ST. THOMAS – The Committee on Rules and Judiciary, chaired by Senator Diane T. Capehart met in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall to consider budget bills for Fiscal Year 2025. Approved items will be forwarded to the full body at the next scheduled Legislative Session, under closed rule. Lawmakers approved the following bills:

• Bill No. 35-0087, An Act amending title 33 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 111 to add section 3038a to establish in the Treasury of the Virgin Islands a special fund designated as the Veterans Mainland Travel Revolving Fund and appropriating $250,000 for reimbursement for veterans’ airfare to travel outside of the VA Caribbean Healthcare Network for necessary medical care. The measure was proposed by Senators Dwayne M. DeGraff and Donna A. Frett-Gregory.
• Bill No. 35-0272, An Act amending title 20 Virgin Islands Code, part II, chapter 38, section 425(a) relating to an increase in the motor vehicle rental surcharge, and title 33 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 111, section 3002 relating to increased funding in the District Public Road Fund. The measure was proposed by Senator Angel L. Bolques, Jr.
• Bill No. 35-0341, An Act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Virgin Islands Board of Education from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands during the fiscal year October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025. The measure was proposed by Senators Novelle E. Francis, Jr. and Donna A. Frett-Gregory.
• Bill No. 35-0342, An Act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Virgin Islands Office of the Inspector General from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands for the fiscal year October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025. The measure was proposed by Senators Novelle E. Francis, Jr. and Donna A. Frett-Gregory.
• Bill No. 35-0343, An Act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Virgin Islands Career and Technical Education Board from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands during the fiscal year October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025. The measure was proposed by Senators Novelle E. Francis, Jr. and Donna A. Frett-Gregory.
• Bill No. 35-0344, An Act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Virgin Islands Hospital and Health Facilities Corporation from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands for the fiscal year October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025. The measure was proposed by Senators Novelle E. Francis, Jr. and Donna A. Frett-Gregory.
• Bill No. 35-0345, An Act providing an appropriation for salaries and expenses of the Virgin Islands Board of Elections and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections for the fiscal year October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025. The measure was proposed by Senators Novelle E. Francis, Jr. and Donna A. Frett-Gregory.
• Bill No. 35-0346, An Act providing an appropriation for the operation of the Judicial Branch of the Government of the Virgin Islands, the Judicial Council, and the Office of the Territorial Public Defender during the fiscal year October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025. The measure was proposed by Senators Novelle E. Francis, Jr. and Donna A. Frett-Gregory.
• Bill No. 35-0347, An Act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Public Employees Relations Board and the Virgin Islands Labor Management Committee for the fiscal year October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025. The measure was proposed by Senators Novelle E. Francis, Jr. and Donna A. Frett-Gregory.
• Bill No. 35-0348, An act providing an appropriation from the St. Croix Capital Improvement Fund of the Government of the Virgin Islands to the Virgin Islands Department of Public Works for road repair and maintenance projects in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025. The measure was proposed by Senators Novelle E. Francis, Jr., Donna A. Frett-Gregory, Javan E James, Sr., and Samuel Carrion.
• Bill No. 35-0349, An Act providing an appropriation from the St. Thomas Capital Improvement Fund of the Government of the Virgin Islands to the Virgin Islands Department of Public Works for road repair and maintenance projects in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025. The measure was proposed by Senators Novelle E. Francis, Jr., Donna A. Frett-Gregory, Angel L. Bolques, Jr, and Marvin Blyden.
• Bill No. 35-0350, An act providing an appropriation from the St. John Capital Improvement Fund of the Government of the Virgin Islands to the Virgin Islands Department of Public Works for road repair and maintenance projects in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025. The measure was proposed by Senators Novelle E. Francis, Jr., Donna A. Frett-Gregory, Angel L. Bolques, Jr, and Marvin Blyden.
• Bill No. 35-0351, An Act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands during the fiscal year October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025. The measure was proposed by Senators Novelle E. Francis, Jr. and Donna A. Frett-Gregory.
• Bill No. 35-0352, An Act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Public Services Commission for the Fiscal Year October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025. The measure was proposed by Senators Novelle E. Francis, Jr. and Donna A. Frett-Gregory.
• Bill No. 35-0353, An Act providing an appropriation for the salaries and expenses of the University of the Virgin Islands for the fiscal year October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025. The measure was proposed by Senators Novelle E. Francis, Jr. and Donna A. Frett-Gregory.
• Bill No. 35-0354, An Act providing an appropriation from the Anti-Litter and Beautification Fund to the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority and the Virgin Islands Department of Public Works for operating expenses during the fiscal year October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025. The measure was proposed by Novelle E. Francis, Jr. and Donna A. Frett-Gregory.
• Bill No. 35-0355, An Act providing an appropriation from the Caribbean Basin Initiative Fund as a contribution to the General Fund of the Treasury of the Virgin Islands for the fiscal year October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025. The measure was proposed by Senators Novelle E. Francis, Jr. and Donna A. Frett-Gregory.
• Bill No. 35-0356, An Act providing an appropriation from the Business and Commercial Properties Revolving Fund to the Virgin Islands Department of Property and Procurement for operating expenses for the fiscal year October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025. The measure was proposed by Senators Novelle E. Francis, Jr. and Donna A. Frett-Gregory.
