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THE HONORABLE SENATOR AVERY L. LEWIS Legislative Secretary 36 th LEGISLAtURE OF thE VIRGIN ISLANDS Chair: Committee on Government Operations, Veterans Affairs, Consumer Protection Vice Chair: Committee on Education and Workforce Development Member: Committee on Rules and Judiciary Committee on Youth, Aging, Sports, and Parks Committee on Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety Committee of the Whole Post Office Box 1690, Capitol Building, Charlotte Amalie, VI 00801 Phone: (340) 774-0880 Email: senatorlewis@legvi.org REVISED AGENDA I TO: All Members, Committee on Government Operations, Veterans Affairs, and Consumer Protection Members: Senator Ray Fonseca Senator Alma Francis Heyliger Senator Novelle E. Francis, Jr. Senator Kenneth L. Gittens Senator Franklin D. Johnson Senator Carla J. Joseph FROM: The Honorable Senator Avery L. Lewis 36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands DATE: May 23, 2025 The Committee on Government Operations, Veterans Affairs, and Consumer Protection has scheduled a meeting for Friday, May 30, 2025, at 9:00 AM in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands to provide updates on the following: BLOCK I: 9:00 A.M. - 10:30 A.M. Bill #36-0053: An Act amending title 3 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 25, subchapter V, section 555b to increase the minimum annual salary for full time employees of the Government of the Virgin Islands, its semi-autonomous agencies and independent instrumentalities from $27,040 to $32,000. Proposed by Senators Kurt A. Vialet, Avery L. Lewis, and Hubert L. Frederick INVITED TESTIFIER(S): • Ms. Cindy L. Richardson, Director, Division of Personnel • Mr. Julio Rhymer, Sr., Director, Office of Management and Budget • Mr. Daniel Flippo, Director, United Steel Workers • Mr. Gerard “Jerry” Jackson, Staff Representative 2 | P a g e G O V A C P A g e n d a BLOCK II: 10:30 A.M. – 12:30 P.M. The Committee will receive testimony on the operations of the Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission including but not limited to enabling law and jurisdiction, current department challenges, a plan of action to resolve challenges and the following agencies: • The growing trend of illegal taxi operators, operating large passenger vehicles while posing as legitimate taxi drivers or limousine operators; • Unregulated operators that violate the law and pose a significant threat to public safety; • The agency’s staffing shortages; and • Any other matters relative to the discussion of the status of the agency. INVITED TESTIFIER(S): • Ms. Melissa Smith, Acting Executive Director Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission • Ms. Elizabeth Hansen Watley, Chairwoman, Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission Board BREAK FOR LUNCH: 12:30 P.M. – 1:00 P.M. BLOCK III: 1:00 P.M. – 2:30 P.M. The Committee will receive testimony on the operations of the Office of Veterans Affairs including but not limited to enabling law and jurisdiction, its current challenges, a plan of action to resolve challenges and the following: • Outcome of the efforts of the recent delegation’s travels to Puerto Rico; • Effects of President Donald Trump’s Executive Orders on our territory; and • Status of reimbursements due to local veterans, among other topics. INVITED TESTIFIER(S): • Mr. Patrick Farrell, Director, Virgin Islands Office of Veterans Affairs ______________________________________________________________________________ BLOCK IV: 2:30 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. The Committee will receive testimony on the operations of the Virgin Islands Lottery including but not limited to enabling law and jurisdiction, its current challenges, a plan of action to resolve challenges and the following: • The cybersecurity incident and the subsequent data restoration process; and • Growth of the Virgin Islands Lottery System, among other topics. INVITED TESTIFIER(S): • Mr. Raymond J. Williams, Executive Director, Virgin Islands Lottery cc: All Senators All Chiefs of Staff All Divisions Public Affairs