VI UPDATE
U.S. Virgin Islands Public Records
TRANSCRIPT OF PUBLIC PROCEEDINGS
| Legislative Session 2
Legislature USVI
July 20, 2022 · 0.6 hours · gov
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- Senator Steven D. Payne, Sr. Senator Payne, Sr., yay. Senator Milton Potter. Senator Potter, yay. Senator Janelle K.
Saru. Senator Saru, yay. Senator Kurt A. Viale. Senator Viale, yay. Senator Genevieve Whitaker. Senator Whitaker, yay.
Madam President, 15 yays. - Thank you, Madam Clerk, Bill number 34-0267, an act amending the Virgin Land School
Title III, Chapter 18, Section 302, relating to the duties of the Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation to include the
duty to develop neighborhood parks or recreation areas primarily designed to provide facilities for team, recreational or
individual sports, amending Title III, Chapter 22, Section 401, to direct the Department to identify, supervise, administer,
manage, regulate, and control all sites within the territorial park system. Amending Title 32, Chapter 2, to establish a
division of territorial parks and protected areas within the Department of Planning and Natural Resources to establish and
maintain a territorial park system. Amending Title 33, Chapter 111, to establish in the Treasury of the Virgin Islands, the
Territorial Park System Revolving Fund, and the Recreational Parks Revolving Fund, repealing Title III, Section 308,
Title 32, Chapter 4, and for other related purposes, has been approved by this body and will be forwarded to the governor
for further consideration.
0:00:00
Madam Clerk, next item, please. Bill number 34-0268, an act amending Title 32, Virgin Islands Code, Chapter 2A,
Section 32, relating to the Territorial Park Board of Trustees, to increase the membership of the board, to authorize the
board to appoint two members, to limit service on the board to two consecutive terms, and providing for other related
purposes. - Thank you, Madam Clerk.
0:01:45
Bill number 34-02, roll call please, on bill number 34-0268. - Senator Marvin A. Blyden. Senator Blyden, yay. Senator
Samuel Carrion. - Yes. - Senator Carrion, yay. Senator Dwayne M. DeGraff. - Yes. - Senator DeGraff, yay. Senator
Novell E. Francis Jr. Senator Francis Jr., yay. Senator Alma Francis Heiliger.
0:02:15
- Yes. - Senator Francis Heiliger, yay. Senator Donna A. Fred Gregory. - Yes. - Senator Fred Gregory, yay. Senator
Kenneth L. Gintins. - Yes. - Senator Gittins, yay. Senator Javan E. James Sr. - Yes. - Senator James Sr., yay. Senator
0:02:42
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Franklin D. Johnson. - Yes. - Senator Johnson, yay. Senator Carla Joseph. Senator Joseph, not voting.
- Yes, oh, I'm sorry. - Senator Joseph, yay. - Yes. - Yes, yes. - Senator Stephen D. Payne, Sr. - Yes. - Senator Payne, Sr.,
yay. Senator Milton Potter. - Yes. - Senator Potter, yay. - Yes. - Senator Janelle K. Saru. - Yes. - Senator Saru, yay.
Senator Kurt A. Viale. - Yes. - Yes. - Senator Viale. - Yes. - Yay. - Yes. - Senator Genevieve Whitaker.
0:03:13
- Yay. - Senator Whitaker, yay. Madam President, we have 15 yays. - Thank you, Madam Clerk. Bill number 34-0268, an
act amending Title 32, Virgin Islands Code, Chapter 2A, Section 32, relating to the Territorial Park Board of Trustees, to
increase the membership of the board, to authorize the board to appoint two members, to limit service on the board to two
consecutive terms, and providing for other related purposes has been approved by this body, and will be forwarded to the
governor for further consideration.
0:03:41
Madam Clerk, next item, please. - Bill number 34-0239, an act authorizing the members of the board of medical
examiners to serve temporarily as de facto board members of boards established under Title 3, Virgin Islands Code,
Section 415, if a board does not have enough members to establish a quorum. - Thank you, Madam Clerk, bill number
34-0239, an act authorizing the members of the board of medical examiners to serve, I'm sorry.
0:04:14
I'm trying to get through this, huh? Yes, I apologize. Roll call, please. - Senator Marvin A. Blyden. One second. Senator
Marvin A. Blyden. - Yes. - Senator Blyden, yes. Senator Samuel Carrion.
0:04:54
- Yes. - Senator Carrion, yes. Senator Dwayne M. DeGraff. - Yes. - Senator DeGraff, yes. Senator Novelle E. Francis Jr. -
Yes. - Senator Francis Jr., yes. Senator Alma Francis Heiliger. - Yes. - Senator Francis Heiliger, yes. Senator Donna A.
