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2022 Guam Statutes
Title 1 - General Provisions
Chapter 16 - Statute Revision and Publication

Universal Citation: 1 Guam Code §§ 1600 - 1615 (2022)
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1 GCA GENERAL PROVISIONS CH. 16 COMPILER OF LAWS CHAPTER 16 COMPILER OF LAWS SOURCE: Entire chapter originally added as a new Chapter III to Title XXXVIII of the Government Code (GC §§ 42100-42108) by P.L. 14-093:2 (Dec. 31, 1977). Entire chapter enacted as Subchapter A of Chapter 16, Title 1 GCA, by P.L. 15-104:1 (Mar. 5, 1980). Several provisions in the chapter repealed and reenacted/added by P.L. 17-006 (May 5, 1983). Entire chapter repealed and reenacted by P.L. 27-077:1 (Apr. 26, 2004). 2019 NOTE: The history of the position of the Compiler of Laws and the Compiler’s Office is recorded in several public laws. • P.L. 14-093 (Dec. 31, 1977) first created the classified position of Compiler of Laws within the Guam Legislature. • P.L. 14-132 (June 30, 1978) established the Office of the Compiler of Laws with an effective date of January 1, 1982, and further provided that the Guam Law Revision Commision would have interim responsibility over Compiler functions until January 1, 1982. • P.L. 15-104 (Mar. 5, 1980) enacted the entirety of Title 1 of the Guam Code Annotated, including Chapter 16, Statute Revision and Publication, comprised of Subchapter ACompiler of Laws (§§ 1600-1613), and Subchapter B-Guam Law Revision Commission (§§ 1650-1657). Section 1657 explained that the Law Revision Commission would terminate on January 1, 1982, and that the Compiler of Laws would “assume a separate identity and proceed in accordance with Subchapter A.” This public law includes extensive annotations from former Compiler of Laws Charles Troutman, that explain the history of the position of the Compiler and the Compiler’s Office, and the relationship with, and transition from, the Guam Law Revision Commission. • P.L. 17-006 (May 5, 1983) moved the Compiler of Laws to the Office of the Attorney General. • P.L. 27-077 (Apr. 26, 2004) moved the Compiler of Laws to the Supreme Court of Guam. § 1600. § 1601. § 1602. § 1603. § 1604. § 1605. § 1606. Findings and Policy. Compiler of Laws. Compiler of Laws’ Responsibilities. Definitions. Administrative Support for the Compiler of Laws. Powers of the Compiler of Laws. Powers of the Compiler of Laws Relative to Revision. 1 COL6/5/2019 1 GCA GENERAL PROVISIONS CH. 16 COMPILER OF LAWS § 1607. Copyright. § 1608. Charges for Publications; Fee Distribution. § 1609. Compiler of Laws as Repository for Certain Documents. § 1610. Publication of Administrative Rules and Regulations. § 1611. Guam Code Advisory Commission. § 1612. Compiler of Laws Fund. § 1613. Transition Provisions. § 1614. Existing Licenses and Contracts. § 1615. Publication by Government Entities. § 1600. Findings and Policy. I Liheslaturan Guåhan determines that as of the Year 2000, the Guam Code Annotated has been updated with a General Index, Session Laws published through the Twenty-Third (23rd) Guam Legislature, and the Administrative Rules republished. I Liheslatura finds that the Internet has come into wide-use and is now a preferred research vehicle since the first Compiler of Laws statute was enacted in 1978. Therefore, I Liheslatura determines that a regular program of publication, indexing, updating, and annotating the laws of Guam, both on paper and on the Internet, is imperative for the regular operations of both government and private interests having dealings with Guam, and therefore adopts this Chapter to provide for an office within the Judicial Branch to assure that the laws, administrative rules, court reports and other publications of Guam are timely published and regularly distributed. SOURCE: GC § 42100, as added by P.L. 14-093:2 (Dec. 31, 1977). Codified as 1 GCA § 1600 by P.L. 15-104:1 (Mar. 5, 1980). Repealed and reenacted by by P.L. 17-006:4 (May 5, 1983). Repealed and reenacted by P.L. 27-077 (Apr. 26, 2004). Amended by P.L. 34-027:2 (July 13, 2017). § 1601. Compiler of Laws. There is hereby created within the Supreme Court of Guam, a Compiler of Laws. In addition to any other qualifications which may be established in accordance with the Personnel Rules and Regulations promulgated and adopted by the Judicial Council, the Compiler of Laws shall be an attorney licensed to practice in Guam. