PCOR 2 Designation by Monday, January 18, 2021
Joint Information Center - JIC Release No. 535
January 15, 2021, 2:05 p.m. (ChST)
Governor Leon Guerrero Signed Executive Order No. 2021-01 on January 15, 2021 relative to the opening of schools, updates regarding in-door dining and pending PCOR 2 designation.
Click on the following links to view details and guidance
LEGISLATIVE REVIEW
We are looking at the following recently introduced measures that may impact how you do business. As you scroll through the items below, you may want to take note and contact your Senators on how they can help you continue to operate and stay open in these challenging times. You can view the actual bill by clicking on the bill numbers below.

This bill seeks to place a moratorium on the next minimum wage increase that is set for March 1, 2021 to March 1, 2022.
A virtual public hearing has been scheduled for Monday, January 25, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. We are encouraging all businesses that will be impacted by a minimum wage increase to send letters to your senators in support of this measure.

If you are interested in participating in the virtual public hearing, please confirm your attendance via email to office@senatorperez.org or via phone at 989-2968 by no later than January 21st.

Send your written testimonies to: Senator Sabina Flores Perez, Chairperson. Testimonies will be accepted via hand delivery to their mailbox at the Guam Congress Building at 163 Chalan Santo Papa, Hagåtña, Guam 96910, or via email to  office@senatorperez.org, no later than 4:00 pm, February 1, 2021. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals requiring special accommodations or services should contact the Office of Senator Sabina Flores Perez at 989-2968.

Senator Joe San Agustin has re-introduced this bill that, if passed, would update and clarify statutes concerning licensing, sales and service of alcoholic beverages. You may recall a heavy push from GHRA, the Guam Women's Chamber and the Guam Chamber last year in support of this bill, specifically to allow for restaurants to sell alcoholic beverages with takeout meals.

Senators James Moylan, Tony Ada, Chris Duenas and Frank Blas, Jr have jointly introduced the rollback of the business privilege tax from 5% to 4%.

We will be sending out a stand alone Legislative Review newsletter early next week with more updates on recently introduced bills important to jump starting our economy.
WP ENTERPRISES, INC.
Katherine Pelletier
671-649-8408

WP Enterprises, Inc. dba H2O Photo & Video -- photo & video services provided to tourist activity vendors; boat charter/rental; company initially opened as a Sole Proprietorship in 2000, incorporated in 2014
INTERNATIONAL GROUP, INC.
Peter Sgro, President/ Treasurer
671-688-7476
psgro@dpacguam.com

Finances and sale of business broker. Hospital development.
Are you hiring? Let's share your information!
We are happy to share your job openings on our website! You may email Rebekah@GuamChamber.com.gu to get started. These job postings are for Guam Chamber members in good standing.

Member to Member Program
Member to Member deals provide members an opportunity to save money on services and goods. This program offers participating members a vehicle to expose their business, products and services to thousands of employees of fellow Chamber members. Offers include discounts or very special deals on office supplies, advertising, entertainment, insurance, auto services, catering, meeting spaces and more. Please note that to be effective, your discount or offer should be substantial enough to attract attention.
Chamber Office Closed on Monday
Your Chamber office will be closed on Monday, January 18th in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.

Regular office hours will resume on Tuesday, January 18th. We look forward to serving you then!
Upcoming Chamber Committee Meetings
  • Thursday, January 21: GYP Steering Committee Meeting
  • Tuesday, January 26: Small Business Committee Meeting
  • Thursday, January 28: Chamber Business Women's Network Meeting

Members who wish to participate in these meetings, may contact Jaclyn to receive a GoToMeeting link.
Philippines added to the list of countries eligible to participate in the H-2B visa program
DHS Announces Countries Eligible for 
H-2A and H-2B Visa Programs

Release Date: 01/12/2021

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Department of State (DOS), have announced the list of countries whose nationals are eligible to participate in the H-2A and H-2B visa programs in 2021. The notice listing the eligible countries will be published in the Federal Register on Jan. 13, 2021.
For 2021, the acting secretary of homeland security and the secretary of state have agreed to:
  • Add the Philippines to the list of countries eligible to participate in the H-2B program;
  • No longer designate the Independent State of Samoa and Tonga as eligible countries because they no longer meet the regulatory standards for the H-2A and H-2B visa programs; and
  • No longer designate Mongolia as an eligible country for the H-2A visa program because it no longer meets the regulatory standards for that program.
DHS maintains its authority to add countries to the eligible countries list at any time, and to remove any country at the time it publishes a new list, should DHS and DOS determine that a country fails to meet the requirements for continued designation. Examples of factors that could result in the exclusion of a country or the removal of a country from the list include fraud, abuse, denial rates, overstay rates, human trafficking concerns, and other forms of noncompliance with the terms and conditions of the H-2 visa programs by nationals of that country that are contrary to U.S. interest.
The H-2A and H-2B visa programs allow U.S. employers to bring foreign nationals to the United States to fill temporary agricultural and nonagricultural jobs, respectively. Typically, USCIS approves H-2A and H-2B petitions only for nationals of countries that the secretary of Homeland Security has designated as eligible to participate in the programs. However, USCIS may approve H-2A and H-2B petitions, including those that were pending as of the date of the Federal Register notice, for nationals of countries not on the list on a case-by-case basis only if doing so is determined to be in the interest of the United States based on submitted evidence.
YOUR CHAMBER IN THE NEWS
January 11, 2021

President Catherine on The Link with Sabrina and Chris speaking on forecasts economic recovery.
January 12, 2021

Chairwoman Christine on the Link with Sabrina, Chris, Senator Moylan and Mary Rhodes of GHRA speaking on reopening the economy.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Get ready for 2021 with a loaded training schedule. Take a look at what the Guam SBDC has to offer!
The Guam Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) is offering FREE live webinars
for January 2021!
Congratulations GCA!
The Guam Contractors Association has moved to their new headquarters and we are very excited for them! Check them out at their new location in Tiyan on 506 Mariner Avenue. Call them up at 647-4840/1.
Guam COVID App
Download the Department of Public Health and Social Services GUAM COVID ALERT app to help protect your community while protecting your privacy.
COVID-19 Business Reminders
A kind reminder to all businesses that have not been monitoring your contact tracing efforts: DPHSS has contacted the Guam Chamber to remind companies that their staff does review contact tracing information and is requesting that all companies must keep up with these protocols. Businesses are asked to keep a log of visitor/customer name and contact information.

Note: Your Chamber's website also has COVID-19 information and downloadable guidelines:
Feel free to print and use the signage below at your place of work and add your logos as well!
Guam Chamber of Commerce • 472-6311/ 8001 • info@GuamChamber.com.gu