ST. THOMAS, VI — The Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance, led by Senator Novelle E. Francis, Jr., met in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall. Lawmakers approved bills pertaining to the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget for the Government of the Virgin Islands of the United States. Approved items on today’s agenda will be forwarded to the Committee on Rules and Judiciary for further consideration and action.

Chairman Francis stated that 22 committee meetings had been held over the last three months in preparation of the budget. Additionally, he said that he entered the budget process mindful of the federal environment and the trickle-down effect of cutbacks on local programs, services, and communities.

Lawmakers approved the following budget bills:

• Bill No. 36-0154,  An act providing a lump-sum appropriation from the Health Revolving Fund to the Virgin Islands Department of Health and a contribution to the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands for fiscal year October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. The measure was sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr.
• Bill No. 36-0155, An act providing a lump sum appropriation from the General Fund to the Virgin Islands Fire and Emergency Medical Services Fund for the fiscal year October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. The measure was sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr.
• Bill No. 36-0156, An act providing an appropriation from the Business and Commercial Properties Revolving Fund to the Virgin Islands Department of Property and Procurement for operating expenses for the fiscal year October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. The measure was sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr.
• Bill No. 36-0157, An act providing an appropriation from the Virgin Islands Lottery as a contribution to the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands for the fiscal year October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. The measure was sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr.
• Bill No. 36-0158, An act providing an appropriation from the District Public Road Fund of the Government of the Virgin Islands to the Department of Public Works for operating expenses for the fiscal year October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. The measure was sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr.
• Bill No. 36-0159, An act providing an appropriation from the Indirect Cost Fund for the operating expenses of the Office of Management and Budget, the Virgin Islands Division of Personnel, the Virgin Islands Department of Property and Procurement, and the Virgin Islands Department of Finance for the fiscal year October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. The measure was sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr.
• Bill No. 36-0160, An act providing an appropriation from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands to the St. Croix Capital Improvement Fund and the St. Thomas Capital Improvement Fund for fiscal year October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. The measure was sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr.
• Bill No. 36-0161, An act appropriating $25,500,000 to the Legislature of the Virgin Islands in the fiscal year October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. The measure was sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr.
• Bill No. 36-0162, An act appropriating $20,000,000 from the Virgin Islands Guaranty Fund as a contribution to the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands in the fiscal year September 30, 2025 through October 1, 2026. The measure was sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr.
• Bill No. 36-0163, An act providing an appropriation for salaries and expenses of the Virgin Islands Board of Elections and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections in the fiscal year October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. The measure was sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr.
• Bill No. 36-0164, An act providing a lump-sum appropriation from the School Construction, Maintenance and Capital Fund to the Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance for repair, renovation and maintenance of public schools and facilities in fiscal year October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. The measure was sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr.
• Bill No. 36-0165, An act appropriating $6,000,000 from the Caribbean Basin Initiative Fund as a contribution to the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands in fiscal year October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. The measure was sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr.
• Bill No. 36-0166, An act providing an appropriation from the Tourism Advertising Revolving Fund to the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority, the Office of the Governor, the Virgin Islands Department of Education, the Virgin Islands Police Department, the Virgin Islands Department of Public Works, the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture, the Virgin Islands Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation, the Virgin Islands Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs, the Virgin Islands Public Broadcasting System and the Virgin Islands Department of Tourism during the fiscal year October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. The measure was sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr.
• Bill No. 36-0167, An act providing an appropriation for the salaries and expenses of the University of the Virgin Islands for the fiscal year October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. The measure was sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr.
• Bill No. 36-0168, An act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Public Employees Relations Board and the Virgin Islands Labor Management Committee for the fiscal year October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. The measure was sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr.
• Bill No. 36-0169, An act appropriating the sum of $1,000,000 from the Virgin Islands Education Initiative Fund to the School of Construction, Maintenance and Capital Fund. The measure was sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr.
• Bill No. 36-0170, An act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Waste Management Authority from the Sewer Waste Water Fund of the Government of the Virgin Islands for the fiscal year October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. The measure was sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr.
• Bill No. 36-0171, An act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Virgin Islands Hospital and Health Facilities Corporation from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands during the fiscal year October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. The measure was sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr.
• Bill No. 36-0172, An act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Virgin Islands Office of the Inspector General from the General Fund for the fiscal year October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. The measure was sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr.
• Bill No. 36-0173, An act providing an appropriation for the operation of the Judicial Branch of the Government of the Virgin Islands, the Judicial Council and the Office of the Territorial Public Defender during the fiscal year October1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. The measure was sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr.
• Bill No. 36-0175, An act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Public Services Commission for the fiscal year October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026. The measure was sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr.
• Bill No. 36-0176, An act providing an appropriation from the General Fund to the St. John Capital Improvement Fund for fiscal year October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. The measure was sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr.
• Bill No. 36-0177, An act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Virgin Islands Board of Education from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands during the fiscal year October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. The measure was sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr.
• Bill No. 36-0178, An act providing an appropriation from the Transportation Trust Fund as a contribution to the General Fund and for the operating expenses of the Virgin Islands Bureau of Motor Vehicles and the Department of Public Works during the fiscal year October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. The measure was sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr.
• Bill No. 36-0179, An act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Virgin Islands Career and Technical Education Board from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands during the fiscal year October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. The measure was sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr.
• Bill No. 36-0180, An act providing an appropriation to the Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission for the fiscal year October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. The measure was sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr.
• Bill No. 36-0181, An act providing an appropriation from the Anti-Litter and Beautification Fund to the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority and the Virgin Islands Department of Public Works for operating expenses during the fiscal year October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. The measure was sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr.
• Bill No. 36-0182, An act providing an appropriation for the operating expenses of the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands during the fiscal year October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026. The measure was sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr.
• Bill No. 36-0186, An act appropriating $4,892,000 from the GVI/JPMC Charitable Fund to the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands. The measure was sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr.
• Bill No. 36-0120, An Act appropriating the sum of $341,460 from the Virgin Islands Education Initiative Fund to the Virgin Islands Department of Education for the purpose of conducting evaluations to determine students’ eligibility for special education services. The measure was  sponsored by Senator Kurt A. Vialet.
• Bill No. 36-0174, An act providing an appropriation from the General Fund for the operation of the Government of the Virgin Islands for the fiscal year October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. The measure was sponsored by Senators Milton E. Potter and Novelle E. Francis, Jr.

Senators present at today’s Committee hearing were Chairman Novelle E. Francis Jr., Vice Chairman Marvin A. Blyden, Dwayne M. DeGraff, Ray Fonseca, Marise C. James, Carla J. Joseph, Clifford A. Joseph, Sr., Avery L. Lewis, and Kurt A. Vialet.

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