Committee on Government Operations, Veterans Affairs and Consumer Protection

The Committee on Government Operations, Veterans Affairs, and Consumer Protection has scheduled a meeting for Monday, June 23, 2025, at 9:30 AM in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands to provide updates on the following agencies:

BLOCK I 9:30 A.M. – 11:30 A.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
• Other pertinent information as it pertains to our veterans.

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

BLOCK II 11:30 A.M. – 1:30 P.M.

Bill No. 36-0090 An act amending title 1 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 11 by adding section 200m to declare the week beginning the Monday before the first Friday in June as the Virgin Islands Gun Violence Awareness Week.

Invited Testifiers:
Mr. Antonio Emanuel, Director, Office of Gun Violence Prevention
Honorable Mario M. Brooks, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Police Department

Bill No. 36-0097 A resolution commending the National Conference of State Legislatures (“NCSL”) on its 50th anniversary and recognizing the NCSL for its commitment to the legislative institution.

BLOCK III 1:30 P.M. – 3:30 P.M.

Bill No. 36-0012 An Act amending title 3 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 27 to streamline the GERS disability annuity approval procedures and for other related issues.

Invited Testifiers:
Mr. Angel E. Dawson, Administrator, Government Employees Retirement System
Mr. Dwane Callwood, Board Chairman, Government Employees Retirement System

Bill No. 36-0066 An Act amending title 29 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 15 by adding a section 928a providing that all officials and employees of the Virgin Islands Public Finance Authority and its wholly owned subsidiaries must be members of the Government Employees

Invited Testifiers:
Mr. Angel E. Dawson, Administrator, Government Employees Retirement System
Mr. Dwane Callwood, Board Chairman, Government Employees Retirement System
Honorable Kevin McCurdy, Commissioner, VI Public Finance Authority
Mr. Nathan Simmonds, Director of Finance & Administration, Public Finance Authority
Mr. Stephan Adams, President & Chief Executive Officer, ViNGN