USVI Public Records

Document text

P a g e | 1 Rules and Judiciary Committee Report July 22, 2025 Memorandum: 25-013 TO: Mrs. Kurell A. Sheridan, JD Executive Director 36th Legislature of the V.I. FROM: The Honorable Carla J. Joseph _________________________ Chair Committee on Rules and Judiciary DATE: July 25, 2025 SUBJECT: Committee Report for Tuesday, July 22, 2025 Hearing Please find attached the report for the Committee on Rules and Judiciary hearing held on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall, St. Thomas. CC: All Senators Chief Legal Counsel Archive Division Journal Division P a g e | 2 Rules and Judiciary Committee Report July 22, 2025 RULES AND JUDICIARY JULY 22, 2025 COMMITTEE HEARING REPORT The Committee on Rules and Judiciary held its hearing on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall on St. Thomas. The Committee considered the following Nominations and Bills: • Mr. Vincent Roberts – Governor’s Nominee for Commissioner of the Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation, • Mr. Erwin Raphael – Governor’s Nominee for the University of the Virgin Islands Research and Technology Park Board, • Mrs. Chantelle Quinones – Governor’s Nominee for the Virgin Islands Historic Preservation Commission, • Bill No. 36-0077 – An act amending title 3 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 37 to enact the Virgin Islands Commission and Ethnics and Conflicts of Interest. Proposed by: Senator Kenneth L. Gittens, and • Bill No. 36-0039 – An Act amending title 33 Virgin Island Code, chapter 4 by increasing the cost to bring containers or flat rack containers into the Virgin Islands. Proposed by: Senator Angel L. Bolques. The meeting was called to order by the Committee Chair, Sen. Carla J. Joseph at 10:02 a.m. Committee Members Present Non-Committee Members Present Sen. Carla J. Joseph, Chair Sen. Kenneth L. Gittens, Vice Chair Sen. Angel L. Bolques, Jr. Sen. Alma Francis Heyliger Sen. Clifford A. Joseph, Sr. Sen. Avery L. Lewis Office of the Executive Director Mr. Charles Brown, Jr. Ms. Jevon Ottley Mr. Isaac Winston Sergeant-At-Arms Mr. Delvin Fleming Public Affairs/Media Mr. Kashief Hamilton Mr. Barry Leerdam Ms. Chaunte Herbert Ms. Diana Cruz Ms. Africah Harrigan Sen. Novelle E. Francis, Jr. Committee Member Absent Sen. Milton E. Potter (Excused) Legislative Reporters Mrs. Nataya Munoz-Melchoir Ms. Tricia D. Sealey Mrs. Vashti Gerald-Berry Clerk/Timekeeper Ms. Shania Nieves Ms. Tanise LeBlanc Supporting Staff Neta I.M. Christopher Legal Counsel Attorney Nandi Sekou In block one, Mr. Vincent Roberts, the Governor’s Nominee for Commissioner of the Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation read his testimony into the record. Senators P a g e | 3 Rules and Judiciary Committee Report July 22, 2025 proceeded with one (1) round of five (5) minutes of questioning. Senator Avery L. Lewis motioned that the nomination of Mr. Vincent Roberts Governor’s Nominee for Commissioner Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation be favorably voted upon in the Committee on Rules and Judiciary and forwarded to the full body for further consideration and action. The motion was seconded by Senators Bolques, Jr., Francis Heyliger and Clifford A. Joseph, Sr. Voting in favor were Senators Bolques, Heyliger Francis, Carla Joseph, Clifford A. Joseph Sr., Lewis, and Gittens. The motion was carried (6 yeas – 1 absent) In block two of the meeting, Mr. Erwin Raphael, the Governor’s Nominee to the Board of Directors of the University of the Virgin Islands Research and Technology Park (RTPark) read his testimony into the record. Senators proceeded with one (1) round of three (3) minutes of questioning. Senator Avery L. Lewis motioned that the nomination of Mr. Erwin Rahael the Governor’s Nominee to the University of the Virgin Islands Research and Technology Park Board (RT Park) be favorably voted upon in the Committee on Rules and Judiciary and forwarded to the full body for further consideration and action. The motion was seconded by Senators Francis Heyliger, and Clifford Joseph. Voting in favor were Senators Bolques, Jr., Francis Heyliger, Carla Joseph, Clifford A. Joseph, Sr., Lewis, and Gittens. The motion was carried (6 yeas – 1 absent) In block three of the meeting, Mrs. Chantele D. Quinones the Governor’s Nominee to the Virgin Islands Historic Preservation Commission read her testimony into the record. Senators proceeded with one round (1) of three (3) minutes. Senator Kenneth L. Gittens motioned that the nomination of Mrs. Chantelle Quinones Governor’s Nominee for the Virgin Islands Historic Preservation Commission be favorably voted upon in the Committee on Rules and Judiciary and forwarded to the full body for further consideration and action. The motion was second by Senators Lewis and Clifford A. Joseph, Sr. Voting in favor were Senators Bolques, Jr., Carla Joseph, Clifford A. Joseph, Sr., Lewis, and Gittens. The motion was carried (5 yeas - 2 absent) In block four of the meeting, the Committee received testimonies on Bill No. 36-0077- An act amending title 3 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 37 to enact the Virgin Islands Commission and Ethnics and Conflicts of Interest from Ms. Gwen-Marie Moolenaar, Phd., President of the League of Women Voters of the Virgin Islands, Ms. Cindy Richardson, Director of the Division of Personnel, Mr. Jeremy Weddle, Esq., Assistant Attorney General for the Department of Justice; and Mrs. Anna Kristin McKown, Esq, Member of the Virgin Islands Bar Association’s Legislative and Law Reform Committee. Also, a letter from Ms. Regina deChabert Petersen, Administrator of the Courts was read into the record. The Chair allowed for one (1) round of two (2) minutes of questioning by each Senator. The testifiers identified concerns relative to the proposed legislation. Senator Kenneth L. Gittens motioned that the bill be held in Committee at the call of the Chair. The motion was second by Senator Angel Bolques and Francis Heyliger. Voting in favor of the motion were Senators Bolques, Jr., Francis Heyliger, Carla Joseph, Clifford A. Joseph, Sr., Lewis, and Gittens. The motion was carried (6 yeas – 1 absent). In the final block of the meeting, Bill No. 36-0039 An Act amending title 33 Virgin Island Code, chapter 4 by increasing the cost to bring containers or flat rack containers into the Virgin Islands. The Chair allowed for one (1) round of two (2) minutes of questioning by each Senator. The motion to amend the bill was offered by Senator Bolques and was second by Senator Avey L. Lewis. The motion carried without any objection. Senator Bolques moved that the bill as amended be held in Committee at the call of the Chair. The motion was P a g e | 4 Rules and Judiciary Committee Report July 22, 2025 seconded by Senator Lewis. Voting in favor of the motion were Senators Bolques, Jr., Carla Joseph, Clifford A. Joseph, Sr., Lewis, and Gittens. Senator Francis Heyliger voted against the motion. The motion carried and the bill was held in Committee (5 yeas / 1 nay / 1 absent). The Chair, Sen. Carla J. Joseph, adjourned the Committee on Rules and Judiciary hearing at 5:40 p.m.