COMMITTEE CONSIDERS SEVERAL BILLS REGARDING FINAL FISCAL YEAR 2027 BUDGET 

COMMITTEE CONSIDERS SEVERAL BILLS REGARDING FINAL FISCAL YEAR 2027 BUDGET 
 
ST. THOMAS, VI– The Committee on Rules and Judiciary, chaired by Senator Carla J. Joseph met in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall. Lawmakers considered and approved several measures concerning the Fiscal Year 2027 budget. Approved bills on today’s agenda will be forwarded to the full body at the next scheduled legislative session. 
 
Chairwoman Senator Joseph emphasized that the optics of budget go beyond just appropriation. The Legislature is also responsible for ensuring the funds are properly utilized and keeping agencies accountable. After a brief round of discussion and all senators being in agreeance, lawmakers voted & approved the following measures: 

-Bill No. 36-0363 – An act appropriating $4,240,574 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. The measure was proposed by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr., by request of the governor. 
-Bill No. 36-0364 – An act appropriating $6,300,000 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. The measure was proposed by Senator Novelle E. Francis, Jr. 
-Bill No. 36-0365 – An act appropriating $6,000,000 from the Caribbean Basin Initiative 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. The measure was proposed by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis Jr., by request of the governor. 
-Bill No. 36-0366 – An act appropriating $500,000 from the Education Initiative Fund. of the Government of the Virgin Islands to the Department of Education in the fiscal year October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027 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. The measure was proposed by Senator Novelle E. Francis, Jr. 
-Bill No. 36-0367 – An act appropriating $1,500,000 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 during the fiscal year October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027. The measure was proposed by Senator Novelle E. Francis, Jr. 
-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. The measure was proposed 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 duringthe fiscal year October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027. The measure was proposed by Senator Novelle E. Francis, Jr. 
-Bill No. 36-0370 – An act appropriating $1,100,000 from the Virgin Islands Lottery as a contribution to the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands during the fiscal year October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027. The measure was proposed by Senator Novelle E. Francis, Jr. 
-Bill No. 36-0371 – An act appropriating $45,950,000 from the Tourism Advertising Revolving Fund to the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority, the Office of the Governor, the Virgin IslandsDepartment of Education, the Virgin Islands Department of Public Works, the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture, the Virgin Islands Department of Sports, Parks and 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, through September 30, 2027. The measure was proposed by Senator Novelle E. Francis, Jr.  
-Bill No. 36-0372 – An act appropriating $12,000,000 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. The measure was proposed by Senator Novelle E. Francis, Jr. 
-Bill No. 36-0373 – An act appropriating $2,750,000 for salaries and expenses of the Virgin Islands Board of Elections and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections during the fiscal year October 1, 2026through September 30, 2027. The measure was proposed by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis Jr., by request of the governor. 
-Bill No. 36-0374 – An act appropriating $2,137,697 from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands for the operating expenses of the Virgin Islands Board of Education during the fiscal year October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. The measure was proposed by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis Jr., by request of the governor. 
-Bill No. 36-0375 – An act appropriating $689,681 from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands for the operating expenses of the Virgin Islands Career and Technical Education Board during the fiscal year October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. The measure was proposed by Senator Novelle E. Francis, Jr. 
-Bill No. 36-0376 – An act appropriating $66,500,000 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. The measure was proposed by Senator Novelle E. Francis, Jr. 
-Bill No. 36-0377 – An act appropriating $49,534,620 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. The measure was proposed by Senator Novelle E. Francis, Jr. 
-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. The measure was proposed by Senator Novelle E. Francis, Jr. 
-Bill No. 36-0379 – An act appropriating $3,198,392 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 VirginIslands for the fiscal year October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. The measure was proposed by Senator Novelle E. Francis, Jr. 
-Bill No. 36-0380 – An act appropriating $1,971,910 for the operating expenses of the Public Employees Relations Board and the Virgin Islands Labor Management Committee for the fiscal year October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. The measure was proposed by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis Jr., by request of the governor. 
-Bill No. 36-0381 – An act appropriating $2,395,129 for the operating expenses of the Public Services Commission for the fiscal year October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027. The measure was proposed by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis Jr., by request of the governor. 
-Bill No. 36-0382 – An act appropriating $554,637 to the Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission for the fiscal year October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. The measure was proposed by Senator Novelle E. Francis, Jr. 
-Bill No. 36-0383 – An act appropriating $32,500,000 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. The measure was proposed by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis Jr., by request of the governor. 
-Bill No. 36-0384 – An act appropriating $739,218,837 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. The measure was proposed by Senator Novelle E. Francis, Jr. 
-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 during fiscal year October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. The measure was proposed 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. The measure was proposed by Senator Novelle E. Francis, Jr. 
-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. The measure was proposed by Senator Novelle E. Francis, Jr. 
-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. The measure was proposed by Senator Kurt A. Vialet. 
-Bill No. 36-0391 – An act amending title 33 Virgin Islands Code, subtitle 3, part II, chapter 111, section 3039a by revising the allocation of the monies deposited into the Virgin Islands Water and PowerGenerating and Infrastructure Fund. The measure was proposed by Senators Marise C. James, Clifford A. Joseph, Sr, Novelle E. Francis, Jr., and Kurt A. Vialet. 
-Bill No. 36-0362 – An act appropriating $34,066,859 for the salaries and expenses of the University of the Virgin Islands during the fiscal year October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027. The measure was proposed by Senator Novelle E. Francis, Jr. 
Senators present at today’s Committee hearing were Carla J. Joseph, Angel L. Bolques, Jr., Alma Francis Heyliger, Novelle E. Francis, Jr., Clifford A. Joseph, Sr., Avery L. Lewis, and Milton E. Potter. 
 
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