THE 36th LEGISLATURE ADVANCES FY 2027 BUDGET, ACTS ON NOMINATIONS AND KEY MEASURES

THE 36th LEGISLATURE ADVANCES FY 2027 BUDGET, ACTS ON NOMINATIONS AND KEY MEASURES

ST. THOMAS, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — Members of the 36th Legislature, led by Senate President Milton E. Potter, convened in Legislative Session at the Capitol Building, where lawmakers considered and voted on nominations, zoning matters, lease agreements, easements, and bills comprising the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget for the Government of the Virgin Islands (GVI). Measures acted upon by the body will be forwarded to the Governor of the Virgin Islands for further consideration and action.

Senate President Milton E. Potter stated that the Legislature’s responsibility is to conduct the business for the benefit of the people of the Virgin Islands.

“Purpose, discipline, and a deep commitment to the people we serve must guide the work of this Legislature. Today, we will vote on nominations, lease matters, measures to include Fiscal Year 2027 budget legislation. Most importantly, as lawmakers we carried out one of our fundamental constitutional responsibilities, the passage of a budget for the Government of the Virgin Islands.”

The budget is more than a collection of numbers. It is the financial blueprint for our Territory. It determines how we educate our children, create economic opportunities, provide essential public services, and ensure that the Government of the Virgin Islands can meet its obligations to the people. This responsibility demands seriousness, transparency, accountability, and a commitment to placing the public interest above all else. Every expenditure of public funds must be accountable, every appropriation must be justified, and every dollar entrusted to this Government must ultimately be used for the benefit of the people of the Virgin Islands.

As Senate President, I remain committed to ensuring that this body fulfills its fiscal responsibilities with the diligence and discipline the people of the Virgin Islands deserve. We must never lose sight of whom we serve, and the responsibility entrusted to us,” Potter said.

Subsequently, lawmakers voted to override the Governor’s veto of Bill No. 36-0344, an Act providing an appropriation to the Virgin Islands Department of Public Works for the repair, renovation, or removal of the pedestrian bridge located in the vicinity of the Western Cemetery and the former Addelita Cancryn Junior High School; amending Title 17, Virgin Islands Code, Section 494, regarding the allotment to the University of the Virgin Islands; amending Act No. 9035 regarding various appropriations; amending Act No. 9113 regarding firearms and ammunition; amending Title 3, Virgin Islands Code, Chapter 27, Section 706, regarding certain retired members re-entering government service; and for other purposes. 

Governor Albert Bryan Jr. vetoed Bill No. 36-0344 in its entirety earlier this month.

BLOCK I — Nominations, Lease Agreements, Easements, and Zonings

Pursuant to Section 16 of the Revised Organic Act of 1954 (48 U.S.C. § 1597), which provides for certain gubernatorial appointments to be made with the advice and consent of the Legislature, lawmakers considered and approved the following nominations:

• Mr. Wilbur Smith, Member, Virgin Islands Government Hospitals and Health Facilities Corporation Board, St. Thomas–St. John District
• The Honorable Osbert E. Potter, Virgin Islands Public Broadcasting System (WTJX) Board of Directors
• Mr. Henry E. Schjang, Virgin Islands Public Broadcasting System (WTJX) Board of Directors
• Mrs. Lisa Brown Williams, Esq., Virgin Islands Public Broadcasting System (WTJX) Board of Directors

Subsequently, senators voted favorably on the following measures:

