35TH LEGISLATURE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ADVANCES KEY NOMINATIONS, ZONING APPROVALS, AND BILLS TO GOVERNOR FOR ACTION
ST. THOMAS- Members of the 35th Legislature led by Senate President Novelle E. Francis, Jr. convened in Legislative Session at the Capitol Building. Lawmakers voted in the affirmative for several nominations, zoning/CZM permits, and bills. All approved items on the agenda will be forwarded to the Governor of the Virgin Islands for further consideration and action.
Senator Francis expressed support for the confirmation of nominees Tahmin O. Clarke, Aubrey L. Ruan, Jr., and Mario Brooks, recognizing their expertise, dedication, and commitment to serving the people of the Virgin Islands. Clarke’s financial acumen will strengthen the Government Employees Retirement System Board of Trustees, ensuring the security of retirees. Ruan’s experience in environmental management will play a key role in protecting natural resources through the Virgin Islands Coastal Zone Management Commission. Brooks’ leadership and vision are essential to advancing public safety as the Commissioner of the Virgin Islands Police Department. Senator Francis acknowledged their willingness to serve and the positive contributions they are prepared to make.
Lawmakers voted in favor for nominees appointed by the Governor of the United States Virgin Islands to serve in various positions. Governor Albert Bryan forwarded the nominations to the Legislature in accordance with Title 3, Section 65a, of the Virgin Islands Code and Section 16 of the Revised Organic Act of 1954. The nominations are as follows:
- Tahmin O. Clarke, Nominee, Government Employees Retirement System Board of Trustees, District of St. Thomas
- Aubrey L. Ruan, Jr. Nominee, Virgin Islands Coastal Zone Management Commission, District of St. Croix
- Mario Brooks Commissioner Nominee, Virgin Islands Police Department
Additionally, policymakers took significant steps to address zoning modifications and Coastal Zone Management (CZM) permits Territorywide. These actions reflect ongoing efforts to facilitate responsible development, enhance economic opportunities, and ensure environmental compliance. Senators voted in favor of several measures that amend zoning classifications and ratify permits for various developments, including residential, commercial, and public use projects, as well as initiatives to support marine infrastructure and water resource management.
Below is a summary of the approved zoning amendments and CZM permits that underscore the Legislature’s commitment to balanced and sustainable growth in the Virgin Islands.
- Bill No. 35-0401- An Act amending Official Zoning Map No. STZ-10 for the island of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands rezoning Parcel No. 41-51-1 Estate Frydenhoj, No. 3 Red Hook Quarter St. Thomas from R-2 (Residential-Low Density-One and Two Family) to B-4 (Business-Residential)
- Bill No. 35-0406- An Act amending Official Zoning Map No. STZ-10 for the island of St. Thomas to rezone Parcel No. 3J-1A Estate Mariendahl, No. 4 Red Hook Quarter, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, from R-2 (Residential-Low Density-One and Two Family) to B-2 (Business Secondary/Neighborhood)
- Bill No. 35-0407- An Act amending Official Zoning Map No. STZ-10 for the island of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, to rezone Parcel No. N-1-Remainder of Tract 1 Estate Nazareth, No. 1 Red Hook Quarter, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, from R-2 (Residential-Low-Density-One and Two Family) to P (Public)
- Bill No. 35-0421- An Act amending Official Zoning Map No. SCZ-11 to rezone Plot No. 13-A Combined Estate Hogensborg, West End Quarter, St. Croix from R-1 (Residential-Low Density) to R-2 (Residential-Low Density-One and Two Family) and Remainder of Parcel No. 4 Combined Estate Hogensborg, West End Quarter, St. Croix be rezone from R-1(Residential-Low Density) to B-3 (Business-Scattered) to allow for a mixed used development.
- Bill No. 35-0404- An Act ratifying the Governor’s approval of Minor Coastal Zone Permit No. CZMIW0001-23 issued to Coakley Plantation, LLLP for the installation and the submerged lands occupancy of two 224’ long and 3” ODHDPE pipes in approximately 6’-7’ of water to be used as an intake and brine discharge for a reverse osmosis plant
- Bill No. 35-0422– An Act ratifying Minor Coastal Zone Permit No. CZMIW0002-23 issued to 555 Madison Investors V, LLC for the installation of a 408 sq. ft. dock and a four inch reverse osmosis intake line on and seaward of Plot 7W Estate Nazareth, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands
- Bill No. 35-0424- An Act ratifying Major Coastal Zone Permit No. CZT-06-21 (L&W) issued to Jack Rock B-A C, LLC for the development of a marina facility consisting of a restaurant, dock, moorings, wave attenuator, storage, and services yard, warehouse building, the dredging of 7,200 yards of material, and the use and occupancy of 45.83 acres of submerged land located on and seaward of Parcel No. 3 (Consolidated 9B-A), Estate Nazareth, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands
Lastly, lawmakers voted to advance bills to address public health, safety, infrastructure, and community recognition. Key proposals include funding for nursing homes, a Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, behavioral health services, and enforcement against illegal gambling. Other measures focus on waste management, renewable energy, and infrastructure improvements. Additionally, the Legislature honors local leaders and organizations for their contributions. These efforts aim to enhance quality of life and support sustainable development across the Virgin Islands. The following bills are below:
