The 36th Legislature’s Committee on Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety will meet on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at 12:30 p.m. in the Frits E. Lawaetz Conference Room on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands to consider the following.

BLOCK I

The Committee on Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety will receive an update on the operations of the V.I. Police Department to include but not limited to the following:

• Status of the federal consent decree.
• Changes in operational and investigative focus.
• Changes to staffing levels and patrol schedules.
• Status of the camera system.
• Current initiatives or special operations targeting recent crime trends.

Invited Testifier:
Honorable Mario Brooks, Commissioner, V.I. Police Department

BLOCK II

Bill No. 36-0144        An act amending title 14 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 113 to define and prohibit assault rifles, ban suppressors and silencers, and requiring safety training for licensed rifles and shotgun holders; prohibiting large-capacity magazines and preventing the illegal sales of firearms, firearm accessories and ammunition.

Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Mario Brooks, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Police Department
Honorable Gordon Rhea, Esq., Attorney General of the Virgin Islands, Virgin Islands Department of Justice
Mr. Ehren Henderson, Former Gun Shop Owner, St. Thomas
Mr. Luis Valdes, Florida State Director, Southeast Regional Director, Puerto Rico & U.S. Virgin Islands Director of Outreach, Co-Chair Fuerza 2A, National Spokesman, Gun Owners of America
Mr. Kosei Ohno, Founder, VI Safe Gun Owners
Mr. John Canegata, Owner, D&J’s Shooting Gallery, LLC, St. Croix

Bill No. 36-0151        An act amending title 23 Virgin Islands Code regarding the illegal possession of machine guns and machine gun conversion devices

Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Mario Brooks, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Police Department
Honorable Gordon Rhea, Esq., Attorney General of the Virgin Islands, Virgin Islands Department of Justice
Mr. Moleto Smith, Director, V.I. Law Enforcement Planning Commission
Mr. Antonio Emanuel, Director, V.I. Office of Gun Violence Prevention
Mr. Luis Valdes, Florida State Director, Southeast Regional Director, Puerto Rico & U.S. Virgin Islands Director of Outreach, Co-Chair Fuerza 2A, National Spokesman, Gun Owners of America

BLOCK III

Bill No. 36-0224        An act amending title 20 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 51, subchapter I, section 801 relating to the moving violations point system act

Invited Testifiers:
Ms. Barbara Jackson McIntosh, Director, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Ms. Regina Petersen, Administrator of Courts, Judiciary of the U.S. Virgin Islands

Bill No. 36-0139        An act amending title 31 Virgin Islands Code to assess civil liability for destruction or damage to government property through willful or negligent act

Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Mario Brooks, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Police Department
Honorable Gordon Rhea, Esq., Attorney General of the Virgin Islands, Virgin Islands Department of Justice
Honorable Lisa Alejandro, Commissioner, V.I. Department of Property and Procurement