by Naval Governor Roy Smith.
1931 … Guam Congress members were elected by the people – the first general election ever held on Guam.

Political Status Subcommittee Transition Report Page 10

1936 … Over 1,900 Guam residents signed a petition urging the U.S. Congress to enact citizenship legislation. F.B. Leon Guerrero and B.J. Bordallo travelled to Washington D.C. to lobby for U.S. citizenship. The two Chamorro leaders met with President Roosevelt at the White House but the citizenship bill died in committee.
1949 … Re-established after WWII, Guam Congress members staged a walkout in protest to an action by the naval governor. The walkout generated national attention over the lack of

civil rights for the people of Guam and revived Guam’s drive for self-government and U.S.

citizenship.

1950 … The U.S. Congress enacted the Guam Organic Act. It conferred U.S. citizenship on

the inhabitants, created limited self-government with an elected 21-member Guam Legislature. Governor Carlton Skinner was appointed by the President and confirmed by Congress.

1960 … President Nixon appointed the first Governor of Chamorro ancestry – Joseph Flores,

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    UCLA UCLA Electronic Theses and Dissertations Title The Colonial Boundaries of Exilic Discourse: Contextualizing Mabini’s Incarceration in Gu�han Permalink https://escholarship.org/uc/item/4sh383r2 Author Ong, Josephine Faith Faith Publication Date 2019 Peer reviewed|Thesis/dissertation eScholarship.org Powered by the California Digital Library University of California UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA Los Angeles The Colonial Boundaries of Exilic Discourse: Contextualizing Mabini’s Incarceration in Guåhan A thesis submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Asian American Studies by Josephine Faith Ong 2019 © Copyright by Josephine Faith Ong 2019 ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS The Colonial Boundaries of Exilic Discourse: Contextualizing Mabini’s Incarceration in Guåhan (1901-1903) by Josephine Faith Ong Master of Arts in Asian American Studies University of California, Los Angeles, 2019 Professor Keith L. Camacho, Chair Abstract The writings of Filipino revolutionary Apolinario Mabini, incarcerated in Asan Beach on Guåhan from 1901-1903, continue to have political implications today, as evidenced by Chamorro-led pushback against Filipino-sponsored Mabini memorials in the village of Asan. Much of this debate is centered around differences between Chamorro and Filipino memories about Asan that stem from the U.S. military’s containment and disavowal of their cultural connections. Using a combination of archival and oral history analysis, I unpack the persisting political implications of Mabini’s incarceration on Chamorro-Filipino historical relations. In centering Chamorro genealogical ties to place and Filipinos’ histories of colonization, I argue that restoration of inafa’maolek or mutual relations between Chamorros and Filipinos lies in countering the colonial division of their cultural connections and histories.
  • Teachers Guide.Pages

    Teachers Guide.Pages

    I HINANAO-TA NU I MANAOTAO TÅNO’-I CHAMORU SIHA The Journey of the CHamoru People The Guam Museum’s Permanent Exhibition Teacher’s Guide Produced by Guampedia I HINANAO-TA NU I MANAOTAO TÅNO’-I CHAMORU SIHA The Journey of the CHamoru People The Guam Museum’s Permanent Exhibition Teacher’s Guide Note to readers: Underlined words in this document are links to entries in guampedia.com and other online resources. Guam Museum Permanent Exhibition Overview History of the Guam Museum The Guam Museum, officially called the Senator Antonio M. Palomo Guam and CHamoru Educational Facility, is the first structure built for the sole purpose of housing and displaying Guam’s precious historic treasures. The Guam Museum reflects the diversity, creativity, and resilience of the people of Guam and the Mariana Islands. The permanent exhibition is the story of the CHamoru people, told from a CHamoru perspective. It is hoped to encourage people to engage in dialogue, to share perspectives and experiences and debate issues that concern us all today. I Hale’ta: Mona yan Tatte: 90 Years in the Making The earliest printed record of people making plans for a new museum dates back to 1926. The Guam Teachers Association, led by Ramon M. Sablan, a teacher best known as the author of the “Guam Hymn,” asked residents and friends of Guam to start collecting their antiques and other artifacts for a museum that would protect their history and CHamoru culture. The editor of the Guam Recorder, one of the earliest publications printed and circulated on Guam, also called for the opening of a museum.
  • Political Reviews

