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 nominees, zonings, lease agreements, resolutions, and bills. Approved items from today’s session will be sent to the Governor for further consideration and action.

Lawmakers approved the following nominations:

· The Honorable Denise M. Francois to serve as a Justice on the Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands

· Ms. Renee M. André, Esq. to serve as a Judge on the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands.

Senators approved the following measures:

• Bill No. 36-0009, An act honoring and commending Mr. Steven van Beverhoudt for his years of dedicated service and numerous contributions to the people of the Virgin Islands and naming the Office of the Virgin Islands Inspector General building “The Steven van Beverhoudt Inspector General Building”.  The measure was proposed by Senator Milton E. Potter, and sponsored by Senators Angel L. Bolques, Jr, Carla J. Joseph, and Alma Francis Heyliger, and cosponsored by Senator Ray Fonseca.

• Bill No. 36-0114 , An act honoring and commending Dilsa Capdeville for her many contributions to the Virgin Islands community through her roles in various areas of social services and advocacy for abused women and children and to rename the Bolongo Bay Head Start Facility the “Dilsa Capdeville Head Start Facility” in her honor. The measure was proposed by Senator Carla J. Joseph and sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter, Angel L. Bolques, Jr., Avery L. Lewis, Franklin D. Johnson, Novelle E. Francis, Jr. Marvin A. Blyden, and Alma Francis Heyliger, and co-sponsored by Ray Fonseca.
• Bill No. 36-0149, An act honoring and commending Janeisha John for her outstanding achievements, pioneering spirit, and significant contributions to the fields of entertainment, modelling, and television production, celebrating her role as a cultural ambassador, trailblazer, and inspirational leader of the Virgin Islands.  The measure was proposed by Senator Angel L. Bolques, Jr. and sponsored by Senator Alma Francis Heyliger.
• Bill No. 36-0191, An act honoring and commending Detective Delberth Phipps, Jr., posthumously for his service with the Virgin Islands Police Department and to the Virgin Islands community, by renaming the portion of Hospital Gade where it intersects with Veterans Drive, at the Alexander Farrelly Criminal Justice Complex, to the beginning of the Maude Proudfoot Drive, the “Detective Delberth Phipps, Jr., Memorial Street”.  The measure was proposed by Senator Angel L. Bolques, Jr. and sponsored by Senators Avery L. Lewis, Franklin D. Johnson, Marvin A. Blyden, Alma Francis Heyliger, Kenneth L. Gittens, and Milton E. Potter, and cosponsored by Ray Fonseca.

Policymakers approved the following resolutions, zonings, and lease agreements.

• Bill No. 36-0194,  A resolution urging the United States Congress and the Office of the United States Trade Representative to expand and modernize the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) to further support economic growth and development in the Virgin Islands and the wider Caribbean region. The measure was proposed by Senator Angel L. Bolques, Jr, and sponsored by Senators Carla J. Joseph, Alma Francis Heyliger and Marvin A. Blyden, and co-sponsored by Senators Hubert L. Frederick, Ray Fonseca, Avery L. Lewis, and Milton E. Potter.
• Bill No. 36-0297,  A resolution petitioning the United States Congress to express its support for and solidarity with Taiwan in its quest for meaningful participation in international organization. The measure was proposed by Senator Milton E. Potter.
• Bill No. 36-0257, An act transferring Parcel No. 2C Estate Ross, 8 New Quarter, St. Thomas, from the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority to the Virgin Islands Department of Education for use by the Charlotte Amalie High School. The measure was proposed by Senator Avery Lewis. The measure was sponsored by Senators Alma Francis Heyliger, and Clifford A. Joseph, Sr, and co-sponsored by Senator Ray Fonseca.
• Bill No. 36-0266,  An act amending Official Zoning Map No. SJZ-1 for the island of St. John rezoning Parcel 15 Estate Susannaberg, No. 17A Cruz Bay Quarter, St. John from R-4 (Residential-Medium Density) to R-3 (Residential-Low Density). The measure was proposed by Senator Milton E. Potter by request of the Governor.
• Bill No. 36-0268, An act granting a zoning use variance from the P (Public) zoning designation for Parcel No. 300-B Revised Cruz Bay Town, Cruz Bay Quarter, St. John. The measure was proposed by Senator Milton E. Potter by request of the Governor.
• Bill No. 36-0270, An act amending Official Zoning Map No. SCZ-20, St. Croix to rezone Parcel Nos. 11-F and 11-G Estate Penitentiary Land, Company Quarter, St. Croix from R-3 (Residential-Medium Density) to P (Public). The measure was proposed by Senator Milton E. Potter by request of the Governor.
• Bill No. 36-0275,  An act approving the amended lease agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands, acting through the Commissioner of the Department of Property and Procurement, and Hearts In Service Association, Inc., for the leasing of Parcel No. 175C Estate Anna’s Retreat No. 1 New Quarter, St. Thomas for the purpose of providing eligible programs and services to homeless families, individuals, veterans, and at-risk youth and the operation of a soup kitchen and other related purposes. The measure was proposed by Senators Milton E. Potter, Marvin A. Blyden, Avery L. Lewis, Alma Francis Heyliger, and Ray Fonseca by Request of the Governor.
• Bill No. 36-0288, An act amending Official Zoning Map No. SCZ-6 for the island of St. Croix to rezone Plot Nos. 242, 243, 563, and 564 Estate Strawberry Hill, Queen Quarter, St. Croix from R-2 (Residential-Low Density-One and Two Family) to R-4 (Residential-Medium Density). The measure was proposed by Senator Milton E. Potter by Request of the Governor.
• Bill No. 36-0289, An act granting a zoning use variance from the R-2 (Residential-Low Density- One and Two Family) zoning designation for Plot No. 395 Estate Whim, West End Quarter, St. Croix. The measure was proposed by Senator Milton E. Potter by request of the Governor.
• Bill No. 36-0291,  An act granting a zoning use variance to Plot No. 295-D-2 Estate Barren Spot, King Quarter, St. Croix to allow warehouse and storage services (general). The measure was proposed by Senator Milton E. Potter by request of the Governor.

