Guam § 31104 - General Functions, Powers & Duties.

§ 31104. General Functions, Powers & Duties.

The [Consumer Counsel within the Department of Law] shall have

the following functions, powers and duties:

(a) To coordinate the consumer protection activities of the

departments, agencies, divisions, commissions and branches of the

government of Guam concerned with consumer protection;

(b) To advise and make recommendations to the Governor and

the Legislature on matters affecting consumers;

(c) To assist, advise and cooperate with federal, state and local

agencies and officials to protect and promote the interests of the

consumer public;

(d) To conduct investigations, research, studies and analysis of

matters affecting the interests of consumers;

(e) To study the operation of laws affecting consumers and to

recommend to the Governor and the Legislature new laws and

amendments to laws in the consumers’ interest;

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(f) To investigate reported or suspected violations of laws enacted,

and rules and regulations promulgated for the purpose of consumer

protection and to enforce such laws, rules and regulations by bringing

appropriate actions in either the Superior Court or District Court of

Guam;

(g) To organize and hold conferences on problems affecting

consumers; and to undertake activities to encourage business and

industry to maintain high standards of honesty, fair business practices,

and public responsibility in the production, promotion and sale of

consumer goods and services;

(h) To provide a central clearinghouse of information by collecting

and compiling all consumer complaints and inquiries and directing the

complaining or inquiring party to the proper federal or territorial

authorities;

(i) To propose and assist in the creation and development of

consumer education programs;

(j) To represent the consumers’ interests before federal and

territorial legislative hearings and executive commissions;

(k) To perform such other acts as may be incidental to the exercise

of the functions, powers and duties set forth in this section;

(l) To publicize the services of the [Consumer Counsel]; and

(m) To solicit and accept contributions for carrying out the

services and duties of the [Counsel]. The acceptance of contributions

shall, in no way, interfere with or affect the judgment of the Consumer

Counsel.