Committee on Government Operations, Veterans Affairs, and Consumer Protection

The Committee on Government Operations, Veterans Affairs, and Consumer Protection has scheduled a meeting for 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 21, 2023 in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall on St. Thomas. The purpose of the meeting is to receive testimony and consider the following legislative measures:

BLOCK I
10:00 A.M. – 11:30 A.M.

The Committee will receive testimony concerning

Bill No. 35-0084 – An Act amending title 11, Virgin Islands Code, chapter 21, section 1213 to allow businesses operating under a trade name to have the option of renewing the trade name every 2, 6, or 10-years intervals.

Invited Testifiers:
Ms. Monica Williams Carbon, Esq., Chief of Staff, Office of the Lieutenant Governor
Mr. John Woods, President St.Thomas-St. John Chamber of Commerce
Ms. Denise Johannes, Director, Corporations and Trademarks, Office of the Lieutenant Governor

BLOCK II
11:30 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.

The Committee will receive testimony concerning

Bill No. 35-0109 Act honoring and commending the late Corporal Kendall Emanuel George posthumously for his service as a Corporal in the United States Marine Corps in the Vietnam War and for making the ultimate sacrifice to preserve democracy and to keep America and his Virgin Islands homeland safe; naming Route 107 from Coral Bay to Lameshur Bay, St. John “Kendall Emanual George Drive” South and appropriating $10,000 to the Department of Public Works for signage at Kendall Emanuel George Drive; and for other related purposes.

Invited Testifiers:
Mr. Patrick Farrell, Director, Virgin Islands Veterans Affairs
Mr. Harry Daniel, Commander American Legion Post 131
Honorable Derek Gabriel, Commissioner, Department of Public Works
Mr. Henry A. Powell, Sibling
Ms. Geneva Paris, Sibling

LUNCH
1:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M.

BLOCK III
2:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M.

The Committee will receive testimony concerning

Bill No. 35-0186 An Act repealing and reenacting title 3 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 16, section 274 “Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission,” and enacting in its place “The Division of Transportation and Taxicab Services”; amending title 20 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 37, subchapters I & II relative to the regulation of automobiles for hire and automobile for hire medallion; amending title 20 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 39 section 433(b) directing the Commissioner of the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs to review fees, charges, and tariffs every three years; amending title 33 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 111, section 3067 to substitute the name, “The Division of Transportation and Taxicab Services”; and providing for the transition of the employees, equipment, and supplies to the newly created entity, and for other related purposes

Invited Testifiers:
Ms. H. Nathalie Hodge, Commissioner Nominee, Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs
Mr. Kevin McCurdy, Commissioner Nominee, Department of Finance
Ms. Vernice Gumbs, Executive Director, Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission
Ms. Loretta Lloyd, Chairwoman, Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission Board
Mr. Mervin Smith, President, East End Taxicab Association
Mr. Francis Arthur, President, St. Croix Taxicab Association
Mr. Kelly George, Owner, Kellie’s Taxi Services
Ms. Annie Fortuna, Owner, Annie’s Taxi Services
Mr. Shawn Claxton, President, St. John Taxi Services
Mr. Willis Pinney, President, AAA Taxi and Tours