Committee on Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety

The 36^th Legislature’s Committee on Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety will meet on Friday, February 13, 2026, at 9:00 A.M. in the Frits E. Lawaetz Conference Room on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands to consider the following official agenda.

BLOCK I

The Committee on Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety will receive an update on the operations of the Virgin Islands Fire and Emergency Medical Services, including but not limited to:

• Staffing, staff safety, overtime and merger of the Virgin Islands Fire and Emergency Medical Services
• Long-term plans for staffing recruitment and retention, improvement of facilities, and strategic initiatives
• Update on equipment purchases and replacement
• Conditions and readiness of fire and medical apparatus and vehicles

Invited Testifier:
Mr. Antonio Stevens, Director, VI Fire and Emergency Medical Services

BLOCK II

The Committee on Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety will receive an update on the operations of the V.I. Police Department to include but not limited to the following:

• Status of the federal consent decree.
• Changes in operational and investigative focus.
• Changes to staffing levels and patrol schedules.
• Status of the camera system.
• Current initiatives or special operations targeting recent crime trends.

Invited Testifier:
Honorable Mario Brooks, Commissioner, VI Police Department

BLOCK III

Bill No. 36-0139                    An act amending title 31 Virgin Islands Code to assess civil liability for destruction or damage to government property through wilful or negligent acts.

Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Mario Brooks, Commissioner, V.I. Police Department
Honorable Gordon Rhea, Esq., V.I. Attorney General, V.I. Department of Justice
Honorable Lisa Alejandro, Commissioner, V.I. Department of Property and Procurement

BLOCK IV

Bill No. 36-0144                    An act amending title 14 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 113 to define and prohibit assault rifles, ban suppressors and silencers, require safety training for licensed rifles and shotgun holders; prohibit large-capacity magazines and prevent the illegal sales of firearms, firearm accessories and ammunition.

Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Mario Brooks, Commissioner Virgin Islands Police Department
Honorable Gordon Rhea, Esq., VI Attorney General, VI Department of Justice
Mr. Ehren Henderson, Former Gun Shop Owner, St. Thomas
Mr. Luis Valdes, Florida State Director, Southeast Regional Director, Puerto Rico & U.S. Virgin Islands Director of Outreach, Co-Chair Fuerza 2A, National Spokesman, Gun Owners of America
Mr. Kosei Ohno, Founder, VI Safe Gun Owners
Mr. John Canegata, Owner, D&J’s Shooting Gallery, LLC, St. Croix

Bill No. 36-0151                    An act amending title 23 Virgin Islands Code regarding the illegal possession of machine guns and machine gun conversion devices.

Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Mario Brooks, Commissioner, VI Police Department
Honorable Gordon Rhea, Esq., VI Attorney General, VI Department of Justice
Mr. Moleto Smith, Director, VI Law Enforcement Planning Commission
Mr. Antonio Emanuel, Director, VI Office of Gun Violence Prevention
Mr. Luis Valdes, Florida State Director, Southeast Regional Director, Puerto Rico & U.S. Virgin Islands Director of Outreach, Co-Chair Fuerza 2A, National Spokesman, Gun Owners of America