• Bill No. 36-0290 — An Act granting a zoning use variance for Plot No. 104 Estate Concordia, Westend Quarter, St. Croix, from R-2 (Residential Low Density–One and Two Family) to allow for the construction and operation of a beauty salon.
• Bill No. 36-0293 — An Act approving the lease agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands and the St. Thomas Cricket Association Inc. for Parcel No. 2 of Tract I Estate Nazareth, No. 1 Red Hook Quarter, St. Thomas, consisting of approximately 312,150.96 square feet, or 7.166 U.S. acres.
• Bill No. 36-0311 — An Act approving a multi-year lease agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands, acting through the Commissioner of the Department of Property and Procurement, and L.J. Auto Repairs LLC for a portion of Parcel No. 22 Revised Submarine Base, No. 6 Southside Quarter, St. Thomas, consisting of approximately 3,400 square feet, or 0.078 U.S. acres, of semi-improved land to operate a garage and auto repair shop.
• Bill No. 36-0331 — An Act approving the lease agreement modification and extension between the Government of the Virgin Islands, acting through the Commissioner of the Department of Property and Procurement, and Paradise Paws VI, LLC for Parcel No. 180-I Submarine Base, No. 6 Southside Quarter, St. Thomas.
• Bill No. 36-0339 — 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 Eight One Subbase, LLC for Parcel Nos. 81A and 81B, Submarine Base, No. 6 Southside Quarter, St. Thomas, to develop a food court.

BLOCK II — FY 2027 Budget Bills and Health Insurance Renewal

Lawmakers then considered and voted in the affirmative on the following measures comprising the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget for the Government of the Virgin Islands:

• Bill No. 36-0362 — An Act providing an appropriation for the salaries and expenses of the University of the Virgin Islands for the fiscal year October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027.
• Bill No. 36-0363 — An Act appropriating $4,240,574 from the Business and Commercial Properties Revolving Fund to the Virgin Islands Department of Property and Procurement for operating expenses during the fiscal year October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027.
• Bill No. 36-0364 — An Act appropriating $6,300,000 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, 2026, through September 30, 2027.
• Bill No. 36-0365 — 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 during the fiscal year October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027.
• Bill No. 36-0366 — An Act appropriating $500,000 from the Education Initiative Fund of the Government of the Virgin Islands to the Department of Education during the fiscal year October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027, for final editing, proofing and printing of hardcover editions of the customized Virgin Islands History textbooks and for completion of kindergarten through eighth-grade Social Studies curriculum.
• Bill No. 36-0367 — An Act appropriating $1,500,000 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 during the fiscal year October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027.
• Bill No. 36-0368 — An Act appropriating $3,110,096 from the Indirect Cost Fund during the fiscal year October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2027, for the operating expenses of the Office of Management and Budget, the Virgin Islands Division of Personnel, and the Virgin Islands Departments of Finance and Property and Procurement.
• Bill No. 36-0369 — An Act appropriating $20,000,000 from the Virgin Islands Insurance Guaranty Fund as a contribution to the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands during the fiscal year October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027.
• Bill No. 36-0370 — An Act appropriating $1,100,000 from the Virgin Islands Lottery as a contribution to the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands during the fiscal year October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027.
• Bill No. 36-0371 — An Act appropriating $45,950,000 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 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, 2026, through September 30, 2027.
• Bill No. 36-0372 — An Act appropriating $12,000,000 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, 2026, to September 30, 2027.
• Bill No. 36-0373 — An Act appropriating $2,750,000 for salaries and expenses of the Virgin Islands Board of Elections and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections during the fiscal year October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027.
• Bill No. 36-0374 — An Act appropriating $2,137,697 from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands for the operating expenses of the Virgin Islands Board of Education during the fiscal year October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027.
• Bill No. 36-0375 — An Act appropriating $689,681 from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands for the operating expenses of the Virgin Islands Career and Technical Education Board during the fiscal year October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027.
• Bill No. 36-0376 — An Act appropriating $66,500,000 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, 2026, through September 30, 2027.
• Bill No. 36-0377 — An Act appropriating $49,534,620 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 October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027.
• Bill No. 36-0378 — An Act appropriating $26,121,131 to the Legislature of the Virgin Islands during the fiscal year October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027.
• Bill No. 36-0379 — An Act appropriating $3,198,392 for the operating expenses of the Office of the Virgin Islands Inspector General from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands during the fiscal year October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027.
• Bill No. 36-0380 — An Act appropriating $1,971,910 for the operating expenses of the Public Employees Relations Board and the Virgin Islands Labor Management Committee during the fiscal year October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027.
• Bill No. 36-0381 — An Act appropriating $2,395,129 for the operating expenses of the Public Services Commission during the fiscal year October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2027.
• Bill No. 36-0382 — An Act appropriating $554,637 to the Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission during the fiscal year October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027.
• Bill No. 36-0383 — An Act appropriating $32,500,000 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, 2026, to September 30, 2027.
• Bill No. 36-0384 — An Act appropriating $739,218,837 from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands for the operation of the Government of the Virgin Islands during the fiscal year October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027.
• Bill No. 36-0386 — An Act appropriating $1,500,000 from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands to the St. John Capital Improvement Fund during the fiscal year October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027.
• Bill No. 36-0387 — An Act appropriating $1,500,000 from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands to the St. Thomas Capital Improvement Fund during the fiscal year October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027.
• Bill No. 36-0388 — An Act appropriating $2,000,000 from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands to the St. Croix Capital Improvement Fund during the fiscal year October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027.
• Bill No. 36-0390 — An Act amending Act No. 9035 by reprogramming the appropriated funds to the Department of Education to pay current and prior-year obligations for the Department of Education and the Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance.
• Bill No. 36-0391 — An Act amending Title 33, Virgin Islands Code, subtitle 3, part II, chapter 111, section 3039a, by revising the allocation of the monies deposited into the Virgin Islands Water and Power Generating and Infrastructure Fund.

