Committee on Budget, Appropriations, and Finance

The 35^th Legislature’s Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance will meet Tuesday, April 4, 2023,       at 10:00 a.m. in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall on St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.

BLOCK I                                                                                                                   10:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M.

Bill No. 35-0028               An Act amending title 33 Virgin Islands Code, subtitle 1, part 1, chapter 3, section 43l, adding TRICARE to medical payment reimbursements subject to the 2.5 percent Virgin Islands gross receipts tax.

Invited Testifiers:

Mr. Joel A. Lee, CPA CGMA CFE, Director, V.I. Bureau of Internal Revenue

Mr. Patrick Farrell, State Director, V.I. Office of Veterans Affairs

Dr. Arakere Prasad, Primary Care, PLLC

Bill No. 35-0054             An Act amending title 1 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 7, section 103b, relating to the Centennial Treasures Award, to provide for a single, lumpsum award payment.

Invited Testifiers:

The Honorable Kimberly Causey-Gomez, Commissioner, Department of Human Services

Ms. Jenifer C. O’Neal, Director, V.I. Office of Management and Budget

BLOCK II                                                                                                                   11:15 A.M. – 1:15 P.M.

Bill No. 35-0050             An Act amending the Virgin Islands Code, title 3 , chapter 7, by designating the existing provisions as subchapter I and adding a subchapter II establishing the Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance within the Virgin Islands Department of Education for budgetary purposes; amending title 33, chapter 111, section 3092a, changing the Education Maintenance Fund to the School Construction, Maintenance and Capital Fund; and making an appropriation of $2,500,000 from the Virgin Islands Education Initiative Fund to the School Construction, Maintenance and Capital Fund and for other related purposes.

Invited Testifiers:

The Honorable Dr. Dionne Wells-Hedrington, Commissioner, V.I. Department of Education

The Honorable Bosede A. Bruce, Commissioner, V.I. Department of Finance

Dr. Kyza Callwood, Chairman, V.I. Board of Education

Ms. Jeanette Smith-Barry, Resident, Former STT/STJ District Superintendent

BLOCK III                                                                                                                   2:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M.

Bill No. 35-0026             An Act amending title 22 Virgin Islands Code relating to insurers becoming members of a Federal Home Loan Bank and matters relating thereto.

Invited Testifiers:

Ms. Glendina Matthew, Esq., Acting Director, Division of Banking, Insurance, and Financial Regulations

Mr. George Dudley, Esq., Dudley Newman Feuerzeig LLP (representing Guardian Insurance Company)

Jonathan West, Chief Legal Advisor Officer, Federal Home Loan Bank NY

Theresa Fabella, President, Virgin Islands Insurance Guaranty Association & Dorchester Insurance Company

Jeremy Austin, Vice President, Keswick Guaranty, Inc.