Fred Gregory. - Yes. - Senator Fred Gregory, yes. Senator Kenneth L. Gittins. - Yes. - Senator Gittins, yes. Senator Jovan
E. James Sr., yes. Senator James Sr., yes.
0:05:25
Senator Franklin D. Johnson. - Yes. - Senator Johnson, yes. Senator Carla Joseph. - Yes. - Senator Joseph, yes. Senator
Stephen D. Payne Sr., yes. - Yes. - Senator Payne Sr., yes. - Yes. - Senator Milton Potter, yes. Senator Potter, yes.
Senator Janelle K. Saru, yes. - Yes. Senator Saru, yes. Senator Kurt A. Viala, yes. - Yes. - Senator Viala, yes. - Senator
Viala, yes. Senator Genevieve Whittaker.
0:05:59
- Yes. - Senator Whittaker, yes. - Yes. - Madam President, 15 yays. - Thank you, Madam Clerk. Bill number 34-0239, an
act authorizing the members of the Board of Medical Examiners to serve temporarily as de facto board members of
boards established under Title III, Virgin Islands Code, section 415. If a board does not have enough members to
establish a quorum has been approved by this body and will be forwarded to the governor for further consideration.
Madam Clerk, next item, please.
0:06:28
- Bill number 34-0273, 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 41 Subbase LLC for the leasing of parcel
number 41, Subbase Southside Quarter, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. - Roll call, please. - I'm gonna use the amendments.
Senator Marvin A. Blyden. Senator Blyden, yay. Senator Samuel Carrion. Senator Carrion, absent. Senator Carrion, not
voting. Senator Duane M. DeGraff. Senator DeGraff, yay. Senator Novelle E. Francis Jr. Senator Francis Jr., yay.
0:07:05
Senator Alma Francis Heiliger. Senator Francis Heiliger, not voting. Senator Donna A. Fred Gregory. - Yes. - Yes. -
Senator Fred Gregory, yay. Senator Kenneth L. Gittins. - Yes. - Senator Gittins, yay. Senator Javan E. James Sr. - Yes, of
course. - Senator James Sr., yay. Senator Franklin D. Johnson.
0:07:58
- Yay. - Senator Johnson, yay. Senator Carla Joseph. - Yes. - Senator Joseph, yay. Senator Steven D. Payne Sr. - Yes. -
Senator Payne Sr., yay. - Senator Payne Sr., yay. Senator Milton Potter. - Yes. - Senator Potter, yay. - Yes. - Senator
Janelle K. Saru. - Yes. - Senator Saru, yay. - Yes. - Senator Saru, yay. Senator Kurt A. Viala. - Yes. - Yes. - Senator
Viala, yay. Senator Genevieve Whitaker. - Yes. - Senator Whitaker, yay. - Madam President, we have 13 yeas. Two, not
voting. - Please change Senator Carrion's vote to yes and Senator Frances Heiliger's vote to yes, please.
0:08:25
- Senator Carrion, yay. Senator Frances Heiliger, yay. Madam President, we have 15 yeas. - Thank you, Madam Clerk.
Bill number 34, that's 0273, an act approving the lease agreement between the government of the Virgin Islands, acting
through the commission of the Department of Property Procurement and 41B Sub-Ace LLC for leasing of parcel number
41 Sub-Ace Southside Court of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, has been approved by this body and will be forwarded to the
governor for further consideration.
0:09:08
Madam Clerk, next item, please. - Bill number 34-0176, an act appropriating $325,000 from the community facility trust
fund to the general fund for the purpose of supporting the refurbishment of number 40B Company Street, Christensen,
and the program objectives of the Collective Collaboration, Inc., and requiring that the Collective Collaboration, Inc.,
comply with the financial disclosure requirements under two Virgin Islands codes, section 29. - Senator Novali Francis,
Jr., you're recognized for your amendment.
0:09:38
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- Thank you very much, Madam President. Madam President, I rise to offer amendment number 34-590, amendment to
bill number 34-0176 being offered on behalf of Senator Novali Francis, Jr. Bill number 34-0176, section one, is amended
as follows. One, strike the phrase Department of Human Services as a grant to be awarded to Collective Collaboration,
Inc., for the purpose of supporting the refurbishment of number 40B Company Street, Christianstedt, St. Croix, Virgin
Islands, and the program objectives of the Collective Collaboration, Inc., and inserting Department of Property and
Procurement for the purchase of 40B Company Street, for the purpose of supporting the program objectives of the
Collective Collaboration, Inc. that the government shall lease this property to Collective Collaboration, Inc. in the amount
of $1 per year in its place. ISO move.
0:10:20
- Amendment number 34-590 has been properly moved by Senator Novali Francis, Jr., seconded by Genevieve, Senator
Genevieve Whitaker, Senator Kenneth L. Gittin, Senator Samuel Carrion, Senator Johnson. Hearing no objections, so
ordered. Roll call on Bill number 34-0176 as amended. - Yes. - Senator Marvin A. Blyden?
