Regular Session

REGULAR SESSION – OFFICIAL AGENDA – REVISED I

Date:                          Friday, June 27, 2025
Time:                               10:00 A.M.
Location:                    Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall
Call to Order:             Honorable Milton E. Potter, Senate President, 36^th Legislature
Anthems:                    National Anthem and Virgin Islands March
Invocation:                 Reverend Charles L. Brown, Jr., Chaplain
Roll Call:                     Honorable Avery L. Lewis, Legislative Secretary

(15 Members Present)

Committee Reports:

Senator Bolques, Jr.          Committee on Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports and Parks

Senator Joseph                 Committee on Rules and Judiciary

Senator Frederick             Committee on Economic Development & Agriculture

Senator Francis, Jr.           Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance

Senator Joseph, Sr.           Committee on Homeland Security, Justice & Public Safety

Senator James                  Committee on Disaster Recovery, Infrastructure & Planning

Senator Fonseca               Committee on Health, Hospitals and Human Services

Senator Blyden                 Committee on Housing, Transportation & Telecommunications

Senator Vialet                  Committee on Education and Workforce Development

Senator Lewis                   Committee on Government Operations, Veterans Affairs & Consumer Protection

Senate President Potter    Committee of the Whole

 Special Orders/Overrides:

Overrides:

         Bill No. 36-0053 as overridden (Adopted – 06/27/2025 – 15 Yeas)

         Bill No. 36-0085 as overridden (Adopted – 06/27/2025 – 15 Yeas)

 CONSIDERATION OF FLOOR AGENDA:

BLOCK I – 2-MINUTE DEBATE TIME

CONSIDERATION OF LEASE AGREEMENTS & RESOLUTIONS

Bill No. 36-0062         An Act approving the lease agreement between the government of the Virgin Islands, acting through its Commissioner of the Department of  Property and Procurement, and the United States Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for a portion of the telecommunications tower located on Parcel R-22 of Tract 1 Estate Nazareth, No. 1 Red Hook Quarter, St. Thomas.                             (Adopted – 06/27/2025 – 13 Yeas/2 Nays)

 Bill No. 36-0098        An Act approving the lease agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands, acting through the Commissioner of the Department of Property and Procurement, and Caribbean Buzz, LLC for a portion of Remainder Parcel No. 3B Estate Susannaberg, 17A Cruz Bay Quarter, St. John, Virgin Islands for the purpose of operating and managing a helicopter transportation service at the existing helipad and for other permitted purposes. (Adopted – 06/27/2025 – 14 Yeas/1 Nay)

 Bill No. 36-0007         A resolution honoring and commending James Sasso for distinguished service in the mortuary and funeral service industry.             (Adopted – 06/27/2025 – 15 Yeas)

 Bill No. 36-0029         A Resolution honoring and commending Sonya Hough, the creator of the St. Croix “Crucian” Hook Bracelet and proprietor of one of the first hand-wrought jewelry stores in St. Croix. (Adopted as Amended by 36-400 – 06/27/2025 – 15 Yeas)

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. (Adopted – 06/27/2025 – 14 Yeas/1 NV)

Bill No. 36-0097         A resolution commending the National Conference of States Legislatures (“NCSL”) on its 50^th anniversary and recognizing the NCSL for its commitment to the legislative institution. (Adopted – 06/27/2025 – 15 Yeas)

 BLOCK II – 3-MINUTE DEBATE TIME

CONSIDERATION OF BILLS

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. (Adopted – 06/27/2025 – 15 Yeas)

Bill No. 36-0024         An Act amending title 14 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 85 by adding section 1710 declaring a person incapable of consent to sexual relations while the person is in police custody. (Adopted as Amended by 36-434 – 06/27/2025 – 15 Yeas)

 Bill No. 36-0027           An Act amending title 5 Virgin Islands Code, subtitle 3, part I, chapter 311, by enacting Jah’niqua’s Law requiring a defendant to pay restitution in form of child maintenance if the victim of the offense was the parent or guardian of a minor child or dependent and if the defendant was convicted of negligent homicide by means of a motor vehicle, a violation of the title 20 Virgin Islands Code, section 504, while under the influence of or affected by intoxicating liquor or narcotic drugs; or was convicted of driving under the influence of intoxicating liquors or controlled  substances, a violation of title 20 Virgin Islands Code, section 493, which results in an accident that causes the victim to become disabled or totally and permanently disabled.      (Adopted as Amended by 36-349 – 06/27/2025 – 13 Yeas/ 1Nay/1 Absent)

Bill No. 36-0031           An Act amending title 23 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 10, subchapter IV, section 1073 to exempt a public safety agency or privacy safety entity from liability for acts of negligence in the operation, administration or maintenance of a 911 service unless the acts are committed in a grossly negligent manner or are committed with willful intent. (Adopted – 06/27/2025 – 15 Yeas)

 Bill No. 36-0032             An act amending title 33 Virgin Islands Code, subtitle 3, chapter 111, section 3080 by limiting the salary amount used to compute the service retirement annuity for the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor of the Virgin Islands. (Adopted – 06/27/2025 – 13 Yeas/2 Nays)

 Bill No. 36-0035           An Act amending title 15 Virgin Islands Code, article V to allow the Governor of the Virgin Islands to implement the federal mandate of the Stephen J. Beck, Jr., Achieving Better Life Experiences, which provides for the establishment of savings accounts for persons with disabilities. (Adopted – 06/27/2025 – 15 Yeas)

BLOCK III – 3-MINUTE DEBATE TIME

CONSIDERATION OF BILLS

Bill No. 36-0043           An Act amending title 19 Virgin Islands Code, part VI, chapter 53, subchapter IV, section 1481 by increasing the penalties for violation of sanitation laws. (Adopted – 06/27/2025 – 15 Yeas)

Bill No. 36-0050           An Act repealing and reenacting with amendments title 27 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 20, relating to the regulation of the profession of social work and social workers. (Adopted – 06/27/2025 – 15 Yeas)

 Bill No. 36-0051           An Act amending title 27 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 20 by establishing the Virgin Islands Board of Social Work Licensure.           (Adopted – 06/27/2025 – 15 Yeas)

Bill No. 36-0057           An Act amending title 5 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 314, section 3733, subsection (a) to require automatic expungement of the arrest record and complaint or information when the accused has been acquitted. (Adopted as Amended by 36-417 – 06/27/2025 – 15 Yeas)

 Bill No. 36-0064         An Act amending title 33 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 111, section 3100i aligning the disbursement and spending limitations of funds allotted to public schools from the Education Initiative Fund with the realities of academic planning, ensuring that funds are used to maximize student success. (To allow non-germane amendments) (Adopted as Amended – 06/27/2025 – 14 Yeas/1 Absent)

•                             Amended by:
•                                  36-394
•                                   36-132
•                                   36-398
•                                   36-454
•                                   36-429
•                                   36-447
•                                   36-448
•                                   36-442
•                                   36-453