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P a g e | 1 Rules and Judiciary Committee Report November 13, 2025 Memorandum: 25-028 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: November 17, 2025 SUBJECT: Committee Report for Thursday, November 13, 2025 Hearing Please find attached the report for the Committee on Rules and Judiciary hearing held on Thursday, November 13, 2025, Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall on St. Thomas. CC: All Senators Chief Legal Counsel Archive Division Journal Division P a g e | 2 Rules and Judiciary Committee Report November 13, 2025 RULES AND JUDICIARY NOVEMBER 13, 2025 COMMITTEE HEARING REPORT The Committee on Rules and Judiciary held its hearing on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall on St. Thomas. The Committee considered the following Nominations and Bills: • The Honorable Venetia H. Velazquez – Governor’s Nominee for Judge of the Virgin Islands Superior Court, Division of St. Croix • Ms. Melanie L. Turnbull, Esq. – Governor’s Nominee for Judge of the Virgin Islands Superior Court, Family Division District of St. Thomas – St. John • Mrs. Jennifer M. Matarangas-King – Governor’s Nominee for Commissioner of the Virgin Islands Department of Tourism • Ms. Bernesha B. Liburd – Governor’s Nominee to the Virgin Islands Cannabis Advisory Board • Bill No. 36-0044 – A Resolution honoring and commending seven-year-old twin brothers Kruz and Stefon Wilson for their heroic efforts and courage displayed when saving a drowning man at Magen’s Bay Beach and for their exemplary conduct as young members of the community. Sponsored by: Senators Angel L. Bolques, Jr. and Carla J. Joseph • Bill No. 36-0075 – A Resolution honoring and commending Austin A. Venzen posthumously for his unwavering commitment to music education and the arts, through his work in the classrooms, conducting private music lessons, on the concert stages, and by bringing Virgin Islanders together in choirs, bands, and community events, to foster camaraderie, collaboration, and cultural enrichment. Sponsored By: Senators Ray Fonseca and Carla J. Joseph • Bill No. 36-0148 – An act amending title 3 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 16, section 274 by mandating that the Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission implement an electronic payment system. Sponsored by: Senator Kurt A Vialet. • Bill No. 36-0086 – An act amending title 3 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 25, section 590b, the Caregivers Leave Act. Sponsored by: Senators Novelle E. Francis and Carla J. Joseph. • Bill No. 36-0196 - An act appropriating excess debt service reserve funds for certain capital projects in the territory and appropriating $2,000,000 from the St Thomas Capital Improvement fund. Sponsored by: Senators Milton E. Potter, Marvin A. Blyden and Carla J. Joseph by Request of the Governor. P a g e | 3 Rules and Judiciary Committee Report November 13, 2025 • Bill No. 36-0135 - An act amending title 29 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 5, section 294 regarding expedited building permits for developers. Sponsored by: Senator Kenneth L. Gittens. The meeting was called to order by the Committee Chair, Sen. Carla J. Joseph at 10:13 a.m. Committee Members Present Sen. Carla J. Joseph, Chair Sen. Kenneth L. Gittens, Vice Chair Sen. Alma Francis Heyliger Sen. Avery L. Lewis Sen. Angel L. Bolques, Jr. Sen. Clifford A. Joseph, Sr. Office of the Executive Director Mr. Charles Brown, Jr. Ms. Jervon Ottley Mr. Isaac Winston Non-Committee Members Present Sen. Novelle E. Francis, Jr. Committee Member Absent/Excused Sen. Milton E. Potter Legislative Reporters Mrs. Nataya Munoz-Melchoir Ms. Tricia D. Sealey Mrs. Vashti Gerald-Berry Mrs. Nadine Coley-Williams Sergeant-At-Arms Mr. Delvin Fleming Public Affairs/Media Mr. Bernard Mathews Ms. Malissa Gustave Ms. Africah Harrigan Mr. Barry Leerdam Ms. Chaunte Herbert Mr. Alwyn Baptiste Mr. Dequan Milliner Ms. Diana Cruz Mr. Kashief Hamilton Clerk/Timekeeper Mrs. Delekah Callwood Daniel Additional Supporting Staff Ms. Shania Nieves Legal Counsel Mr. Augustin Ayala, Esq. In block one of the Agenda, the Committee considered the Governor’s Nominations: The Honorable Venetia H. Velazquez as Judge to the Virgin Islands Superior Court, Division of St. Croix and Ms. Melanie L. Turnbull, Esq. as Judge to the Virgin Islands Superior Court, Family Division, District of St. Thomas-St. John. Senators proceeded with one (1) round of five (5) minutes of questioning time for the nominees. P a g e | 4 Rules and Judiciary Committee Report November 13, 2025 Governor’s Nominee Name Position Placement Motion Vote The Honorable Venetia H. Velazquez Judge Virgin Islands Superior Court – St. Croix Division Senator Kenneth Gittens motioned that the Honorable Venetia H. Velazquez, 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 Avery Lewis, Angel