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, October 27, 2025, at 9:00 AM in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands to provide testimony on the following bills:

BLOCK I                                                                                                                                    9:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M.

Bill No. 36-0134        An act repealing and reenacting title 18 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 1, section 2 relating to government employees’ eligibility for elected offices, to allow government employees to run for political office while actively employed, unless specifically prohibited by federal or other laws

 Invited Testifiers:
Justice Rhys S. Hodge, Chief Justice, Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands
Ms. Cindy L. Richardson, Director, Division of Personnel
Attorney Joss N. Springette, Chief Negotiator, Office of Collective Bargaining
Ms. Carol Burke, State Chairwoman, Democratic Party of the Virgin Islands
Ms. Ophelia Jackson, Retired Government Educator

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

Bill No. 36-0148        An act amending title 3 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 16, section 274 by mandating that the Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission implement an electronic payment system.

Invited Testifiers:
Ms. Melissa J. Smith, Acting Executive Director, Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission
Mrs. Jennifer Matarangas-King, Commissioner Nominee, Virgin Islands Department of Tourism
Honorable H. Nathalie Hodge, Commissioner, Department of Licensing & Consumer Affairs
Mr. Lawrence Ramdhansingh, President, Virgin Islands Taxi Association
Mr. John Cadasse, President, St. Croix Taxi Association (Airport)
Mr. John Woods, President, St. Thomas/St. John Chamber of Commerce
Mr. Akeel St. Jean, Esq., Chairperson, St. Croix Chamber of Commerce

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

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

Bill No. 36-0075        A Resolution honoring and commending Austin A. Venzen posthumously for his unwavering commitment to music education and the arts, through his work in the classrooms, conducting private music lessons, on the concert stages, and by bringing Virgin Islanders together in choirs, bands, and community events, to foster camaraderie, collaboration, and cultural enrichment

Invited Testifiers:
Ms. Gloria Quinlan, Former Music Professor & Choir Director, UVI
Ms. Monet I. Davis, Former Student, Music Teacher, Ivanna Eudora Kean High School
Mr. Kevre Hendricks, Former Student, 73^rd Army Band Commander, Director of Bands St. Croix Educational Complex,
Music Producer & Owner of Maestro Productions
Dr. LeRoy Trotman, Musicologist, Former Music Coordinator St. Thomas/St. John, Retired Professor of Music
Mr. Odgen Noland, Music Educator, Lockhart K-8
Ms. Judith Mitchell, Personal Friend
Mr. Levi Farrell, Former Student, Retired Band Instructor, Ivanna Eudora Kean High School
Mr. Dion Parson, Educator, Composer, and Grammy-Award-Winning Drummer

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

Bill No. 36-0044        A Resolution honoring and commending seven-year-old twin brothers Kruz and Stefon Wilson for their heroic efforts and courage displayed when saving a drowning man at Magen’s Bay Beach and for their exemplary conduct as young members of the community

Invited Testifiers:
Mr. Keith Isaac and Ms. Marlene Isaac, Grandparents
Mr. Kemel Wilson, Father
Mrs. Andrea Penn, Aunt