Congressman Moylan Introduces Bill to Allow Return of Excess Federal Lands to Original Guam Landowners

(Washington, D.C.) - Congressman James Moylan has introduced H.R. 7673, legislation to amend the Organic Act of Guam to allow excess lands in Guam to be returned to their original landowners or their heirs after those lands have been transferred from federal ownership to the Government of Guam.

"This measure creates a viable pathway for land to be returned to our people, giving them the opportunity to use it to support their families and sustain future generations," said Moylan.

Under current federal law, lands transferred from the federal government to GovGuam must be used exclusively for public purposes.

This restriction prevents GovGuam from returning land to families whose property was taken by the federal government, even after that land has been declared excess and placed back under local control. As a result, original landowners and their heirs remain permanently barred from recovering ancestral lands.

The Guam Excess Lands Return Act directly addresses this barrier by amending the Organic Act of Guam to authorize GovGuam to return excess federal lands to verified original landowners or their heirs. The legislation also authorizes GovGuam to establish a formal process to review and approve land return claims.

By removing federal restrictions that currently prohibit land restoration, the legislation strengthens land ownership opportunities, directly benefitting Guam's families.

The measure builds on Congressman Moylan's ongoing work to address federal land restrictions and restore ownership opportunities for local families.

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