SUBCHAPTER I—GENERAL PROVISIONS

§1421. Territory included under name Guam

The territory ceded to the United States in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty of Peace between the United States and Spain, signed at Paris, December 10, 1898, and proclaimed April 11, 1899, and known as the island of Guam in the Marianas Islands, shall continue to be known as Guam.

(Aug. 1, 1950, ch. 512, §2, 64 Stat. 384.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date; Continuation of Federal Administration

Section 34 of act Aug. 1, 1950, provided that on the 21st day of July 1950, the authority and powers conferred by this chapter would come into force, and authorized the President, for a period not to exceed one year from Aug. 1, 1950, to continue the administration of Guam in all or in some respects as provided by law, Executive order, or local regulation in force on Aug. 1, 1950. It further authorized the President in his discretion to place in operation all or some of the provisions of this chapter if practicable before the expiration of the period of one year.

Short Title of 2002 Amendment

Pub. L. 107–212, §1, Aug. 21, 2002, 116 Stat. 1051, provided that: "This Act [amending section 1421i of this title and enacting provisions set out as a note under section 1421i of this title] may be cited as the 'Guam Foreign Investment Equity Act'."

Short Title of 1998 Amendment

Pub. L. 105–291, §1, Oct. 27, 1998, 112 Stat. 2785, provided that: "This Act [amending sections 1421g, 1423a, and 1423b of this title] may be cited as the 'Guam Organic Act Amendments of 1998'."

Short Title of 1968 Amendments

Pub. L. 90–601, §1, Oct. 17, 1968, 82 Stat. 1172, provided that: "This Act [enacting sections 1428 to 1428e of this title] may be cited as the 'Guam Development Fund Act of 1968'."

Pub. L. 90–497, §14, Sept. 11, 1968, 82 Stat. 848, provided that: "This Act [enacting section 1422d of this title and section 335 of Title 10, Armed Forces, amending sections 1421a, 1421b, 1421c, 1421d, 1421f, 1422, 1422a, 1422b, 1422c, 1423b, 1423h, and 1423i of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and section 1422 of this title] may be cited as the 'Guam Elective Governor Act'."

Short Title

Act Aug. 1, 1950, ch. 512, §1, 64 Stat. 384, provided that: "This Act [enacting this chapter and amending section 703 of Title 8, Aliens and Nationality] may be cited as the 'Organic Act of Guam'."

Political Union Between Territory of Guam and Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Effects on Rights and Entitlements

In event of political union between Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, there shall be no diminution of rights or entitlements, nor any adverse effects on any funds authorized or appropriated, see section 1844 of this title.

Analysis of Capital Infrastructure Needs of Guam for 1985 to 1990 Timeframe; Report to Congress; Contents

Pub. L. 95–348, §1(a)(6), Aug. 18, 1978, 92 Stat. 487, provided that the Secretary prepare and transmit to the Congress no later than July 1, 1979, an analysis of the capital infrastructure needs of Guam for the 1985 to 1990 timeframe.

Submerged Lands, Conveyance to Territory

Conveyance of submerged lands to the government of Guam, see section 1701 et seq. of this title.

Executive Documents

Ex. Ord. No. 10077. Transfer of Administration of Guam

Ex. Ord. No. 10077, eff. Sept. 7, 1949, 14 F.R. 5523, as amended by Ex. Ord. No. 10137, eff. June 30, 1950, 15 F.R. 4241, provided:

1. The administration of the Island of Guam is hereby transferred from the Secretary of the Navy to the Secretary of the Interior, such transfer to become effective on August 1, 1950.

2. The Department of the Navy and the Department of the Interior shall proceed with the plans for the transfer of the administration of the Island of Guam as embodied in the above mentioned memorandum of understanding between the two departments.

3. When the transfer of administration made by this order becomes effective, the Secretary of the Interior shall take such action as may be necessary and appropriate, and in harmony with applicable law, for the administration of civil government on the Island of Guam.

4. The executive departments and agencies of the Government are authorized and directed to cooperate with the Departments of the Navy and Interior in the effectuation of the provisions of this order.

5. The said Executive Order No. 108–A of December 23, 1898, is revoked, effective July 1, 1950.

§1421a. Unincorporated territory; capital; powers of government; suits against government; type of government; supervision

Guam is declared to be an unincorporated territory of the United States and the capital and seat of government thereof shall be located at the city of Agana, Guam. The government of Guam shall have the powers set forth in this chapter, shall have power to sue by such name, and, with the consent of the legislature evidenced by enacted law, may be sued upon any contract entered into with respect to, or any tort committed incident to, the exercise by the government of Guam of any of its lawful powers. The government of Guam shall consist of three branches, executive, legislative, and judicial, and its relations with the Federal Government in all matters not the program responsibility of another Federal department or agency, shall be under the general administrative supervision of the Secretary of the Interior.

(Aug. 1, 1950, ch. 512, §3, 64 Stat. 384; Pub. L. 86–316, Sept. 21, 1959, 73 Stat. 588; Pub. L. 90–497, §12(a), Sept. 11, 1968, 82 Stat. 847.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1968—Pub. L. 90–497 substituted provisions that all matters concerning Guam which are not the program responsibility of other Federal departments or agencies be under the general administrative supervision of the Secretary of the Interior for provisions that the general administrative supervision of matters concerning Guam be under the head of such civilian department or agency of the Government of the United States as the President might direct.

1959—Pub. L. 86–316 permitted government of Guam, with consent of legislature, to be sued.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1968 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 90–497 necessary to authorize the holding of an election for Governor and Lieutenant Governor on Nov. 3, 1970, effective Jan. 1, 1970, and all other amendments unless otherwise provided effective Jan. 4, 1971, see section 13 of Pub. L. 90–497, set out as a note under section 1422 of this title.

§1421b. Bill of rights

(a) No law shall be enacted in Guam respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the government for a redress of their grievances.

(b) No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

(c) The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated; and no warrant for arrest or search shall issue but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched and the person or things to be seized.

(d) No person shall be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of punishment; nor shall he be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself.

(e) No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.