0:11:17
- Yes. - Senator Blyden? - Yes. - Senator Samuel Carrion? - Yes. - Senator Carrion? - Yes. - Senator Dwayne M.
DeGraff? - Yes. - Senator DeGraff? - Yes. - Senator Novelle E. Francis, Jr. - Yes. - Senator Francis, Jr., - Yes. - Senator
Alma Francis Heiliger? - Yes. - Senator Francis Heiliger? - Yes. - Senator Donna A. Fred Gregory? - Yes. - Senator Fred
Gregory? - Absolutely. - Yes. - Senator Kenneth L. Gittins? - Yes. - Senator Gittins? - Yes.
0:11:50
- Yes. - Senator Gittins? - Yes. - Senator Javan E. James, Sr. - Yes. - Senator James, Sr. - Yes. - Yes. - Senator Franklin
D. Johnson? - Yes. - Senator Johnson? - Yes. - Senator Carla Joseph? - Yes. - Senator Joseph? - Yes. - Yes. - Senator
Stephen D. Payne, Sr. - Yes. - Senator Payne, Sr. - Yes. - Senator Milton Potter? - Yes. - Senator Potter? - Yes. - Senator
Potter? - Yes. - Yes.
0:12:22
- Senator Saru? - Yes. - Senator Saru? - Yes. - Senator Kurt A. Viale? - Yes. - Senator Viale? - Yes. - Senator Viale? -
Yes. - Senator Viale? - Yes. - Senator Viale? - Yes. - Senator Viale? - Yes. - Senator Viale? - Yes. - Senator Viale? - Yes.
- Senator Viale? - Yes. - Senator Viale? - 0176, an act appropriating $325,000 from the Community Facility Trust Fund
to the General Fund for the purpose of supporting the refurbishments of number 40-B, Company Street Christian Stead,
and the program objectives of the Collective Collaboration Inc., and requiring that the Collective Collaboration Inc.
comply with the financial disclosure requirements on the two VIC, as amended, has been approved by this body, and will
be forwarded to the Governor for further consideration.
0:12:49
- Thank you. - Thank you. - Thank you. - Thank you. - Thank you. - Madam Clerk, next item, please. - Bill number
34-0167, an act amending act number 8473, section 1, subsection Q3, relating to a $2,175,000 appropriation to the
Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation to provide for a grant of that sum to the Twin City Cricket Association for
the development of the Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation, St. Croix, and Cricket Field, and providing for other
related purposes. - Sansa, get things to recognize for your amendment.
0:13:52
- Thank you, Madam President, and good evening to all. Madam President, I rise to offer amendment number 34-579, an
amendment to bill number 34-0167, offered by Senators Kenneth L. Gittins, Nova Lee Francis Jr., Dwayne M. DeGraff,
Kurt Aviale, Javon James, Marvin Blyden, Samuel Carriong, Carla Joseph, Genevieve Whitaker, Janelle Saro, Milton
Potter, Franklin Johnson, Alma Francis Heiliger, I was going to say that too, but bill number 34-0167 is amended by
inserting an appropriately numbered section that reads as follows: Section blank, Title III, Virgin Islands Code, Chapter
25, Sub-Chapter 6, Section 590C, is amended as follows: A, in subsection A, 1, by inserting a territorial state of
emergency, an endemic, an endemic, a federal public health emergency, after pandemic, 2, by inserting or essential
employees of the Department of Labor, Department of Finance, and the Bureau of Internal Revenue, after staff, and 3, in
paragraph 3, by inserting a territorial state of emergency, endemic, federal public health emergency, after pandemic, and
B, in subsection B, by inserting endemic, federal public health emergency, after pandemic, and B, in subsection B, by
inserting endemic, federal public health emergency, after pandemic, I so move. Thank you everybody.
0:14:36
Amendment number 34-579 seems to have been moved by, has been moved by Senator Kenneth L. Gittins, and seems to
have been seconded by all 14 members of the institution. I did not second it. There are no objections, so order.
Amendment.
0:16:11
You have another one. Amendment. Sorry, sir. Am I recognized, Madam President? Senator Gittins, you're recognized
for your amendment. Thank you so much. Madam President and colleagues, I move amendment number 34-581, there
and close to me, on behalf of you, Madam President, Donna A. Fred Gregory, and Kenneth Gittins, amendment to Bill
number 34-0167, Bill number 34-0167 is amended by inserting a new appropriately numbered section to read as follows.
Section blank, Act number 8474, Bill number 34-0109, Section 1, and paragraph C, Org 200, Office of the Governor, is
amended in the following instances: A, after the line item, Health Information Technology Exchange, by inserting a new
line item to read, Cost of Funeral Arrangements for Former Governor Turnbull, $150,000, and B, in the line item, Total
0:16:42
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Org 200, Office of the Governor, Strike 11, $1,574,012, and insert $11,724,012. I so move.
