Speaker Therese Terlaje talks about the “clerical Error” in the new war claims law with Tony Lamorena
Written by Paul Charfauros on October 22, 2021
There was an error in the engrossment of war claims Bill 130-36 which was already signed into law by Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero as P.L. 36-59. The Speaker is now working with the Committee on Rules and the Central Staff to further ensure the legislative process catches these errors before voting. Any further action as to P.L. 36-59 will have to be by consensus of the Legislature during session.
The error stems from an amendment that Terlaje proffered to expand those eligible for this local war claims program beyond the federal limitations by adding the words “regardless of the time of death,” The amendment was ruled materially different and thus out of order by the Chairman on Appropriations, Senator Joe San Agustin.
Despite the error in the Legislature’s handling of the bill, the Speaker said she will continue to support war claims for those who suffered but died prior to the December 23, 2016, federal cutoff date.
