ST. CROIX, VI – The Committee on Housing, Transportation and Telecommunications, chaired by Marvin A. Blyden met in the Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room. Lawmakers considered measures that would establish the Inspection and Safety on Public Highways Fund and the Virgin Islands Roadside Property Maintenance and Vegetation Act, respectively. Additionally, lawmakers received an update on telecommunications issues from providers, infrastructure owners and policymakers, focusing on evaluating system resilience, redundancy, affordability, and reliability of service.

Lawmakers considered Bill No. 36-0109, An act amending title 33 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 111 to establish the Inspection and Safety on Public Highways Fund; amending title 20 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 39, section 435 relating to the collection of fees, amending title 20 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 41, section 461 relating to equipment and inspection of vehicle requirements, and title 20 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 38, section 416 relating to motor vehicle restrictions for the car rental industry. The measure was proposed by Senator Angel L. Bolques, Jr.

Barbara Jackson-McIntosh, Director of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles delivered testimony in support of the measure. According to Jackson-Mcintosh, in the United States and its territories, vehicle safety and emissions inspection are governed by each state and territory individually. Most states do not require an annual safety inspection for all vehicles. They rely on law enforcement and owner responsibility.  Currently, the Virgin Islands Bureau of Motor Vehicles operates under a tiered inspection structure, were inspection frequency varies based on vehicle age, while some newer passenger vehicles are exempt from annual inspection requirements. This framework reflects an effort to reduce unnecessary burdens on motorists and the BMV. Jackson-Mcintosh states that the proposal to eliminate routine inspections for private passenger vehicles, while still allowing the BMV to assess administrative fees are reasonable and necessary.

The BMV remains responsible for maintaining vehicle records, processing registrations and ensuring compliance with maintaining vehicle records, processing registrations, and ensuring compliance with insurance and statutory requirements. The collection of an administrative fee allows the bureau to be able to continue to perform essential functions without disruptions. Jackson stated that the measure would shift the responsibility for ensuring vehicle safety back to vehicle owners and operators, and would allow law enforcement to act decisively when necessary.  Furthermore, Jackson-McIntosh stated that the measure would improve access and reduce bottlenecks and BMV sites, support local business, expand inspection capacity in the territory, and enhance customer convenience.

Clarina Modeste-Elliott, Executive Assistant Commissioner of the Department of Finance, voiced support for the proposed measure. Modeste-Elliott stated that the proposed measure would establish a structured mechanism to enhance roadway safety while strengthening the Government’s ability to capture and retain revenues associated with vehicle inspections and regulatory compliance. According to Modeste-Elliott, the enforcement of fees would broaden and stabilize non tax revenue fees, improve compliance, and support more predictable revenue generation. Potential funds could then be reinvested in critical infrastructure and public safety initiatives. Also, the establishment of a separate fund would ensure that revenues generated for specific purpose are not comingled with the general fund, strengthening internal controls, and aligning with audit best practices. The fund would enhance transparency, accountability, and public trust, while supporting efforts to modernize financial management across the government.  

Jozette Walker, Assistant Commissioner of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources delivered testimony in support of the measure. Walker’s testimony cited the fact that motor vehicle emissions pose major threats to public health and environmental quality, especially on an island where air quality affects community well-being and natural resources.  Citing guidance from the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Energy, and the Department of Transportation, Walker voiced concern about pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, volatile organic compounds, particulate matter and hazardous air toxins such as benzene and diesel exhaust, emphasizing the need for local oversight as vehicles age or are imported used. Walker recommended that the BMV serve as the lead agency for implementing the program, with DPNR providing technical support as allowable with staff.  She recommended the territory adopt models seen from states such as California, Georgia, Hawaii and Puerto, and to implement a phased system using OBD testing from vehicles from model year 1996 and onward.