Amendment number 34-581 has been properly moved by Senator Kenneth L. Gittins, seconded by Senator Carla J.
Joseph and Senator Kurt A. Viale, Senator Javon James Sr., hearing no objections, so ordered. Amendment. Thank you
very much, Madam President and colleagues. I rise to offer amendment number 34-574, amendment to bill number
34-0167, offered by Senator Novell E. Francis Jr. Bill number 34-0167 is amended by inserting annually appropriately
section, number section to read, section blank, act number 85-52, correction, act number 85-22, bill number 34-0142,
section six is amended by designating the existing provision as subsection A and adding a subsection B to read. B, the
sums appropriated in subsection A are available until expended. I so move.
0:18:11
Amendment number 34-574 has been properly moved by Senator Novell E. Francis Jr., seconded by Senator Carla J.
Joseph, Senator Samuel Carrion, and Senator Marvin A. Blyden, hearing no objections, so ordered. Thank you very
much, Madam President. Madam President, I rise to offer amendment number 34-582, offered by Senators Milton E.
Potter, Senator Novell E. Francis Jr., Senator Carla J. Joseph, and Senator Marvin Blyden. Bill number 34-0167 is
amended by adding an appropriately numbered section that reads, section blank, the amnesty period provided for in
section one, subsection B of act number 8398 is extended to December 31st, 20-24, and the Virgin Islands Department of
Planning and Natural Resources shall extend the two-year amnesty program provided for in section three of act number
8398 for an additional two years. The other requirements provided for in act number 8398 are also applicable to the
extended amnesty period. I so move. Amendment number 34, that's 582, has been properly moved by Senator Milton E.
Potter, seconded by Senator Carla J. Joseph, Senator Alma Francis Heiliger, Senator Nuala E. Francis Jr., Senator
Giovanni James Sr., hearing no objections, so ordered.
0:19:25
Amendment, amendment. Senator Potter, you recognize your amendment. Speaker 1: Thank you very much. I rise to
offer amendment number 85, no, sorry, 34-585, to bill number 34-0167, offered by Senators Milton E. Potter and
Senators Novell E. Francis. Bill number 34-0167 is amended by inserting a newly appropriately numbered section to read
as follows: Section blank, Title 29, Virgin Islands Code, Section 294, subsection B, Paragraph 7, is amended in the
second and third unnumbered subparagraphs by striking both occurrences or 360 days, and inserting three years and
inserting three years in their place. I so move.
0:21:18
Amendment number 34, that's 58-585, has been properly moved by Senator Milton E. Potter, seconded by Senator Nova
Lee Francis Jr. Perry no objections, so ordered. Do we have any other amendments? Speaker 2: Senator Veille, you're
recognized for your amendment. Speaker 4: Amendment number 34-577, offered by Senator Kurt Veille. Bill number
34-0167 is amended as follows: In section 1, page 1, line 4, after the quotation mark, after adding, insert the language to
the public finance authority. 2, in section 4, strike the words expiration or termination, and insert the word
commencement. 3, add a new appropriately numbered section to read. Section blank, the Twin City Cricket Association,
technical amendment, and St. Thomas Cricket Association, shall submit a comprehensive development plan to the
Department of Sports, Park, and Recreation, and the Department of Prept and Procurement for approval before
commencing the project. I so move. Second.
0:22:30
Second. Amendment number 34-577, has been properly moved by Senator Kurt A. Veille, seconded by Senator Giovanni
James Sr., Senator Marvin A. Blighton. Anyone else? Senator Genevieve Whitaker, Senator Samuel Carrion, hearing no
objections, so ordered. Rule call on bill number 34-0167, as amended. Senator Marvin A. Blighton. Senator Blighton,
yea.
0:23:41
Senator Samuel Carrion. Senator Carrion, yea. Senator Duane M. DeGraff. Senator DeGraff, yea. Senator Nouvelle E.
Francis Jr., yea. Senator Francis Jr., yea. Senator Alma Francis Heiliger, yea. Senator Francis Heiliger, yea. Senator
Donna A. Fred Gregory, yea. Yes. Senator Fred Gregory, yea. Senator Kenneth L. Gittins, yea. Senator Gittins, yea.
Senator Jevan E. James Sr., yea. Senator James Sr., yea. Senator Franklin D. Johnson, yea.
0:24:30
Senator Johnson, yea. Senator Carla Joseph, yea. Senator Joseph, yea. Senator Steven D. Payne Sr., Senator Payne Sr.,
yea. Senator Milton Potter, yea. Senator Potter, yea. Senator Janelle K. Saru, yea. Senator Saru, yea. Senator Kurt A.
Viale, yea. Senator Viale, yea. Senator Genevieve R. Whitaker, yea. Senator Whitaker, yea. Madam President, 15 years.
