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P a g e | 1 Rules and Judiciary Committee Report May 8, 2025 Memorandum: 25-008 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: May 8, 2025 SUBJECT: Committee Report for Thursday, May 8, 2025 Hearing Please find attached the report for the Committee on Rules and Judiciary hearing held on Thursday, May 8, 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 May 8, 2025 RULES AND JUDICIARY MAY 8, 2025 COMMITTEE HEARING REPORT The Committee on Rules and Judiciary held its hearing on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall on St. Thomas. The Committee considered the following Governor’s Nominations and Bill:  The Honorable Carolyn P. Hermon-Percell – University of the Virgin Islands Board of Trustees,  Mr. Winston M. A. Williams, Jr. – Virgin Islands Board of Contractors, Trades, and Crafts,  The Honorable Kirk Callwood, Sr. – Banking Board of the United States Virgin Islands, and  Bill No. 36-0021- An Act amending title 19 Virgin Islands Code, part III, chapter 29, subchapter I relating to opioids and requiring that a practitioner discuss certain information with a patient when prescribing opioids. Sponsored by: Senator Marvin A. Blyden. Co-Sponsors: Senators Ray Fonseca and Kurt A. Vialet. The meeting was called to order by the Committee Chair, Sen. Carla J. Joseph at 10:02 a.m. Committee Members Present Legislative Reporters 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 Sen. Milton E. Potter Office of the Executive Director Mr. Charles Brown, Jr. Ms. Myrna De-Altier-Pickard Mr. Isacc Winston Sergeant-At-Arms Ms. Tasha Forbes Public Affairs/Media Mr. Kashief Hamilton Ms. Chaunte Herbert Ms. Diana Cruz Mr. Jamal Potter Ms. Africah Harrigan Mr. Alwyn Baptiste, Jr. Mr. Alvin Burke, Jr. Ms. Melissa Gustave Mrs. Nadine Coley-Williams Ms. Joanne Samuel Mrs. Nataya Munoz-Melchoir Ms. Tricia D. Sealey Clerk/Timekeeper Ms. Knysha Berkeley Supporting Staff Ms. Neta Christopher Legal Counsel Attorney Augustin Ayala P a g e | 3 Rules and Judiciary Committee Report May 8, 2025 In block one of the meeting, The Honorable Carolyn P. Hermon-Percell, Governor's Nominee for the University of the Virgin Islands Board of Trustees, read her testimony into the record. Senators proceeded with one (1) round of four (4) minutes each of questioning. Senator Potter motioned that the nomination of The Honorable Carolyn P. Hermon-Percell to the University o the Virgin Islands Board of Trustees 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 Lewis and Bolques, Jr. Voting in favor were Senators Carla Joseph, Bolques, Lewis, and Potter. The motion was carried. (4 yeas, 3 absent). In block two of the meeting, Mr. Winston M.A. Williams, Jr., Governor's Nominee for the Virgin Islands Board of Contractors, Trades, and Crafts, read his testimony into the record. Senators proceeded with one (1) round of four (4) minutes each of questioning. Senator Lewis motioned that the nomination of Mr. Winston M.A. Winston, Jr., to the Virgin Islands Board of Contractors, Trades, and Crafts 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, Potter, Francis Heyliger and Clifford A. Joseph. Voting in favor were Senators Carla Joseph, Gittens, Francis Heyliger, Bolques, Clifford Joseph, Lewis, and Potter. The motion was carried. (7 yeas). In block three of the meeting, The Honorable Kirk Callwood, Sr., Governor's Nominee for the Banking Board of the United States Virgin Islands, read his testimony into the record. Senators proceeded with one (1) round of four (4) minutes each of questioning. Senator Lewis motioned that the nomination of Mr. Kirk Callwood, Sr., to the Banking Board of the United States Virgin Islands 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 Potter, Francis Heyliger, Clifford A. Joseph, and Bolques, Jr. Voting in favor were Senators Carla Joseph, Gittens, Francis Heyliger, Bolques, Clifford Joseph, Lewis, and Potter. The motion was carried. (7 yeas). In the final block of the meeting, Bill No. 36-0021 was introduced by Senator Angel L. Bolques, Jr. Senators proceeded with one (1) round of four (4) minutes each of debate time. Senator Bolques, made a motion for Bill No. 36-0021 to 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 Potter, Lewis, and Clifford A. Joseph. Voting in favor were Senators Carla Joseph, Bolques, Francis Heyliger, Clifford Joseph, Lewis, and Potter. Senator Gittens voted against the measure. The motion was carried. (6 yeas, 1 nay). The Chair, Sen. Carla J. Joseph, adjourned the Committee on Rules and Judiciary hearing at 2:41p.m.