COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS, VETERANS 
AFFAIRS AND CONSUMER PROTECTION 
07/10/2026-REPORTED OUT TO THE FLOOR 
06/29/2026-AMENDED AND REPORTED OUT TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND JUDICIARY 
 
BILL NO. 
36-0250 
 
Thirty-Sixth Legislature of the Virgin Islands 
 
 
 
February 10, 2026 
 
 
 
An act amending title 3 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 27, section 717  relating to personal loans 
made to members of the Government Employees’ Retirement System 
 
 
 
PROPOSED BY: 
 
 
Senator Marise C. James  
Sponsors: Clifford A. Joseph, Sr., Avery A. Lewis and 
Angel L. Bolques, Jr. 
Co-sponsors: Ray Fonseca and Novelle E. Francis, Jr. 
 
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the Virgin Islands: 
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SECTION 1.  Title 3 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 27, section 717 is amended by 
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inserting the following subsection (d): 
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(d) 
Notwithstanding any other law, the System shall not reduce, revoke, or 
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otherwise alter a member’s service resulting from a default or delinquency on any loan 
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or financial obligation made through or administered by the System.  Nothing in this 
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subsection shall prohibit the System from pursuing collection of outstanding debts 
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through lawful means, provided such actions do not alter the member's service.  Service 
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shall reflect the actual duration of government employment. 
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BILL SUMMARY 
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This bill amends title 3 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 27, section 717, subsection (c) by 
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creating a prohibition against the reduction of a member’s credited service in the event of a 
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member’s default or delinquency on a personal loan made through or administered by the 
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Government Employees’ Retirement System. 
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BR25-0636/January 16, 2026/LMW 
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