Alexander Moorehead IV, Lieutenant and Commander of the St. Croix District Motor Carrier Safety Unit voiced opposition the proposed measure. Morehead stated that the measure as currently written would conflict with federal motor carrier safety regulations. Moorehead stressed that only federally certified Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance Inspectors, currently limited to the VIPD motor carrier safety unit, are legally allowed to inspect commercial motor vehicles. Moorehead’s testimony stated that allowing private repair shops to conduct inspections would violate federal law, undermine data integrity, and jeopardize the territory’s compliance with the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP). Moorehead also stated that according to the VIPD, almost one in five commercial vehicles inspected in recent years were unsafe, highlighting the need for certified oversight. Moorehead recommended that the bill be amended to formally recognize MSCU as the only authority for commercial inspections, require coordination with the BMV, adopt federal inspections, and dedicate funding for federally mandated safety functions, and restrict inspection authority to certified personnel. Without the changes, Moorehead stated that the bill would risk non-compliance with federal standards, loss of highway safety funding, and compromised safety.   After further discussion, Bill No. 36-0109 was held in Committee.

Policymakers then considered Bill No. 36-0074, An Act amending title 20 Virgin Islands Code, part I by adding a chapter 3 establishing the “Virgin Islands Roadside Property Maintenance and Vegetation Act” to require property owners to maintain roadside vegetation, prevent obstruction of public roads and utility lines, provide for enforcement, penalties, and exceptions, and for other related purposes. The measure was proposed by Senators Kenneth L. Gittens and Avery L. Lewis.

Ludence Romney, Tax Assessor stated that the proposed measure was unclear in its definition of what counts as a “public road”. Additionally, the required fines are high and could burden property owners as well as the tax office. Romney stated that it is unclear as to how violations would be proven, how evidence would be stored, or how the fines would be calculated.  Romney also voiced concern about how the bill would cause people to remove vegetation, which might cause harm to the environment. Romney stated that it might be easier and fairer to charge all property owners a small fee instead of large fines on a few.

Derek Gabriel, Commissioner of the Department of Public Works, voiced support for the measure but stated that it could not be enforced without a better system. Gabriel recommended the collection of fines through property tax liens and creating a special fund so that all fine revenue goes directly to road maintenance. Additionally, Gabriel warned that there must be a plan for disposal of vegetation since the landfill on St. Thomas does not accept green waste.  According to Gabriel, the Department of Public Works currently spends $2.4 Million annually on vegetation management and manages 16 contracts in the St. Thomas-St. John district alone.  Rapid tropical growth often make it very difficult to keep roads clear. Gabriel stated that with proper enforcement and funding, the bill would help keep roads clear and safe.

Jozette Walker, Assistant Commissioner of the Department of Planning and Natural Resource applauded the intent of the measure, but stated that there were concerns with the measure as drafted. Walker stated that the bill creates jurisdictional ambiguity by placing DPNR into an exemption or waiver role even though the Department of Public Works is the agency responsible  for implementing roadside maintenance and vegetation control under the framework considered in the measure. She stated that involving DPNR in operational decisions would create confusion, especially after storms when emergency procedures already give the Department of Public Works authority to clear roads quickly. Walker stated that poorly worded exemptions could create property owners to over-clear vegetation without oversight, which could then cause erosion, slope instability, drainage problems, and harm to coastal waters.  Walker recommended that the proposed measure be amended by removing DPNR from the exemption process, limiting exemptions to states of emergency, distinguishing routine maintenance from post-disaster work, requiring proper disposal of vegetative debris and replacing the proposed $1500 lien with a stepped citation system which would escalate only if unpaid. Walker recommended revision of the measure to preserve the Department of Public Work’s operational authority while ensuring that environmental protections remain.

Lemuel Lavinier, Chief Operating Officer of Electric Systems at WAPA supported the measure. However, Lavinier stated that vegetation near power lines is dangerous and requires certified line clearance professionals and not property owners or general contractors. According to testimony, vegetation contact with electrical lines cause about 20% of monthly outages and poses risks of electrocution, fires and system damage. The proposed measure does not distinguish between ordinary yard work and hazardous work, and property owners may unintentionally endanger themselves while trying to comply. Testimony recommended that the bill separate general vegetation maintenance from work near energized line and require coordination with WAPA for anything near the clearance zone. Additionally, Lavinier stated that the bill did not define the Authority’s role in enforcement or coordination, though WAPA is often called to address vegetation hazards around electrical infrastructure. He called for the bill to be revised to clarify WAPA’s role, stating that it could face repeated unfunded obligations to clear vegetation.