(f) Private property shall not be taken for public use without just compensation.

(g) In all criminal prosecutions the accused shall have the right to a speedy and public trial; to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation and to have a copy thereof; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.

(h) Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

(i) Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist in Guam.

(j) No bill of attainder, ex post facto law, or law impairing the obligation of contracts shall be enacted.

(k) No person shall be imprisoned for debt.

(l) The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless, when in cases of rebellion or invasion or imminent danger thereof, the public safety shall require it.

(m) No qualification with respect to property, income, political opinion, or any other matter apart from citizenship, civil capacity, and residence shall be imposed upon any voter.

(n) No discrimination shall be made in Guam against any person on account of race, language, or religion, nor shall the equal protection of the laws be denied.

(o) No person shall be convicted of treason against the United States unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open court.

(p) No public money or property shall ever be appropriated, supplied, donated, or used, directly or indirectly, for the use, benefit, or support of any sect, church, denomination, sectarian institution, or association, or system of religion, or for the use, benefit, or support of any priest, preacher, minister, or other religious teacher or dignitary as such.

(q) The employment of children under the age of fourteen years in any occupation injurious to health or morals or hazardous to life or limb is hereby prohibited.

(r) There shall be compulsory education for all children, between the ages of six and sixteen years.

(s) No religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the government of Guam.

(t) No person who advocates, or who aids or belongs to any party, organization, or association which advocates, the overthrow by force or violence of the government of Guam or of the United States shall be qualified to hold any public office of trust or profit under the government of Guam.

(u) The following provisions of and amendments to the Constitution of the United States are hereby extended to Guam to the extent that they have not been previously extended to that territory and shall have the same force and effect there as in the United States or in any State of the United States: article I, section 9, clauses 2 and 3; article IV, section 1 and section 2, clause 1; the first to ninth amendments inclusive; the thirteenth amendment; the second sentence of section 1 of the fourteenth amendment; and the fifteenth and nineteenth amendments.

All laws enacted by Congress with respect to Guam and all laws enacted by the territorial legislature of Guam which are inconsistent with the provisions of this subsection are repealed to the extent of such inconsistency.

(Aug. 1, 1950, ch. 512, §5, 64 Stat. 385; Pub. L. 90–497, §10, Sept. 11, 1968, 82 Stat. 847.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1968—Subsec. (u). Pub. L. 90–497 added subsec. (u).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1968 Amendment

Pub. L. 90–497, §10, Sept. 11, 1968, 82 Stat. 847, provided that the amendment made by that section is effective on date of enactment of Pub. L. 90–497, which was approved Sept. 11, 1968.

§1421c. Certain laws continued in force; modification or repeal of laws

(a) The laws of Guam in force on August 1, 1950, except as amended by this chapter, are continued in force, subject to modification or repeal by the Congress of the United States or the Legislature of Guam, and all laws of Guam inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter are repealed to the extent of such inconsistency.

(b) Repealed. Pub. L. 90–497, §7, Sept. 11, 1968, 82 Stat. 847.

(Aug. 1, 1950, ch. 512, §25, 64 Stat. 390; Pub. L. 90–497, §7, Sept. 11, 1968, 82 Stat. 847.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1968—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 90–497 repealed subsec. (b) which prohibited the application to Guam of laws of the United States not specifically made applicable to Guam and established a commission to determine which laws were applicable to Guam and which were not.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1968 Amendment

Pub. L. 90–497, §7, Sept. 11, 1968, 82 Stat. 847, provided that the amendment made by that section is effective on date of enactment of Pub. L. 90–497, which was approved Sept. 11, 1968.

§1421d. Salaries and allowances of officers and employees

The salaries and travel allowances of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, the heads of the executive departments, other officers and employees of the government of Guam, and the members of the legislature, shall be paid by the government of Guam at rates prescribed by the laws of Guam.

(Aug. 1, 1950, ch. 512, §26, 64 Stat. 391; Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 852, §21, 70 Stat. 911; Pub. L. 89–100, July 30, 1965, 79 Stat. 424; Pub. L. 90–497, §9, Sept. 11, 1968, 82 Stat. 847.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1968—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 90–497, §9(a), repealed subsec. (c) which provided for the payment of transportation expenses by the United States of all officers and employees of the government of Guam if their homes were outside Guam.

Pub. L. 90–497, §9(b), removed subsection designations and substituted provisions that the government of Guam pay the salaries and travel expenses of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, heads of executive departments, members of the legislature, and government officers and employees at rates prescribed by the laws of Guam for provisions setting the salary for the Governor and Secretary of Guam and allowing for the payment of transportation expenses and salaries of certain officers and employees by the United States.

1965—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 89–100 substituted provisions empowering the government of Guam to fix and pay legislative salaries and expenses for provisions which specifically fixed a sum of $15 per day to be paid each member for every day the legislature is in session payable out of Congressional appropriations and which required all other expenses to be paid by the government of Guam.

1956—Subsec. (a). Act Aug. 1, 1956, substituted "the Governor of the Virgin Islands in the Executive Pay Act of 1949, as heretofore or hereafter amended," for "Governors of Territories and possessions in the Executive Pay Act of 1949, but not to exceed $13,125,".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1968 Amendment

Pub. L. 90–497, §9(a), Sept. 11, 1968, 82 Stat. 847, provided that the amendment made by that section is effective on date of enactment of Pub. L. 90–497, which was approved Sept. 11, 1968.

Pub. L. 90–497, §9(b), Sept. 11, 1968, 82 Stat. 847, provided that the amendment made by that section is effective Jan. 4, 1971.

§1421e. Duty on articles

All articles coming into the United States from Guam shall be subject to or exempt from duty as provided for in section 1301a ¹ of title 19.

(Aug. 1, 1950, ch. 512, §27, 64 Stat. 392; Sept. 1, 1954, ch. 1213, title IV, §402(b), 68 Stat. 1140.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 1301a of title 19, referred to in text, was repealed by Pub. L. 87–456, title III, §301(a), May 24, 1962, 76 Stat. 75. See General Headnote 3(a) under section 1202 of Title 19, Customs Duties.