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of 2 COL6/5/2019 1 GCA GENERAL PROVISIONS CH. 16 COMPILER OF LAWS Guam shall appoint the Compiler of Laws, with the approval of the Judicial Council. The Compiler of Laws shall be subject to removal and shall be paid in accordance with the Personnel Rules and Regulations of the Judicial Branch promulgated by the Judicial Council. SOURCE: GC § 42101, as added by P.L. 14-093:2 (Dec. 31, 1977). Codified as 1 GCA § 1601 by P.L. 15-104:1 (Mar. 5, 1980), entitled Creation of Office of Compiler of Laws. Repealed and reenacted by P.L. 17-006:5 (May 5, 1983), entitled Compiler of Laws Created. Repealed and reenacted by P.L. 27-077 (Apr. 26, 2004). § 1602. Compiler of Laws’ Responsibilities. It shall be the responsibility of the Compiler of Laws, through outsourcing, privatization, or other means, to: (a) cause to be published annually, together with an adequate index, all laws enacted by any given legislature in the form in which the laws were enacted, commonly known as the Legislature Session Laws; (b) cause to be published, periodic revisions and updates of the Guam Code Annotated, as determined by the Compiler of Laws, including available annotations thereto, such as Attorney General Opinions, Executive Orders, and Court cases, and distributed at least annually, or more often if practical, to I Liheslatura, the Courts of Guam, the Executive Branch, and other interested individuals or entities as determined by the Compiler of Laws; (c) undertake the publication of the continuing Administrative Rules and Regulations, Opinions of the Attorney General, Executive Orders of I Maga’låhi, and reports of cases decided in the Superior and Supreme Courts of Guam; and (d) make available on the Compiler of Laws’ website and other mediums, the publications of the Compiler of Laws and monthly interim updates of the published material promulgated between regular publications thereof. SOURCE: GC § 42102, as added by P.L. 14-093:2 (Dec. 31, 1977), entitled Responsibilities. Codified as 1 GCA § 1603 by P.L. 15-104:1 (Mar. 5, 1980) entitled Compiler of Laws Responsibilities, and amended 3 COL6/5/2019 1 GCA GENERAL PROVISIONS CH. 16 COMPILER OF LAWS by P.L. 17-006:7 (May 5, 1983). Repealed and reenacted by P.L. 27-077 (Apr. 26, 2004). Amended by P.L. 34-027:2 (July 13, 2017). 2019 NOTE: This section was originally codified in the GCA by P.L. 15-104:1 (Mar. 5, 1980), entitled Qualifications of Compiler of Laws. Repealed and reenacted by P.L. 17-006:6 (May 5, 1983), and repealed by P.L. 27-077:1 (Apr. 26, 2004). § 1603. Definitions. (a) Publication Defined. The terms ‘publish, published, publishing, and publication’ as used in this Chapter mean any printed or duplicated material, regardless of format, which is produced, purchased for distribution, or authorized by the Compiler of Laws for distribution and purchase to the public, including the Guam Code Annotated, Legislature Session Laws, Attorney General Opinions, Executive Orders, Administrative Rules and Regulations, and Court cases. The offer to distribute printed or duplicated materials to a group of persons for purposes of further distribution or public display constitutes publication. The distribution to other agencies or instrumentalities of the government of Guam constitutes publication. The term ‘publication’ shall include the authority to create or enable any text-based searchable or researchable database of such printed or duplicated materials. (b) Distribution Defined. The term ‘distribute or distribution’ shall mean to sell, lease, assign or otherwise transfer published materials, or offer to sell, lease, assign or otherwise transfer published materials. SOURCE: Added by P.L. 27-077:1 (April 26, 2004). Amended by P.L. 28-179:1 (Jan. 29, 2007) and P.L. 34-027:3 (July 13, 2017). 