Greg Guannel, Director of the Caribbean Green Technology Center at the University of the Virgin Islands stated that the measure addresses an important safety issue, However, he states that it overlooked several safety issues that could make implementation of the measure difficult or unsafe. Guannel stated that the bill mixes different responsibilities, roadside trimming and vegetation management near energized utilities, and states that property owners are not trained or legally equipped to work near power lines.  His testimony recommends that utility corridor vegetation management be assigned to WAPA. Guannel voiced concerns over property ownership, elderly or low income residents, and what counts as “overgrown”. Additionally, Guannel voiced further concern  with due process, disaster response procedures, debris disposal planning, as well as a short 60 day implementation timeline. He recommended that there be coordination with the Waste management Authority for handling green waste, as well as suspending enforcement for 90 days after disasters and allowing 6-12 months for public education and agency preparation before enforcement begins. After further consideration, the measure was held in Committee.

Senators then received an update on telecommunications issues from providers, regulators, infrastructure owners, and policymakers. Additionally, senators also received testimony concerning compliance with ADA mandates requiring website accessibility for people with disabilities.

Dionne Wells-Hedrington, Commissioner of the Department of Education delivered testimony. The Department provides instruction to approximately 10,297 students enrolled in public schools enrolled in the territory. The Department has been faced with network and internet connectivity challenges, primary in the St. Thomas-St. John District. The Department’s primary Network Operations Center is located on the island of St. Thomas, but this has also impacted the St. Croix District. Challenges have been mainly due to aging infrastructure, outdated equipment and reoccurring system failures in both districts. The primary cause of service interruptions has been directly linked to the frequency of WAPA outages in the territory. The Department has implemented short term fixes, such as upgrading a major central server to speed up service restoration.  Long term reliability requires a substantial infrastructure investment. It is actively pursuing federal E-rate funding to modernize internal networks, replace obsolete equipment, deploy battery backup, and expand wireless coverage across all campuses. Future phases are expected to address deteriorating cabling and outdated network electronics. The Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance is working with the Department to secure a generator for the NOC, which is not covered by E-Rate.

Jozette Walker, Assistant Commissioner of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources reminded the body that its role in telecommunications oversight involves reviewing land use, zoning, costal permitting and building approvals for projects across the territory. Telecommunication sites oven require multiple types of review, and often move through several DPNR divisions simultaneously. The Department’s project tracker currently shows that Liberty has the largest number of applications at sites throughout the territory. They have progressed through hearings, approvals, and permit issuances, some of which are under construction. Some Liberty matters remain in progress or under appeal, including the Estate Raphune collation and a major CZM application at Long Point. Other providers show mixed progress. These include  T-Mobile’s Estate Thomas collocation, which has been approved but under appeal; One Communications’ Bellevue Application, which is incomplete after multiple deficient submissions, and SBA Towers’ Hermitage application, which has stalled due to fall-zone noncompliance and missing bond requirements. Walker stated that telecommunications infrastructure is essential for resilience, redundancy and emergency preparedness, given the territory’s vulnerability to storms and service disruptions. The Department stresses that all projects must comply with zoning, environmental safeguards, coastal management rules and public hearing obligations. DPNR has also committed to improving ADA digital accessibility and commits to improving accessibility on its website and online services as a part of its current hosting and maintenance project.

Greg Guannel, Director of the Caribbean Green Technology Center provided an update on cell phone reception. According to his data ,Viya (now One Communications) performs the best, T-Mobile is intermediate and ATT/Liberty performs the worst. Guannel states that this suggest that improving service in the territory is not just a matter adding more towers. It requires better network communication, managing interference, and understanding how terrain and demand affect performance. The data as collected between Fall 2023 and throughout 2024 using a mobile app as a part of the Spectrum X research program. Two key indicators were measured, RSRP: signal strength and RSRQ, signal quality.