Amendments

1954—Act Sept. 1, 1954, subjected Guam to the general provision for importations from insular possessions contained in section 1301a of title 19.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1954 Amendment

Act Sept. 1, 1954, ch. 1213, title VI, §601, 68 Stat. 1141, provided that: "Titles II, III, IV, and VI of this Act [enacting section 1301a of Title 19, Customs Duties, amending sections 1421e and 1644 of this title and sections 160, 161, 1001, and 1201 of Title 19] shall be effective on and after the thirtieth day following the date of the enactment of this Act [Sept. 1, 1954]".

¹ See References in Text note below.

§1421f. Title to property transferred

(a) Property employed by naval government of Guam

The title to all property, real and personal, owned by the United States and employed by the naval government of Guam in the administration of the civil affairs of the inhabitants of Guam, including automotive and other equipment, tools and machinery, water and sewerage facilities, bus lines and other utilities, hospitals, schools, and other buildings, shall be transferred to the government of Guam within ninety days after August 1, 1950.

(b) Other property not reserved

All other property, real and personal, owned by the United States in Guam, not reserved by the President of the United States within ninety days after August 1, 1950, is placed under the control of the government of Guam, to be administered for the benefit of the people of Guam, and the legislature shall have authority, subject to such limitations as may be imposed upon its acts by this chapter or subsequent Act of the Congress, to legislate with respect to such property, real and personal, in such manner as it may deem desirable.

(c) Secretary of the Interior; sale or lease

All property owned by the United States in Guam, the title to which is not transferred to the government of Guam by subsection (a) hereof, or which is not placed under the control of the government of Guam by subsection (b) hereof, is transferred to the administrative supervision of the Secretary of the Interior, except as the President may from time to time otherwise prescribe: Provided, That the Secretary of the Interior shall be authorized to lease or to sell, on such terms as he may deem in the public interest, any property, real and personal, of the United States under his administrative supervision in Guam not needed for public purposes.

(Aug. 1, 1950, ch. 512, §28, 64 Stat. 392; Pub. L. 90–497, §12(b), Sept. 11, 1968, 82 Stat. 848.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1968—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 90–497 substituted "The Secretary of the Interior" for "the head of the department or agency designated by the President under section 1421a of this title" in text of subsec. (c) and "the Secretary of the Interior" for "the head of such department or agency" in proviso.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1968 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 90–497 necessary to authorize the holding of an election for Governor and Lieutenant Governor on Nov. 3, 1970, effective Jan. 1, 1970, and all other amendments unless otherwise provided effective Jan. 4, 1971, see section 13 of Pub. L. 90–497, set out as a note under section 1422 of this title.

Executive Documents

Ex. Ord. No. 10178. Reservation of Property in Guam for Use of United States

Ex. Ord. No. 10178, eff. Oct. 30, 1950, 15 F.R. 7313, provided:

NOW, THEREFORE, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the said section 28 of the Organic Act of Guam [this section] and as President of the United States, it is ordered as follows:

1. The following-described real and personal property of the United States in Guam is hereby reserved to the United States and placed under the control and jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Navy: Provided, That the Secretary of the Navy shall transfer such portions of such property to the Department of the Army, the Department of the Air Force, and the Coast Guard as may be required for their respective purposes:

(a) All of that real property in Guam situated within the perimeter areas defined in the following-designated condemnation proceedings in the Superior Court of Guam, being the same property quitclaimed by the Naval Government of Guam to the United States of America by deed dated July 31, 1950, and filed for record with the Land Registrar of Guam on August 4, 1950 (Presentation No. 22063):

Condemnation proceedings Civil No.	Perimeter area	Facility
	Acres
2–48	4,566.757	North Field.
5–48	9.372	Mt. Santa Rosa Water Reservoir and Supply Lines.
6–48	5.990	Mt. Santa Rosa-Marbo Water Lines.
7–48	5.990	Tumon Maui Well Site.
2–49	4,803.000	Naval Ammunition Depot.
3–49	44.651	Primary Transmission Line.
4–49	12.169	Mt. Santa Rosa-Marbo Water Line Easement.
5–49	6,332.000	Apra Harbor Reservation.
2–50	6.450	Aceorp Tunnel.
3–50	35.391	Camp Dealy.
4–50	0.637	Tumon Bay Recreation Area Utility Lines.
5–50	24.914	Agana Springs.
6–50	41.360	Asan Point Tank Farm.
7–50	85.032	Asan Point Housing.
8–50	137.393	Medical Center.
9–50	45.630	Agafo Gumas.
10–50	4,798.682	Naval Communication Station.
11–50	11.726	Nimitz Beach.
12–50	800.443	Command Center.
13–50	4,901.100	Tarague Natural Wells.
14–50	5.945	Agana Diesel Electric Generating plant.
15–50	23.708	Mt. Santa Rosa Haul Road, Water Reservoir and Supply Lines, VHF Relay Station, Mt. Santa Rosa-Marbo Water Line.
16–50	4,562.107	Northwest Air Force Base.
18–50	60.480	Marbo Base Command Area—Sewage Disposal.
19–50	21.695	Loran Station, Cocos Island.
20–50	15.322	Av-Gas Tank Farm 1B12.
21–50	1,820.148	Proposed Boundary of NAS Agana, Housing Area 1B7.
22–50	37.519	C. A. A. Site (Area 1B90.)
23–50	3.575	Tumon Maui Well (Water Tunnel).
24–50	49.277	Tumon Bay Recreation Area (Road and AV-Gas Fuel Line Parcel 1B1.
25–50	0.208	Utility Easement from Rt. 1B1 to Rt. 1B6 Coontz Junction).
26–50	65.300	Tumon Bay Recreation Area (Area 1B78).
27–50	2,497.400	Marbo Base Command.
28–50	0.918	Mt. Tenjo VHF Station Site.
29–50	285.237	Sasa Valley Tank Farm (Area 1B78).
30–50	17.793	Sub Transmission System Piti Steam Plant to Command Center.
31–50	28.888	Route 1B1 (Marine Drive) (Portion).
32–50	94.000	Sub Transmission System (34 KV Line) Piti Steam Plant to Agana Diesel Plant and POL System Sasa Valley Tank Farm to NAS Agana.
33–50	953.000	Harmon Air Force Base.
34–50	2,922.000	Radio Barrigada.
35–50	25.000	AACS Radio Range (Area 1B30).
36–50	37.000	Water Line Apra Heights Reservoir to Fena Pump Station and Av-Gas Fuel System.
37–50	2,185.000	Fena River Reservoir.

