The 36th Legislature’s Committee on Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety will meet on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 9:30 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 V.I. Bureau of Corrections to include but not limited to the following:

• Status of the federal consent decree and payments made to the independent monitoring team.
• Status on staffing (including recruitment and retention), staff safety, healthcare, sanitation and fire safety at all Bureau of Corrections facilities and at facilities where inmates are housed.
• Status of all capital projects and capital improvement projects.

Invited Testifier:
Honorable Wynnie Testamark, Director, V.I. Bureau of Corrections

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 Executive Order 547-2026.
• Status of the territory-wide camera project.
• An update on the most recent crime spree in the territory (robberies and homicides) inclusive of the department’s short-term approach for resolution.
• An update on the department’s long-term crime prevention and/or reduction plan for the territory.

Invited Testifier:
Honorable Mario Brooks, Commissioner, V.I. Police Department

BLOCK III

Bill No. 36-0301 An act amending title 14 Virgin Islands Code prohibiting incarcerated persons from possessing or using electronic communication or recording devices

Invited Testifier:
Honorable Wynnie Testamark, Director, V.I. Bureau of Corrections
Honorable Mario Brooks, Commissioner, V.I. Police Department
Honorable Gordon Rhea, Esq., Attorney General of the Virgin Islands

Bill No. 36-0231 An act amending title 5 Virgin Islands Code, subtitle 3, part III, chapter 401, by adding section 4507a to establish procedures for inmate transfers outside of the Virgin Islands.

Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Wynnie Testamark, Director, V.I. Bureau of Corrections
Honorable Gordon Rhea, Esq., Attorney General of the Virgin Islands
Mr. Martial A. Webster, Sr., Esq., Owner, Law Offices of Martial A. Webster, Sr., P.C.
Mr. Jomo Meade, Esq., Chief Territorial Public Defender, Office of the Territorial Public Defender
Mr. Dennis Howell, Chairman, V.I. Parole Board

BLOCK IV

An act amending title 5 Virgin Islands Code, subtitle 3, part I, chapter 305, subchapter I, section3561, subsection (a), by granting peace officer status to enforcement officers of the Virgin Islands Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation.

Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Vincent L. Roberts, Commissioner, VI Department of Sports, Parks & Recreation
Honorable Mario Brooks, Commissioner, VI Police Department

Bill No. 36-0303 An act amending title 20 Virgin Islands Code, part II, chapter 38, section 424 to update child passenger safety requirements applicable to rental vehicle.

Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Mario Brooks, Commissioner, V.I. Police Department
Ms. Denise Gomes, Occupant Protection Program Manager, Virgin Islands Office of Highway Safety