Francis’ Mooring Bill And Other Measures Pass During Senate Session

ST. THOMAS — The full Senate took action on a surfeit of measures during a session at the Earl B. Ottley Legislative Hall here yesterday, among them a mooring bill sponsored by Senator Novelle Francis that the senator contends would strengthen the Department of Planning and Natural Resources enforcement abilities, if signed into law by the governor.

“Bill 31-0333 was shaped by the input of [D.P.N.R.] Commissioner Dawn Henry, her hardworking team and everyone who contacted my office or utilized the media to share their opinions on this legislation,” Mr. Francis said. “We may not have agreed on all of the fine points, but all share the core belief that the Virgin Islands must do its part to secure our shores and protect our community.”

The bill, seen here, would charge $10 per foot per month for pleasure craft; $20 per foot for commercial craft, and $15 for live-aboard craft.

In other action, Senator Neville James amended the legislative investment fund law which included $1.5 million — of which only $150,00 remains — to appropriate funds to multiple organizations, including the following:

• St. Croix Landmark Society — $45,000
• Crucian Heritage and Nature Tourism — $30,000
• Saint Hope: Help Our People Emerge — $6,000
• Calypso, Inc, — $5,000
• Frederiksted Community Boating and Sailing School — $2,500
• Central High School Marching Band — $2,500
• USVI Stars and Stripes Poker Run — $6,000

Mr. James said the remaining $80,000 will be left for senators to appropriate to nonprofits of their choosing, after amending the law to include relative language.

The Senate also approved two Kurt Vialet-sponsored measures: Bill No. 31-0305 — Requiring the Virgin Islands Board of Medical Examiners, Board of Dental Examiners, Board of Nurse Licensure, Board of Pharmacy, Board of Optometrical Examiners, Board of Physical Therapy, Board of Chiropractic Examiners, Board of Podiatry Examiners, Board of Psychology Examiners, Board of Veterinary Medicine and Board of Naturopathic Physicians to perform criminal background checks on applicants seeking professional licenses. It also requries the Board of Nurse Licensure to regulate certified nursing assistants and to make technical amendments.

And Bill No. 31-0324 — which expands the authority of the Virgin Islands Board of Medical Examiners, giving the board more leeway to grant special licenses to physicians.