Thank you, Madam Clerk.
0:25:09
Bill number 34-0167 and act amending act number 8473, section 1, subsection Q3, relating to a $2,175,000 appropriation
to the Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation, St. Croix Cricket Field and providing for other related purposes has
been approved by this body and will be forwarded to the Governor for further consideration. Colleagues, I'm going to ask
before we dispense the last item on today's agenda, this morning we neglected to take a minute to offer a moment of
silence for our sixth elected Governor of the United States Virgin Islands, Dr. Charles Wesley Turnbull.
0:25:45
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Thank you, colleagues. Madam Clerk, can you please call up the last item on today's agenda? Bill number 34-0287, a
resolution to impose sanctions against the Honorable Senator Stephen D. Payne Sr. for violations of the code of ethical
conduct of the 34th legislature of the Virgin Islands and for violations of the legislature's zero tolerance policy against
sexual harassment.
0:26:49
Do I hear an amendment? Amendment. Do I hear an amendment? Do I hear an amendment? Do I hear an amendment?
Do I hear an amendment? Do I hear an amendment? Do I hear an amendment? Do I hear an amendment? Do I hear an
amendment? Do I hear an amendment? Do I hear an amendment? Do I hear an amendment? Thank you very much.
Madam President, Madam President and colleagues. I offer amendment number 34-588, an amendment to bill number
34-0287, offered by Senators Novel Carillon, Senators Novel Carillon, Senators Novel E. Francis Jr., Senators Novel E.
Francis Jr., Senators Donna A. Fred Gregory, Senators Javon E. James Sr., bill number 34-0287 is amended by striking
the text after conduct in its entirety beginning on page 5, line 22, and inserting new text to read as follows, and expel
Senator Steven DePayne, senior for violating 1, rule 801, by failing to conduct himself at all times in a manner that
reflects respectfully on the legislature, 2, rule 808B, the legislature's zero tolerance policy against sexual harassment, 3,
rule 811A, for failing to observe proper decorum, to conduct himself in a manner complementary to the senate, and with
dignity and respect for the high office which the senator holds, and 4, the oath of office under rule 102C, which he took
pursuant to rule 102D, I so move.
0:27:38
Amendment number 34-588 has been properly moved by Senators Novel E. Francis Jr., seconded by Senators Genevieve
Whitaker, Janelle Kaye Searle, Javon E. James Sr., Senators Alma Francis Heiliger, Senators Samuel Carillon, hearing no
objections, so ordered. Roll call on bill 34-0287 as amended.
0:29:13
Senators Marvin A. Blyden. Senators Blyden. Senators Blyden. Senators Samuel Carillon. Senators Carillon. Senators
Carillon. Senators Dwayne M. DeGraff. Senators DeGraff, not voting. Senators Novelle E. Francis Jr. Senators Francis
Jr., yeah. Senators Alma Francis Heiliger, yeah. Senators Francis Heiliger, yeah. Senators Donna A. Fred Gregory, yes.
Senators Fred Gregory, yeah. Senators Kenneth L. Gittins. Yes.
0:29:44
Senators Gittins, yeah. Senators Javon E. James Sr., yeah. Senators James Sr., yeah. Senators Franklin D. Johnson. Yeah.
Senators Johnson, yeah. Senators Carla Joseph. Yes. Senators Joseph, yeah. Senators Steve D. Payne Sr., yeah. Senators
Payne Sr., yeah. Senators Milton Potter. Yes. Senators Potter, yeah. Senators Janelle K. Saru. Yes. Senators Saru, yeah.
Senators Kurt A. Viallee. Yes. Senators Viallee, yeah.
0:30:19
Senators Genevieve Whitaker. Yes. Senators Whitaker, yeah. Senators Whitaker, yeah. Madam President, we have 12
yeas, one nay, one not voting. Could you please record Senator Duane M. DeGraff's vote as yes. Sorry. Excuse me.
Madam President, we have 14 yeas, one nay. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Bill 34-0287, a resolution to impose sanctions
against the Honorable Senator Steven D. Payne Sr., for violations of the Code of Ethical Conduct of the 34th Legislature
of the Virgin Islands, and for violations of the Legislature's Zero Tolerance Policy against Sexual Harassment, as
amended, has been approved by this body, and will be forwarded to the Governor.
0:30:54
Colleagues, this ends today's is not a win-win for any of us today. Colleagues, it's late, and we need to allow the Senators
from St. Croix to leave, because they have a charter flight. Senator Francis Heliger, you may proceed with your point of
personal privilege. I personally just wanted to take this time out to say thank you to my colleagues in regards to the
passage of several pieces of legislation I had brought forward as we continued to do the people's work. I would also like
to share with the public that, unfortunately, we made a decision today, but I had to make a choice in regards to what is
best, not only for the institution, but for the trust of the people of this territory. So I would like to say thank you to my
colleagues again, and do have a blessed evening. Thank you, Madam Chair.
