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, September 24, 2024, 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.

 Bill No. 35-0286         An Act honoring and commending Verne Antonio Hodge for his years of dedicated service to the people of the Virgin Islands and its jurisprudence by renaming the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas/St. John, the “Judge Verne A. Hodge Superior Court of the Virgin Islands”.

Invited Testifiers:

The Honorable Rhys Hodge, Chief Justice, Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands

The Honorable Debra Watlington, Presiding Judge, Superior Court of the Virgin Islands    

The Honorable Maria Cabret, Associate Justice, Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands                                           

The Honorable Brenda J. Hollar, Retired Judge, Superior Court of the Virgin Islands

Mrs. Alma Plaskett-Christensen, Retired Asst. Court Administrator, Territorial (Superior) Court of the Virgin Islands

Ms. Bridget Hodge, Resident

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

Bill No. 35-0251         An Act amending title 3 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 16, section 274 relating to the changing of the name of the Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission to the Virgin Islands Taxicab and Limousine Commission and giving oversight authority to the Virgin Islands Taxicab and Limousine Commission over limousine services operators, and for other related purposes.

Invited Testifiers:

Ms. Vernice Gumbs, Executive Director, Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission

Honorable H. Nathalie Hodge, Commissioner, V.I. Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs

Mr. Chris Watson, CEO, The Tropical Adventure Group                                                                          

Mr. Willis Pinney, President, Tripple A. Taxi

Mr. Kerry Harrigan, President, Best Taxi                                                                                                   

Mr. Dihony LaLanne, President, St. Thomas Taxi                                                                                                                

 Mr. Lawrence Ramdhansingh, President, Virgin Islands Taxi Association

Mrs. Elizabeth Hansen Watley, Interim Chair, Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission Board

Mr. Christopher Elizee, Owner, Chris’ Limousine Service

Mr. Francis Arthur, President, St. Croix Taxicab Association

Mr. Perry Trotman, CEO, Presidential Limousine

Mr. Mervin Smith, President, East End Taxicab Association            

Mr. Paschal Simeon, Jr., Ground Manager St. Thomas Taxi Best Taxi

LUNCH                                                                                                                              1:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M.

BLOCK Ill                                                                                                                             2:00 P.M. – 3:30 P.M.

Bill No. 35-0231         An Act amending Title 20 Virgin Islands Code, part II, Chapter 32, subchapter I, section 225c, relating to permit requirements for vehicles brought into the territory, to exempt authorized dealers from the permit requirements but require them to present a bill of lading

 Invited Testifiers:

Ms. Barbara Jackson-McIntosh, Director, V.I. Bureau of Motor Vehicles                                           

Mr. Justin Workman, Director of Operations, Drive Green V.I

Ms. Denise Hannah, Executive GM, Metro Motors V.I.

BLOCK IV                                                                                                                                  3:30 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.

Bill No. 35-0285         An Act honoring and commending Bryan “Benny-Demus” Boulai for his outstanding achievements in the music and entertainment industries and for his contributions to the Virgin Islands community, awarding him The Official Key to the Virgin Islands and appropriating $10,000 annually to The DEMUS Foundation.

Invited Testifiers:

Ms. Kimika Woods, Acting Director, Office of Management & Budget                                                                   

Honorable Calvert White, Commissioner, Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation                     

Honorable Kevin McCurdy, Commissioner, Department of Finance

Mr. Jose “Tony” Rosario, Resident

Mr. Theron Thomas, Resident

Mr. Sheldon Turnbull, Resident