(b) The road system and utilities systems described in the said deed between the Naval Government of Guam and the United States of America dated July 31, 1950.

(c) The following-described areas: Mount Lam Lam Light; Rear Range Light; Mount Aluton Light; Area Number 35 Culverts; Mount Santa Rosa Light; 36 acres of Camp Witek; Adelup Reservoir; Tripartite Seismograph Station Site, Land Unit M, Section 2, Land Square 20; the Power Sub-station located on Lot 266, Municipality of Agat adjacent to Erskine Drive, City of Agat.

(d) Lots 2285–5 and 2306–1 in Barrigada.

(e) All personal property relating to or used in connection with any of the above-described real property.

2. The following-described real property of the United States in Guam is hereby reserved to the United States and transferred to the administrative supervision of the Secretary of the Interior, and shall be available for disposition by the Secretary of the Interior in his discretion under section 28(c) of the said Organic Act of Guam [subsection (c) of this section]:

All of those lands which have been selected by the Secretary of the Navy for transfer or sale pursuant to the act of November 15, 1945, 59 Stat. 584, to persons in replacement of lands acquired for military or naval purposes in Guam, a list and description of such lands being on file in the Department of the Navy.

3. In addition to the personal property described in paragraph 1(e) hereof, there is hereby reserved to the United States all personal property of the United States in Guam, except that which is transferred to the government of Guam by or pursuant to section 28 (a) of the Organic Act of Guam, which on the date of this order is in the custody or control of the Department of the Army, the Department of the Navy, the Department of the Air Force, the Coast Guard, or any other department or agency of the United States; and all such personal property shall remain in the custody and control of the department or agency having custody and control thereof on the date of this order.

Harry S Truman.      

§1421f–1. Acknowledgment of deeds

Deeds and other instruments affecting land situate in the District of Columbia or any Territory of the United States may be acknowledged in the islands of Guam and Samoa or in the Canal Zone before any notary public or judge appointed therein by proper authority, or by any officer therein who has ex officio the powers of a notary public: Provided, That the certificate by such notary in Guam, Samoa, or the Canal Zone, as the case may be, shall be accompanied by the certificate of the governor or acting governor of such place to the effect that the notary taking said acknowledgment was in fact the officer he purported to be; and any deeds or other instruments affecting lands so situate, so acknowledged since the first day of January, 1905, and accompanied by such certificate shall have the same effect as such deeds or other instruments hereafter so acknowledged and certified.

(June 28, 1906, ch. 3585, 34 Stat. 552.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

For definition of Canal Zone, referred to in text, see section 3602(b) of Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse.

Codification

Section was not enacted as part of the Organic Act of Guam which comprises this chapter.

Section is also classified to section 1663 of this title.

Section was formerly classified to sections 1358 and 1432 of this title.

§1421g. Establishment and maintenance of public bodies and offices

(a) Public health services

Subject to the laws of Guam, the Governor shall establish, maintain, and operate public-health services in Guam, including hospitals, dispensaries, and quarantine stations, at such places in Guam as may be necessary, and he shall promulgate quarantine and sanitary regulations for the protection of Guam against the importation and spread of disease.

(b) Public educational system

The Government of Guam shall provide an adequate public educational system of Guam, and to that end shall establish, maintain, and operate public schools according to the laws of Guam.

(c) Office of Public Prosecutor; Office of Public Auditor

The Government of Guam may by law establish an Office of Public Prosecutor and an Office of Public Auditor. The Public Prosecutor and Public Auditor may be removed as provided by the laws of Guam.

(d) Attorney General

(1) The Attorney General of Guam shall be the Chief Legal Officer of the Government of Guam. At such time as the Office of the Attorney General of Guam shall next become vacant, the Attorney General of Guam shall be appointed by the Governor of Guam with the advice and consent of the legislature, and shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor of Guam.

(2) Instead of an appointed Attorney General, the legislature may, by law, provide for the election of the Attorney General of Guam by the qualified voters of Guam in general elections after 1998 in which the Governor of Guam is elected. The term of an elected Attorney General shall be 4 years. The Attorney General may be removed by the people of Guam according to the procedures specified in section 1422d of this title or may be removed for cause in accordance with procedures established by the legislature in law. A vacancy in the office of an elected Attorney General shall be filled—

(A) by appointment by the Governor of Guam if such vacancy occurs less than 6 months before a general election for the Office of Attorney General of Guam; or

(B) by a special election held no sooner than 3 months after such vacancy occurs and no later than 6 months before a general election for Attorney General of Guam, and by appointment by the Governor of Guam pending a special election under this subparagraph.

(Aug. 1, 1950, ch. 512, §29, 64 Stat. 392; Pub. L. 99–396, §§5, 13, Aug. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 839, 842; Pub. L. 105–291, §2, Oct. 27, 1998, 112 Stat. 2785.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1998—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 105–291 added subsec. (d).

1986—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 99–396, §13(a)(1), substituted "according to the laws of Guam" for "at such places in Guam as may be necessary".

Pub. L. 99–396, §5, substituted "Government of Guam" for "Governor".

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 99–396, §13(a)(2), added subsec. (c).