    Political Reviews

    Political Reviews 0LFURQHVLDLQ5HYLHZ,VVXHVDQG(YHQWV-XO\ WR-XQH david w kupferman, kelly g marsh, samuel f mcphetres, tyrone j taitano 3RO\QHVLDLQ5HYLHZ,VVXHVDQG(YHQWV-XO\WR-XQH lorenz gonschor, hapakuke pierre leleivai, margaret mutu, forrest wade young 7KH&RQWHPSRUDU\3DFL²F9ROXPH1XPEHU¥ E\8QLYHUVLW\RI+DZDL©L3UHVV 169 0LFURQHVLDLQ5HYLHZ,VVXHVDQG(YHQWV -XO\WR-XQH Reviews of the Federated States of major issue was the military buildup Micronesia, Kiribati, Nauru, and resulting from the transfer of the US Palau are not included in this issue. Marine units from Okinawa to Guam (MV, 28 Sept 2012). As in the primary, Guam Bordallo won the general election National and local elections featured handily, this time garnering 58 percent prominently in news stories in Guam of the vote. this year, as local offices and Guam’s Democrats controlled the Guam nonvoting delegate to the United Legislature by a 9 to 6 margin going States Congress were on the ballot. into the November elections. When The island’s incumbent, Congress- election results came in, voters had woman Madeleine Z Bordallo, faced again chosen a 9 to 6 Democratic challengers in both the Democratic majority, although one-third of the primary and the general election and legislature was replaced. The turn- prevailed against both. In the Septem- over in one seat was due to Frank ber primary, the five-term incumbent Blas Jr choosing to run for the US faced twenty-seven-year-old newcomer Congress rather than for reelection to Karlo Dizon (MV, 14 May 2013). the legislature. However, four other Despite Dizon’s spirited campaign, incumbents were defeated, namely, Bordallo won 73 percent of the vote.
  • Joakim Peter Guam

    Joakim Peter Guam

    196 the contemporary pacific • spring 2000 gress also reelected Congressman Jack ruled in favor of the national govern- Fritz as its Speaker, Congressman ment, and the states were already Claude Phillip as vice speaker, and making plans to appeal the case. In Senator Joeseph Urusemal of Yap as the meantime, the issue did not get the new floor leader. A special elec- the necessary support from voters in tion was held in July 1999 to fill the the July elections. Given these results, vacant senate seats from Pohnpei and the fate of the court appeal is unclear. Chuuk. In the special election, Resio Furthermore, in relation to the second Moses, Pohnpei, and Manny Mori, proposed amendment defeated by Chuuk, were elected to Congress. voters, the Congress passed a law, By act of petition, three amend- effective 1 October 1998, which ments to the FSM Constitution were increases the states’ share of revenue put on the ballot during the general to 70 percent! elections. The amendments center joakim peter around the issues of revenue sharing and ownership of resources. One of the challenges to national unity in Guam the FSM will always be the issue of resources, especially since one of the Although Guam came through unique features of the federation is 1998–99 without a punishing the weaker national government that typhoon, President Clinton hit Guam allows the state governments more like a storm, as did the November flexibility and power. The first pro- general elections, Chinese illegal posal is to amend section 2 of Article entrants, and the effort to restructure I (Territory of Micronesia) to basi- Guam’s school system.
  • LEG 18-0021 Fax: 477-4703 !Aw@~Amag.Org TO: the Honorable Regine Biscoe Lee Jacqueline Z

    LEG 18-0021 Fax: 477-4703 !Aw@~Amag.Org TO: the Honorable Regine Biscoe Lee Jacqueline Z

    Office of the Attorney General of Guam 590 S. Marine Corps Dr., Ste. 901, Tamuning, Guam 96913 January 19, 2018 Elizabeth Barrett-Anderson Attorney General Phone: (671) 475-3324 ext 5015/ 5030 OPINION MEMORANDUM Ref: LEG 18-0021 Fax: 477-4703 !aw@~amag.org TO: The Honorable Regine Biscoe Lee Jacqueline Z. Cruz Legislative Secretary Chief of Staff I Mina 'Trentai Kudtro Na Liheslaturan Gudhan Administration ext. 5010 34th Guam Legislature [email protected] FROM: Attorney General Joseph B. McDonald Chief Prosecutor Prosecution SUBJECT: Legal Opinion Regarding the Application of 3 GCA § 16311 which ext 2410 Requires a Voter Referendum Before Increases in Taxes May Be [email protected] Established, to Bill 230-34 (LS) which would Repeal Tax Exemptions Karl P. Espaldon for Qualifying Insurance, Wholesale, and Banking Companies. Deputy AG Solicitors This Office is in receipt of your request for a legal opinion dated January 11 , 2018 ext 3115 [email protected] seeking clarification as to whether Bill 230-34 (LS), which proposes to repeal tax exemptions for qualifying insurance, wholesale, and banking companies, would trigger Kenneth D. Orcutt the voter referendum requirement found at 3 GCA § 16311. You note that the Deputy AG Litigation Legislature already has proposals similar to Bill 230-34 (LS) that may remove tax ext 3225 exemptions in order to raise revenue from currently exempted businesses. [email protected] Fred S. Nishihira Introduction Deputy AG Consumer Protection This Office has just recently answered a very similar request from Senator Thomas C. ext 3250 Ada, Chairman of the Committee on Environment, Land, Agriculture and Procurement [email protected] Reform, asking whether contemplated increases in the Realty Conveyance Tax located Rebecca M.