Senators approved the following bills:

• Bill No. 36-0133, An act amending title 17 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 10, section 111(a)(1) providing mental health education and instruction. The measure was proposed by Senator Milton E. Potter and sponsored by Senator Avery L. Lewis. .
• Bill No. 36-0207, An act amending title 3 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 25, subchapter VI, by adding section 590d and title 24 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 1, by adding section 24 requiring employers to grant parents or legal guardians of a child with a diagnosed disability, four hours per month of paid leave to attend the child’s medical appointments. The measure was proposed by Senator Avery L. Lewis, and sponsored by Senators Angel L. Bolques, Jr., Clifford A. Joseph, Sr., Kenneth L. Gittens and Marise C. James.
• Bill No. 36-0238, An act amending title 29, Virgin Islands Code, chapter 23 to redirect hotel development net bond proceeds to the Government Employees’ Retirement System of the Virgin Islands and the Virgin Islands Government Hospitals and Health Facilities Corporation. The measure was proposed by Senator Avery L. Lewis and sponsored by Senator Alma Francis Heyliger.
• Bill No. 36-0248, An act amending title 29 Virgin Islands Code by enacting the Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) Act.  The measure was sponsored by Senator Avery L. Lewis and sponsored by Senators Marise C. James and Clifford A. Joseph, Sr., and cosponsored by Senators Hubert L. Frederick and Novelle E. Francis. Jr.
• Bill No. 36-0294, An act appropriating $400,000 from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Virgin Islands to the Election System of the Virgin Islands. The measure was proposed by Senators Novelle E. Francis, Jr., Marvin A. Blyden, Hubert L. Frederick, Angel L. Bolques, Jr., Clifford A. Joseph, Sr., Avery L. Lewis, Milton E. Potter, and Kurt A. Vialet.
• Bill No. 36-0283, An act amending tile 29, chapter 12, subchapter I by adding a new section 713c to limit income tax refunds for economic development program beneficiaries. The measure was proposed by Senator Avery L. Lewis and sponsored by Senators Marvin A. Blyden, Ray Fonseca, Angel L. Bolques, Jr, Kurt A. Vialet, Novelle E. Francis, Jr., Clifford A. Joseph, Sr., and Carla J. Joseph.
• Bill No. 36-0232, An act amending Act No. 8018 to authorize the disposal of green waste using controlled incineration technologies, including air curtain incinerators, and for other purposes. The measure was proposed by Clifford A. Joseph, Sr., and sponsored by Senators Avery L. Lewis, Kenneth L. Gittens, and Franklin D. Johnson.
• Bill No. 36-0292, An act appropriating $2,100,000 to the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority for the repair or replacement of the submarine electrical transmission cables that provides electricity to St. John, and for other related purposes. The measure was proposed by Senator Angel L. Bolques, Jr, Sponsored by Senators Novelle E. Francis, Jr., Milton E. Potter, Ray Fonseca Kenneth L. Gittens, Hubert L. Frederick and Avery L. Lewis , and cosponsored by Senators: Marvin A. Blyden, Carla J. Joseph and Kurt A. Vialet.
• Bill No.  36-0296, An act amending Act No. 9028 to include a $2,300,000 appropriation for the University of the Virgin Islands Scholarship Revolving Fund and amending title 17 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 15, section 190dd(j)(2) by changing the funding source of the University of the Virgin Islands Scholarship Revolving Fund. The measure was proposed by Senator Kurt A. Vialet and sponsored by Senator Novelle E. Francis Jr., and Kenneth L. Gittens.
• Bill No. 36-0236, An act amending title 33 Virgin Islands Code subtitle 3, chapter 111, section 3061 by increasing the amount of money that is to remain in the Virgin Islands Insurance Guaranty Fund before any interest can be deposited into the General Fund.  This bill also allows for non-germane amendments. The measure was proposed by Senator Kurt A. Vialet, and sponsored by Senators Avery L. Lewis, Dwayne M. DeGraff, Alma Francis Heyliger, Marvin A. Blyden, and Clifford A. Joseph, and cosponsored by Senator Milton E. Potter.

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, Franklin D. Johnson, Carla J. Joseph, Clifford A. Joseph, Sr., Avery L. Lewis, and Kurt A. Vialet.

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