LAWMAKERS EXAMINE ECONOMIC, TOURISM, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND AGRICULTURAL PRIORITIES IN MULTI-AGENCY OVERSIGHT - Legislature of the United States Virgin Islands Close About Us History Functions and Structure FY 2026 Budget Honor Roll Rules of the 36th Legislative Youth Advisory Council Application Careers Archives Legislative Archives Tours × St. Thomas Senators  St. John Senators  St.Croix Senators  Districts All Senators St. Croix St. Thomas - St. John Senator at Large × Committees Committee of the Whole Budget, Appropriation and Finance Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports, and Parks Disaster Recovery, Infrastructure and Planning Economic Development and Agriculture Education and Workforce Development Government Operations, Veteran Affairs and Consumer Protection Health, Hospitals and Human Services Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety Housing, Transportation and Telecommunications Rules and Judiciary Session Folder × No event found! Calendars Bi-Weekly Senate Calendar Session Agenda × Dialog window Dialog window General Senators Committees Media Calendars Contact ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND AGRICULTURE | News | Observances | RULES AND JUDICIARY | Senator Hubert L Frederick LAWMAKERS EXAMINE ECONOMIC, TOURISM, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND AGRICULTURAL PRIORITIES IN MULTI-AGENCY OVERSIGHT Published: Nov 10, 2025 Search for: ST. THOMAS, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS —  The Committee on Economic Development and Agriculture, chaired by Senator Hubert L. Frederick, convened at the Capitol Building for a multi-agency oversight meeting focused on strengthening the Territory’s business sector, tourism economy, natural resource management, and agricultural development. Lawmakers received testimony from key government departments and partner organizations, examining performance updates, operational challenges, funding oversight, and strategic initiatives impacting economic growth across the U.S. Virgin Islands. Committee Chair Senator Hubert L. Frederick underscored the importance of strengthening regulatory infrastructure and ensuring agencies are equipped to effectively serve the public. He reaffirmed the Committee’s commitment to modernizing government systems, supporting local business development, and enhancing enforcement capacity to protect consumers and promote long-term economic stability. H. Nathalie Hodge, Commissioner of the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs (DLCA) outlined plans for a new Integrated Management System designed to digitize and centralize business licensing, inspections, enforcement records, legal case tracking, and consumer complaints. The system is expected to introduce real-time license verification, automated renewals, secure payment processing, and mobile access for field inspectors, reducing manual processing and in-person administrative burdens. Consumer protection data revealed 53 fuel price surveys and 9 grocery price comparisons completed in FY 2025, alongside ongoing compliance actions and Department of Justice referrals for non-responsive fuel retailers. Staffing shortages within regulatory and inspection units—particularly on St. Croix—were confirmed as continued barriers to broader compliance coverage. Proposed legislative updates to the Virgin Islands Code aim to expand administrative citation authority, update penalty structures, and strengthen enforcement mechanisms. Commissioner-Nominee Jennifer Matarangas-King provided updates on tourism performance, reporting sustained growth in air travel, cruise arrivals, and local engagement driven by expanded flight routes and targeted marketing campaigns. The Department launched a new bimonthly newsletter, The V.I. Desk Side, to increase community tourism awareness and business visibility. The St. Croix VIBE airfare credit promotion generated nearly 1,500 redemptions and more than $375,000 in partner hotel distributions, while strategic market collaborations contributed to a 20% increase in bookings. The Territory welcomed 2.6 million visitors in 2025, supported by increased airlift, inter-island connectivity, and cruise arrivals, including a 29% increase in St. Croix port calls. The U.S. Virgin Islands continued leading the Caribbean in average daily hotel rate at $664. Planning efforts also highlighted port greeter expansion, cultural programming, new tourism staffing, public restroom improvements, and Festival 2025–2026 readiness. Director Dr. Nicole Angeli of the DPNR Division of Fish and Wildlife, testified on behalf of Commissioner Jean-Pierre L. Oriol, reporting a resilient yet environmentally sensitive fishing sector, including more than 562,000 pounds of fish landed in 2024 by over 290 commercial fishers, within sustainable harvest limits. Spiny lobster was identified as the most harvested species. DPNR also highlighted advancements in endangered species monitoring, coral reef restoration, invasive species response training, environmental education, and the launch of the GoOutdoorsUSVI recreational fishing license portal to strengthen fisheries data and public engagement. Officials warned that increasing habitat degradation continues to pose a long-term risk requiring sustained restoration efforts and federal-territorial collaboration. Commissioner Louis E. Petersen, Jr. of the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture (VIDA) testified that long-term staffing reductions and technical capacity gaps continue to challenge full implementation of the U.S. Virgin Islands Agricultural Plan. He noted that positions including agronomist, engineer, horticulturalist, and animal scientist have been eliminated over time, and that St. Croix now operates with four heavy equipment operators, compared to 15 in 1983. Recent progress includes new hires in FY 2025, ongoing salary adjustments, and plans to expand staffing in key areas such as grant writing, enforcement, butchery, and heavy equipment operations. VIDA also previewed planning efforts for the 2026 Virgin Islands Caribbean Agricultural Conference. Senators present at the Legislative Session included Hubert L. Frederick, Marvin A. Blyden, Alma Francis Heyliger, Angel L. Bolques, Novelle E. Francis Jr., Marise C. James, Franklin D. Johnson, and Clifford A. Joseph Sr. The Division of Public Affairs is committed to providing the community with accurate information on legislative proceedings and other events at the Legislature of the Virgin Islands. Visit legvi.org. ### Press Contact: Africah N.T. Harrigan Email: aharrigan@legvi.org Find More Search for: Categories News Observances Press Releases Special Events Related Content COMMITTEE REVIEWS FY 2027 EXECUTIVE BUDGET REQUESTS FOR GOVERNOR’S OFFICE, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR’S OFFICE, AND BUREAU OF MOTOR VEHICLES July 23, 2026 ST. CROIX, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS – Members of the Committee on Budget, Appropriations, and Finance, chaired by Senator Novelle E. Francis Jr., met in the Frits E. Lawaetz Conference Room to receive testimony on the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budgets for... Read More COMMITTEE RECEIVES UPDATES FROM WASTE MANAGEMENT CONCERNING SEWAGE HEALTH RISKS, CANCER CARE IN THE TERRITORY                                   July 22, 2026 ST. THOMAS, VI – The 36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands’ Committee on Health, Hospitals, and Human Services, led by Senator Ray Fonseca, met at the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall.  Lawmakers received testimony concerning the potential and observed public... 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