- Bill No. 35-0108– An Act appropriating $20,000,000 from the Settlement Agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands and the Estate of Jeffrey E. Epstein; Darren K. Indyke, in his individual capacity and in his capacity as the Co-Executor for the Estate of Jeffrey E. Epstein and Administrator of the 1953 Trust; Richard D. Kahn, in his individual capacity and in his capacity as Co-Executor of the Estate of Jeffery E. Epstein and Administrator of the 1953 Trust; The 1953 Trust; Plan D, LLC; Great St. James, LLC; Nautilus, Inc.; Hyperion Air, LLC; Poplar, Inc.; Southern Trust Company, Inc.; Maple, Inc; and Laurel, Inc. (collectively Defendants) to the Department of Public Works for the design and construction of a nursing home on St. Croix and nursing home on St. Thomas
- Bill No. 35-0179– An Act amending title 14 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 61, relating to gambling violations, and Title 32 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 13, relating to the Virgin Islands Lottery Commission, to strengthen the enforcement tools against illegal gambling and lottery
- Bill No. 35-0224– An Act amending title 19, part V, chapter 45, subchapter VI to increase access to behavioral health services, with a focus on a Crisis Intervention Team to provide mobile crisis intervention services, and the 9-8-8 telecommunication system
- Bill No. 35-0254– An Act amending Title 27 Virgin Islands Code by adding 21A establishing the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact
- Bill No. 35-0295- An Act amending Title 19 Virgin Islands Code, part III, chapter 29 requiring the Virgin Islands Department of Health to establish and administer the “Virgin Islands Prescription Drug Monitoring Program” to provide prescription drug monitoring, and for other related purposes
- Bill No. 35-0336- An Act amending Title 5 Virgin Islands Code, subtitle 3, part I by establishing the Office of Conflict Counsel, granting personal immunity to individuals providing legal representation or services to indigent defendants, and making an appropriation to establish the Office of Conflict Counsel
- Bill No. 35-0399- An Act amending Title 16 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 2, section 99 establishing a mandatory minimum bail amount in domestic violence cases
- Bill No. 35-0408- An Act requiring the Department of Health and the Department of Planning and Natural Resources to develop and administer a Territorial Regulated Medical Waste Management Plan including the requisite regulations
- Bill No. 35-0409- An Act to amend Title 20 Virgin Islands Code, part II, chapter 32, subchapter I to amend the definition of “salvage vehicle purchaser” or “junk vehicle purchaser” to include businesses that includes junk and salvage vehicle businesses and insurance companies and to require salvage vehicle purchasers to file a report with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles that documents the salvage vehicles obtained and sold during a given time period, and to require a penalty for failure to file the report
- Bill No. 35-0430- A Resolution honoring and commending the St. Croix Alumnae Chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated for its numerous contributions to the people of the Virgin Islands and in recognition of the 50th anniversary of its chapter
- Bill No. 35-0410- An Act honoring and commending Mr. Salvador “Sal” Sanpere for his dedication and contribution to St. Croix by naming the area from King Street heading north on Queen Cross Street to the boardwalk, the Salvador ‘Sal’ Sanpere Lane in his honor
- Bill No. 35-0411- An Act honoring and commending Georgia Francis for her community service and for her contributions to the youth of the Virgin Islands in the area of music and renaming the portion of Rumer Drive beginning at Mandela Circle and continuing to the bottom of the Dorothy “Dotsy” Lockhart-Elskoe Drive, the “Georgia Francis Drive
- Bill No. 35-0418- An Act amending Title 27 Virgin Islands Code, by adding chapter 1A relating to the practice of audiology and speech-language pathology; establishing qualifications for licensure as an audiologist and speech-language pathologist and establishing qualifications for certification as an audiology assistant and speech-language pathologist assistant, and for other related purposes
- Bill No. 35-0419- An Act amending Title 27 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 1A by establishing the Virgin Islands Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
- Bill No. 35-0420- An Act amending Title 23, Virgin Islands Code, chapter 5 by enacting the “Virgin Islands Firearm Serial Number Regulation Act”
- Bill No. 35-0425- An Act to amend various sections of Title 5 Virgin Islands Code
- Bill No. 35-0426- An Act authorizing the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority to sell electricity to any beneficiary in the Virgin Islands South Shore Trade Zone without regulation by the Public Services Commission of the Virgin Islands
- Bill No. 35-0427- An Act requiring the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority to conduct a feasibility study, including a cost analysis, for the installation of a sewer line from Five Corners to Villa La Reine, St. Croix
- Bill No. 35-0428- An Act appropriating $2,930,870 from Indirect Cost Fund in the fiscal year October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025, for the operating expenses of the Office of Management and Budget, the Virgin Islands Division of Personnel, and the Virgin Islands Department of Finance and Property and Procurement.
- Bill No. 35-0431- An Act adopting the 2024 Comprehensive Land and Water Use Plan submitted by the Department of Planning and Natural Resources to the 35th Legislature of the Virgin Islands on December 10, 2024 as the Official Virgin Islands Comprehensive Land and Water Use Plan, and establishing legislative oversight on the plan’s policy, direction and goals
Senators present included Donna Frett-Gregory, Novelle, E. Francis, Jr., Javan James, Sr., Dwayne M. DeGraff, Marvin Blyden, Ray Fonseca, Alma Francis-Heyliger, Angel L. Bolques, Jr., Samuel Carrion, Milton E. Potter, Marise C. James, Ray Fonseca, Kenneth L. Gittens, and Carla J. Joseph.
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Press Contact: Africah N.T. Harrigan
email: aharrigan@legvi.org