2019 NOTE: This section was originally codified in the GCA by P.L. 15-104:1 (Mar. 5, 1980), entitled Compiler of Laws Responsibilities. Amended by P.L. 17-006:7 (May 5, 1983). Repealed and reenacted as 1 GCA § 1602 by P.L. 27-077:1 (Apr. 26, 2004). § 1604. Administrative Support for the Compiler of Laws. The Supreme Court of Guam shall provide technical, clerical, and administrative support to the Compiler of Laws. In the exercise of the responsibilities included in this Chapter, the Supreme Court of Guam may: (a) Accept grants, contributions, appropriations, and 4 COL6/5/2019 1 GCA GENERAL PROVISIONS CH. 16 COMPILER OF LAWS payments for the publications of the office; (b) Employ such professional or clerical staff as necessary for the operations of the Compiler of Laws, in accordance with the Personnel Rules and Regulations of the Judicial Branch promulgated by the Judicial Council; and (c) Enter into contracts as necessary for the operations of the Compiler of Laws, in accordance with the law and the Rules and Regulations promulgated by the Judicial Council. SOURCE: Added by P.L. 27-077:1 (Apr. 26, 2004). Amended by P.L. 29-113:VI:65 (Sept. 30, 2008). 2019 NOTE: This section was originally codified in the GCA by P.L. 15-104:1 (Mar. 5, 1980), entitled Powers of the Compiler of Laws. Amended by P.L. 17-006:8 (May 5, 1983). Repealed and reenacted as 1 GCA § 1605 by P.L. 27-77 (April 26, 2004). § 1605. Powers of the Compiler of Laws. In the exercise of his or her responsibilities under this Chapter, the Compiler of Laws may: (a) Request and utilize the services of any bar association, legislative committee, legislative office, profession or other organization in any matter suitable for the fulfillment of the purposes of this Chapter; (b) Have access to any legislative, executive or judicial reports, opinions, orders, or documents necessary to carry out the purposes of this Chapter; and (c) Conduct meetings, formal or informal, with attorneys, bar associations and others interested in the results and products of the office. SOURCE: GC § 42103, as added by P.L. 14-093:2 (Dec. 31, 1977), entitled Powers. Codified as 1 GCA § 1604 by P.L. 15-104:1 (Mar. 5, 1980), entitled Powers of the Compiler of Laws. Amended by P.L. 17006:8 (May 5, 1983). Repealed and reenacted to this section by P.L. 27077:1 (Apr. 26, 2004). 2019 NOTE: This section was originally codified in the GCA by P.L. 15-104:1 (Mar. 5, 1980), entitled Extent of Revision of Codes and Supplements. Amended by P.L. 17-006:9 (May 5, 1983), entitled Powers of Compiler of Laws Relative to Revision. Reenacted as 1 GCA § 1606 by P.L. 27-077:1 (Apr. 26, 2004). 5 COL6/5/2019 1 GCA GENERAL PROVISIONS CH. 16 COMPILER OF LAWS § 1606. Powers of the Compiler of Laws Relative to Revision. In preparing the Guam Code Annotated, the Guam Administrative Rules and Regulations, court reports and other publications of the Office, the Compiler of Laws may: (a) Number and renumber chapters, sections and parts of sections; (b) Rearrange sections so that they fit harmoniously within the publication being prepared; (c) Change reference numbers renumbered chapters, parts, or sections; to agree with (d) Substitute the proper selection or chapter numbers for the terms ‘the preceding section’, ‘this act’, and like terms; (e) Strike out figures where they are merely a repetition of written words; (f) Change uniformity; and capitalization for the purposes of (g) Correct manifest clerical errors or typographical errors. SOURCE: Added as 1 GCA § 1605 by P.L. 15-104:1 (Mar. 5, 1980), entitled Extent of Revision of Codes and Supplements. Amended by P.L. 17-006:9 (May 5, 1983), entitled Powers of Compiler of Laws Relative to Revision. Repealed and reenacted to this section by P.L. 27-077:1 (April 26, 2004). 