ST. CROIX, VI – The Committee on Rules and Judiciary, chaired by Senator Carla J. Joseph met in the Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room. Lawmakers approved the renomination of a Superior Court Judge and approved other measures. All items on today’s agenda were approved and will be forwarded to the full body at the next scheduled Legislative Session.

Senators approved the renomination of the following nominee:

• The Honorable Jessica Gallivan to serve as a Judge on the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands (St. Croix District).

Gallivan has served as a Superior Court Judge Since May 2019. She previously served as a Magistrate Judge from June 2009 to May 2019. Gallivan attended St. Mary’s Catholic School in St. Croix and later graduated from the St. Croix Central High School in 1981. She later graduated from the University of the Virgin Islands, graduating with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration in 1987 and 1992, respectively.  Gallivan would later attend law school at the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law in Dallas, Texas, graduating in 1995. When asked about the predominant issues in the territory, Galivan stated that those issues included mental health, poverty, and unequal access to opportunities. Gallivan has entered more than 11,310 orders and closed some 1,657 cases in her almost 6 years serving as a judge.

Additionally, the following measures were approved:

• Bill No. 36-0005, An Act amending title 16 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 2, section 99 establishing a mandatory minimum bail amount in domestic violence cases. The measure was sponsored by Senators Angel L. Bolques, Jr., Dwayne M. DeGraff and Carla Joseph.

• Bill No. 36-0036, An Act repealing and reenacting title 20 Virgin Islands Code, part II, chapter 43, section 512 increasing penalties for traffic violations; establishing a Virgin Islands Police Department Impound Lot; and for other related purposes. The measure was sponsored by Senators Kenneth L. Gittens, Franklin D. Johnson, Avery L. Lewis, Dwayne M. DeGraff and Carla Joseph, and cosponsored by Senators Marise C. James and Kurt A. Vialet.

• Bill No. 36-0063, An Act amending title 33, Virgin Islands Code subtitle 1, chapter 3, sections 41, 42(a), and 43(a) and (c) to clarify that gross receipts taxes must be paid by all contractors doing business in the Virgin Islands regardless of physical location. The measure was sponsored by Senators Clifford A. Joseph, Sr., Novelle E. Francis, Jr., Marise C. James, Hubert L. Frederick, Angel L. Bolques, Jr., Franklin D. Johnson and Marvin A. Blyden.

Senators present at today’s Committee meeting included Carla J. Joseph, Kenneth L. Gittens, Angel L. Bolques, Jr., Alma Francis Heyliger, Novelle E. Francis, Jr., Marise C. James, Clifford A. Joseph, Sr., Avery L. Lewis, and Milton E. Potter.

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