KEY LEGISLATION ON SALVAGE VEHICLE PURCHASER, FIREARM SAFETY, AND GAMBLING ENFORCEMENT ADVANCES

ST. CROIX – The Committee on Homeland Security, Justice, and Public Safety, chaired by Senator Kenneth L. Gittens, convened in the Frits E. Lawaetz Conference Room to deliberate on and advance several key legislative measures. These measures include amending the definition of "salvage vehicle purchaser," addressing gambling-related violations, and enacting the Virgin Islands Firearm Serial Number Regulation Act. Lawmakers also voted to hold in committee a bill to increase penalties for traffic violations. All approved measures will proceed to the Committee on Rules and Judiciary for further consideration.

According to Senator Gittens, these laws aim to safeguard the Virgin Islands' citizens and improve everyone's standard of living.

Senators voted in favor of Bill No. 35-0409- An Act to amend Title 20 Virgin Islands Code, part II, chapter 32, subchapter I. This amendment aims to expand the definition of "salvage vehicle purchaser" or "junk vehicle purchaser" to encompass businesses that include junk and salvage vehicle businesses and insurance companies. Additionally, it mandates that salvage vehicle purchasers file a report with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, documenting the salvage vehicles they have obtained and sold within a specific period, and impose a penalty for failure to file the report. Sponsored by Senator Samuel Carrión.

In support of Bill No. 35-0409, Barbara Jackson, Director of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, explained the benefits of amending the Virgin Islands Code. The proposed changes would enable the U.S. Virgin Islands to capture and track information about salvage or junk vehicle purchasers.  The National Motor Vehicle Title Information System would include this data when uploading vehicle titles and accessing vehicle information. These measures aim to ensure the integrity of vehicle titles issued within the Virgin Islands.

Although that measure was approved, the following was held in committee due to the lack of statistics and testifier representation: Bill No. 35-0417- An Act repealing and reenacting Title 20 Virgin Islands Code, part II, chapter 43, section 512, increasing penalties for traffic violations; establishing the Virgin Islands Police Department Impound Lot; and for other related purposes—was approved.

Senator Gittens, the sponsor of Bill No. 35-0417, highlighted the importance of establishing the Virgin Islands Impound Lot as a centralized location for handling abandoned or unregistered vehicles and those involved in criminal activities. He emphasized that this facility would enhance the ability to secure such vehicles efficiently. Supporting the measure, Daphne O’Neal, Director of Highway Safety for the Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD), noted that the current lack of a centralized impound facility hinders law enforcement efforts. Specifically, it limits the VIPD's ability to confiscate vehicles involved in serious traffic violations, such as reckless driving and driving under the influence. The creation of a VIPD impound lot would provide a more organized process for confiscating, storing, and either releasing or auctioning vehicles as needed.

Separately, lawmakers voted on and approved the remaining measures.

• Bill No. 35-0420- An Act amending Title 23, Virgin Islands Code, chapter 5 by enacting the “Virgin Islands Firearm Serial Number Regulation Act.” Sponsored by Senator Kenneth L. Gittens.
• Bill No. 35-0179- An Act that modifies 14 VIC, chapter 61, which deals with gambling violations, and Title 32 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 13, which pertains to the V.I. Lottery Commission, to enhance the enforcement mechanisms against illicit gambling and lottery. Sponsored by Senator Diane Capehart

Senators present included Kenneth L. Gittens, Franklin D. Johnson, Novelle E. Francis Jr., Dwayne M. DeGraff, Diane T. Capehart, Samuel Carrion, Ray Fonseca, Angel Bolques Jr., Alma Francis-Heyliger, and Javan E. James, Sr.

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Press contact: Africah Harrigan

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