In an effort to promote consumer protection, Senator Tommy Morrison introduced Bill No. 188-33 (COR) which, if enacted, would require the Contractor’s License Board (CLB) to publish a list of contractors authorized to conduct business on Guam. The list would be published in print and electronically in a newspaper of general circulation (as defined by local statute) and will include information such as the Contractor’s Name and Phone Number, CLB License Number, Identification of Responsible Managing Employee, and the Classification(s) of Work Authorized. The bill if approved, would require the list to be pushed annually. Additionally, the measure requires that individuals and companies performing work under the guise of a licensed contractor, shall be ordered to cease and desist from the violation, be assessed 50% of the value of the project, of which half would be used to compensate individuals affected – in accordance with CLB rules.
According to Senator Morrison, Bill No. 188-33 (COR) was introduced in response to growing concerns among Guam’s law-abiding contractors of a serious issue involving unlicensed contractors. From illegal utility connections to unlicensed air-conditioning installation services, “there are folks in our community performing various work without the proper review and endorsements of the Contractor’s License Board,” states Senator Morrison.
Since 2011, the CLB received 50 complaints involving unlicensed contractors. Guam law requires that no person within the purview of 21 GCA Real Property CH. 70 shall act, or assume to act, or advertise, as general engineering contractor, general building contractor or specialty contractor without a license previously obtained under and in compliance with this 21 GCA Real Property CH. 70 and the rules and regulations of the Contractor’s License Board.
“I believe that the publication of a Contractors List is an additional way of helping our residents to navigate the difficult and sometimes intimidating, process of choosing a qualified and experienced contractor. Moreover, the penalties proposed for unlicensed contractors will definitely contribute to ongoing efforts aimed at ensuring that our homes and other structures are built right, that people’s hard-earned money are protected, and that illegal contractors are finally put out of business. People’s lives are at stake,” Morrison concludes.
Bill No. 188-33 (COR) is part of Senator Morrison’s ongoing efforts to promote a level playing field for all law-abiding contractors. In anticipation of construction activity related to the military buildup, Senator Morrison says he is also in communication with Rear Admiral Bette Bolivar and her team regarding the application of local contractor laws to federal contractors performing work on non-military properties./The Junction News Team