§1421h. Duties, taxes, and fees; proceeds collected to constitute fund for benefit of Guam; prerequisites, amount, etc., remitted prior to commencement of next fiscal year

All customs duties and Federal income taxes derived from Guam, the proceeds of all taxes collected under the internal-revenue laws of the United States on articles produced in Guam and transported to the United States, its Territories, or possessions, or consumed in Guam, and the proceeds of any other taxes which may be levied by the Congress on the inhabitants of Guam (including, but not limited to, compensation paid to members of the Armed Forces and pensions paid to retired civilians and military employees of the United States, or their survivors, who are residents of, or who are domiciled in, Guam), and all quarantine, passport, immigration, and naturalization fees collected in Guam shall be covered into the treasury of Guam and held in account for the government of Guam, and shall be expended for the benefit and government of Guam in accordance with the annual budgets; except that nothing in this chapter shall be construed to apply to any tax imposed by chapter 2 or 21 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [26 U.S.C. 1401 et seq., 3101 et seq.]. Beginning as soon as the government of Guam enacts legislation establishing a fiscal year commencing on October 1 and ending on September 30, the Secretary of the Treasury, prior to the commencement of any fiscal year, shall remit to the government of Guam the amount of duties, taxes, and fees which the governor of Guam, with the concurrence of the government comptroller of Guam, has estimated will be collected in or derived from Guam under this section during the next fiscal year, except for those sums covered directly upon collection into the treasury of Guam. The Secretary of the Treasury shall deduct from or add to the amounts so remitted the difference between the amount of duties, taxes, and fees actually collected during the prior fiscal year and the amount of such duties, taxes, and fees as estimated and remitted at the beginning of that prior fiscal year, including any deductions which may be required as a result of the operation of Public Law 94–395 (90 Stat. 1199) or Public Law 88–170, as amended (82 Stat. 863).

(Aug. 1, 1950, ch. 512, §30, 64 Stat. 392; Pub. L. 86–778, title I, §103(u), Sept. 13, 1960, 74 Stat. 941; Pub. L. 95–348, §1(c), Aug. 18, 1978, 92 Stat. 488; Pub. L. 98–454, title VI, §601(h), Oct. 5, 1984, 98 Stat. 1736; Pub. L. 99–514, §2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2095.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The internal-revenue laws of the United States, referred to in text, are classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.

Public Law 94–395 (90 Stat. 1199), referred to in text, was enacted Sept. 3, 1976, and amended section 1423a of this title.

Public Law 88–170, as amended (82 Stat. 863), referred to in text, is Pub. L. 88–170, Nov. 4, 1963, 77 Stat. 302, as amended by Pub. L. 90–511, Sept. 24, 1968, 82 Stat. 863, which is not classified to the Code.

Amendments

1986—Pub. L. 99–514 substituted "Internal Revenue Code of 1986" for "Internal Revenue Code of 1954".

1984—Pub. L. 98–454 inserted "(including, but not limited to, compensation paid to members of the Armed Forces and pensions paid to retired civilians and military employees of the United States, or their survivors, who are residents of, or who are domiciled in, Guam)" after "inhabitants of Guam" in first sentence.

1978—Pub. L. 95–348 inserted provisions relating to authorization, amount, computation, etc., of remittance, prior to commencement of any fiscal year, of duties, taxes, and fees to be collected in or derived from Guam under this section during that next fiscal year.

1960—Pub. L. 86–778 inserted clause providing that nothing in this chapter shall be construed to apply to any tax imposed by chapter 2 or 21 of title 26.

§1421i. Income tax

(a) Applicability of Federal laws; separate tax

The income-tax laws in force in the United States of America and those which may hereafter be enacted shall be held to be likewise in force in Guam: Provided, That notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Legislature of Guam may levy a separate tax on all taxpayers in an amount not to exceed 10 per centum of their annual income tax obligation to the Government of Guam.

(b) Guam Territorial income tax

The income-tax laws in force in Guam pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be deemed to impose a separate Territorial income tax, payable to the government of Guam, which tax is designated the "Guam Territorial income tax".

(c) Enforcement of tax

The administration and enforcement of the Guam Territorial income tax shall be performed by or under the supervision of the Governor. Any function needful to the administration and enforcement of the income-tax laws in force in Guam pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be performed by any officer or employee of the government of Guam duly authorized by the Governor (either directly, or indirectly by one or more redelegations of authority) to perform such function.

(d) "Income-tax laws" defined; administration and enforcement; rules and regulations

(1) The income-tax laws in force in Guam pursuant to subsection (a) of this section include but are not limited to the following provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, where not manifestly inapplicable or incompatible with the intent of this section: Subtitle A [26 U.S.C. 1 et seq.] (not including chapter 2 [26 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.] and section 931 [26 U.S.C. 931]); chapters 24 and 25 of subtitle C [26 U.S.C. 3401 et seq. and 3501 et seq.], with reference to the collection of income tax at source on wages; and all provisions of subtitle F [26 U.S.C. 6001 et seq.] which apply to the income tax, including provisions as to crimes, other offenses, and forfeitures contained in chapter 75 [26 U.S.C. 7201 et seq.]. For the period after 1950 and prior to the effective date of the repeal of any provision of the Internal Revenue Code of 1939 which corresponds to one or more of those provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 which are included in the income-tax laws in force in Guam pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, such income-tax laws include but are not limited to such provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1939.

(2) The Governor or his delegate shall have the same administrative and enforcement powers and remedies with regard to the Guam Territorial income tax as the Secretary of the Treasury, and other United States officials of the executive branch, have with respect to the United States income tax. Needful rules and regulations not inconsistent with the regulations prescribed under section 7654(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [26 U.S.C. 7654(e)] for enforcement of the Guam Territorial income tax shall be prescribed by the Governor. The Governor or his delegate shall have authority to issue, from time to time, in whole or in part, the text of the income-tax laws in force in Guam pursuant to subsection (a) of this section.

(3) In applying as the Guam Territorial income tax the income-tax laws in force in Guam pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, the rate of tax under sections 871, 881, 884, 1441, 1442, 1443, 1445, and 1446 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [26 U.S.C. 871, 881, 884, 1441, 1442, 1443, 1445, and 1446] on any item of income from sources within Guam shall be the same as the rate which would apply with respect to such item were Guam treated as part of the United States for purposes of the treaty obligations of the United States. The preceding sentence shall not apply to determine the rate of tax on any item of income received from a Guam payor if, for any taxable year, the taxes of the Guam payor were rebated under Guam law. For purposes of this subsection, the term "Guam payor" means the person from whom the item of income would be deemed to be received for purposes of claiming treaty benefits were Guam treated as part of the United States.

(e) Substitution of terms

In applying as the Guam Territorial income tax the income-tax laws in force in Guam pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, except where it is manifestly otherwise required, the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Codes of 1986 and 1939, shall be read so as to substitute "Guam" for "United States", "Governor or his delegate" for "Secretary or his delegate", "Governor or his delegate" for "Commissioner of Internal Revenue" and "Collector of Internal Revenue", "District Court of Guam" for "district court" and with other changes in nomenclature and other language, including the omission of inapplicable language, where necessary to effect the intent of this section.

(f) Criminal offenses; prosecution

Any act or failure to act with respect to the Guam Territorial income tax which constitutes a criminal offense under chapter 75 of subtitle F of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [26 U.S.C. 7201 et seq.], or the corresponding provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1939, as included in the income-tax laws in force in Guam pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, shall be an offense against the government of Guam and may be prosecuted in the name of the government of Guam by the appropriate officers thereof.

(g) Liens

The government of Guam shall have a lien with respect to the Guam Territorial income tax in the same manner and with the same effect, and subject to the same conditions, as the United States has a lien with respect to the United States income tax. Such lien in respect of the Guam Territorial income tax shall be enforceable in the name of and by the government of Guam. Where filing of a notice of lien is prescribed by the income-tax laws in force in Guam pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, such notice shall be filed in the Office of the Clerk of the District Court of Guam.

(h) Jurisdiction of District Court; suits for recovery or collection of taxes; payment of judgment

(1) Notwithstanding any provision of section 1424 of this title or any other provision of law to the contrary, the District Court of Guam shall have exclusive original jurisdiction over all judicial proceedings in Guam, both criminal and civil, regardless of the degree of the offense or of the amount involved, with respect to the Guam Territorial income tax.

(2) Suits for the recovery of any Guam Territorial income tax alleged to have been erroneously or illegally assessed or collected, or of any penalty claimed to have been collected without authority, or of any sum alleged to have been excessive or in any manner wrongfully collected, under the income-tax laws in force in Guam, pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, may, regardless of the amount of claim, be maintained against the government of Guam subject to the same statutory requirements as are applicable to suits for the recovery of such amounts maintained against the United States in the United States district courts with respect to the United States income tax. When any judgment against the government of Guam under this paragraph has become final, the Governor shall order the payment of such judgments out of any unencumbered funds in the treasury of Guam.

(3) Execution shall not issue against the Governor or any officer or employee of the government of Guam on a final judgment in any proceeding against him for any acts or for the recovery of money exacted by or paid to him and subsequently paid into the treasury of Guam, in performing his official duties under the income-tax laws in force in Guam pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, if the court certifies that—

(A) probable cause existed; or

(B) such officer or employee acted under the directions of the Governor or his delegate.

When such certificate has been issued, the Governor shall order the payment of such judgment out of any unencumbered funds in the treasury of Guam.

(4) A civil action for the collection of the Guam Territorial income tax, together with fines, penalties, and forfeitures, or for the recovery of any erroneous refund of such tax, may be brought in the name of and by the government of Guam in the District Court of Guam or in any district court of the United States or in any court having the jurisdiction of a district court of the United States.

(5) The jurisdiction conferred upon the District Court of Guam by this subsection shall not be subject to transfer to any other court by the legislature, notwithstanding section 1424(a) of this title.

(Aug. 1, 1950, ch. 512, §31, 64 Stat. 392; Pub. L. 85–688, §1, Aug. 20, 1958, 72 Stat. 681; Pub. L. 92–606, §1(d), Oct. 31, 1972, 86 Stat. 1497; Pub. L. 95–134, title II, §203(c), Oct. 15, 1977, 91 Stat. 1162; Pub. L. 99–514, §2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2095; Pub. L. 107–212, §2(a), Aug. 21, 2002, 116 Stat. 1051.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsecs. (d) to (f), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.

The Internal Revenue Code of 1939, referred to in subsecs. (d)(1), (e), and (f), was generally repealed by section 7851 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, Title 26. The Internal Revenue Code of 1954 was redesignated the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 by Pub. L. 99–514, §2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2095. For table of comparisons of the 1939 Code to the 1986 Code, see Table I preceding section 1 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code. See also section 7852(b) of Title 26 for provision that references in any other law to a provision of the 1939 Code, unless expressly incompatible with the intent thereof, shall be deemed a reference to the corresponding provision of the 1986 Code.

Subtitle A (not including chapter 2 and section 931) and chapters 24 and 25 of subtitle C, referred to in subsec. (d)(1), and subtitle F and chapter 75, referred to in subsecs. (d)(1) and (f), mean subtitle A (§1 et seq.), chapter 2 (§1401 et seq.) of subtitle A, chapters 24 (§3401 et seq.) and 25 (§3501 et seq.) of subtitle C, subtitle F (§6001 et seq.) and chapter 75 (§7201 et seq.) of subtitle F, respectively, of Title 26.

Amendments

2002—Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 107–212 added par. (3).

1986—Subsecs. (d) to (f). Pub. L. 99–514 substituted "Internal Revenue Code of 1986" for "Internal Revenue Code of 1954" wherever appearing.

1977—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 95–134 inserted provision that the Legislature of Guam may levy a separate tax on taxpayers in an amount not to exceed 10 per centum of their annual income tax obligation to the Government of Guam.

1972—Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 92–606 substituted "Needful rules and regulations not inconsistent with the regulations prescribed under section 7654(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954" for "Needful rules and regulations".

1958—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 85–688 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a).

Subsecs. (b) to (h). Pub. L. 85–688 added subsecs. (b) to (h).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2002 Amendment

Pub. L. 107–212, §2(b), Aug. 21, 2002, 116 Stat. 1051, provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to amounts paid after the date of the enactment of the Act [Aug. 21, 2002]."

Effective Date of 1972 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 92–606 applicable with respect to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1972, see section 2 of Pub. L. 92–606, set out in part as a note under section 931 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.

