{"id":41602,"date":"2016-06-30T13:05:19","date_gmt":"2016-06-30T13:05:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/viconsortium.com\/?p=41602"},"modified":"2016-06-30T13:05:19","modified_gmt":"2016-06-30T13:05:19","slug":"francis-mooring-bill-measures-pass-senate-session","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/wp.viconsortium.com\/?p=41602","title":{"rendered":"Francis\u2019 Mooring Bill And Other Measures Pass During Senate Session"},"content":{"rendered":"

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<\/a><\/span> sponsored by Senator Novelle Francis that the senator contends would\u00a0strengthen the Department of Planning and Natural Resources enforcement abilities, if signed into law by the governor.<\/p>\n

“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.\u201d<\/p>\n

The bill, seen here<\/a><\/span>,\u00a0would charge $10 per foot per month for pleasure craft; $20 per foot for commercial craft, and $15 for live-aboard craft.<\/p>\n

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:<\/p>\n