36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands Calendar June 9-June 16
MONDAY, JUNE 9
Committee on Economic Development and Agriculture
10:00 A.M.
Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room
BLOCK I
Discussion on Economic Development and Self-Sustainability in the U.S. Virgin Islands
This block will explore ongoing efforts and future strategies to strengthen the Virgin Islands economy and advance toward greater self-sufficiency. The discussion will highlight the roles of key agencies—including the Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority and the Bureau of Economic Research—in guiding policy development, monitoring economic trends, and supporting sustainable growth. Topics may include recent data-driven insights, progress on long-term economic plans, support for small business development, investment promotion, workforce initiatives, and efforts to build a more resilient and diversified local economy.
Invited Testifiers:
Mr. Wayne Biggs, Jr., Executive Director, Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority
Haldane E. Davies, Ph. D., Director, Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority
LUNCH BREAK
BLOCK II
Bill No. 36-0065 An Act amending Act No. 8512 by removing the responsibility of the Virgin Islands Port Authority from constructing a warehouse on the former Addelita Cancryn Junior High School campus to requiring the Port Authority to assist with the design, retrofitting and renovation of an existing warehouse located on Parcel No. 1B and 47B-1 Gasverks Gade, No. 3 Crown Prince Quarter, St. Thomas
The Committee will receive testimony on the proposed legislative amendment, including its potential impact on project implementation, inter-agency coordination, and overall cost-efficiency.
Invited Testifiers:
Mr. Carlton Dowe, Executive Director, Virgin Islands Port Authority
Mr. Craig Benjamin, Executive Director, Virgin Islands Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance
Honorable Dionne Wells-Hedrington, EdD, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Education
Honorable Lisa Alejandro, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Property and Procurement
TUESDAY, JUNE 10
Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance
10:00 A.M.
Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall
The Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance will meet on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall to receive testimony on the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget.
10:00 A.M. Department of Finance
Honorable Kevin G. McCurdy, Commissioner Public Finance Authority
Nathan Simmonds, Director of Finance and Administration
Office of Disaster Recovery Adrienne Williams-Octalien, Director
12 P.M. LUNCH
1:00 P.M. Internal Revenue Bureau
Joel A. Lee, Director
3:00 P.M. Office of Management & Budget
Julio Rhymer, Sr., Director
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11
Committee on Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports and Parks
10:00 A.M.
Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room
The Committee on Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports, and Parks will convene a hearing on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at 10:00 AM at the Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Hall on St. Croix to receive testimony and updates regarding the current status of the Paul E. Joseph Stadium construction project.
The current construction status and execution timeline, updates on the contractual standing with GEC, LLC and affiliated project vendors, procurement challenges encountered and their proposed or implemented resolutions, oversight and accountability measures ensuring fiscal responsibility and project performance, and interagency coordination efforts to support the timely advancement of project phases.
Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Lisa Alejandro, Commissioner, Department of Property and Procurement
Mr. John Wessel, Representative, GEC, LLC
THURSDAY, JUNE 12
Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance
10:00 A.M.
Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room
The Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance will meet on Thursday, June 12, 2025, 10:00 A.M. in the Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room on St. Croix to receive testimony on the Fiscal Year 2026
Budget.
Invited Testifier:
Mrs. Joann A. Murphy, Chairperson, VI Career & Technical Board
BLOCK II
The Committee will also receive testimony on the following bills:
Bill No. 36-0025 An Act appropriating $90,000 from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands to the Virgin Islands Department of Human Services to purchase all-in-one mobile health, wellness, and personal safety devices for Virgin Islands senior citizens and other vulnerable residents, and pay the annual service associated with maintenance of the devices
Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Averil E. George, Commissioner, VI Department of Human Services
Mr. Barry Broome, President, ADT
Mrs. Esther Merla Phillips, Resident
Bill No. 36-0042 An Act amending title 33 Virgin Islands Code subtitle 3, chapter 118, section 3411 to increase the maximum judgement amount for the award of damages against the Government of the Virgin Islands
Invited Testifier:
Honorable Gordon C. Rhea, Esq. Attorney General, VI Department of Justice
Bill No. 36-0076 An Act repealing title 25 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 17, section 501 and amending title 32 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 21 by adding an article XVII relating to cruise ship gaming in the territorial waters of the Virgin Islands
Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Joseph B. Boschulte, Commissioner, VI Department of Tourism
Marvin L. Pickering, Chairman, VI Casino Control Commission
Carlton Dowe, Executive Director, VI Port Authority
Akeel St. Jean, Esq., President, St. Croix Chamber of Commerce
John Woods, President, St. Thomas/St. John Chamber of Commerce
MONDAY, JUNE 16
Committee on Disaster Recovery, Infrastructure and Planning
10:00 A.M.
Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall
BLOCK I
Bill No. 36-0070 An Act amending title 28 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 19 by adding section 423 relating to failure to use property acquired through the exercise of the power of eminent.”
Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Jean-Pierre Oriol, Commissioner, Department of Planning and Natural Resources
Honorable Gordon Rhea, Esq., Attorney General, Virgin Islands Department of Justice
Honorable Lisa Alejandro, Commissioner, Department of Property and Procurement
BLOCK II
The Committee will receive testimony from the Office of the Lieutenant Governor on the Street Addressing Initiative Program including a comprehensive update, progress achieved, challenges faced, and anticipated timeline for next steps
Invited Testifiers:
Nadja Harrigan, Esq., Acting Chief of Staff, Office of the Lieutenant Governor
TUESDAY, JUNE 17
Committee on Education and Workforce Development
9:00 A.M.
Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall
The Committee will receive testimony regarding plans for summer repair and maintenance in public schools, as well as consider and vet proposed committee legislation.
BLOCK I – Plans for summer repair and maintenance in public schools
Invited Testifier:
Craig Benjamin, Executive Director, Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance
BLOCK II – Consider and vet proposed committee legislation
Bill No. 36-0049 An Act establishing the Bureau of School Security within the Virgin Islands Department of Education
Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Dionne Wells-Hedrington, Ph.D., Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Education
Gleston E. McIntosh, Jr., Executive Director, Virgin Islands Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.)
Honorable Mario Brooks, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Police Department
Irvin Mason, Director of School Security, Virgin Islands Dept. of Education
Akeel Phillips, School Monitor, Virgin Islands Department of Education
Bill No. 36-0064 An Act amending title 33 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 111, section 3100i aligning the disbursement and spending limitations of funds allotted to public schools from the Education Initiative Fund with the realities of academic planning, ensuring that funds are used to maximize student success
Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Dionne Wells-Hedrington, Ph.D., Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Education
Julio Rhymer, Director, Office of Management and Budget
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18
Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance
10:00 A.M.
Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall
The Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance will meet on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall to receive testimony on the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget.
10:00 A.M. Bureau of Corrections
12:00 P.M. LUNCH
1:00 P.M. Department of Justice
