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STATEMENT OF 
 
REGINA D. PETERSEN 
ADMINISTRATOR OF COURTS 
JUDICIAL BRANCH OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS 
 
ON 
 
BILL NO. 36-0134 
 
BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS, 
VETERAN’S AFFAIRS AND CONSUMER PROTECTION 
 
THIRTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE 
 
OCTOBER 27, 2025 
 
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Good day Chairman Lewis, Members of the Committee on Government 
Operations, Veteran’s Affairs and Consumer Protection and other Members of the 
36th Legislature present, Staff, and the listening public.   I am Regina deChabert 
Petersen, Administrator of Courts, of the Judicial Branch of the Virgin Islands and I 
am here in response to this committee’s request for testimony on Bill No. 36-0134.  
 The Judiciary did have an opportunity to meet with the Bill Sponsor, Senator 
Marise James, and shared that 4 VIC Sec. 27(b) provides with respect to Justices of 
the Supreme Court, that candidacy for public office automatically results in 
forfeiture of judicial office and that this section of the law could be referenced in the 
bill consistent with the exemptions for Judges and law clerks contained therein. 
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Otherwise, the Judiciary takes no position on the contents of the bill and offers no 
opinion regarding this proposed change in government policy. As a branch of 
government, the Judiciary will make appropriate adjustments regarding any 
conflicting internal policies which may exist should this bill become law.  
 
Thank you for the opportunity to provide this brief commentary on Bill No. 
36-0134.