An Omnibus Territories Bill has been introduced in the U.S. Senate, according to V.I. Delegate Donna M. Christensen.
The bill, S. 1237, was introduced by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-OR, who chairs the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. That panel has jurisdiction on territorial issues.
Wyden’s bill is companion legislation to H.R. 2200, introduced by Delegate Gregorio Sablan, Christensen and other territorial delegates on the House of Representatives side in May. The Senate will hold a hearing on Wyden’s bill July 11.
“I am pleased that Sen. Wyden has introduced our concerns on the Senate side,” Christensen said in a press release issued Friday. “It reiterates the needs of the small off-shore territories, and I look forward to testifying on these issues.”
Like the House bill, the Senate version includes provisions:
– Requiring the Department of Interior to assemble technical, policy and financial experts to address the energy needs of the insular areas;
– Providing for a popular referendum regarding a chief financial officer for the U.S. Virgin Islands;
– Increasing the number of low income residence eligible for LIHEAP assistance from the federal government;
– Establishing the Castle Nugent National Historic Site;
– Establishing the St. Croix National Heritage Area;
– And adjusting the amount of local federal fund matching requirement required of each territory.