Effective Date

Section became effective Jan. 1, 1951, by provision of Ex. Ord. No. 10211 eff. Feb. 6, 1951, 16 F.R. 1167.

Authority of Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands To Enact Revenue Laws

See section 1271 of Pub. L. 99–514, set out as a note under section 931 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.

Ratification of Assessments and Collections Made Before August 20, 1958

Pub. L. 85–688, §2, Aug. 20, 1958, 72 Stat. 683, provided that income taxes assessed prior to Aug. 20, 1958, by the authorities of the government of Guam pursuant to, or under color of, this section, the collection of such taxes, and all acts done to effectuate such assessment and collection were legalized, ratified and confirmed as fully, to all intents and purposes, as if subsecs. (b) to (h) of this section, had then been in full force and effect.

§1421j. Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated annually by the Congress of the United States such sums as may be necessary and appropriate to carry out the provisions and purposes of this chapter.

(Aug. 1, 1950, ch. 512, §32, 64 Stat. 392.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Elimination of General Fund Deficits of Guam and Virgin Islands

For authorization of appropriations for assistance to the governments of Guam and the Virgin Islands in elimination of general fund deficits, see Pub. L. 96–597, title VI, §607, Dec. 24, 1980, 94 Stat. 3483, set out as a note under section 1641 of this title.

§1421k. Designation of naval or military reservations; closed port

Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed as limiting the authority of the President to designate parts of Guam as naval or military reservations, nor to restrict his authority to treat Guam as a closed port with respect to the vessels and aircraft of foreign nations.

(Aug. 1, 1950, ch. 512, §33, 64 Stat. 393.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Submerged Lands, Conveyance to Territory

Conveyance of submerged lands to the government of Guam, see section 1701 et seq. of this title.

§1421k–1. Repealed. Pub. L. 104–186, title II, §224(2), Aug. 20, 1996, 110 Stat. 1752

Section, act Aug. 1, 1950, ch. 512, §35, as added May 27, 1975, Pub. L. 94–26, §1, 89 Stat. 94, related to clerk hire allowance and reimbursement for transportation expenses of the Delegate from Guam to the House of Representatives.

§1421l. Repealed. June 27, 1952, ch. 477, §403(a)(42), 66 Stat. 280

Section, act Oct. 14, 1940, ch. 876, §206, as added Aug. 1, 1950, ch. 512, §4(a), 64 Stat. 384, granted United States citizenship to persons born or living on Guam on or after Apr. 11, 1899.

§1421m. Repealed. Pub. L. 91–513, title III, §1101(a)(8), Oct. 27, 1970, 84 Stat. 1292

Section, act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 852, §15, 70 Stat. 910, prohibited production, manufacture, compounding, possession, sale, dispensation, administration, or transportation of marihuana in Guam. See section 801 et seq. of Title 21, Food and Drugs. Section was not enacted as part of the Organic Act of Guam which comprises this chapter.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of Repeal

Repeal effective on first day of seventh calendar month that begins after Oct. 26, 1970, see section 1105(a) of Pub. L. 91–513, set out as an Effective Date note under section 951 of Title 21, Food and Drugs.

Savings Provision

Prosecutions for any violation of law occurring, and civil seizures or forfeitures and injunction proceedings commenced, prior to the effective date of repeal of this section by section 1101 of Pub. L. 91–513 not to be affected or abated by reason thereof, see section 1103 of Pub. L. 91–513, set out as a note under section 171 of Title 21, Food and Drugs.

§1421n. Applicability of Federal copyright laws

The laws of the United States relating to copyrights, and to the enforcement of rights arising thereunder, shall have the same force and effect in Guam as in the continental United States.

(Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 852, §24, 70 Stat. 911.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The laws of the United States relating to copyrights, referred to in text, are classified generally to Title 17, Copyrights.

Codification

Section was not enacted as part of the Organic Act of Guam which comprises this chapter.

§1421o. Federal assistance for fire control, watershed protection, and reforestation

The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to provide financial and technical assistance to Guam for improving fire control, watershed protection and reforestation, consistent with existing laws, administered by the Secretary of Agriculture, which are applicable to the continental United States. The program authorized by this section shall be developed in cooperation with the territorial government of Guam and shall be covered by a memorandum of understanding agreed to by the territorial government and the Department. The Secretary may also utilize the agencies, facilities, and employees of the Department, and may cooperate with other public agencies and with private organizations and individuals in Guam and elsewhere.

(Pub. L. 93–421, §1, Sept. 19, 1974, 88 Stat. 1154.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section was not enacted as part of the Organic Act of Guam which comprises this chapter.

§1421p. Authorization of appropriations

There are hereby authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of section 1421o of this title. Sums appropriated in pursuance of sections 1421o and 1421p of this title may be allocated to such agencies of the Department as are concerned with the administration of the program in Guam.

(Pub. L. 93–421, §2, Sept. 19, 1974, 88 Stat. 1154.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section was not enacted as part of the Organic Act of Guam which comprises this chapter.

§1421q. Applicability of Federal laws

The laws of the United States which are made applicable to the Northern Mariana Islands by the provisions of section 502(a)(1) of H.J. Res. 549,¹ as approved by the House of Representatives and the Senate, except for section 228 of title II [42 U.S.C. 428] and title XVI of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 1381 et seq.] as it applies to the several States and the Micronesia Claims Act as it applies to the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, shall be made applicable to Guam on the same terms and conditions as such laws are applied to the Northern Mariana Islands.

(Pub. L. 94–255, §2, Apr. 1, 1976, 90 Stat. 300.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 502(a)(1) of H.J. Res. 549, referred to in text, probably means section 502(a)(1) of the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America, which is contained in section 1 of Pub. L. 94–241, set out as a note under section 1801 of this title.

The Social Security Act, referred to in text, is act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, 49 Stat. 620. Title XVI of the Social Security Act is classified generally to subchapter XVI (§1381 et seq.) of chapter 7 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 1305 of Title 42 and Tables.

The Micronesia Claims Act, referred to in text, probably means the Micronesian Claims Act of 1971, Pub. L. 92–39, July 1, 1971, 85 Stat. 92, which was classified generally to section 2018 et seq. of the former Appendix to Title 50, War and National Defense, and which was omitted from the Code as terminated Aug. 3, 1976.

