The Committee on Economic Development and Agriculture has scheduled a meeting for Monday, August 10, 2026, at 10:00 A.M. in the Frits E. Lawaetz Conference Room on St. Croix, Virgin Islands to provide testimony on the following:

BLOCK I                                                                                                                                 10:00 A.M. – 11:30 A.M.

The Committee will hear testimony from the Virgin Islands Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs regarding fuel pricing trends throughout the Territory, the Department’s oversight and enforcement responsibilities, consumer protection efforts, and market conditions affecting gasoline and diesel prices.

Invited Testifier:
Honorable H. Nathalie Hodge, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Licensing & Consumers Affairs

BLOCK II                                                                                                                                    11:30 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.

The Committee will receive testimony from the Virgin Islands Department of Tourism and the Virgin Islands Port Authority regarding the impact of the loss of Spirit Airlines service to the U.S. Virgin Islands, including the effect on airlift capacity, tourism, residents, business travel, and the Territory’s economy. Testimony will address efforts to maintain and expand air service to the Territory, attract new or expanded service from other airlines, and ensure reliable and affordable transportation options for residents and visitors. The Committee will also examine discussions with domestic and international carriers to replace lost airlift capacity, increase route availability, and strengthen long-term air transportation access to and from the Territory. Additionally, the Department of Tourism will provide a post-event report on the 2026 St. John Celebration, including visitor attendance, economic impact, marketing and promotional efforts, transportation and logistical operations, and lessons learned for future events.

Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Jennifer Matarangas-King, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Tourism
Ms. Ava Penn, Interim Executive Director, Virgin Islands Port Authority

LUNCH                                                                                                                                       1:00 P.M. – 1:30 P.M.

BLOCK III                                                                                                                                  1:30 P.M. – 3:00 P.M.

The Committee will receive testimony related to:

Bill No. 36-0285                    An Act amending Title 3, Virgin Islands Code, Chapter 19, to establish the Virgin Islands Hall of Fame Registry within the Department of Tourism.

Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Jennifer Matarangas-King, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Tourism
Honorable Jean-Pierre Oriol, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources

BLOCK IV                                                                                                                                   3:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M.

The Committee will receive testimony related to:

Bill No. 36-0087                    An Act amending Title 7, Virgin Islands Code, by adding Chapter 16 to require the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture to establish and manage a 30-acre orchard on St. Croix.

Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Dr. Louis E. Petersen, Jr., Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture
Dr. Usman Adamu, Dean and Director, University of the Virgin Islands, School of Agriculture
Dale Brown, Owner, Sejah Farm, VI
Sommer Sibily-Brown, Founder and Executive Director, Virgin Islands Good Food Coalition