Governor Albert Bryan Jr. has taken action on several measures approved by the 36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands during its Oct. 30, 2025, session, signing into law a range of bills addressing cultural recognition, government operations, tax relief, and community initiatives.
Governor Bryan approved Bill No. 36-0058, honoring and commending Virgin Islands soca artist Dennis “Pumpa” Lennox Leroy Liburd, Jr. for his contributions to the Territory’s culture and music industry. The act awards him the Official Key to the Territory and designates the main entrance of 6-Y Peters Rest Road, Christiansted, in his honor.
He also signed Bill No. 36-0061, which amends the Virgin Islands Code to allow retirees receiving a Government Employees’ Retirement System (GERS) annuity who return to work at the University of the Virgin Islands to continue receiving their annuity while earning a salary from the University, provided they enroll in a different retirement plan.
The Governor approved Bill No. 36-0083, establishing a 90-day tax amnesty period waiving penalties for overdue property, income, and gross receipts taxes to assist taxpayers and businesses still recovering from Hurricanes Irma and Maria and Tropical Storm Ernesto. He also signed Bill No. 36-0099, expanding the Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Prevention Act. However, he cautioned that the bill’s provision requiring the Department of Justice to maintain a registry of older adult offenders presents financial and legal challenges, urging the Legislature to work with the Department to develop a feasible implementation plan and funding mechanism.
Governor Bryan approved Bill No. 36-0119, a comprehensive measure reprogramming funds for the completion of the Randall “Doc” James Racetrack, providing appropriations for community and cultural projects, and amending several sections of the Virgin Islands Code. However, he exercised line-item vetoes on Sections 2 and 3, citing constitutional and drafting concerns.
Section 2, he explained, would have removed the six-month grace period for judges serving with expired terms—an essential safeguard that maintains checks and balances between the Executive and Legislative branches.
Section 3, he noted, inadvertently eliminated language allowing certain retirees, including teachers, nurses, and police officers, to return to work immediately after retirement. Governor Bryan recommended that the Legislature restore this provision to ensure continuity in critical services.
Governor Bryan also signed several other measures:
- Bill No. 36-0121, renaming the Peter Carl Limpricht Park on St. Croix as the Ten Sleepless Knights Park and appropriating $25,000 for new signage.
- Bill No. 36-0123, lowering the blood alcohol threshold for operating a commercial motor vehicle to 0.04 percent.
- Bill No. 36-0128, rezoning Parcel No. 68A Estate Lindberg Bay on St. Thomas from Public to Residential-Medium Density.
- Bill No. 36-0136, mandating lethal weapon training for licensed security guards and investigators.
- Bill No. 36-0140, clarifying the term of service for members of the Historic Preservation Commission.
- Bill No. 36-0141, setting term limits for members of the Board of Physical Therapy.
- Bill No. 36-0142, adjusting the maximum number of members per district on the Board for the Licensing of Barbering and Cosmetology.
- Bill No. 36-0201, extending the deadlines and appropriating funds for the Sixth Constitutional Convention of the Virgin Islands.
Governor Bryan also acknowledged two resolutions passed by the Legislature:
Resolution No. 1920 (Bill No. 36-0107), honoring Dr. Alfred Lee Anduze for his contributions to medicine, science, and public service; and Resolution No. 1921 (Bill No. 36-0203), petitioning the U.S. Congress to include the Virgin Islands as full participants in the Affordable Care Act.
In closing, Governor Bryan thanked the Legislature for its favorable action on the nominations of Joan P. Foy to the Governing Board of the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority and Mark M. Wiechnik to the Virgin Islands Historic Preservation Commission.
“I thank the members of the Thirty-Sixth Legislature for their continued work on behalf of the people of the Virgin Islands,” Governor Bryan said.