2019 NOTE: This section was originally codified in the GCA by P.L. 15-104:1 (Mar. 5, 1980) entitled Copyright. Reenacted as 1 GCA § 1607 by P.L. 27-077:1 (April 26, 2004). § 1607. Copyright. The government of Guam shall have the right to copyright or permit any appropriate private contractor to copyright any or all of the work product developed pursuant to this Chapter; provided, that the Supreme Court of Guam shall retain the power and right to distribute within the government of Guam any or all of the products of the office at below or at no cost to the recipient agency without having first to pay any copyright fee to 6 COL6/5/2019 1 GCA GENERAL PROVISIONS CH. 16 COMPILER OF LAWS the copyright holder; and provided, further, that the government of Guam shall not part with any rights to the form or structure of the laws, rules or other official documents of Guam so that, should the appropriate Guam authorities wish to amend or repeal such laws, rules or official documents in the future, there will exist no private claim to the form or structure. SOURCE: GC § 42104, as added by P.L. 14-093:2 (Dec. 31, 1977). Codified as 1 GCA § 1606 by P.L. 15-104:1 (Mar. 5, 1980). Repealed and reenacted to this section by P.L. 27-077:1 (Apr. 26, 2004) 2019 NOTE: This section was originally codified in the GCA by P.L. 15-104:1 (Mar. 5, 1980), entitled Charges for Publications; Free Distribution. Repealed and reenacted as Printing Revolving Fund by P.L. 17-006:10 (May 5, 1983). Repealed and reenacted as 1 GCA § 1608, Charges for Publications; Free Distribution, by P.L. 27-077:1 (Apr. 26, 2004). § 1608. Charges for Publications; Fee Distribution. (a) All funds required to pay for printing the publications published by the Compiler of Laws or printed by him or her at the request of other government entities shall be taken from the proceeds from sales of publications, appropriations of I Liheslaturan Guåhan or by transfer from the funds of the requesting agencies. (b) Except as provided in Subsection (c), below, the Compiler of Laws shall charge a fee for any publications and printing jobs undertaken by the office. Such fees shall be established and approved by the Judicial Council upon submission by the Compiler of Laws as approved by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Guam. (c) The Compiler of Laws shall furnish legal publications of the office or its licensees free of charge to the following public officials for official use: All Senators of I Liheslaturan Guåhan; The Clerk of I Liheslaturan Guåhan; I Maga’lahen Guåhan; I Segundu na Maga’lahen Guåhan; Justices of the Supreme Court of Guam; 7 COL6/5/2019 1 GCA GENERAL PROVISIONS CH. 16 COMPILER OF LAWS Judges of the Superior Court of Guam; Guam’s Delegate to the Representatives; United States House of Department and agency heads of the government of Guam; Office of the Attorney General; Office of Public Accountability; and Such agencies of state, territorial, trust territory, and local governments, which provide their publications free of charge to Guam. All other persons shall be required to pay for publications in accordance with the fee schedule established and approved by the Judicial Council of Guam. SOURCE: GC § 42105, as added by P.L. 14-093:2 (Dec. 31, 1977). Codified as 1 GCA § 1607 by P.L. 15-104:1 (Mar. 5, 1980). Repealed and reenacted as Printing Revolving Fund by P.L. 17-006:10 (May 5, 1983). Repealed and reenacted to this section, Charges for Publications; Free Distribution, by P.L. 27-077:1 (Apr. 26, 2004). 2019 NOTE: This section was originally codified in the GCA by P.L. 15-104:1 (Mar. 5, 1980), entitled Compiler of Laws Funding. Repealed and reenacted as 1 GCA § 1612, Compiler of Laws Fund, by P.L. 27077:1 (Apr. 26, 2004). NOTE: Reference to Office of Public Auditor changed to Office of Public Accountability pursuant to P.L. 30-027:2 (June 16, 2009). § 1609. Compiler of Laws as Repository for Certain Documents. In addition to the duties of the Compiler of Laws specified in this statute, the Compiler of Laws shall maintain a repository of all laws of Guam and all Opinions of the Attorney General, Executive Orders of I Maga’lahi, and court decisions used in his or her annotations to the Codes of Guam; provided, that if the materials are stored elsewhere within the Supreme Court of Guam, the Compiler of Laws need not duplicate such efforts. Such repository may be maintained on microfilm, microfiche, or other mechanical or electronic media. SOURCE: GC § 42108, as added by P.L. 14-093:2 (Dec. 31, 1977). Codified as 1 GCA § 1612, Compiler as Repository for Certain 8 COL6/5/2019 1 GCA GENERAL PROVISIONS CH. 16 COMPILER OF LAWS Documents, by P.L. 15-104:1 (Mar. 5, 1980). Repealed and reenacted to this section by P.L. 27-077:1 (April 26, 2004). 