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P a g e | 1 Rules and Judiciary Committee Report October 23, 2025 Memorandum: 25-026 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: October 27, 2025 SUBJECT: Committee Report for Thursday, October 23, 2025 Hearing Please find attached the report for the Committee on Rules and Judiciary hearing held on Thursday, October 23, 2025, Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall on St. Thomas. CC: All Senators Chief Legal Counsel Archive Division Journal Division P a g e | 2 Rules and Judiciary Committee Report October 23, 2025 RULES AND JUDICIARY October 23, 2025 COMMITTEE HEARING REPORT The Committee on Rules and Judiciary held its hearing on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall on St. Thomas. The Committee considered the following Nominations and Bills: • Ms. Joan P. Foy – Governor’s Nominee for the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority Board • Mr. Mark M. Wiechnik, Esq. – Governor’s Nominee for the Virgin Islands Historic Preservation Commission • Bill No. 36-0140 – An act amending title 3 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 22, section 403, clarifying the term of service for members of the Historic Preservation Commission. Sponsored by: Senator Avery L. Lewis • Bill No. 36-0141 – An act amending title 3 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 22, section 415 to add a term of service for appointees to the Board of Physical Therapy. Sponsored by: Senator Avery L. Lewis • Bill No. 36-0142 – An act amending title 27 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 17, section 45, by changing the maximum number of members of the Board for the Licensing of Barbering and Cosmetology. Sponsored by: Senator Avery L. Lewis • Bill No. 36-0083 – An act establishing a 90-day amnesty period for the waiver of penalties for payment of outstanding property taxes, income taxes, and gross receipt taxes for all tax years to assist taxpayers and businesses recovering from the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria and Tropical Storm Ernesto. Sponsored by: Senators Kenneth L. Gittens and Novelle E. Francis, Jr. • Bill No. 36-0119 – An act amending Act No. 8651 by reprogramming the appropriated funds to the Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation to fund the completion of the Randall “Doc” James Racetrack on St. Croix. Sponsored by: Senators Avery L. Lewis, Angel L. Bolques, Jr. and Marise C. James The meeting was called to order by the Committee Chair, Sen. Carla J. Joseph at 10:20 a.m. P a g e | 3 Rules and Judiciary Committee Report October 23, 2025 Committee Members Present Sen. Carla J. Joseph, Chair Sen. Alma Francis Heyliger Sen. Avery L. Lewis Sen. Angel L. Bolques, Jr. Committee Member Absent/Excused Sen. Kenneth L. Gittens, Vice Chair Sen. Clifford A. Joseph, Sr. Sen. Milton E. Potter Office of the Executive Director Mr. Charles Brown, Jr. Ms. Jervon Ottley Mr. Isaac Winston Sergeant-At-Arms Mr. Delvin Fleming Mr. Alphonso Boyce Public Affairs/Media Mr. Bernard Mathews Ms. Malissa Gustave Mr. Jamal Potter Mr. Barry Leerdam Ms. Chaunte Herbert Mr. Alwyn Baptiste Mr. Dequan Milliner Legislative Reporters Mrs. Nataya Munoz-Melchoir Ms. Tricia D. Sealey Mrs. Vashti Gerald-Berry Mrs. Nadine Coley-Williams Clerk/Timekeeper Mrs. Delekah Callwood Daniel Additional Supporting Staff Ms. Shania Nieves Legal Counsel Mrs. Nandi Sekou, Esq. In block one of the Agenda, the Committee considered the Governor’s Nominations: Ms. Joy P. Foy to the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority Board and Mr. Mark M. Wiechnik, Esq. to the Virgin Islands Historic Preservation Commission. Senators proceeded with one (1) round of five (5) minutes of questioning time for the nominees. Governor’s Nominee Name Position Placement Motion Vote Ms. Joan P. Foy Member Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority Board Senator Avery Lewis motioned that Ms. Foy, 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 Senator Angel Bolques, Jr. and Alma Francis Heyliger. 4 yeas— 3 absent Mr. Mark M. Wiechnik, Esq Member Virgin Islands Historic Preservation Commission Senator Avery Lewis motioned that Mr. Wiechnik, 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 Senator Angel Bolques Jr. and Alma Francis Heyliger. 4 yeas— 3 absent P a g e | 4 Rules and Judiciary Committee Report October 23, 2025 In block two of the Agenda, the Committee considered Bill No. 36-0140. Senators proceeded with one (1) round of three (3) minutes to talk pertaining to the bill in the second block. Bill Number Short Title Amendment Motion Vote 36-0140 An act amending title 3 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 22, section 403, clarifying the term of service for members of the Historic Preservation Commission. Sponsored by: Senator Avery L. Lewis Senator Avery Lewis motioned that Bill No. 36-0140, 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 Senator Angel Bolques Jr. 4 yeas— 3 absent In block three of the Agenda, the Committee considered Bill Nos. 36-0141 and 36-0142. Senators proceeded with one (1) round of four (4) minutes to talk pertaining to all the bills in the third block. Bill Number Short Title Amendment Motion Vote 36-0141 An act amending title 3 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 22, section 415 to add a term of service for appointees to the Board of Physical Therapy. Sponsored by: Senator Avery L. Lewis Senator Avery Lewis motioned that Bill No. 36-0141, 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 Angel Bolques Jr. and Alma Francis Heyliger 4 yeas— 3 absent 36-0142 An act amending title 27 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 17, section 45, by changing the maximum number of members of the Board for the Licensing of Barbering and Cosmetology. Sponsored by: Senator Avery L. Lewis Senator Avery Lewis motioned that Bill No. 36-0142, 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 Angel Bolques Jr. and Alma Francis Heyliger 4 yeas— 3 absent P a g e | 5 Rules and Judiciary Committee Report October 23, 2025 In block four of the Agenda, the Committee considered Bill Nos. 36-0083 and Bill No. 36- 0119. Senators proceeded with one (1) round of three (3) minutes to talk pertaining to all the bills in the fourth block. Bill Number Short Title Amendment Motion Vote 36-0083 An act establishing a 90- day amnesty period for the waiver of penalties for payment of outstanding property taxes, income taxes, and gross receipt taxes for all tax years to assist taxpayers and businesses recovering from the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria and Tropical Storm Ernesto. Sponsored By: Senators Kenneth L. Gittens and Novelle E. Francis, Jr. Senator Avery Lewis offered Amendment No. 36-490 which was seconded by Senators Angel Bolques Jr. and Alma Francis Heyliger, the motion was carried. Senator Avery Lewis motioned that Bill No. 36-0083 as amended, 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 Angel Bolques Jr. and Alma Francis Heyliger 4 yeas —3 absent 36-0119 An act amending Act No. 8651 by reprogramming the appropriated funds to the Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation to fund the completion of the Randall “Doc” James Racetrack on St. Croix. Sponsored By: Senators Avery L. Lewis, Angel L. Bolques Jr., and Marise C. James Senator Avery Lewis motioned that Bill No. 36-0119, 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 Angel Bolques Jr. and Alma Francis Heyliger. 4 yeas —3 absent The Chair, Sen. Carla J. Joseph, adjourned the Committee on Rules and Judiciary hearing at 3:34 p.m.