0:31:42
Thank you, Senator Francis Heliger, Senator Kala J. Joseph. You are recognized for your point of personal privilege.
Thank you. Thank you so much, Madam President and colleagues. I just want to say that today was a very long and
arduous day. We made a tough decision, but we as women must always lead and always hold each other accountable. So
I definitely want to thank my colleagues for their support today for One Legislation, and thank you so much, Madam
President, for the opportunity to speak. Thank you, Senator Kala J. Joseph. Senators, we've exhausted today's agenda. It
was a long, arduous agenda, and I'm certain that none of us are leaving here feeling warm and fuzzy today, although we
passed significant legislation today for the people of the Virgin Islands. I want to thank all those that contributed to
ensuring that we were able to keep this session today.
0:32:49
There's much more work for us to do. The session of July 20th is hereby adjourned. I want to thank you so much for
joining us today. I want to thank you for joining us today. I want to thank you for joining us today. I want to thank you
for joining us today. I want to thank you for joining us today. I want to thank you for joining us today. I want to thank
you for joining us today. I want to thank you for joining us today. I want to thank you for joining us today. I want to
0:33:53
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thank you for joining us today. I want to thank you for joining us today. I want to thank you for joining us today. I want
to thank you for joining us today. .
People named in this transcript
SUSPECTED, and a finding aid only. Names were matched by machine against the spellings used across all 426 of our transcripts, and the
title is the one used in the room. Being named here is NOT evidence that a person attended or spoke · only that the name was said. Speech
recognition mishears names, so a spelling may be wrong even where no alternative is offered.
23x
Senator Kurt Vialet
heard in this transcript as: Kurt A. Viala, Kurt A. Viale, Viala, Viale
19x
Senator Novelle Francis
heard in this transcript as: Francis Jr, Francis Jr., Nouvelle E. Francis Jr, Nova Lee Francis Jr, Novali Francis Jr., Novell E. Francis Jr
17x
Senator Milton E. Potter
heard in this transcript as: Milton Potter, Potter
17x
Senator Steven D. Payne Sr.
heard in this transcript as: Payne Sr, Payne Sr., Stephen D. Payne Sr, Stephen D. Payne Sr., Steven D. Payne Sr, Steven DePayne
16x
Senator Carla Joseph
the surname alone also matches: Clifford Joseph; Karla J. Joseph
heard in this transcript as: Carla J. Joseph, Joseph
16x
Senator Kenneth L. Gittens
heard in this transcript as: Gittins, Kenneth L. Gintins, Kenneth L. Gittin, Kenneth L. Gittins
16x
Senator Samuel Carrion
heard in this transcript as: Carrion
15x
Senator Alma Francis-Heyliger
heard in this transcript as: Alma Francis Heiliger, Frances Heiliger, Francis Heiliger, Francis Heliger
14x
Senator Janelle K. Saro
heard in this transcript as: Janelle K. Saru, Saru
13x
Senator Genevieve R. Whitaker
heard in this transcript as: Genevieve Whitaker, Genevieve Whittaker, Whitaker, Whittaker
12x
Senator Dwayne DeGraff
heard in this transcript as: DeGraff, Duane M. DeGraff, Duane M. DeGraff's, Dwayne M. DeGraff
12x
Senator Franklin D. Johnson
heard in this transcript as: Johnson
12x
Senator Marvin Blyden
heard in this transcript as: Blyden, Marvin A. Blyden
7x
Senator Javan James
heard in this transcript as: Javan E. James Sr, Javan E. James Sr., Javon James Sr, Jevan E. James Sr, Jovan E. James Sr
6x
Senator Fred Gregory
the surname alone also matches: Donna A. Frett-Gregory; Donna Frett-Gregory
6x
Senator Marise C. James
the surname alone also matches: Javan James; Giovanni James Sr
heard in this transcript as: James Sr, James Sr.
5x
Senator Donna A. Frett-Gregory
heard in this transcript as: Donna A. Fred Gregory
4x
Senator Kurt Veilley
heard in this transcript as: Kurt A. Veille, Kurt Veille, Veille
4x
Senator Marvin A. Blighton
heard in this transcript as: Blighton
3x
Senator Giovanni James Sr
the surname alone also matches: Javan James; Marise C. James; Neville James
Machine transcript · UNVERIFIED. Verify every quotation against the recording. Speakers are not identified.
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Legislature USVI · | Legislative Session 2
3x
Senator Karla J. Joseph
the surname alone also matches: Carla Joseph; Clifford Joseph
heard in this transcript as: Kala J. Joseph
1x
Senator Donna Frett-Gregory
heard in this transcript as: Donna A. Frett-Gregory
Bills and acts referred to
Matched by number against our own acts corpus. The number is what the recognition heard, so it may be wrong; where it resolved, the title is the one
the Legislature gave the act.
