ST.THOMAS- Members of the 35^th Legislature, led by Senate President Novelle E. Francis, Jr., convened in a meeting at the Capitol Building. Lawmakers voted in the affirmative for several nominations, zonings, resolutions, and bills. All approved items on the agenda will be forwarded to the Governor for further consideration and action. 

Senators voted in favor of the following Nominees: Ariel M. Smith, Esq., Attorney General of the Virgin Islands; Judge Harold Willocks, Re-nomination Superior Court of the Virgin Islands District of St. Croix, Yvette D. Ross-Edwards, Esq., Superior Court of the Virgin Islands District of St. Croix, and Anna Wallace, Virgin Islands Territorial Park Board of Trustees. Senator Francis praised the nominees for their willingness to serve the Virgin Islands in their respective positions.    

Subsequently, the Full Body rose out of Legislative Session and into the Committee of the Whole to receive testimony on Bill No. 35-0105- An Act ratifying the Governor’s approval of Minor Coastal Zone Permit CZT-12-16W issued to Emerald Beach Corporation d/b/a Emerald Beach Hotel for a term of 20 years for the installation, use, and occupancy of submerged land by three swim buoys, an Aquabana and a floating dinghy dock seaward of Parcel Nos. 70-D-1 and 70-T-1, Estate Lindbergh Bay, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. The bill was proposed by Senator Francis, at the request of the Governor. 

Marlon Hibbert, Director of the Division of Coastal Zone Management of the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources stated that there was no public objection.  

The permit is valid for 20 years. The annual rent is $5,947; however, this is subject to change if the Aquabana is relocated. Senator Francis asked if the Aquabana was already in the territory. In response, David Gosine, owner and president of Calypso Water Sports, LLC, stated that the Aquabana is on the island and would be ready for usage as soon as the permit is obtained. In the case of a natural disaster, the Aquabana will be removed and deflated, according to Gosine. Senator Angel Bolques stated that the Aquabana will improve the overall appeal of the beach. The Aquabana is the first of its kind in the Virgin Islands.  

At the conclusion of the Committee of the Whole lawmakers rose back into Legislative Session to vote on several measures. The following bills were voted upon favorably: 

• Bill No. 35-0105- An Act ratifying the Governor’s approval of Minor Coastal Zone Permit CZT-12-16W issued to Emerald Beach Corporation d/b/a Emerald Beach Hotel for a term of 20 years for the installation, use, and occupancy of submerged land by three swim buoys, an Aquabana and a floating dinghy dock seaward of Parcel Nos. 70-D-1 and 70-T-1, Estate Lindbergh Bay, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands 
• Bill No. 35-0079- An Act amending Official Zoning Map No. SCZ-10 for the island of St. Croix to change the zoning designation of Plot No. 71 Consolidate Estate Concordia, West End Quarter, St. Croix, Virgin Islands from R-2 (Residential-Low Density-One and Two Family) to R-3 (Residential-Medium Density)  
• Bill No. 35-0080- An Act amending Official Zoning Map No. SCZ-10 for the island of St. Croix to rezone Plot No. 52-B Estate Hannah’s Rest, West End Quarter, St. Croix, Virgin Islands, from C (Commercial) to B-3 (Business Scattered)  
• Bill No. 35-0092- An Act amending Official Zoning Map No. SCZ-11 for the island of St. Croix to rezone Plot No. 140-H Estate St. George, Prince Quarter, St. Croix, Virgin Islands, from R-2 (Residential-Low Density-One and Two Family) to B-3 Business Scattered 
• Bill No. 35-0016- A Resolution honoring and commending the Board of Elections; the Supervisor of Elections, Caroline Fawkes, and the entire Virgin Islands Election System team for their tireless service and contributions to the Virgin Islands community and on the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of the establishment of the Election System of the Virgin Islands 
• Bill No. 35-0062- A Resolution honoring and commending Gregory Hodge, b.k.a. DJ Avalanche for his outstanding contributions as a disk jockey, radio talk show host, and entertainer and presenting to him the Official Key to the Virgin Islands 
• Bill No. 35-0012- An Act amending Title 23 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 19, subchapter III, section 1556 relating to the retirement from the National Guard to increase the retirement pension 
• Bill No. 35-0093- An Act granting a zoning use variance from the R-2 (Residential-Low Density-One and Two Family) zoning designation for Parcel No. 14 Rem. Estate Carolina, Coral Bay Quarter, St. John  
• Bill No. 35-0088- An Act amending Official Zoning Map No. SCZ-10 to rezone Plot No. 34-A Estate Two Brothers and Smithfield, West End Quarter, St. Croix from R-3 (Residential- Medium Density) to B-3 (Business-Scattered)  
• Bill No. 35-0106- An Act appropriating $700,000 from the General Fund of the Virgin Islands for the purpose of hiring dialysis nurses and other staff  
• Bill No. 35-0012- An Act amending Title 23 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 19, subchapter III, section 1556 relating to the retirement from the National Guard to increase the retirement pension  

Senators attending Legislative Session: Novelle E. Francis, Jr., Donna A. Frett-Gregory, Angel L. Bolques, Jr., Franklin D. Johnson, Samuel Carrión, Carla J. Joseph, Javan E. James, Sr. Alma Francis Heyliger, Dwayne M. DeGraff, Marise C. James, Kenneth L. Gittens, and Milton E. Potter. Senators Marvin A. Blyden, Diane T. Capehart, and Ray Fonseca were excused.                  ###