LAWMAKERS APPROVE FISCAL YEAR 2027 BUDGET FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

ST. THOMAS, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — The Committee on Budget, Appropriations, and Finance, chaired by Senator Novelle E. Francis Jr., convened at the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall, where lawmakers voted in the affirmative on the Fiscal Year 2027 budget bills. The approved measures will be forwarded to the Committee on Rules and Judiciary for further consideration.

Chairman Francis described the Territory’s financial condition as precarious, citing continued uncertainty surrounding federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Residents were encouraged to remain informed by monitoring the Bureau of Internal Revenue and Department of Finance websites for updates on monthly revenues collected in the Territory. Strengthening government revenue collections remains critical to ensuring that essential services can continue to be provided to the community.

Significant work also remains as the Territory continues its disaster recovery efforts. With revenues down, Francis pointed to the need to strengthen collections, particularly from larger government agencies, while pursuing new sources of revenue and investment to support the Territory’s financial stability.

Collectively, senators commended Chairman Francis for his leadership, diligence, and thorough review of financial information throughout the budget process, recognizing his efforts toward balancing the Government of the Virgin Islands’ Fiscal Year 2027 budget. Lawmakers also underscored the importance of fiscal responsibility and ensuring that available resources are allocated to support essential government operations and the needs of Virgin Islands residents.

Policymakers voted and approved the following bills:

• Bill No. 36-0362 An Act providing an appropriation for the salaries and expenses of the University of the Virgin Islands during the fiscal year October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. Sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr., by Request of the Governor
• Bill No. 36-0363 An Act providing an appropriation from the Business and Commercial Properties Revolving Fund to the Virgin Islands Department of Property and Procurement for operating expenses during the fiscal year October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. Sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr., by Request of the Governor
• Bill No. 36-0364 An Act providing an appropriation from the Anti-Litter and Beautification Fund to the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority and the Virgin Islands Department of Public Works for operating expenses during the fiscal year October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. Sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr., by Request of the Governor
• Bill No. 36-0365 An Act appropriating $6 million from the Caribbean Basin Initiative Fund as a contribution to the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands for the Fiscal Year October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027. Sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr., by Request of the Governor
• Bill No. 36-0366 An Act providing an appropriation for final editing, proofing and printing of hardcover editions of the customized Virgin Islands History textbooks and for completion of kindergarten through eighth grade Social Studies curriculum to the Department of Education from the Education Initiative Fund of the Government of the Virgin Islands for the fiscal year October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. Sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr., by Request of the Governor
• Bill No. 36-0367 An Act providing a lump sum appropriation from the Health Revolving Fund to the Virgin Islands Department of Health and a contribution to the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands for fiscal year October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027. Sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr., by Request of the Governor
• Bill No. 36-0368 An Act appropriating $3,110, 096 from the Indirect Cost Fund in the fiscal year October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027 for the operating expenses of the Office of Management and Budget, the Virgin Islands Division of Personnel, and the Virgin Islands Departments of Finance and Property and Procurement. Sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr., by Request of the Governor
• Bill No. 36-0369 An Act appropriating $20,000,000 from the Virgin Islands Insurance Guaranty Fund as a contribution to the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands in the fiscal year October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027. Sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr., by Request of the Governor
• Bill No. 36-0370 An Act providing an appropriation from the Virgin Islands Lottery as a contribution to the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands for the fiscal year October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027. Sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr., by Request of the Governor
• Bill No. 36-0371 An Act appropriating funds from the Tourism Advertising Revolving Fund to the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority, the Office of the Governor, the Virgin Islands Department of Education, the Virgin Islands Department of Public Works, the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture, the Virgin Islands Department of Sports, Parks, & Recreation, the Virgin Islands Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs, the Virgin Islands Public Broadcasting System and the Virgin Islands Department of Tourism during the fiscal year October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027. Sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr., by Request of the Governor
• Bill No. 36-0372 An Act appropriating funds from the Transportation Trust Fund as a contribution to the General Fund and for the operating expenses of the Virgin Islands Bureau of Motor Vehicles and the Department of Public Works during the fiscal year October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027. Sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr., by Request of the Governor
• Bill No. 36-0373 An Act appropriating funds for salaries and expenses of the Virgin Islands Board of Elections and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections in the fiscal year October1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. Sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr., by Request of the Governor
• Bill No. 36-0374 An Act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Virgin Islands Board of Education from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands during the fiscal year October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. Sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr., by Request of the Governor
• Bill No. 36-0375 An Act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Virgin Islands Career and Technical Education Board from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands during the fiscal year October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. Sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr., by Request of the Governor
• Bill No. 36-0376 An Act appropriating funds for the operating expenses of the Virgin Islands Hospital and Health Facilities Corporation from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands during the fiscal year October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. Sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr., by Request of the Governor 
• Bill No. 36-0377 An Act providing an appropriation for the operation of the Judicial Branch of the Government of the Virgin Islands, the Judicial Council and the Office of the Territorial Public Defender during the fiscal year October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. Sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr., by Request of the Governor 
• Bill No. 36-0378 An Act appropriating $26,121,131 to the Legislature of the Virgin Islands in the fiscal year October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. Sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr., by Request of the Governor
• Bill No. 36-0379 An Act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Virgin Islands Office of the Inspector General from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands for the fiscal year October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027. Sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr., by Request of the Governor
• Bill No. 36-0380 An Act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Public Employees Relations Board and the Virgin Islands Labor Management Committee for the fiscal year Oct. ober 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. Sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr., by Request of the Governor
• Bill No. 36-0381 An Act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Public Services Commission for the fiscal year October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027. Sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr., by Request of the Governor
• Bill No. 36-0382 An Act providing an appropriation to the Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission for the fiscal year October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. Sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr., by Request of the Governor
• Bill No. 36-0383 An Act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands during the fiscal year October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027. Sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr., by Request of the Governor 
• Bill No. 36-0384 An Act providing an appropriation from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands for the operation of the Government of the Virgin Islands during the fiscal year October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. Sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr., by Request of the Governor
• Bill No. 36-0386 An Act appropriating $1,500,000 from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands to the St. John Capital Improvement Fund for fiscal year October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. Sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr., by Request of the Governor
• Bill No. 36-0387 An Act appropriating $1,500,000 from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands to the St. Thomas Capital Improvement Fund for fiscal year October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. Sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr., by Request of the Governor
• Bill No. 36-0388 An Act appropriating $2,000,000 from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands to the St. Croix Capital Improvement Fund for fiscal year October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. Sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr., by Request of the Governor
• Bill No. 36-0390 An Act amending Act No. 9035 by reprogramming the appropriated funds to the Department of Education to pay current and prior year obligations for the Department of Education and the Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance. Sponsored by Senator Kurt A. Vialet

Senators present at the committee hearing were Novelle E. Francis Jr., Marvin A. Blyden, Hubert L. Frederick, Marise C. James, Milton E. Potter, Dwayne M. DeGraff, Ray Fonseca, Avery Lewis, Kurt A. Vialet, Clifford Joseph, and Carla J. Joseph. 

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Press Contact: Africah N.T. Harrigan

Email: aharrigan@legvi.org