Codification

Section was not enacted as part of the Organic Act of Guam which comprises this chapter.

Executive Documents

Termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands

For termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, see note set out preceding section 1681 of this title.

¹ See References in Text note below.

§1421q–1. Applicability of laws referred to in section 502(a)(1) of Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

Effective on the date when section 502 of the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union With the United States of America, approved by joint resolution approved on March 24, 1976 (90 Stat. 263) goes into force those laws which are referred to in section 502(a)(1) of said Covenant, except for any laws administered by the Social Security Administration, except for medicaid which is now administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and except the Micronesian Claims Act of 1971 (85 Stat. 96) shall be applicable to the territories of Guam and the Virgin Islands on the same terms and conditions as such laws are applied to the Northern Mariana Islands.

(Pub. L. 95–134, title IV, §403, Oct. 15, 1977, 91 Stat. 1163; Pub. L. 95–135, §1, Oct. 15, 1977, 91 Stat. 1166; Pub. L. 108–173, title IX, §900(e)(7), Dec. 8, 2003, 117 Stat. 2374.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union With the United States of America, referred to in text, is contained in section 1 of Pub. L. 94–241, set out as a note under section 1801 of this title. For Jan. 9, 1978, as the date section 502 of the Covenant came into force, see Proc. No. 4534, §2, set out as a note under section 1801 of this title.

The joint resolution approved on March 24, 1976, referred to in text, is Pub. L. 94–241, Mar. 24, 1976, 90 Stat. 263, which is classified generally to subchapter I (§1801 et seq.) of chapter 17 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.

The Micronesian Claims Act of 1971, referred to in text, is Pub. L. 92–39, July 1, 1971, 85 Stat. 92, which was classified generally to section 2018 et seq. of the former Appendix to Title 50, War and National Defense, and which was omitted from the Code as terminated Aug. 3, 1976.

Codification

Section is also classified to section 1574–1 of this title.

Section was not enacted as part of the Organic Act of Guam which comprises this chapter.

Section was formerly set out as a note under section 1681 of this title.

Amendments

2003—Pub. L. 108–173 substituted "Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services" for "Health Care Financing Administration".

1977—Pub. L. 95–135 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section read as follows: "Effective on October 15, 1977, those laws, except for any laws administered by the Social Security Administration and except for medicaid which is now administered by the Health Care Financing Administration, which are referred to in section 502(a)(1) (except for the reference to the Micronesian Claims Act of 1971 (85 Stat. 96)) of the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union With the United States of America, approved by joint resolution approved on March 24, 1976 (90 Stat. 263), and 502(a)(2) of said Covenant shall be applicable to the territories of Guam and the Virgin Islands on the same terms and conditions as such laws are applied to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands."

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1977 Amendment

Pub. L. 95–135, §2, Oct. 15, 1977, 91 Stat. 1166, provided that: "This amendatory joint resolution [amending this section] shall be effective as of the approval of said Act entitled 'To authorize certain appropriations for the territories of the United States, to amend certain Acts relating thereto, and for other purposes' (enrolled bill H.R. 6550, Ninety-fifth Congress, first session) [Pub. L. 95–134, approved Oct. 15, 1977]."

§1421r. Port of Guam Improvement Enterprise Program

(a) In general

The Secretary of Transportation, acting through the Administrator of the Maritime Administration (in this section referred to as the "Administrator"), may establish a Port of Guam Improvement Enterprise Program (in this section referred to as the "Program") to provide for the planning, design, and construction of projects for the Port of Guam to improve facilities, relieve port congestion, and provide greater access to port facilities.

(b) Authorities of the Administrator

In carrying out the Program, the Administrator may—

(1) receive funds provided for the Program from Federal and non-Federal entities, including private entities;

(2) provide for coordination among appropriate governmental agencies to expedite the review process under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) for projects carried out under the Program;

(3) provide for coordination among appropriate governmental agencies in connection with other reviews and requirements applicable to projects carried out under the Program; and

(4) provide technical assistance to the Port Authority of Guam (and its agents) as needed for projects carried out under the Program.

(c) Port of Guam Improvement Enterprise Fund

(1) Establishment

There is established in the Treasury of the United States a separate account to be known as the "Port of Guam Improvement Enterprise Fund" (in this section referred to as the "Fund").

(2) Deposits

There shall be deposited into the Fund—

(A) amounts received by the Administrator from Federal and non-Federal sources under subsection (b)(1);

(B) amounts transferred to the Administrator under subsection (d); and

(C) amounts appropriated to carry out this section under subsection (f).

(3) Use of amounts

Amounts in the Fund shall be available to the Administrator to carry out the Program.

(4) Administrative expenses

Not to exceed 3 percent of the amounts appropriated to the Fund for a fiscal year may be used for administrative expenses of the Administrator.

(5) Availability of amounts

Amounts in the Fund shall remain available until expended.

(d) Transfers of amounts

Amounts appropriated or otherwise made available for any fiscal year for an intermodal or marine facility comprising a component of the Program shall be transferred to and administered by the Administrator.

(e) Limitation

Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize amounts made available under section 165 of title 23 or any other amounts made available for the construction of highways or amounts otherwise not eligible for making port improvements to be deposited into the Fund.

(f) Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Fund such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.

(Pub. L. 110–417, div. C, title XXXV, §3512, Oct. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 4770; Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title X, §1075(e)(20), Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4375; Pub. L. 112–141, div. A, title I, §1114(b)(2)(C), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 468.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, referred to in subsec. (b)(2), is Pub. L. 91–190, Jan. 1, 1970, 83 Stat. 852, which is classified generally to chapter 55 (§4321 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 4321 of Title 42 and Tables.

Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 and not as part of the Organic Act of Guam which comprises this chapter.

Amendments

2012—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 112–141 substituted "section 165" for "section 215".

2011—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 111–383 inserted period at end.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2012 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 112–141 effective Oct. 1, 2012, see section 3(a) of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment note under section 101 of Title 23, Highways.