2019 NOTE: This section was originally codified in the GCA by P.L. 15-104:1 (Mar. 5, 1980), entitled Authority Over the Fund. Repealed by P.L. 27-077:1 (Apr. 26, 2004). § 1610. Publication of Administrative Rules and Regulations. All rules and regulations or amendments to rules and regulations promulgated by any Director and/ or board for departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the government of Guam, pursuant to specific statute or through the Administrative Adjudication Act, shall be codified and published as provided for in this Act. The Compiler of Laws shall ascertain legislative approval of rules and regulations pursuant to the Administrative Adjudication Act by clear indication of approval, either by the passage of a bill into law or by certification by the Speaker of I Liheslatura as to I Liheslatura’s default approval of said compliant rules and regulations. The Compiler of Laws shall submit to I Liheslatura a list of rules and regulations whose approval he or she is unable to confirm due to the loss of records prior to the transfer of the Compiler of Law’s Office to the Supreme Court, or due to the lack of certified legislative records, or due to any other reason. SOURCE: Added by P.L. 27-077:1 (Apr. 26, 2004). Amended by P.L. 34-032:1 (July 13, 2017). 2019 NOTE: This section was originally codified in the GCA by P.L. 15-104:1 (Mar. 5, 1980), entitled Custody of the Fund. Repealed by P.L. 17-006:11 (May 5, 1983). § 1611. Guam Code Advisory Commission. (a) Commission Duties. There is hereby created a Guam Code Advisory Commission, which shall have the following duties: (1) To conduct a review of the structure, format, and organization of Guam’s laws, rules and regulations, and court reports and recommend ways by which these materials may be more accessible to the general public. The Commission shall consider all means of distribution, including both paper and electronic; 9 COL6/5/2019 1 GCA GENERAL PROVISIONS CH. 16 COMPILER OF LAWS (2) To recommend to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Guam and the Judicial Council, ways by which such changes may be implemented both as to editorial and production issues; (3) To hold hearings as necessary or relative to the duties of the Commission; and (4) To recommend to the Chief Justice of Supreme Court of Guam and the Judicial Council, any legislation necessary to implement the recommendations of the Commission. (b) Commission Composition. The Guam Code Advisory Commission shall be comprised as follows: (1) The Attorney General, or his or her designee; (2) The Public Defender, or his or her designee; (3) The Legal Counsel to I Maga’lahi (the Governor); (4) The Legislative Counsel to I Liheslaturan Guåhan (the Guam Legislature); (5) The President of the Guam Bar Association, or his or her designee; (6) The Presiding Judge of the Superior Court of Guam, or his or her designee; and (7) The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Guam, or his or her designee, who shall serve as Chairperson of the Commission. The members of the Commission shall receive no stipend for their meetings and attendance. (c) Commission Support. Administrative support for Commission shall be provided through the Office of Compiler of Laws for any assistance required by Commission, or hearing to be held in accordance with Chapter. the the the this SOURCE: Added by P.L. 27-077:1 (Apr. 26, 2004). 