Committee on Budget, Appropriations, and Finance

The 35th Legislature’s Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance will meet Tuesday, May 9, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Chambers on St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.

BLOCK I: 10:00 A.M. – 11:30 A.M.

Update on the status of the premium pay distributions and the American Rescue Plan Act $500 Stipends to Social Security Recipients.

Invited Testifier:
Jenifer C. O’Neal, Director, Office of Management and Budget

BLOCK II: 11:45 A.M. – 1:30 P.M.

Update on the status of the Compliance Agreement between the U.S. Virgin Islands and the U.S. Department of Education as a result of the U.S. Virgin Islands being designated a “high-risk grantee” under 34 CFR § 80.12.

Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Dionne Wells-Hedrington, EdD, Commissioner, V.I. Department of Education
Honorable Jenifer C. O’Neal, Director, Office of Management and Budget
Honorable Bosede Bruce, Commissioner, V.I. Department of Finance
Honorable Kimberly Causey-Gomez, Commissioner, V.I. Department of Human Services
Ms. Lisa Alejandro, Acting Commissioner, V.I. Department of Property and Procurement
Honorable Justa Encarnacion, Commissioner, V.I. Department of Health
Sharon Murphy, Partner, McConnell & Jones, LLP

BLOCK III: 1:45 P.M. – 2:30 P.M.

Bill No. 35-0012 An Act amending title 23 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 19, subchapter III, section 1556 relating to the retirement from the National Guard to increase the retirement pension

Invited Testifiers:
Major General Kodjo S. Knox-Limbacker, Adjutant General, V.I. National Guard
Honorable Jenifer C. O’Neal, Director, V.I. Office of Management and Budget

BLOCK IV: 2:45 P.M. – 4:00 P.M.

Bill No. 35-0034 An Act appropriating $3,200,000 from the Tourism Advertising Revolving Fund (“Fund”) as a loan to the Virgin Islands Port Authority (“VIPA”) to cover legal, engineering, financial and other consulting fees associated with the Public Private Partnership project to modernize and enhance the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on St. Croix and the Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas, and requiring the VIPA repay the funds to the Fund within 90 days after the effective date of the contract.

Invited Testifiers:
Mr. Carlton Dowe, Executive Director, V.I. Port Authority
Mr. Willard John, Chairman, V.I. Port Authority Governing Board
Honorable Jenifer C. O’Neal, Director, V.I. Office of Management and Budget