Committee on Government Operations, Veterans Affairs and Consumer Protection

The Committee on Government Operations, Veterans Affairs, and Consumer Protection has scheduled a meeting for Friday, May 30, 2025, at 9:00 AM in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands to provide updates on the following agencies:

 BLOCK I                                                                                                                                 9:00 A.M. – 10:30 A.M.

Bill No. 36-0053        An Act amending title 3 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 25, subchapter V, section 555b to increase the minimum annual salary for full time employees of the Government of the Virgin Islands, its semi-autonomous agencies and independent instrumentalities from $27,040 to $32,000.

Invited Testifiers:
Ms. Cindy L. Richardson, Director, Division of Personnel
Mr. Julio Rhymer, Sr., Director, Office of Management and Budget
Mr. Daniel Flippo, Director, United Steel Workers
Mr. Gerard “Jerry” Jackson, Staff Representative

BLOCK II                                                                                                                               10:30 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.

The Committee will receive testimony on the operations of the Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission including but not limited to enabling law and jurisdiction, current department challenges, a plan of action to resolve challenges and the following:

• The growing trend of illegal taxi operators, operating large passenger vehicles while posing as legitimate taxi drivers or limousine operators;
• Unregulated operators that violate the law and pose a significant threat to public safety;
• The agency’s staffing shortages; and
• Any other matters relative to the discussion of the status of the agency.

Invited Testifiers:
Ms. Melissa Smith, Acting Executive Director, Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission
Ms. Elizabeth Hansen Watley, Chairwoman, Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission Board

LUNCH                                                                                                                                      12:30 P.M. – 1:00 P.M.

BLOCK III                                                                                                                                 12:30 P.M. – 2:00 P.M.

The Committee will receive testimony on the operations of the Office of Veterans Affairs including but not limited to enabling law and jurisdiction, its current challenges, a plan of action to resolve challenges and the following:

• Outcome of the efforts of the recent delegation’s travels to Puerto Rico;
• Effects of President Donald Trump’s Executive Orders on our territory; and
• Status of reimbursements due to local veterans, among other topics.

Invited Testifier:
Mr. Patrick Farrell, Director, Virgin Islands Office of Veterans’ Affairs

BLOCK IV                                                                                                                                 2:30 P.M. – 4:00 P.M.

The Committee will receive testimony on the operations of the Virgin Islands Lottery including but not limited to enabling law and jurisdiction, its current challenges, a plan of action to resolve challenges and the following:

• The cybersecurity incident and the subsequent data restoration process; and
• Growth of the Virgin Islands Lottery System, among other topics.

Invited Testifier:
Mr. Raymond J. Williams, Executive Director, Virgin Islands Lottery