ST. THOMAS, VI — The 36^th Legislature of the Virgin Islands, led by Senate President Milton E. Potter convened into Regular Legislative Session at the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall. Lawmakers approved lease agreements, resolutions, and bills. Additionally, Senators overrode the governor’s vetoes. Approved items from today’s session will be sent to the Governor for further consideration and action.

Lawmakers voted to override the Governor’s veto of the following bills:

• Bill No. 36-0053, An Act amending title 3 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 25, subchapter V, section 555b to increase the minimum annual salary for full-time employees of the Government of the Virgin Islands, its semi-autonomous agencies and independent instrumentalities from $27,040 to $35,000. The measure was sponsored by Senators Kurt A. Vialet, Franklin D. Johnson, Hubert L. Frederick, Avery L. Lewis, Kenneth L. Gittens, Marvin A. Blyden, Milton E. Potter, Dwayne M. DeGraff and Clifford A. Joseph, Sr, and cosponsored by Senators Ray Fonseca, Novelle E. Francis, Jr., and Marise C. James.

• Bill No. 36-0085, An Act to prevent or rescind any automatic implementation of salary adjustments made pursuant to the recommendations of the Virgin Islands Public Officials Compensation Commission, to reclaim unauthorized payments, and to establish enforcement and penalty provisions. The measure was sponsored by Senators Alma Francis Heyliger, Kurt A. Vialet, Milton E. Potter and Clifford A. Joseph Sr. and cosponsored by Senator Ray Fonseca and Marise C. James.

Lawmakers approved the following lease agreements:

• Bill No. 36-0062, An Act approving the lease agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands, acting through its Commissioner of the Department of Property and Procurement, and the United States Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for a portion of the telecommunications tower located on Parcel R-22 of Tract 1 Estate Nazareth, No. 1 Red Hook Quarter, St. Thomas. The measure was sponsored by Senator Milton E. Potter by request of the Governor.
• Bill No. 36-0098, An Act approving the lease agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands, acting through the Commissioner of the Department of Property and Procurement, and Caribbean Buzz, LLC for a portion of Remainder Parcel No. 3B Estate Susannaberg, 17A Cruz Bay Quarter, St. John, Virgin Islands for the purpose of operating and managing a helicopter transportation service at the existing helipad and for other permitted purposes. The measure was sponsored by Senator Milton E. Potter by request of the Governor.

Lawmakers approved the following resolutions:

• Bill No. 36-0007, A resolution honoring and commending James Sasso for distinguished service in the mortuary and funeral service industry. The measure was sponsored by Senator Angel L. Bolques, Jr. and cosponsored by Senators Avery L. Lewis and Ray Fonseca.
• Bill No. 36-0029, A Resolution honoring and commending Sonya Hough, the creator of the St. Croix “Crucian” Hook Bracelet and proprietor of one of the first hand-wrought jewelry stores in St. Croix. The measure was sponsored by Senator Kenneth L. Gittens and cosponsored by Senators Ray Fonseca, Clifford A. Joseph, Sr., Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr.
• Bill No. 36-0090, An act amending title 1 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 11 by adding section 200m to declare the week beginning the Monday before the first Friday in June as the Virgin Islands Gun Violence Awareness Week. The measure was sponsored by Senator Angel L. Bolques, Jr.
• Bill No. 36-0097, A resolution commending the National Conference of States Legislatures (“NCSL”) on its 50th anniversary and recognizing the NCSL for its commitment to the legislative institution. The measure was sponsored by Senator Milton E. Potter and cosponsored by Senators Ray Fonseca and Novelle E. Francis Jr.

Lawmakers approved the following bills:

