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35th LEGISLATURE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS SWORN IN Close About Us History Functions and Structure FY 2026 Budget Honor Roll Rules of the 36th Legislative Youth Advisory Council Application Careers Archives Legislative Archives Tours × St. Thomas Senators  St. John Senators  St.Croix Senators  Districts All Senators St. Croix St. Thomas - St. John Senator at Large × Committees Committee of the Whole Budget, Appropriation and Finance Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports, and Parks Disaster Recovery, Infrastructure and Planning Economic Development and Agriculture Education and Workforce Development Government Operations, Veteran Affairs and Consumer Protection Health, Hospitals and Human Services Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety Housing, Transportation and Telecommunications Rules and Judiciary Session Folder × No event found! Calendars Bi-Weekly Senate Calendar Session Agenda × Dialog window Dialog window General Senators Committees Media Calendars Contact News | Observances | Press Releases | Special Events 35th LEGISLATURE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS SWORN IN Published: Jan 9, 2023 Search for: ST. THOMAS – The 35 th Legislature of the Virgin Islands, led by Senate President Novelle E. Francis, Jr. convened into regular legislative session today at the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall. Lawmakers first met to consider Bill No. 35-0001, a resolution organizing and establishing the Majority Caucus, electing the officers, appointing the chairpersons, vice-chairpersons, and members of the standing committees of the Thirty-Fifth Legislature of the Virgin Islands. The measure was voted upon favorably. Newly elected Senate President Novelle E. Francis Jr. gave brief comments stating that his quick selection as President was “democracy at work”, citing the controversy over the recent elections of Speaker of the House in the United States of America. Francis will serve as President. Senator Marvin A. Blyden will serve as Vice President. Senator Carla J. Joseph will serve as Secretary. Senator Kenneth L. Gittens will serve as Majority Leader. Senator Marise C. James will serve as Secretary for Intergovernmental Territorial Affairs. Senator Donna A. Frett-Gregory will serve as Liaison to the United States Congress. Senator Carla J. Joseph will serve as Liaison to the United States Department of Interior & Office of Insular Affairs. Senator Kenneth L. Gittens will serve as Liaison to the White House. The Committee on Rules and Judiciary will be chaired by Senator Diane T. Capehart, and vice chaired by Senator Milton E. Potter. The Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance will be chaired by Senator Donna A. Frett-Gregory, and vice chaired by Senator Novelle E. Francis, Jr. The Committee on Health, Hospitals, and Human Services will be chaired by Senator Ray Fonseca and vice chaired by Senator Kenneth L. Gittens. The Committee on Education and Workforce Development will be chaired by Senator Marise C. James and vice chaired by Donna A. Frett-Gregory. The Committee on Disaster Recovery, Infrastructure and Planning will be chaired by Milton E. Potter, and vice chaired by Senator Diane T. Capehart. The Committee on Economic Development and Agriculture will be chaired by Senator Javan E. James, Sr., and Senator Angel L. Bolques, Jr.  The Committee on Homeland Security, Justice, and Public Safety will be chaired by Senator Kenneth L. Gittens, and vice chaired by Senator Ray Fonseca. The Committee on Government Operations, Veterans Affairs, and Consumer Protection will be chaired by Senator Carla J. Joseph and vice chaired by Javan E. James, Sr. The Committee on Housing, Transportation, and Telecommunications will be chaired by Senator Marvin A. Blyden and vice chaired by Marise C. James. The Committee on Culture, Sports, Parks, and Youth will be chaired by Senator Angel L. Bolques, and vice chaired by Senator Marvin A. Blyden. The majority caucus is comprised of Senators Novelle. E. Francis, Jr., Marvin A. Blyden, Carla J. Joseph, Angel L. Bolques, Jr., Diane T. Capehart, Ray Fonseca, Donna A. Frett-Gregory, Kenneth L. Gittens, Javan E. James, Sr., Marise C. James, and Milton E. Potter. The session will reconvene on January 23, 2023, to receive the Governor’s State of the Territory Address. All members of the 35 th Legislature were present at today’s legislative session. The newly elected members of the 35 th Legislature are Marvin A. Blyden, Angel L. Bolques, Jr., Diane T. Capehart, Samuel Carrión, Dwayne M. Degraff, Ray Fonseca, Alma Francis Heyliger, Novelle E. Francis, Jr., Donna A. Frett-Gregory, Kenneth L. Gittens, Javan E. James, Sr., Marise C. James, Franklin D. Johnson, Carla J. Joseph, and Milton E. Potter.   Find More Search for: Categories News Observances Press Releases Special Events Related Content COMMITTEE REVIEWS FY 2027 EXECUTIVE BUDGET REQUESTS FOR GOVERNOR’S OFFICE, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR’S OFFICE, AND BUREAU OF MOTOR VEHICLES July 23, 2026 ST. CROIX, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS – Members of the Committee on Budget, Appropriations, and Finance, chaired by Senator Novelle E. Francis Jr., met in the Frits E. Lawaetz Conference Room to receive testimony on the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budgets for... Read More COMMITTEE RECEIVES UPDATES FROM WASTE MANAGEMENT CONCERNING SEWAGE HEALTH RISKS, CANCER CARE IN THE TERRITORY                                   July 22, 2026 ST. THOMAS, VI – The 36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands’ Committee on Health, Hospitals, and Human Services, led by Senator Ray Fonseca, met at the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall.  Lawmakers received testimony concerning the potential and observed public... Read More SENATORS CONSIDER PROPOSED HORSE RACE LEGISLATION IN SPECIAL SESSION  July 22, 2026 Members of the 36th Legislature, led by Senate President Milton E. Potter, convened at the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall. Lawmakers met in special session by request of the governor to consider Bill No. 36-0313, an act approving lease and franchise agreements for the development and operation of the Randall “Doc”... Read More Quick Links Home Senators Committees Media News Contact Important Links Revised Organic Act of 1954 (PDF) 36th Oath of Office Booklet 100 Day Report Rules of the 36th Public Information or Archives Request Search for: Follow Follow Follow Follow