Bill 34-0267
Act 8609 · July 20, 2022 · An Act amending the Virgin Islands Code, title 3, chapter 18, section 302 relating the duties of
the Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation to include the duty to develop neighborhood parks or recreation areas
primarily designed to provide facilities for team, recreational or individual sports; amending title 3, chapter 22 section 401
to direct the Department to identify, supervise, administer, manage, regulate and control all sites within the Territorial
Parks System; amending title 32, chapter 2 to establish the Division of Territorial Parks and Protected Areas within the
Department of Planning and Natural Resources to establish and maintain a Territorial Parks System; amending title 3
Bill 34-0268
Act 8610 · July 20, 2022 · An Act amending title 32 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 2A, section 32 relating to the Territorial
Park Board of Trustees, to increase the membership of the Board, to authorize the Governor to appoint two additional
members, to limit service on the Board to two consecutive terms; and providing for other related purposes ---0
Bill 34-0239
Act 8592 · An Act authorizing the members of the Board of Medical Examiners to serve temporarily as de facto board
members of boards established under title 3 Virgin Islands Code, section 415 if a board does not have enough members
to establish a quorum ·0
Bill 34-0273
Act 8603 · An Act approving the Lease Agreement between the Government of the \·irgin IsLands, acting through the
Commissioner of the Department of Property and Procurement and 41 Sub Base, LLC., for the leasing of Parcel No. 41
Sub Base, Southside Quarter. St. Thomas, Virgin Islands ---0
Bill 34-0167
Act 8578 · July 20, 2022 · An Act amending Act No. 8473, section 1, subsection (q)(3) relating to a $2,175,000
appropriation to the Public Finance Authority to provide for a grant of that sum to the Twin City Cricket Association and
the St. Thomas Cricket Association for the development of the Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation St. Croix
Cricket Field and St. Thomas Cricket Field; making a 53,434,994.14 appropriation from the General Fund to the
Government Employees· Retirement System (GERS) to defray shortfalls in fiscal years 2018,2019 and 2020 for annual
bonus payments to retirees; amending Act No. 8476, relating the Legislamre of the Virgin Islands fiscal year 2022
budget, to reprogram the appropriation fo
Bill 34-0109
Act 8474 · An Act providing an appropriation from the General Fund of the Government of the Virgin Islands for the
operation of the Government of the Virgin Islands during the fiscal year October t, 2021, through September 30, 2022 =)
Bill 34-0142
Act 8552 · March 24, 2022 · An Act amending the Virgin Islands Code title 20, chapter 45 by adding a subchapter II to
provide for an automated license plate reader system as a crime-fighting tool throughout the Virgin Islands; amending
title 20, chapter 32, subchapter I relating to the intra-territorial transport of motor vehicles to provide additional
requirements in section 225a for transporting motor vehicles between the different islands within the Virgin Islands and
adding section 225¢c to provide for a special permit for vehicles brought into the Virgin Islands; amending title 3, chapter
33, section 881(g) relating to public records to exclude from public examination captured plate data from automated
license pla
Act 8473
Act 8473 · September 17, 2021 · An Act amending Act No. 8365, as amended by Act No. 8411; and Act No. 8451;
amending Act No. 8451, section 2(a); amending Act No. 8347, section 1, relating to the fiscal year 2021 operating
budget for the Government of the Virgin Islands, to appropriate $24,423,321 to several departments and agencies to
pay outstanding obligations; and providing for other related purposes =
Act 8474
Act 8474 · An Act providing an appropriation from the General Fund of the Government of the Virgin Islands for the
operation of the Government of the Virgin Islands during the fiscal year October t, 2021, through September 30, 2022 =)
Act 8398
Act 8398 · An Act providing an amnesty for property owners who have enclosed or have started to enclose the remaining
usable space under their houses without submitting building plans to the Department of Planning and Natural Resources
for approval or without the issuance of a building permit and the enclosed space or the space to be enclosed does not
exceed the boundary of the existing structure ---0
Act 8609
Act 8609 · July 20, 2022 · An Act amending the Virgin Islands Code, title 3, chapter 18, section 302 relating the duties of
the Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation to include the duty to develop neighborhood parks or recreation areas
primarily designed to provide facilities for team, recreational or individual sports; amending title 3, chapter 22 section 401
to direct the Department to identify, supervise, administer, manage, regulate and control all sites within the Territorial
Parks System; amending title 32, chapter 2 to establish the Division of Territorial Parks and Protected Areas within the
Department of Planning and Natural Resources to establish and maintain a Territorial Parks System; amending title 3
Act 8610
Act 8610 · July 20, 2022 · An Act amending title 32 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 2A, section 32 relating to the Territorial
Park Board of Trustees, to increase the membership of the Board, to authorize the Governor to appoint two additional
members, to limit service on the Board to two consecutive terms; and providing for other related purposes ---0
Machine transcript · UNVERIFIED. Verify every quotation against the recording. Speakers are not identified.
