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LAWMAKERS VOTE ON BILLS, V.I. LOTTERY SHARES STATUS OF OPERATIONS - Legislature of the United States Virgin Islands 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 | Press Releases LAWMAKERS VOTE ON BILLS, V.I. LOTTERY SHARES STATUS OF OPERATIONS Published: Oct 21, 2021 Search for: ST. CROIX- Members of the Committee on Government Operations and Consumer Protection, chaired by Sen. Carla J. Joseph, assembled at the Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room. Senators voted on several measures including a bill to establish the Virgin Islands Virtual Information System (VIVIS). Lawmakers also received testimony from the Virgin Islands Lottery (VIL) on operations and enabling law and jurisdiction. Policymakers voted in the affirmative for Bill No. 34-0096. This Act will amend Title 3 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 7, by designating the existing section as subchapter I and adding a Chapter II establishing the VIVIS within the Office of the Governor. VIVIS collects demographic data such as age, race, ethnicity, gender, marital status, income, education, and employment, on persons receiving service from selected departments and agencies within the Government of the Virgin Islands. The measure seeks to develop the protocol for VIVIS in de-identifying personal information and sets forth the approved uses for the data and the protocol for maintaining the confidentiality and distribution of data. Senator Janelle K. Sarauw, one of the Bill’s sponsors stated that the purpose of VIVIS is to collect and utilize data to measure progress through a data warehouse centralized for consumption, which would consist of a data drive policy. Alvincent Hutson, Esq., Legal Counsel to the Virgin Islands Department of Education on behalf of Commissioner Raquel Berry-Benjamin stated that some potential advantages of VIVIS include improving student performance, availability of accurate data to stakeholders, and data use to measure program performance. Although the Bill is supported, there have been several challenges noted. In a written testimony submitted to the Legislature from Attorney General Denise George, it was noted that presently VIVIS lacks a funding source. Furthermore, George indicated that the “cradle-to-grave” collection of personal and confidential data could be detrimental to an individual if the system is breached by cyberattacks. Similarly, Rupert Ross, Director/Chief Information Officer for the Bureau of Information Technology recommended that a greater emphasis on security is required to protect data while maintaining compliance with local and federal laws such as HIPPA and FERPA. Senator Joseph stated that although data can measure performance progress and outcomes, three major challenges of the bill expressed today are enhanced data security, financial stability, and governance. Separately, the following bills sponsored by Senator Alma Francis-Heyliger were held in committee: Bill No. 34-0103- An Act amending Title 23 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 10, section 1004 by adding a definition for essential business and essential employees or workers. Bill No. 34-0108- An Act amending Title 3 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 27, section 7 relating to membership of senators in the Government Employees Retirement System, to increase the age of retirement Lastly, the Virgin Islands Lottery (VIL) Executive Director Raymond Williams shared the accomplishments of VIL. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Williams noted that gaming equipment is electronic and dealer free, VIL is in the process of establishing subscription sales and developing games to replace popular illegal games. Furthermore, VIL is updating existing policies and procedures, nearing the completion of the awning for the St. Thomas Office, participating in VAX-TO-WIN weekly drawings, and are planning an Employee Appreciation & Service Awards Celebration, according to Williams. Senators present at the meeting: Carla J. Joseph, Novelle E. Francis Jr., Franklin D. Johnson, Alma Francis Heyliger, Javan E. James Sr., Milton E. Potter, and Marvin A. Blyden. 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... 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