Bolques, Jr., Alma Francis Heyliger, and Clifford Joseph, Sr. 6 yeas— 1 absent Ms. Melanie L. Turnbull, Esq. Judge Virgin Islands Superior Court – Family Division District of St. Thomas and St. John Senator Avery Lewis motioned that Attorney Melanie L. Turnbull, 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 Kenneth Gittens, Angel Bolques Jr., Alma Francis Heyliger, and Clifford Joseph, Sr. 6 yeas— 1 absent In block two of the Agenda, the Committee considered the Governor’s Nomination: Mrs. Jennifer M. Matarangas-King as Commissioner for the Virgin Islands Department of Tourism. Senators proceeded with one (1) round of five (5) minutes of questioning time for the nominees. Governor’s Nominee Name Position Placement Motion Vote Mrs. Jennifer M. Matarangas- King Commissioner Virgin Islands Department of Tourism Senator Kenneth Gittens motioned that Mrs. Jennifer M. Matarangas- King, 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 Avery Lewis, Clifford Joseph, Sr., Alma Francis Heyliger, and Angel Bolques, Jr. 6 yeas— 1 absent P a g e | 5 Rules and Judiciary Committee Report November 13, 2025 In block three of the Agenda, the Committee considered the Governor’s Nomination: Ms. Bernesha B. Liburd for the Virgin Islands Cannabis Advisory Board. Senators proceeded with one (1) round of four (4) minutes of questioning time for the nominee. Governor’s Nominee Name Position Placement Motion Vote Ms. Bernesha B. Liburd Member Cannabis Advisory Board Senator Angel L. Bolques, Jr. motioned that Ms. Bernesha B. Liburd, 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 Avery Lewis, Alma Francis Heyliger, and Clifford Joseph, Sr. 6 yeas— 1 absent In block four of the Agenda, the Committee voted on Bill Nos. 36-0044, 36-0075,36-0148, 36-0086, 36-0196, and 36-0135. Bill Number Short Title Amendment Motion Vote 36-0044 A Resolution honoring and commending seven- year-old twin brothers Kruz and Stefon Wilson for their heroic efforts and courage displayed when saving a drowning man at Magen’s Bay Beach and for their exemplary conduct as young members of the community. Sponsored by: Senators Angel L. Bolques Jr., and Carla J. Joseph Senator Avery Lewis motioned that Bill No. 36-0044, 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. 6 yeas—1 absent 36-0075 A Resolution honoring and commending Austin A. Venzen posthumously Senator Angel Bolques, Jr. motioned that Bill No. 36-0075, be favorably voted upon in the 6 yeas – 1 absent P a g e | 6 Rules and Judiciary Committee Report November 13, 2025 for his unwavering commitment to music education and the arts, through his work in the classrooms, conducting private music lessons, on the concert stages, and by bringing Virgin Islanders together in choirs, bands, and community events, to foster camaraderie, collaboration, and cultural enrichment. Sponsored by Senators Ray Fonseca and Carla J. Joseph. 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. 36-0148 An act amending title 3 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 16, section 274 by mandating that the Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission implement an electronic payment system. Sponsored by: Senator Kurt A Vialet. Senator Alma Francis Heyliger motioned that Bill No. 36-0148, 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 36-0086 An act amending title 3 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 25, section 590b, the Caregivers Leave Act. Sponsored by: Senators Novelle E. Francis and Carla J. Joseph. Senator Clifford Joseph, Sr. motioned that Bill No. 36-0086, 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 Avery Lewis and Kenneth Gittens 6 yeas – 1 absent 36-0196 An act appropriating excess debt service reserve funds for certain capital projects in the territory and Senator Avery Lewis motioned that Bill No. 36-0196, be favorably voted upon in the Committee on Rules and Judiciary and forwarded to the full body for further 6 yeas – 1 absent P a g e | 7 Rules and Judiciary Committee Report November 13, 2025 appropriating $2,000,000 from the St Thomas Capital Improvement fund. Sponsored by: Senators Milton E. Potter, Marvin A. Blyden and Carla J. Joseph by Request of the Governor. consideration and action. The motion was seconded by Senators Kenneth Gittens, Alma Francis Heyliger, and Clifford Joseph, Sr. 36-0135 An act amending title 29 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 5, section 294 regarding expedited building permits for developers. Sponsored by: Senator Kenneth L. Gittens. Senator Kenneth Gittens offered Amendment No. 36-594, which was seconded by Senators Angel Bolques, Jr. and Clifford Joseph, Sr., the motion was carried. Senator Kenneth Gittens motioned that Bill No. 36-0135, 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. 6 yeas – 1 absent The Chair, Sen. Carla J. Joseph, adjourned the Committee on Rules and Judiciary hearing at 4:34 p.m.