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COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND AGRICULTURE BILL NO. 36-0285 Thirty-Sixth Legislature of the Virgin Islands May 8, 2026 An act amending title 3, Virgin Islands Code, chapter 19, to establish the Virgin Islands Hall of Fame Registry within the Department of Tourism PROPOSED BY: Senator Hubert L. Frederick Be it enacted by the Legislature of the Virgin Islands: 1 SECTION 1. Title 3, Virgin Islands Code, chapter 19 is amended by adding a new 2 section to read as follows: 3 “§ 342. Virgin Islands Hall of Fame Registry 4 (a) The Department of Tourism shall establish and maintain a Virgin Islands Hall of 5 Fame Registry (“Registry”) to recognize individuals whose lifetime achievements or 6 distinguished service have made extraordinary and lasting contributions to the Virgin Islands. 7 (b) Administration 8 (1) The Department of Tourism shall administer the Registry. 9 (2) The Department shall: 10 (a) maintain and update official records of the Registry; 11 (b) make Registry information available to the public, except for 12 information that is confidential or otherwise protected from disclosure by law; 13 2 (c) verify and document information included in the Registry; and 1 (d) promulgate regulations in accordance with Title 3, chapter 35 of the 2 Virgin Islands Code to implement this section, including procedures governing 3 nominations, evaluation criteria, and induction. 4 (c) Advisory Committee 5 (1) There is established within the Department of Tourism a Virgin Islands Hall 6 of Fame Advisory Committee (“Committee”) to review nominations and recommend 7 individuals for inclusion in the Registry. 8 (2) The Committee shall consist of: 9 (a) the Commissioner of Tourism, or designee, who shall serve as chair; 10 (b) the Commissioner of Education, or designee; 11 (c) the Director of the Office of Libraries and Archives, or designee; 12 (d) one member appointed by the Governor with expertise in Virgin Islands 13 history or culture; 14 (e) one member appointed by the Governor with experience in education, 15 research, or historical documentation; and 16 (f) one member appointed by the President of the Legislature with 17 demonstrated knowledge of, or experience in, Virgin Islands history, culture, or 18 public service. 19 (3) Members appointed under paragraph (2)(d), (e), and (f) shall serve staggered 20 terms of three years, as determined by the appointing authority. 21 (4) A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum. The affirmative vote 22 of a majority of members present shall be required for any action of the Committee. In 23 the event of a tie vote, the chair shall cast the deciding vote. 24 3 (5) Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment for 1 the remainder of the unexpired term. 2 (6) The Committee shall operate in a nonpartisan manner and shall conduct its 3 review based solely on the criteria established in this section. 4 (7) Members of the Committee shall serve without compensation. 5 (d) Eligibility 6 (1) An individual is eligible for inclusion in the Registry upon a determination 7 that the individual has made sustained and extraordinary contributions of territorial 8 significance which have resulted in a measurable and enduring impact on the Virgin 9 Islands and has demonstrated conduct consistent with the dignity and integrity of the 10 Registry. 11 (2) Eligibility shall be determined based on verifiable documentation and 12 supporting records sufficient to establish the individual’s qualifications. 13 (3) Posthumous recognition is permitted for individuals who meet the eligibility 14 criteria set forth in this subsection. 15 (4) Inclusion in the Registry does not confer any legal status, right, privilege, or 16 entitlement, and shall not be construed to create any cause of action or claim against the 17 Government of the Virgin Islands, or any of its officers or employees. 18 (e) Nomination and Selection 19 (1) Nominations shall be submitted to the Department of Tourism in accordance 20 with regulations promulgated pursuant to this section. 21 (2) The Committee shall: 22 (a) review all nominations received; 23 (b) verify qualifications and supporting documentation; 24 (c) evaluate candidates using objective, merit-based criteria; and 25 4 (d) recommend qualified nominees for inclusion in the Registry. 1 (3) The Commissioner of Tourism shall make final determinations for inclusion 2 in the Registry based on the recommendations of the Committee and in accordance with 3 the criteria established in this section. 4 (4) No nomination or selection shall be made based on political affiliation, 5 commercial interest, or partisan consideration. 6 (5) All records and materials submitted pursuant to this section shall be 7 maintained in accordance with applicable public records laws. 8 (f) Individuals approved for inclusion in the Registry shall be inducted on an annual 9 basis, except that the number of individuals inducted in any year may be limited by regulation 10 to preserve the integrity and distinction of the Registry.” 11 SECTION 2. (a) The sum of $15,000 is appropriated from the Tourism Advertising Fund 12 of the Treasury of the Virgin Islands to the Department of Tourism for the purpose of 13 implementing the Virgin Islands Hall of Fame Registry established under this Act. 14 (b) The funds appropriated under subsection (a) shall remain available until expended. 15 SECTION 3. This act shall take effect 30 days after enactment. 16 BILL SUMMARY 17 This bill amends title 3, Virgin Islands Code, chapter 19 by adding a new section 342 to 18 establish the Virgin Islands Hall of Fame Registry within the Department of Tourism to 19 recognize individuals whose lifetime achievements or distinguished service have made 20 extraordinary and lasting contributions to the Virgin Islands. The bill designates the 21 Department of Tourism as the administering entity, establishes an advisory committee to 22 review nominations and recommends individuals for inclusion, sets eligibility standards based 23 on documented and significant contributions, and provides for an annual induction process. 24 BR26-1003/April 14, 2026/KEH 25