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Governor Approves 31 Bills

Nov. 27, 2004 — Gov. Charles Turnbull on Friday announced his approval of 31 measures approved by the 25th Legislature in this year's marathon budget session.
Turnbull also acknowledged receipt of a resolution to petition the U.S. Congress to enact legislation to grant permanent resident status to the 292 Montserratians who were granted temporary protective status in 1997 by the Attorney General of the United States. (See "Let Montserratians Stay in U.S., Senator Urges").
"I believe that these fellow Caribbean people and neighbors should be granted permanent resident status in the United States," Turnbull said.
Here is a listing of all the bills, rezonings and appropriations approved by Turnbull:
– A bill creating a territorial Office of Homeland Security, which will establish standards and
coordinate homeland security efforts. Although he approved the measure, Turnbull said he had "serious reservations" regarding a section establishing this office under the Office of the Adjutant General but with its director reporting straight to the governor and not the adjutant general. He is also opposed to repealing the duties of the V.I. Territorial Emergency Management Agency's executive director and said the bill needs "refinement."
– A bill requiring the Department of Health to adopt the 2001 edition of the Food Code.
– A bill relating to the certification and appointment of government employees, which was amended to require that members of boards who were disapproved by the Senate would serve for no more than 60 days after their disapproval.
– A resolution proclaiming the Caribbean Chorale as the "official ambassadors" of the territory's choral music.
– A bill to standardize the V.I. Building Code in conformity with the International Building Code and for other purposes.
– A bill granting peace officers authority to issue appearance tickets for misdemeanor offenses attempted or committed in their presence.
– A bill enacting the V.I. National Incident-Based Crime Reporting Act.
– A bill declaring Quadrille the official dance of the Virgin Islands.
– A rezoning for a parcel on Estate Constitution Hill, Queens Quarter, St. Croix, to sell animal feed, plants and other agricultural products.
– A request for a zoning use variance in Estate Little Princess, Company Quarter, St. Croix, for the continued use of five dwelling units.
– A request for zoning change from R-2 (residential low-density, one- and two-family) to B-3 (business scattered) in Estate Sion Farm, St. Croix.
– A request for zoning change from R-4 (residential medium density) to B-1 (business – central business district) in Estate Hospital Street, St. Croix.
– A request to rezone land in Estate Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, from A-1 (agricultural) to C (commercial) for the building of an alternate road.
– A request for a zoning variance in Estate Anna's Retreat for the purpose of operating the corporate offices of Custom Builders.
– An appropriation of $1.6 million from the Business and Commercial Properties Revolving Fund to the V.I. Property and Procurement Department.
– An appropriation of $2.3 million from the Government Insurance Fund to the V.I. Finance and Labor departments.
– An appropriation of $1.7 million from the Health Revolving Fund to the V.I. Health Department.
– An appropriation of $4.5 million from the Indirect Cost Fund to Personnel Division, Property and Procurement Department and Finance Department.
– An appropriation of $57 million from the Internal Revenue Matching Fund to the General Fund.
– An appropriation of $6.6 million from the Caribbean Basin Initiative Fund to the General Fund.
– An appropriation of $3.1 million from the Anti-litter and Beautification Fund to the Public Works Department.
– An appropriation of $370,217 from the Taxi License Fund to the V.I. Taxicab Division for operating expenses.
– An appropriation of $940,000 from the Sewage System Fund to the Public Works Department.
– An appropriation of $13 million from the Transportation Trust Fund to the General Fund.
– An appropriation of $869,079 from the Public Services Commission Revolving Fund to the PSC.
– An appropriation of $1.5 million from the St. John Capital Improvement Fund to the Public Works Department.
– An appropriation of $1.9 million from the Tourism Advertising Revolving Fund to the Housing, Parks and Recreation, Public Works and Police departments for cleanup activities and security during carnival events
– An appropriation of $500,000 from the Union Arbitration Award and Government Employees Increment Fund to the Public Employees Relation Board.
– An appropriation of $1 million from the Internal Revenue Matching Fund to the Crisis Intervention Fund.
– An appropriation of $200,000 from the Interest Revenue Fund to the General Fund.
– A bill suspending the annual appropriation of $2 million from the Internal Revenue Matching Fund to the St. Croix Capital Improvement Fund for FY 2005.

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