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Legislature USVI · | Legislative Session 2
Act 8592
Act 8592 · An Act authorizing the members of the Board of Medical Examiners to serve temporarily as de facto board
members of boards established under title 3 Virgin Islands Code, section 415 if a board does not have enough members
to establish a quorum ·0
Act 8603
Act 8603 · An Act approving the Lease Agreement between the Government of the \·irgin IsLands, acting through the
Commissioner of the Department of Property and Procurement and 41 Sub Base, LLC., for the leasing of Parcel No. 41
Sub Base, Southside Quarter. St. Thomas, Virgin Islands ---0
Act 8578
Act 8578 · July 20, 2022 · An Act amending Act No. 8473, section 1, subsection (q)(3) relating to a $2,175,000
appropriation to the Public Finance Authority to provide for a grant of that sum to the Twin City Cricket Association and
the St. Thomas Cricket Association for the development of the Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation St. Croix
Cricket Field and St. Thomas Cricket Field; making a 53,434,994.14 appropriation from the General Fund to the
Government Employees· Retirement System (GERS) to defray shortfalls in fiscal years 2018,2019 and 2020 for annual
bonus payments to retirees; amending Act No. 8476, relating the Legislamre of the Virgin Islands fiscal year 2022
budget, to reprogram the appropriation fo
Act 8476
Act 8476 · September 2021 · An Act providing an appropriation for the operation of the Legislature of the Virgin Islands
during the fiscal year October 1, 2021, to September 30, 2022 ---0
Act 8552
Act 8552 · March 24, 2022 · An Act amending the Virgin Islands Code title 20, chapter 45 by adding a subchapter II to
provide for an automated license plate reader system as a crime-fighting tool throughout the Virgin Islands; amending
title 20, chapter 32, subchapter I relating to the intra-territorial transport of motor vehicles to provide additional
requirements in section 225a for transporting motor vehicles between the different islands within the Virgin Islands and
adding section 225¢c to provide for a special permit for vehicles brought into the Virgin Islands; amending title 3, chapter
33, section 881(g) relating to public records to exclude from public examination captured plate data from automated
license pla
Act 8365
Act 8365 · An Act providing an appropriation from the General Fund of the Government of the Virgin Islands for the
operation of the Government of the Virgin Islands during the fiscal year October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021
Re it enacted by the Legislature ofthe Virgin islands: SECTION 1. The sum listed, or so much thereof as shall be
sufficient to accomplish the purposes specified, as set forth, are appropriated and authorized to be paid from any funds
in the General Fund of the Treasury of the Virgin islands, which amounts shall be available for the fiscal year October 1,
2020 to September 30. 2021. FY 2021 0100 GENERAL FUND A. ORG 110 DEPARTMENT OFJUSTICE PERSONNEL
& FRINGE BENEFITS $ 12,063
Act 8411
Act 8411 · December 11, 2020 · An Act amending Act No. 8365, relating to the fiscal year 2021 operating budget for the
Government of the Virgin Islands to increase the funding for wage adjustments from $2,623,000 to $9,760,658, to
appropriate $18,000,000 to the Single Payer Utility Fund; to reduce the operating expenses for the Department of
Finance from $2,091,757 to $1,591,757; to reduce the budget for the Department of Education from $167,807,284 to
$164,180,173; to increase the Department of Public Works· appropriation for the Abandoned Vehicles Programs in St.
Croix, and St. Thomas from $25,000 to $75,000; to appropriate an additional $75,000 for a St. John Abandoned
Vehicles Program, and $400,000 for addition road w
Act 8451
Act 8451 · May 4, 2021 · An Act amending Act No. 8365, relating to the fiscal year 2021 operating budget for the
Government of the Virgin Islands to appropriate S3,533,333 to the Department of Justice to pay the settlement
agreement of Joe Harold Vanrerpool d/b/a Vanterpool Enterprises v. Gorennnent of the Virgin Islands; to appropriate
S2,000,000 to the Department of Labor for the payment of outstanding Worker·s Compensation payments to medical
providers; to reduce the line item for Department of Education Interscholastic Sports from $125,000 to $1 10,000;
amending Act No. 8411. to appropriate $40,000 to Clean Sweep Frederiksted for the beautification of the town of
Frederiksted; to appropriate $15,000 to the Depar
Act 8347
Act 8347 · An Act providing an appropriation from the Internal Revenue Matching Fund for the fiscal year October 1, 2020,
through September 30, 2021 ---0
Referred to but not found in our acts corpus: Bill 34-0176, Bill 34-0287
Machine transcript · UNVERIFIED. Verify every quotation against the recording. Speakers are not identified.
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