2019 NOTE: This section was originally codified in the GCA by P.L. 15-104:1 (Mar. 5, 1980), entitled Fiscal Year Established and Annual 10 COL6/5/2019 1 GCA GENERAL PROVISIONS CH. 16 COMPILER OF LAWS Budget Required. Amended by P.L. 17-006:11 (May 5, 1983). Repealed by P.L. 27-077:1 (Apr. 26, 2004). § 1612. Compiler of Laws Fund. There is hereby created a special fund entitled ‘Compiler of Laws Fund’, for the purposes of receiving payment for all fees associated with the publication provided by the Compiler of Laws as authorized by this statute. The Fund shall be maintained by the Supreme Court of Guam, separate and apart from the General Fund. All funds to be expended from the Compiler of Laws Fund shall be done in accordance with the law, and by rules and regulations promulgated by the Judicial Council. Funds shall only be used for printing, research, publication, and publication services, in whatever media designated by the Compiler of Laws. SOURCE: GC § 42106, as added by P.L. 14-093:2 (Dec. 31, 1977). Codified as 1 GCA § 1608 by P.L. 15-104:1 (Mar. 5, 1980), entitled Compiler of Laws Funding. Repealed and reenacted to this section by P.L. 27-077:1 (Apr. 26, 2004). 2019 NOTE: This section was originally codified in the GCA by P.L. 15-104:1 (Mar. 5, 1980), entitled Compiler as Repository for Certain Documents, by P.L. 15-104:1 (Mar. 5, 1980). Repealed and reenacted as 1 GCA § 1609 by P.L. 27-077:1 (Apr. 26, 2004). § 1613. Transition Provisions: Personnel, Equipment, Supplies and Funds. (a) Personnel. The incumbent Compiler of Laws shall remain an Attorney at the Office of the Attorney General subject to the appointing authority of the Attorney General and all funds appropriated for his or her personnel costs shall remain within the budget of the Office of the Attorney General, subject to his continued employment. (b) Office, Equipment, and Supplies. All computer equipment, including hardware and software (either prepackaged or developed by or at the direction of the Compiler of Laws), and office supplies and equipment purchased, assigned, owned, or leased by the Office of the Compiler of Laws or the Attorney General with public funds for use in the official duties of the Compiler of Laws, and the Office itself, shall be transferred from 11 COL6/5/2019 1 GCA GENERAL PROVISIONS CH. 16 COMPILER OF LAWS the Office of the Attorney General to the Supreme Court of Guam. Such transfer shall take place on the next most convenient date for accounting purposes following the effective date of this Act, provided, however, that such effective date of transfer shall not exceed thirty (30) days from the effective date of this Act. Nothing in this Act shall require the physical transfer of the office of the Compiler of Laws, from those premises in which it is currently located. (c) Appropriations and Funds. All funds in the custody of the Compiler of Laws or under his control, including all appropriations made to or allocated to the office, regardless of what fund, except for the personnel costs of the incumbent Compiler of Laws, shall be transferred to the Supreme Court of Guam. All encumbrances and purchase orders outstanding at the time of the transfer shall remain valid following the transfer and shall be transferred. SOURCE: Added by P.L. 27-077:1 (Apr. 26, 2004). 2019 NOTE: This section was originally codified in the GCA by P.L. 15-104:1 (Mar. 5, 1980), entitled Merger with Guam Law Revision Commission. Amended by P.L. 17-006:13 (May 5, 1983). Repealed by P.L. 27-077:1 (Apr. 26, 2004). § 1614. Existing Licenses and Contracts. Any licenses granted, or contract entered into, by the Compiler of Laws prior to the effective date of this Act, and in accordance with the laws of Guam, shall continue in full force and effect for the term of such license or contract or as allowed by the laws of Guam. SOURCE: Added by P.L. 27-077:1 (Apr. 26, 2004). § 1615. Publication by Government Entities. Nothing herein shall prevent I Liheslaturan Guåhan, I Maga’lahen Guåhan, the Courts of Guam, or the office of the Attorney General from publishing on their websites, in print or otherwise, any laws, decisions, executive orders, opinions, or other information promulgated by that branch or office. SOURCE: Added by P.L. 27-077:1 (Apr. 26, 2004). ---------- 12 COL6/5/2019
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