Rupert Ross, Director of the Bureau of Information Technology delivered testimony highlighting major progress and challenges in telecommunication initiatives.  BIT, the central technology organization for the executive branch supports the network that agencies rely on for daily operations and emergency response. It works closely with VITEMA, the Critical Infrastructure Working Group, and the first Net Authority to strengthen public safety communications. Several permanent FirstNet sites on St. Croix are now operational with construction advancing on St. John, though permitting issues continue to delay the East End Site. On St. Thomas, the proposed Tango site was not pursued, prompting evaluation of alternative coverage strategies.  Currently, BIT is leading the procurement of a modern, interoperable P25 land mobile radio system to replace aging government radio infrastructure and improve emergency communications. BIT has noted that despite meaningful progress, aging infrastructure, funding limitations and complex permitting process are slowing down modernization, which highlights the need for sustained collaboration among government agencies.

Stephan Adams, CEO of VINGN highlights the work of maintaining the territory’s fully fiber optic network and outlines major infrastructure improvements between ARPA and FEMA. This has included deploying more than 600 free community WiFi access points across all three island, upgrading core network capacity from 10Gbps to 100 Gbps and investing in battery, AC and generator replacements at fiber access points to strengthen resilience It has also reduced wholesale bandwidth prices by over 40% and introduced dark fiber leasing options, which have increased ISP flexibility and generated revenue to support continued equipment upgrades. VINGN is pursuing revenue diversification through new technologies, such as satellite connectivity to help local ISPS remain competitive. Diasporalink, a federal initiative to establish undersea cable connections between the territory and Africa, has now expanded to include satellite components. VINGN has engaged with Ghanian officials to build support for the initiative, as the legislation moves through the US Senate, with the goal of positioning the USVI as a digital hub for commerce between Africa and the United States.

Emmanuella Perez-Cassius, Director of Resident Wellness and Empowerment at the Virgin Islands Authority highlighted that VIHA believes that connectivity is not only a quality-of-life issue but a workforce and economic participation issue. Reliable broadband access has become essential for residents to engage in job training, employment opportunities and self-sufficiency programs.  VIHA serves low-income households, not general affordable housing, and highlighted the fact that modest increases can create hardships.  Basic internet plans in the USVI can range from $50-$70 per month, $80-$120 per month for mid-range services, and $120-$180 for high-speed services. Perez-Cassius suggested that a local subsidy of $40-$60 per month could create universal access to services, especially when paired with provider partnerships and federal programs.

Katherine Cling, Interim General Manager of Liberty VI states that the Connect VI Broadband Program has reached about 20,100 homes as of March 2026, with fiver deployment across St. Thomas and St. Croix.  On the mobile side, Liberty has added capacity to five sites in 2025, deployed a new 600MHz band and increased 5G Speeds up to 30%. Liberty plans 25 LTE/5G capacity upgrades, four new monopole sites across the territory, and an in-building system for the new hotel at Botany Bay.  Testimony from Illean Canellas Correa, Country manager for T-Mobile was read into the record. T Mobile has continued to invest in expanding and expanding its wireless network across the USVI, improving coverage and resiliency while navigating permitting and utility‑coordination challenges. The company highlights progress in site upgrades, infrastructure hardening, and customer service improvements, and notes that evolving federal BEAD guidance may eventually allow funding for resiliency‑focused mobile projects such as backup power, hardened sites, redundant backhaul, and DAS systems. T‑Mobile emphasizes its commitment to collaboration with government partners, ongoing private‑capital investment, strong customer support, community engagement, and maintaining reliable communications—especially during emergencies. Siobhan James-Alexander, CEO of One Communications states that the VI telecommunications market is more competitive, and customers expect faster, more reliable, and affordable service. The company reports broadband upgrades, raising minimum speeds to 200Mpbs and offering gigabit service, along with price stability programs and frozen landline rates. James-Alexander highlights challenges with WAPA power instability, which forces resources to be used on backup power and equipment protection instead of network upgrades.

Senators present at today’s committee hearing included Marvin A. Blyden, Clifford A. Joseph, Sr., Angel L. Bolques, Jr., Dwayne M. DeGraff, Ray Fonseca, Kenneth L. Gittens, Marise C. James, Carla J. Joseph, and Kurt A. Vialet.

The Division of Public Affairs is committed to providing the community with accurate information on legislative proceedings and other events at the Legislature of the Virgin Islands. Visit legvi.org.

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