CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Senator Alma Francis Heyliger has introduced legislation to reduce firearm related crimes in the territory by repealing part of the “Reciprocal recognition of out-of-state licenses” section of the Virgin Islands Code. Bill Resolution No. 21-0465 would strike the first paragraph of Title 23 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 5, section 460, which states […]
Category: V.I. Legislature
Senate Committee Advances Bill To Provide Automatic License Plate Reader Data System
FREDERIKSTED — Members of the Committee on Homeland Security, Justice, and Public Safety chaired by Senator Steven D. Payne, Sr., convened in a meeting at the Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room in St. Croix. Lawmakers received testimony on Bill No. 34-0142- An Act amending the Virgin Islands Code Title 20, chapter 45 by adding […]
Office of Disaster Recovery Gives Status Updates On Capital Improvement Projects
FREDERIKSTED — Members of the Committee on Disaster Recovery and Infrastructure, chaired by Senator Janelle K. Sarauw, convened in a meeting at the Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room, St. Croix. Lawmakers received updates on capital projects in the Virgin Islands regarding contracts, professional service, and task order contracts. The Committee invited officials from the […]
Senators Hope To End Discrimination Based On Hair Texture With New Bill
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Senators hope to end discrimination based on hair texture after a new bill cleared a Senate hurdle. Lawmakers comprising the 34th Legislature’s Committee on Rules and Judiciary took a “significant step” towards passing anti-discrimination legislation according to Senator Alma Francis Heyliger, who sponsored the proposal known as the Virgin Islands Crown Act […]
Bryan Hopes Refinancing $800M In Bonds Will Stake GERS System For The Next 30 Years
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Governor Albert Bryan is refinancing more than $800 million worth of bonds following numerous attempts to save the GERS pension system that officials say faces certain collapse otherwise. Governor Bryan signed the bill this week and says the savings from improved interest rates will help stabilize the Government Employees Retirement System for at least […]
WHAT’S THE HOLDUP? Plaskett, Payne Weigh In On U.S. Attorney Confirmation Delay
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Virgin Islands Senator-at-Large Steven Payne Jr. said Monday that he’d written a letter to U.S. Senator Tom Cotton “expressing outrage that partisan politics is standing in the way of the U.S. Senate confirming the first Black woman to be the U.S. Attorney for the U.S. Virgin Islands.” Payne referred to the historic […]
2 Armed Robberies, 1 In Frederiksted, 1 In Christiansted, Reported To Police Wednesday
FREDERIKSTED — Two armed robberies were reported to police on Wednesday night, authorities said. In the first incident, a female victim called the 911 Emergency Call Center at 7:05 p.m. to report that she was robbed at gunpoint in downtown Frederiksted, the Virgin Islands Police Department said. “The victim stated that she was inside her […]
Bryan Thanks Legislature For Authorizing Refinancing Of Government Debt To Aid GERS
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Governor Albert Bryan issued a statement today thanking the 34th Legislature for passing the Securitization Bill that will allow the Government of the Virgin Islands (GVI) to refinance Rum Cover-Over Matching Fund Bonds and use the savings to provide a steady revenue stream for the Government Employees’ Retirement System (GERS) and return it to solvency. […]
Senator Urges Department of Education To Release Funds To Food Service Workers
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — On September 17, 2021, the 34th Legislature of the Virgin Islands passed Bill No. 34-0106, a supplemental budget to the already enacted FY 2022 Government of the Virgin Islands operating budget. Subsection R, section 1(c) was amended by Senator Sarauw to insert the following language: “ No Virgin Islands Child Goes Hungry” […]
Nomination For Personnel Division, Zoning Map Amendments, Bills Move Forward
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Members of the 34th Legislature, led by Senate President Donna A. Frett-Gregory, convened in Legislative Session at the Capitol Building. Senators voted in the affirmative for a nominee, zonings map amendments, and several bills. All approved items will be forwarded to the Governor for further consideration. Referring to the nomination of Cindy […]