Here Are All The Measures Lawmakers Took Action On During Friday’s Senate Session

Senators approved a number of bills and forwarded them to Governor Kenneth Mapp during a Friday Senate session. Among the actions taken, lawmakers overrode Mr. Mapp’s veto of a measure that sought to curtail his state of emergency declaration powers, with the bill’s chief sponsor, Senator Tregenza Roach, citing checks and balances as one of the key reasons for the bill, which is now law.

Lawmakers also special ordered Senator Positive Nelson’s medical marijuana bill as an item to be placed on the session’s agenda, but the bill eventually wound up in the Committee on Agriculture and Economic Development, where it is expected to be heard — and where its chances of passing are growing favorable.

Lawmakers approved Mr. Mapp’s nominees for a number of commissions and a board: Dr. Laura Palminteri to become a member of the V.I. Racing Commission representing the St. Thomas-St. John District; Dorothy Isaacs to become a member of the V.I. Public Finance Authority Board for the St. Thomas-St. John District; David Lee Silverman and Ralf Hartwell Boulon, Jr. to become members of the V.I. Coastal Zone Management Commission for the St. Thomas-St. John District; and Jay Watson to become a member of V.I. Racing Commission for the St. Croix District.

Senators griped about Dr. Palminteri’s nomination because she is the only equine veterinarian in the territory. Senate President Myron Jackson said the situation represented a conflict of interest. However, Senator Nereida Rivera-O’Reilly said if matters related to Dr. Palminteri’s work came up, she could recuse herself from participation.

Below, bills approved and forwarded to the governor:

• Bill No. 32-0256 – An Act amending Title 9 of the Virgin Islands Code, adding chapter 25 enacting The Finance Lenders Law
• Bill No. 32-0310 – An Act amending Title 9 of the Virgin Islands Code, adding chapter 22 (the Uniform Money Services Act) to grant to the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Division of Banking, Insurance and Financial Regulation the authority to license authorized delegates, to establish requirements for alien companies seeking to conduct businesses and for other related purposes (as amended)
• Bill No. 32-0248 – An Act amending Title 22 of the Virgin Islands Code to add a chapter 42 enacting “The Actuarial Opinion and Memorandum Act” to meet the accreditation standards established by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and to provide for greater and more effective protection to the policyholders of the Territory”
• Bill No. 32-0309 – An Act Amending Title 22 of the Virgin Islands Code, Chapter 21 by designating the existing sections as subchapter I and by adding a subchapter II entitled “Standard Valuation Act of 2018,” to meet the accreditation standards established by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in its model laws and to update the insurance laws of the Territory placing them on par with other United States jurisdictions to more effectively protect the policyholders of the Territory
• Bill No. 32-0308 – An Act amending Title 3 Virgin Islands Code, Chapter 19 adding Sections 339, 339a, and 339b, to establish the Division of Festivals within the Department of Tourism whose function is organizing and executing festivals and to re-establish the Virgin Islands Cultural Heritage Institute within the Department of Tourism, Title 33 Virgin Islands Code, Subtitle 3, Chapter 111, Section 3088 to rename the “Carnival and Festival Committee Revolving Fund” as the “Division of Festivals Revolving Fund,” and Title 3 Virgin Islands Code, Chapter 22 repealing Section 408
• Bill No. 32-0230 – An Act amending Title 24 of the Virgin Islands Code, Chapter 17 adding subchapter II to limit employers’ use of criminal records in hiring and other employment practices
• Bill No. 32-0220- An Act amending Title 29 of the Virgin Islands Code, chapter 8, to extend the ban on plastic bag to include disposable, plastic drinking straws, and to allow the sale of reusable drinking straws
• Report on Petition to Amend Official Zoning Map No. SJZ-1 Application No. ZAJ-17-5 Petition of Jerome Lake (authorized agent) requesting that a use variance be granted to the R-1 (Residential-Low Density) zoned Parcel No. 5-C Estate Adrian, No. 18 Cruz Bay Quarter, St. John. Proposed Use: Business complex to include supermarket, office space, automotive parts store, gas station, laundromat and restaurant
• Report on Petition to Amend Official Zoning Map No. SJZ-7 Application No. ZAJ-18-1 Petition of Daren Marhula (authorized agent, Roosevelt St. C. David) to amend Official Zoning Map No. SJZ-7 from R-2 (Residential-Low Density-One and Two Family) to R-4 Residential – Medium Density) for Parcel Nos. 14C and 14D) Estate Enighed, No. 1 Cruz Bay Quarter, St. John. Proposed Use: To develop six one-bedroom dwelling units (per Parcel) for long-term, affordable rental
• Bill No. 32-0123- Lease Agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands through the Department of Property and Procurement on behalf of the Department of Agriculture and Ricardo Barnes for the premises described as: Plot# 22-1 Estate Plessen. St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands consisting of approximately 4.711 U.S. acres more or less as shown on O.L.G. drawing #4128
• Lease Agreement between the Department of Property and Procurement on behalf of the Government of the Virgin Islands and Charles Electrical Services, LLC for the premises described as: Parcel No. 100 Submarine Base, No.6 Southside Quarter, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, consisting of approximately 10.143 sq. ft. which is zoned “C” Commercial as shown on O.L.G. No. B9-278-170
• Lease Agreement between the Department of Property and Procurement on behalf of the Government of the Virgin Islands and ERK Corporation for the premises described as: Parcel No. 48 Estate Nadir, No. 2 Red Hook, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, consisting of approximately 6,676.76 sq. ft., and Zoned “W-1” as shown on O.L.G. No. D9-3897-T08
• Lease Agreement between the Department of Property and Procurement on behalf of the Government of the Virgin Islands and Quality Paving, LLC for the premises described as: Parcel No. 149 Rem. Submarine Base, No. 6 Southside Quarter, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, consisting of approximately 4.51 acres of 196,645 sq. ft. and Zoned “P” as shown O.L.G. No. A9-770-T012 dated March 3, 2012
• Bill No.32-0320- An Act approving the Lease Agreement between GVI and ERK Corporation
• Bill No. 32-0123-Lease Agreement between GVI through the Dept. of Property of Property and Procurement on behalf of the Department of Agriculture and Ricardo Barnes for the premises described as Plot#22-1 Estate Plasen, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
• Bill No. 32-0319-An Act approving and the Lease Agreement between the GVI and Charles Electric Services, LLC.