SENATE APPROVES NOMINATIONS, LEASE AGREEMENTS, AND MAJOR LEGISLATIVE MEASURES

ST. THOMAS, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — Members of the 36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands, led by Senate President Milton E. Potter, convened in Legislative Session at the Capitol Building. Lawmakers voted in the affirmative for nominations, resolutions, lease agreements, and bills. All approved measures will be transmitted to the Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands for further consideration and action. Ultimately, Legislative Session went into recess to grant the Governor an extension for the State of the Territory Address. The meeting will reconvene on Monday, January 26, 2026. 

Senate President Potter stated that the measures presented and approved during the session address critical issues facing the Territory and will have a direct and lasting impact on the lives of the people of the Virgin Islands.

In accordance with Title 4, Section 72 of the Virgin Islands Code, which governs judicial appointments, the Legislature approved the nomination of: 

• Pedro Williams, Esq., Judge, Superior Court of the Virgin Islands, District of St. Thomas/St. John.

Lawmakers voted favorably for the following Resolution:

• Bill No. 36-0089 — A resolution recognizing United States Senator Mike Crapo for his instrumental role in securing a historic increase in the rum cover-over tax reimbursement for the Virgin Islands.

Policymakers voted and approved the following Lease Agreements: 

• Bill No. 36-0208 — An act approving the lease agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands and PEO Productions, LLC, d/b/a WSTA Radio, for:
  • Parcel No. 121, Submarine Base No. 6, Southside Quarter, St. Thomas
  • Parcel No. 167, Sub Base No. 6, Southside Quarter, St. Thomas
  • Parcel No. 171, Sub Base No. 6, Southside Quarter, St. Thomas
• Bill No. 36-0092 — An act approving the lease agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands and St. John Taxi Services Corporation for Parcel No. D-2, Estate Cruz Bay Town, Cruz Bay Quarter, St. John, Virgin Islands.

Lastly, senators voted in the affirmative for the following bills:

• Bill No. 36-0030 — An act amending Title 24, Virgin Islands Code, Chapter 1, Section 4, to increase the Virgin Islands minimum wage.
• Bill No. 36-0105 — An act amending Title 7, Virgin Islands Code, Chapter 13, Subchapter III, to prohibit the possession, sale, or manufacture of tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, delta-6 THC, delta-8 THC, and delta-10 THC products in the Virgin Islands, and for related purposes.
• Bill No. 36-0184 — An act amending Title 22, Virgin Islands Code, Chapter 14, the Virgin Islands Insurance Holding Company System Regulatory Act, to implement revisions adopted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
• Bill No. 36-0209 — An act amending Title 23, Virgin Islands Code, Chapter 10, to establish civil penalties for disregarding marine advisories and to create the Territorial Marine Safety Fund.
• Bill No. 36-0210 — An act appropriating $4,000,000 from the Virgin Islands Insurance Guaranty Fund to the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority for the repair, replacement, and operation of streetlights throughout the Territory. (To allow for non germane amendments). 
• Bill No. 36-0217 — An act approving the sale of Parcel No. 20-A Hospital Street, Christiansted, St. Croix, Virgin Islands, between the Government of the Virgin Islands and Z Property VI LLC for the sum of $260,000.
• Bill No. 36-0223 – 

The following measure was held in committee: Bill No. 36-0134 — An act repealing and reenacting Title 18, Virgin Islands Code, Chapter 1, Section 2, relating to government employees’ eligibility for elected office, to allow government employees to run for political office while actively employed, unless otherwise prohibited by federal or applicable law.

Senators present at Legislative Session included Milton E. Potter, Kenneth L. Gittens, Avery Lewis, Marise C. James, Novelle E. Francis, Jr., Carla J. Joseph, Dwayne M. DeGraff, Kurt A. Vialet, Hubert L. Frederick, Dwayne M. DeGraff, Alma Francis Heyliger, Angel L. Bolques Jr., Ray Fonseca, Clifford A. Joseph, and Hubert Frederick.

The Division of Public Affairs remains committed to providing the community with accurate information on legislative proceedings and other events at the Legislature of the Virgin Islands. Visit legvi.org.

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January 12, 2026                                                       

Press Contact: Africah N.T. Harrigan

Email: aharrigan@legvi.org