MAY 20
Committee on Government Operations, Veterans Affairs and Consumer Protection
12 P.M.
Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall, St. Thomas.
BLOCK I
Bill No. 36-0007 A Resolution honoring and commending James Sasso for distinguished service in the mortuary and funeral service industry.
Invited Testifiers:
Mr. Glen Kwabena Davis, Resident
Mr. Patrick Farrell, Executive Director, Office of Veterans Affairs
Ms. Ty-Shel Sasso Carr, Relative
Ms. Bernice Turnbull, Resident
Jelani Sasso, Relative
Kyza Callwood, Resident
BLOCK II
Bill No. 36-0026 An Act amending title 23 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 10, by adding a subchapter VI to establish the “Virgin Islands Meteorological Office” within the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency.
Invited Testifiers:
Mr. Daryl D. Jaschen, Director, Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency
Ms. Sanaa A. Burke, Meteorology & Climate Science Major, University of Delaware
BLOCK III
Bill No. 36-0029 A Resolution honoring and commending Sonya Hough, the creator of the St. Croix “Crucian” Hook Bracelet and proprietor of one of the first hand-wrought jewelry stores in St. Croix.
Invited Testifier:
Pam Hough, Daughter of Sonya Hough
MAY 23
Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance
10 a.m.
Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall, St. Thomas
BLOCK I
Bill No. 36-0032 An Act amending title 33 Virgin Islands Code, subtitle 3, chapter 111, section 3080 by limiting the salary amount used to compute the service retirement annuity for the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor of the Virgin Islands
Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Kevin McCurdy, Commissioner, VI Department of Finance
Mr. Angel E. Dawson, Jr., Administrator, Government Employees Retirement System
Ms. Cindy L. Richardson, Director, Division of Personnel
Bill No. 36-0068 An Act appropriating $5,000,000 from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands to the Virgin Islands Police Department for the purchase and installation of rapid-shutter motion cameras throughout the territory
Invited Testifier:
Honorable Mario M. Brooks, Commissioner, VI Police Department
BLOCK II
The Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance will receive testimony on the following lease agreements:
Bill No. 36-0062 An Act approving the lease agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands, acting through its Commissioner of the Department of Property and Procurement, and the United States Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for a portion of the telecommunications tower located on Parcel R-22 of Tract 1 Estate Nazareth, No. 1 Red Hook Quarter, St. Thomas
Invited Testifier:
Mr. Vincent Richards, Assistant Commissioner, VI Department of Property and Procurement
Bill No. 36-0089 An Act approving the lease agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands and PEO Productions, LLC d/b/a WSTA Radio, for Parcel No. 121 Submarine Base, No. 6, Southside Quarter, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, Parcel No. 167 Subbase, No. 6, Southside Quarter, St. Thomas and Parcel No. 171 Subbase, No. 6, Southside Quarter, St. Thomas
Invited Testifiers:
Mr. Vincent Richards, Assistant Commissioner, VI Department of Property and Procurement
Mr. Peter Ottley, President, WSTA Radio
MAY 27, 2025
Committee on Health, Hospitals and Human Services
10 a.m.
Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall, St. Thomas.
BLOCK I 10:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.
Bill No. 36-0050 An Act repealing and reenacting with amendments title 27 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 20, relating to the regulation of the profession of social work and social workers
Bill No. 36-0051 An Act amending title 27 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 20 by establishing the Virgin Islands Board of Social Work Licensure
Bill No. 36-0043 An Act amending title 19 Virgin Islands Code, part VI, chapter 53, subchapter IV, section 1481 by increasing the penalties for violation of sanitation laws
Invited Testifiers:
Honorable H. Nathalie Hodge, Commissioner, Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs
Honorable Averil E. George, Commissioner, Department of Human Services
Ms. Juliette Millin, Chairperson, Virgin Islands Board of Social Work
Ms. Yvonne Woods, PhD, MSW, CSW, Program Director and Chairperson, Virgin Islands Board of Social Work
University of the Virgin Islands
Honorable Justa Encarnacion, Commissioner, Department of Health
Ms. Sophia Joseph Parrilla, PhD., Clinical Director, Island Therapy Solutions
BLOCK II 1:40 P.M. – 4:00 P.M.
The Department of Human Services will provide a detailed overview on the status of the territory’s Head Start program. The presentation will highlight key aspects of early childhood education and support services, as well as examine the potential impact of proposed federal cuts on the program.
Invited Testifier:
Honorable Averil E. George, Commissioner, Department of Human Services
MAY 28, 2025
Older Americans’ Mock Session
10:00 A.M.
Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall
MAY 29, 2025
Committee on Disaster Recovery, Infrastructure and Planning
10:00 A.M.
Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room, St. Croix.
BLOCK I
The Committee will receive testimony from the Office of Disaster Recovery on the status and effectiveness of ongoing disaster recovery efforts funded through FEMA in the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, with a focus on the following key areas:
• A comprehensive status update on FEMA-funded disaster recovery projects
• The Envision Tomorrow Program
• An evaluation of the Super Property Management Office and whether it is achieving its intended purpose. An assessment of the effectiveness of bundling projects to expedite recovery efforts
• A discussion of the challenges faced in executing projects in the Virgin Islands, including workforce constraints, permitting delays, procurement issues, or federal coordination
• A reflection on the eight-year recovery timeline since Hurricanes Irma and Maria, highlighting both progress and remaining obstacles
Invited Testifier:
Adrienne L. Williams-Octalien, Director, Office of Disaster Recovery
BLOCK II
The Committee will receive testimony from the Department of Planning and Natural Resources on the implementation of the Comprehensive Land and Water Use Plan, including a review of:
• Progress made to date
• Current or anticipated challenges
• The projected timeline for next steps in the implementation process
Invited Testifier:
Honorable Jean-Pierre Oriol, Commissioner, Department of Planning and Natural Resources
MAY 30, 2025
Committee on Government Operations, Veterans Affairs and Consumer Protection
10:00 A.M.
Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall
