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P a g e | 1 Comm. on Rules and Judiciary July 10, 2026 Committee Report Memorandum: 26-016 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 14, 2026 SUBJECT: Committee Report for Rules and Judiciary Meeting on Friday, July 10, 2026 Please find attached the report for the Committee on Rules and Judiciary meeting held on Friday, July 10, 2026, Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall on St. Thomas. CC: All Senators Chief Legal Counsel Archive Division Journal Division P a g e | 2 Comm. on Rules and Judiciary July 10, 2026 Committee Report RULES AND JUDICIARY July 10, 2026 COMMITTEE MEETING REPORT The Committee on Rules and Judiciary held its meeting on Friday, July 10, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. in the Fritz E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room on St. Croix. The Committee considered the following Governor’s Nominations and Bills: • Mr. Lynton Scotland – Governor’s Nominee for to the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority Governing Board • Dr. Kisha M. Christian – Governor’s Nominee to Virgin Islands Board of Pharmacy • Bill No. 36-0237– An act approving a multi-year lease agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands, acting through its Commissioner of the Department of Property and Procurement, and DM Hospitality LLC, for Parcel No. 2C Crystal Gade, Queen’s Quarter, St. Thomas, consisting of a 2-story building; and a portion of Parcel No. 3 Crystal Gade, consisting of a 2-story building to operate a food and beverage management company with a bakery and deli, a jewelry business management company, and other related purposes. Proposed by Senator Milton E. Potter by Request of the Governor • Bill No. 36-0213 – An act renaming Contentment Road on the island of St. Croix as “Senator Alicia “Chucky” Hansen Lane” and appropriating $10,000 from the St. Croix Capital Improvement Fund to the Virgin Islands Department of Public Works to erect the proper signage Proposed by Senator Hubert L. Frederick, Sponsored by Senators Avery L. Lewis and Angel L. Bolques, Jr., and Co-sponsored by Senators Carla J. Joseph, Novelle E. Francis, Jr., and Ray Fonseca Bill No. 36-0224 – An act amending title 20 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 51, subchapter I, section 801 relating to the moving violations point system Proposed by Senator Avery L. Lewis and Co-Sponsored by Senator Novelle E. Francis, Jr. • Bill No. 36-0273 – An act amending Act No. 8465 redirecting the appropriation to the First-Time Homebuyers Program to the Williams Delight Community Homeownership Program and the VI Slice Homeownership Program Proposed by Senator Kurt A. Vialet, Sponsored by Angel L. Bolques, Jr., and Co-Sponsored by Senator Ray Fonseca. • Bill No. 36-0274 – An act requiring the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority to pay compensation to the homeowners within the Lyndon B. Johnson Gardens community who have been required to vacate their homes as a result of the actions related to the demolition of properties owned by the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority and associated with the operations of the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority and the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority Proposed by Senators Clifford A. Joseph, Sr., Marise C. James, Novelle E. Francis, Jr., and Hubert L. Frederick, Sponsored by Senators Angel L. Bolques, Jr. and Kurt A. Vialet, and Co-Sponsored by Senator Ray Fonseca • Bill No. 36-0278 – An act amending title 19, Virgin Islands Code, to establish immunization requirements for children and students enrolling in educational P a g e | 3 Comm. on Rules and Judiciary July 10, 2026 Committee Report institutions in the Virgin Islands; to provide for immunization exemptions; and to require electronic reporting of immunization compliance to the Virgin Islands Department of Health through the Virgin Islands Immunization Registry (VIIRS) Proposed by Senator Ray Fonseca • Bill No. 36-0279 – An act amending title 3 Virgin Islands Code by creating the position of Women Veterans Coordinator within the Office of Veterans Affairs Proposed by Senator Marise C. James Sponsored by Senators Avery A. Lewis, Angel L. Bolques, Jr. and Dwayne M. DeGraff, and Co-sponsored by Senators Ray Fonseca and Novelle E. Francis, Jr. • Bill No. 36-0250 – An act amending title 3 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 27, section 717 relating to personal loans made to members of the Government Employees’ Retirement System Proposed by Senator Marise C. James, Sponsored by Senators Clifford A. Joseph, Sr., Avery A. Lewis and Angel L. Bolques, Jr. and, Co- sponsored by Senators Ray Fonseca and Novelle E. Francis, Jr. The meeting was called to order by the Committee Chair, Sen. Carla J. Joseph at 10:39 am Committee Members Present Sen. Carla J. Joseph, Chair Sen. Kenneth L. Gittens, Vice Chair Sen. Alma Francis Heyliger Sen. Avery L. Lewis Sen. Clifford A. Joseph, Sr. Sen. Angel L. Bolques, Jr. Office of the Executive Director Mr. Charles Brown, Jr. Ms. Jervon Ottley Ms. Norna Pickard Non-Committee Members Present Sen. Ray Fonseca Sen Marise C. James Committee Members Absent/Excused Sen. Milton E. Potter Legislative Reporters Mrs. Nataya Munoz-Melchoir Mrs. Nadine Coley-Williams Ms. Tricia Sealey Sergeant-At-Arms Mr. Delvin Fleming Public Affairs/Media Mr. Bernard Mathews Ms. Malissa Gustave Mr. Barry Leerdam Mr. Jamal Potter Mr. Omari Hicks Ms. Chaunte Herbert Mr. Alwyn Baptiste Ms. Saidah Sekou Ms. Diana Cruz Mr. Dennis Watley Clerk/Timekeeper Mrs. Delekah Callwood Daniel Additional Supporting Staff Ms. Shania Queeman Legal Counsel Ms. Laverne Mills-Williams, Esq. P a g e | 4 Comm. on Rules and Judiciary July 10, 2026 Committee Report In block one of the Agenda, the Committee considered and heard testimonies on Bill No. 36- 0237. Senators proceeded with one (1) round of four (4) minutes of debate time. Mr. Vincent Richards, Assistant Commissioner of the Virgin Islands Department of Property and Procurement, and Mr. Pash Daswani, Owner of DM Hospitality LLC, testified in support of the bill. Mr. David Whitter, Vice President of the St. Thomas Reformed Church Consistory Board, along with other representatives of the St. Thomas Reformed Church, testified in opposition. Following testimonies, the Committee voted to hold the bill in committee pending verification and further review of the alleged stipulations associated with Parcel No. 3. In block two of the Agenda, the Committee considered Governor’s Nominations: Mr. Lynton Scotland to the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority Governing Board and Dr. Kisha Christian to the Virgin Islands Board of Pharmacy. Senators proceeded with one (1) round of three (3) minutes of questioning time for the nominees. Governor’s Nominee Name Position Placement Motion Vote Mr. Lynton Scotland Member Governing Board of the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority Senator Kenneth Gittens motioned that Mr. Lynton Scotland 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 Clifford Joseph, Sr. 5 yeas 2 absent Dr. Kisha M. Christian Fifth Pharmacist Governing Board of the Virgin Islands Board of Pharmacy Senator Kenneth Gittens motioned that Dr. Kisha M. Christian 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., Clifford Joseph, Sr., and Alma Francis Heyliger. 5 yeas 2 absent In block three of the Agenda, the Committee considered Bill Nos. 36-0237, 36-0213, 36- 0224, 36-0273, 36-0274, 36-0278, 36-0279, and 36-0250. Senators proceeded with one (1) round of two (2) minutes of debate time. Bill Number Short Title Amendment Motion Vote 36-0237 An act approving a multi-year lease agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands, acting through its Commissioner of the Department of Property and Procurement, and Senator Angel Bolques Jr. motioned that Bill No. 36-0237, be held in committee at the call of the chair. The motion was seconded by Senators Alma 3 yeas 1 not voting 3 absent P a g e | 5 Comm. on Rules and Judiciary July 10, 2026 Committee Report DM Hospitality LLC, for Parcel No. 2C Crystal Gade, Queen’s Quarter, St. Thomas, consisting of a 2-story building; and a portion of Parcel No. 3 Crystal Gade, consisting of a 2-story building to operate a food and beverage management company with a bakery and deli, a jewelry business management company, and other related purposes. Proposed by Senator Milton E. Potter by Request of the Governor Francis Heyliger and Clifford Joseph Sr. 36-0213 An act renaming Contentment Road on the island of St. Croix as “Senator Alicia “Chucky” Hansen Lane” and appropriating $10,000 from the St. Croix Capital Improvement Fund to the Virgin Islands Department of Public Works to erect the proper signage Proposed by Senator Hubert L. Frederick, Sponsored by Senators Avery L. Lewis and Angel L. Bolques, Jr., and Co-sponsored by Senators Carla J. Joseph, Novelle E. Francis, Jr., and Ray Fonseca Senator Angel Bolques Jr. motioned that Bill No. 36-0213, 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 Clifford Joseph, Sr., Alma Francis Heyliger, Avery Lewis, and Kenneth Gittens. 6 yeas 1 absent 36-0224 An act amending title 20 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 51, subchapter I, section 801 relating to the moving violations point system Proposed by Senator Avery L. Lewis and Co- Sponsored by Senator Novelle E. Francis, Jr. Senator Avery Lewis motioned that Bill No. 36-0224, 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 Clifford Joseph Sr. 5 yeas 1 not voting 1 absent 36-0273 An act amending Act No. 8465 redirecting the appropriation to the First-Time Homebuyers Program to the Williams Delight Community Homeownership Program and the VI Slice Homeownership Program Proposed by Senator Kurt A. Senator Clifford Joseph Sr. motioned that Bill No. 36-0273, 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 6 yeas 1 absent P a g e | 6 Comm. on Rules and Judiciary July 10, 2026 Committee Report Vialet, Sponsored by Angel L. Bolques, Jr., and Co- Sponsored by Senator Ray Fonseca. Senators Angel Bolques Jr., Alma Francis Heyliger, and Avery Lewis 36-0274 An act requiring the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority to pay compensation to the homeowners within the Lyndon B. Johnson Gardens community who have been required to vacate their homes as a result of the actions related to the demolition of properties owned by the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority and associated with the operations of the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority and the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority Proposed by Senators Clifford A. Joseph, Sr., Marise C. James, Novelle E. Francis, Jr., and Hubert L. Frederick, Sponsored by Senators Angel L. Bolques, Jr. and Kurt A. Vialet, and Co-Sponsored by Senator Ray Fonseca Senator Clifford Joseph Sr. motioned that Bill No. 36-0274, 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., Avery Lewis, and Kenneth Gittens. 6 yeas 1 absent 36-0278 An act amending title 19, Virgin Islands Code, to establish immunization requirements for children and students enrolling in educational institutions in the Virgin Islands; to provide for immunization exemptions; and to require electronic reporting of immunization compliance to the Virgin Islands Department of Health through the Virgin Islands Immunization Registry (VIIRS) Proposed by Senator Ray Fonseca Senator Angel Bolques Jr. motioned that Bill No. 36-0278, 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 Clifford Joseph Sr. and Avery Lewis 6 yeas 1 absent P a g e | 7 Comm. on Rules and Judiciary July 10, 2026 Committee Report 36-0279 An act amending title 3 Virgin Islands Code by creating the position of Women Veterans Coordinator within the Office of Veterans Affairs Proposed by Senator Marise C. James Sponsored by Senators Avery A. Lewis, Angel L. Bolques, Jr. and Dwayne M. DeGraff, and Co-sponsored by Senators Ray Fonseca and Novelle E. Francis, Jr. Senator Angel Bolques Jr. offered Amendment No. 36-875, which was seconded by Senator Clifford Joseph, Sr., the motion was carried. Senator Angel Bolques Jr. motioned that Bill No. 36-0279 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 Senator Clifford Joseph Sr. 6 yeas 1 absent 36-0250 An act amending title 3 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 27, section 717 relating to personal loans made to members of the Government Employees’ Retirement System Proposed by Senator Marise C. James, Sponsored by Senators Clifford A. Joseph, Sr., Avery A. Lewis and Angel L. Bolques, Jr. and, Co- sponsored by Senators Ray Fonseca and Novelle E. Francis, Jr. Senator Clifford Joseph Sr. motioned that Bill No. 36-0250, 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. 6 yeas 1 absent The Chair, Sen. Carla J. Joseph, adjourned the Committee on Rules and Judiciary meeting at 4:25 p.m.