• Bill No. 36-0012, An Act amending title 3 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 27 to streamline the GERS disability annuity approval procedures and for other related issues. The measure was sponsored by Senator Milton E. Potter and cosponsored by Ray Fonseca and Novelle E. Francis, Jr.
• Bill No. 36-0024, An Act amending title 14 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 85 by adding section 1710 declaring a person incapable of consent to sexual relations while the person is in police custody. The measure was sponsored by Senator Ray Fonseca and cosponsored by Milton E. Potter.
• Bill No. 36-0027, An Act amending title 5 Virgin Islands Code, subtitle 3, part I, chapter 311, by enacting Jah’niqua’s Law requiring a defendant to pay restitution in form of child maintenance if the victim of the offense was the parent or guardian of a minor child or dependent and if the defendant was convicted of negligent homicide by means of a motor vehicle, a violation of the title 20 Virgin Islands Code, section 504, while under the influence of or affected by intoxicating liquor or narcotic drugs; or was convicted of driving under the influence of intoxicating liquors or controlled substances, a violation of title 20 Virgin Islands Code, section 493, which results in an accident that causes the victim to become disabled or totally and permanently disabled. The measure was sponsored by Senator Kenneth L. Gittens, Avery L. Lewis, and Angel L. Bolques, Jr. and cosponsored by Senator Clifford A. Joseph, Sr.
• Bill No. 36-0031, An Act amending title 23 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 10, subchapter IV, section 1073 to exempt a public safety agency or privacy safety entity from liability for acts of negligence in the operation, administration or maintenance of a 911 service unless the acts are committed in a grossly negligent manner or are committed with willful intent. The measure was sponsored by Senators Alma Francis Heyliger and Avery L. Lewis.
• Bill No. 36-0032, An act amending title 33 Virgin Islands Code, subtitle 3, chapter 111, section 3080 by limiting the salary amount used to compute the service retirement annuity for the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor of the Virgin Islands. The measure was sponsored by Senators Kurt A. Vialet and Ray Fonseca.
• Bill No. 36-0035, An Act amending title 15 Virgin Islands Code, article V to allow the Governor of the Virgin Islands to implement the federal mandate of the Stephen J. Beck, Jr., Achieving Better Life Experiences, which provides for the establishment of savings accounts for persons with disabilities. The measure was sponsored by Senators Novelle E. Francis Jr. and Kurt A. Vialet, and cosponsored by Senators Marise C. James, Hubert L. Frederick, Ray Fonseca, Angel L. Bolques, Jr. Clifford A. Joseph, Sr., Avery L. Lewis, and Milton E. Potter.
• Bill No. 36-0043, An Act amending title 19 Virgin Islands Code, part VI, chapter 53, subchapter IV, section 1481 by increasing the penalties for violation of sanitation laws. The measure was sponsored by Senator Angel L. Bolques, Jr, and Marvin A. Blyden and cosponsored by Senator Milton E. Potter.
• Bill No. 36-0050, An Act repealing and reenacting with amendments title 27 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 20, relating to the regulation of the profession of social work and social workers. The measure was sponsored by Senators Novelle E. Francis, Jr., and Marvin A. Blyden, and cosponsored by Senator Ray Fonseca and Milton E. Potter.
• Bill No. 36-0051, An Act amending title 27 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 20 by establishing the Virgin Islands Board of Social Work Licensure. The measure was sponsored by Senators Novelle E. Francis, Jr., and Marvin A. Blyden, and co-sponsored by Senators Ray Fonseca and Milton E. Potter.
• Bill No. 36-0057, An Act amending title 5 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 314, section 3733, subsection (a) to require automatic expungement of the arrest record and complaint or information when the accused has been acquitted. The measure was sponsored by Senators Alma Francis Heyliger and Avery L. Lewis, and cosponsored by Senators Clifford A. Joseph, Ray Fonseca, and Milton E. Potter.
• Bill No. 36-0064, An Act amending title 33 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 111, section 3100i aligning the disbursement and spending limitations of funds allotted to public schools from the Education Initiative Fund with the realities of academic planning, ensuring that funds are used to maximize student success. The measure was sponsored by Senator Kurt A. Vialet, and Angel L. Bolques, Jr., and cosponsored by Senators Clifford A. Joseph, Sr., Novelle E. Francis, Jr, Milton E. Potter, and Ray Fonseca. This bill allowed nongermane amendments.

Additionally, a motion was made to subpoena the Director of Personnel, Cindy Richardson for the NOPAs of those whose salaries were altered per the recommendations of the Virgin Islands Public Officials Compensation Commission.

Senators present at today’s Legislative Session included Milton E. Potter, Kenneth L. Gittens, Marvin A. Blyden, Angel L. Bolques, Jr., Dwayne M. DeGraff, Ray Fonseca, Novelle E. Francis, Jr., Alma Francis Heyliger, Hubert L. Frederick, Marise C. James, Franklin D. Johnson, Clifford A. Joseph, Sr., Avery L. Lewis, and Kurt A. Vialet.

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