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 26, 2023 in the Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room in St. Croix. The purpose of the meeting is to receive testimony and consider the following legislative measures:

BLOCK I
10:00 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.

The Committee will receive testimony concerning:

Bill No. 35-0058 An Act amending title 29 Virgin Islands Code, by adding a chapter 25 to enact The Public-Private Partnership Agreement Act.

Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Derek A. Gabriel, Commissioner, Department of Public Works
Mr. Carlton Dowe, Director, V.I. Port Authority
Mr. Wayne Biggs, CEO, V.I. Economic Development Authority
Honorable Dionne Wells-Hedrington, Ph.D., Commissioner, Department of Education
Ms. Lisa Alejandro, Commissioner Designee, V.I. Department of Property and Procurement
Mr. Jerome Boschulte, President, Custom Builders
Mr. John Wessel, President, GEC, LLC
Mr. Andrew Smith, CEO/Executive, V.I. Water and Power Authority
Mr. Roger Merritt, Executive Director, V.I. Waste Management Authority
Ms. Dayna Clendinen, Interim Executive Director, V.I. Housing Finance Authority
Mr. Robert Graham, Executive Director, V.I. Housing Authority
Mr. Robert Jackson, Managing Partner, Jackson Development Company, LLC
Mr. Clifford Graham, Partner, Jackson Development Company, LLC
Mr. Eric Cusin, Vice-President, J. Benton Construction, LLC
Mrs. Jennifer Matarangas-King, Vice President of Public Relations and Governmental Affairs, VIYA

LUNCH
12:30 P.M. – 1:30 P.M.

BLOCK II 1:30 P.M. – 3:00 P.M.
The Committee will receive testimony concerning:

Bill No. 35-0102 An Act honoring and commending Ralph A. deChabert, M.D. for outstanding contributions in the medical field to the people of the Virgin Islands and his many civic contributions to the community, especially to the island of St. Croix and to name the Labor and Delivery/Post Partum Unit “Maternity Services” at the Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center North in his honor.

Invited Testifiers:
Ms. Cora Christian, MD, Resident
Ms. Ivy Ashwood, RN, Resident
Vivian Ebbesen-Fludd, MS, RN, Resident and Former Commissioner of Health
Mr. Angelo K. Galiber, MD, Resident

BLOCK III
3:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M.

The Committee will receive testimony concerning:

Bill No. 35-0125 An Act honoring and commending the late Police Lieutenant Melbourne Clarke posthumously for his dedication, service, and contributions to the Virgin Islands community in law enforcement by adding the name, “Police Lieutenant Melbourne Clarke Drive”, at Route 669 on the island of St. Croix.

Invited Testifiers:
Mr. Uston Cornelius, Deputy Police Chief, V.I. Police Department
Mr. Ray Clarke, Resident