A bill seeking to allow businesses on Guam to get conditional one-year licenses gained support from business owners, based on Friday’s public hearing and via letters to a legislative committee.

John Sablan, owner of Sportsland, an outdoor shooting range, shared his support of Bill 162-37 and its author, Sen. Dwayne San Nicolas, even as the one-stop center under the Department of Public Works is temporarily closed.

“For the most part, the process of obtaining a business license is rather easy and doesn’t take too long to complete. With the one-stop center in the DPW compound, this process became a bit faster as all agencies were located in one building,” Sablan in a written statement on Sept. 20.

Sablan said the bill outlines the government requirements to issue a conditional license should the business owner fail to meet some requirements.

“This gives the business owner time to correct the infraction while still being able to operate and generate revenue,” Sablan wrote.

He said the usual process of renewing a license involving different government agencies led to the closure of his firing range business.

“Working in tandem with each other, the government has unlawfully and unfairly shut down the only outdoor shooting range. The problem lies with certain individuals not following the law and failing or not willing to do their jobs,” Sablan said. “The Department of Land Management thought there was a problem with my renewal and chose not to sign off on the renewal application. They didn’t or wouldn’t provide a reason for not clearing the application.”

A Sept. 21 legal opinion from Attorney General Douglas Moylan stated that the agencies’ denial of Sportsland’s business license was proper, considering public safety and zoning concerns.

However, the AG said a binding agreement could be worked out for the business to continue to operate at a safer location.

Sablan, in his letter to senators on Bill 162, said DLM did not afford him the opportunity to correct any infraction.

“DLM’s lack of a written reason caused my business license to expire, resulting in the DRT issuing a Notice of Violation for not renewing the license. They did not afford me due process,” Sablan said.

Sablan concluded that while they are closed, they are still at risk of going bankrupt because they are continuing to pay financial obligations while not generating any revenue.

“Any middle schooler would know what happens when you keep taking money out of the bank and not replacing it. While the government is deciding on a route to take, Sportsland should be open. And allowed to generate revenue and pay taxes,” he said. “We already let go of three full-time employees, each with their own obligation. Five other businesses also stopped operating because of the lack of a venue. Combined, they have canceled over 200 tourist reservations since we closed. What a shame for the island when we are trying to recover from COVID and Typhoon Mawar.”

Romana Barcinas, co-owner of Mona’s Crystals, echoed the need for a one-stop business license application location.

“I never knew that it was going to be a lot of paperwork when I was opening this business,” said Barcinas, a resident of Sånta Rita-Sumai. “When you have to go to different locations, it takes extra time, especially when I already have a full-time job.”

Zach Lewisan, co-owner of Isla Artisan, echoed support for the bill. He plans to set up a physical store in the future.

“I think it’s a great idea because it promotes entrepreneurship. Anyone who has a dream could follow it,” said Lewisan, a resident of Asan-Maina. “It’s a long process that we have to go through. The permits are all important, but it takes time and money.”

Lewisan said temporary licenses would allow businesses to operate and recoup some money due to the start-up and operational costs of businesses.

“This would help our island grow and help our economy become more self-dependent rather than relying too much on tourism,” he added.

Bill 162-37 is San Nicolas’ most recent economic proposals, in addition to the lottery proposed in Bill 145-37.

“Although the number of visitors from across the globe visiting the island are increasing, there’s still room for improvement,” the senator said.

The senator’s office is yet to engage in communications with the Department of Revenue and Taxation, according to Isaiah Aguon, San Nicolas’ director of communications and outreach.

Aguon also clarified that the application for the conditional business license would additionally need evidence of an expired license or a lack of a license.

The conditional license would also only be awarded once per business in its lifespan.

“If the bill passes into Guam law, a business would only be able to obtain a one-time one-year conditional business license,” said Aguon.