• Bill No. 35-0357, An Act providing an appropriation from the Virgin Islands Lottery as a contribution to the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands for the fiscal year October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025. The measure was proposed by Senators Novelle E. Francis, Jr. and Donna A. Frett-Gregory.
• Bill No. 35-0358, An Act providing for a lump-sum appropriation from the Health Revolving Fund to the Virgin Islands Department of Health and a contribution to the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands for fiscal year October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025. The measure was proposed by Senators Novelle E. Francis, Jr. and Donna A. Frett-Gregory.
• Bill No. 35-0360, An Act providing an appropriation to the Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission for the fiscal year October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025. The measure was proposed by Senators Novelle E. Francis, Jr. and Donna A. Frett-Gregory.
• Bill No. 35-0361, An Act providing an appropriation from the Transportation Trust Fund as a contribution to the General Fund of the Treasury of the Virgin Islands and to provide operating expenses for the V.I. Bureau of Motor Vehicles and the Department of Public Works for the fiscal year October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025. The measure was proposed by Senators Novelle E. Francis, Jr. and Donna A. Frett-Gregory.
• Bill No. 35-0362, An Act providing an appropriation from the Virgin Islands Insurance Guaranty Fund as a contribution to the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands for the fiscal year October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025 The measure was proposed by Senators Novelle E. Francis, Jr. and Donna A. Frett-Gregory.
• Bill No. 35-0363, An Act providing an appropriation for the Legislature of the Virgin Islands for the fiscal year October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025. The measure was proposed by Senators Novelle E. Francis, Jr. and Donna A. Frett-Gregory.
• Bill No. 35-0364,  An Act providing an appropriation from the Tourism Advertising Revolving Fund to the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority, Office of the Governor, the Virgin Islands Department of Education, the Virgin Islands Police Department, the Virgin Islands Department of Public Works, the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture, the Virgin Islands Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation, and the Virgin Islands Department of Tourism during the fiscal year October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025. The measure was proposed by Senators Novelle E. Francis, Jr. and Donna A. Frett-Gregory.
• Bill No. 35-0365, An Act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Waste Management Authority from the Sewer Wastewater Fund of the Government of the Virgin Islands for the fiscal year October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025. The measure was proposed by Senators Novelle E. Francis, Jr. and Donna A. Frett-Gregory.
• Bill No. 35-0366, An Act providing an appropriation from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Virgin Islands to the District Public Road Fund for fiscal year October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025. The measure was proposed by Senators Novelle E. Francis, Jr. and Donna A. Frett-Gregory.
• Bill No. 35-0373, An Act amending Act No. 8701 by removing use restrictions on the line of credit. The measure was proposed by Senators Novelle E. Francis, Jr., Donna A. Frett-Gregory and Alma Francis Heyliger.
• Bill No. 35-0375, An Act amending title 11 Virgin Islands Code by adding chapter 3 establishing a wire transfer fee in the amount of 3% of the total amount of a money transfer and establishing the Money Laundering and Electronic Transaction Enforcement Fund The measure was proposed by Senators Marvin Blyden and Senator Donna A. Frett-Gregory.
• Bill No. 35-0376, An Act providing an appropriation from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands for the operation of the Government of the Virgin Islands during the fiscal year October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025. The measure was proposed by Senators Novelle E. Francis, Jr. and Senator Donna A. Frett-Gregory.
• Bill No. 35-0377, An Act providing for a lump-sum appropriation from the School Construction, Maintenance and Capital Fund to the Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance for repair, renovation and maintenance of public schools and facilities for fiscal year October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025. The measure was proposed by Senators Novelle E. Francis, Jr. and Donna A. Frett-Gregory.
• Bill No. 35-0378, An Act appropriating funds for the adoption of various portions of the Virgin Islands Agricultural Plan for fiscal year ending September 30, 2025. The measure was proposed by Senators Novelle E. Francis, Jr. and Donna A. Frett-Gregory.
• Bill No. 35-0379, An Act making various amendments to titles 3, 33, and 20 of the Virgin Islands Code and making various amendments to Acts No. 8717, 8585 and 8759. The measure was proposed by Senators Novelle E. Francis, Jr., Donna A. Frett-Gregory, Marvin Blyden and Samuel Carrion.
• Bill No. 35-0380, An Act appropriating funds received as a result of the civil action captioned The Government of the United States Virgin Islands v. Estate of Jeffrey E. Epstein, et al., Civil No. ST-2020-CV-00014. The measure was proposed by Senators Novelle E. Francis, Jr., Donna A. Frett-Gregory, Dwayne DeGraff, Marvin Blyden, Samuel Carrion and Javan E. James, Sr.
• Bill No. 35-0381, An act appropriating funding received as a result of the settlement agreement between the Government of the United States Virgin Islands v. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., No. 22- CV-10904 (S.D.N.Y.) The measure was proposed by Senators Novelle E. Francis, Jr., Donna A. Frett-Gregory, Dwayne DeGraff, Marvin Blyden, Samuel Carrion and Javan E. James, Sr.

Senator Capehart expresses that she is proud of the Committee members for pressing through the extended delays of getting the bills to the floor for vetting. “Colleagues, it was a tough day, and we turn around to the last lap of finalizing the budget first thing tomorrow morning,” referring to the Legislative Session scheduled for September 27^th.  Senator Capehart is most proud of her advocacy to secure grants for churches and youth organizations on the budget, also, increases for already existing youth organizations such as, formerly, the Police Athletic League now Police Activities League and other existing programs.

Senators present at today’s committee meeting were Diane T. Capehart, Milton E. Potter, Angel L. Bolques, Jr., Ray Fonseca, Kenneth L. Gittens, Marise C. James, Franklin D. Johnson, and Carla J. Joseph.

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