Terms Used In 10 Guam Code Ann. § 19403

  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Statute: A law passed by a legislature.
e declaration of a state of public health emergency shall activate the disaster response and recovery aspects of the government of Guam. Such declaration authorizes the deployment and use of any forces to which the plans apply and the use or distribution of any supplies, equipment, and materials and facilities assembled, stockpiled or available pursuant to this Chapter.

(a) Emergency Powers. During a state of public health emergency, I Maga=låhen Guåhan [The Governor] may:

(1) through an executive order suspend, the provisions of any regulatory statute prescribing procedures for conducting local business, or the orders, rules and regulations of any government of Guam agency, to the extent that strict compliance with the same would prevent, hinder or delay necessary action (including emergency purchases) by the public health authority to respond to the public health emergency, or increase the health threat to the population;

(2) utilize all available resources of the government of Guam, as reasonably necessary to respond to the public health emergency;

(3) transfer the direction, personnel or functions of the government of Guam departments and agencies in order to perform or facilitate response and recovery programs regarding the public health emergency;

(4) mobilize all or any part of the organized militia into service; an executive order directing the organized militia to report for active duty shall state the purpose for which it is mobilized and the objectives to be accomplished;

(5) provide aid to and seek aid from the Federal Government in accordance with any emergency compact made with the government of Guam; and

(6) seek aid from the Federal Government in accordance with Federal programs or requirements.

(b) Coordination. The public health authority shall coordinate all matters pertaining to the public health emergency response of Guam. The public health authority shall have primary jurisdiction, responsibility and authority for:

(1) planning and executing public health emergency assessment, mitigation, preparedness response and recovery for Guam;
(2) coordinating public health emergency response between Federal and local authorities;

(3) collaborating with relevant Federal government authorities, elected officials of other states, private organizations or companies;

(4) coordinating recovery operations and mitigation initiatives subsequent to public health emergencies; and

(5) organizing public information activities regarding public health emergency response operations.

(c) Identification. After the declaration of a state of public health emergency, special identification for all public health personnel working during the emergency shall be issued as soon as possible. The identification shall indicate the authority of the bearer to exercise public health functions and emergency powers during the state of public health emergency. Public health personnel shall wear the identification in plain view.