Additionally, senators voted favorably on the following health insurance renewal measure:

• Bill No. 36-0389 — An Act ratifying the First Renewal of Group Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance; First Renewal of Group Vision Insurance; Third Renewal of Group Medical Health Insurance; and the Second Renewal of Voluntary (Employee-Paid) Critical Illness Insurance, Voluntary (Employee-Paid) Accidental Injury Insurance, and Voluntary (Employee-Paid) Hospital Care Insurance.

BLOCK III — Additional Legislative Measures

Under Block III, lawmakers voted and approved the following measures:

• Bill No. 36-0192 — An Act amending Title 34, Virgin Islands Code, chapter 15, to enact the Senior Financial Protection and Promissory Note Abuse Prevention Act of 2025.
• Bill No. 36-0247 — An Act amending Title 32, Virgin Islands Code, chapter 2, establishing the Territorial Park Naming Program, creating a uniform process for naming and renaming parks, recreational areas, and facilities owned by the Government of the Virgin Islands.
• Bill No. 36-0301 — An Act amending Title 14, Virgin Islands Code, prohibiting incarcerated persons from possessing or using electronic communication or recording devices.
• Bill No. 36-0303 — An Act amending Title 20, Virgin Islands Code, part II, chapter 38, section 424, to update child passenger safety requirements applicable to rental vehicles.
• Bill No. 36-0352 — An Act appropriating the sum of $500,000 from the St. John Capital Improvements Fund to the Virgin Islands Department of Public Works to mill, resurface, and pave the Rudolph A. Thomas, Jr. Road and Contant Point Road on St. John.
• Bill No. 36-0385 — An Act enacting pedestrian safety measures at the former Addelita Cancryn Junior High School pedestrian bridge.
• Bill No. 36-0392 — An Act amending Title 33, Virgin Islands Code, chapter 111, creating the Virgin Islands Contractor Bonds Cost Revolving Loan Fund.
• Bill No. 36-0393 — An Act amending Act No. 9035 to reprogram funds within the 2026 fiscal year budget for the Virgin Islands Department of Health to provide a $2,500,000 appropriation for behavioral health services.
• Bill No. 36-0394 — An Act appropriating $2,000,000 to the Department of Agriculture for repairs and improvements to the St. Thomas abattoir.
• Bill No. 36-0308 — An Act appropriating the sum of $150,000 from the Virgin Islands Education Initiative Fund to the Virgin Islands Department of Education to conduct a biennial fixed asset inventory (non-germane).

Senators present at Legislative Session included Senate President Milton E. Potter and Senators Kenneth L. Gittens, Kurt A. Vialet, Marvin A. Blyden, Avery L. Lewis, Alma Francis Heyliger, Novelle E. Francis Jr., Ray Fonseca, Angel L. Bolques Jr., Dwayne M. DeGraff, Hubert L. Frederick, Franklin D. Johnson, and Carla J. Joseph. Senator Marise C. James was excused.

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