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P a g e | 1 Rules and Judiciary Committee Report January 8, 2026 REVISED Memorandum: 26-001 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: January 14, 2026 SUBJECT: Revised Committee Report for Thursday, January 8, 2026 Hearing Please find attached the report for the Committee on Rules and Judiciary hearing held on Thursday, January 8, 2026, 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 January 8, 2026 RULES AND JUDICIARY JANUARY 8, 2026 REVISED COMMITTEE HEARING REPORT On Thursday, January 8, 2026, the Committee on Rules and Judiciary held a hearing at 10:00 a.m. in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall on St. Thomas. The Committee considered the following nomination and bills: • Mr. Pedro Williams, Esq.– Governor’s Nominee for Judge of the Virgin Islands Superior Court, Division of St. Thomas-St. John. • Bill No. 36-0089 – An act approving the lease agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands and PEO Productions, LLC d/b/a WSTA Radio, for Parcel No. 121 Submarine Base, No. 6, Southside Quarter, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, Parcel No. 167 Sub Base, No. 6, Southside Quarter, St. Thomas and Parcel No. 171 Sub Base, No. 6, Southside Quarter, St. Thomas. • Bill No. 36-0092 – An act approving the lease agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands and St. John Taxi Services Corporation, for Parcel No. D-2 Estate Cruz Bay Town, Cruz Bay Quarter, St. John, Virgin Islands. • Bill No. 36-0030 – An act amending title 24 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 1, section 4, increasing the Virgin Islands minimum wage. • Bill No. 36-0208 – A resolution recognizing United States Senator Mike Crapo for his instrumental role in securing the historic increase in the rum cover over tax reimbursement for the Virgin Islands. • Bill No. 36-0105 – An act amending title 7 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 13, subchapter III to prohibit the possession, sale, or manufacture of tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, delta-6 THC, delta-8 THC and delta-10 THC products in the Virgin Islands and for other related purposes. • Bill No. 36- 0184 – An act amending title 22 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 14, The Virgin Islands Insurance Holding Company System Regulatory Act to implement revisions that were made to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners • Bill No. 36-0209 – An act amending title 23 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 10 to establish civil penalties for disregarding marine advisories and to create the Territorial Marine Safety Fund • Bill No. 36-0210 – An act appropriating the sum of $4,000,000 from the Virgin Islands Insurance Guaranty Fund to the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority for the repair, replacement, and operation of streetlights throughout the Territory P a g e | 3 Rules and Judiciary Committee Report January 8, 2026 • Bill No. 36-0217 – An act approving the sale of Parcel No. 20-A Hospital Street, Christiansted, St. Croix, Virgin Islands by and between the Government of the Virgin Islands and Z Property VI LLC for the sum of $260,000 • Bill No. 36-0134 – An act repealing and reenacting title 18 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 1, section 2 relating to government employees’ eligibility for elected offices, to allow government employees to run for political office while actively employed, unless specifically prohibited by federal or other laws. The meeting was called to order by the Committee Chair, Sen. Carla J. Joseph at 10:06 a.m. Committee Members Present Sen. Carla J. Joseph, 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 Ms. Jervon Ottley Mr. Isaac Winston Non-Committee Members Present Sen. Marvin Blyden Sen. Hurbert Frederick Sen. Ray Fonseca Sen. Novelle E. Francis, Jr. Sen. Marise C. James Committee Member Absent/Excused Sen. Kenneth L. Gittens, Vice Chair 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 Ms. Sharline I. Rogers, Esq. P a g e | 4 Rules and Judiciary Committee Report January 8, 2026 In block one of the agenda, the Committee considered the Governor’s nominee: Mr. Pedro Williams, Esq. as Judge to the Virgin Islands Superior Court, Division of St. Thomas-St. John. Senators proceeded with one (1) round of four (4) minutes of questioning. Governor’s Nominee Name Position Placement Motion Vote Mr. Pedro Williams, Esq. Judge Virgin Islands Superior Court – Division St. Thomas-St. John Senator Avery Lewis moved that Mr. Pedro Williams, Esq. nomination 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, and Joseph, Sr. 6 yeas 1 absent In block two of the agenda, the Committee considered Bill No. 36-0134. Ms. Cindy Richards, Director of the Division of Personnel, provided testimony in support of the bill. Senators then proceeded with one (1) round of questioning, lasting four (4) minutes. Subsequently, Senator Potter made a motion to move the bill to the end of the agenda. The motion was seconded by Senator Francis Heyliger and was carried. In block three of the agenda, the Committee voted on ten (10) bills: Bill Nos. 36-0089, 36-0092, 36-0030, 36-0208, 36-0105, 36-0184, 36-0209, 36-0210, 36-0217, and 36-0134. Bill Number Short Title Amendment Motion Vote 36-0089 An act approving the lease agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands and PEO Productions, LLC d/b/a WSTA Radio, for Parcel No. 121 Submarine Base, No. 6, Southside Quarter, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, Parcel No. 167 Sub Base, No. 6, Southside Quarter, St. Senator Potter moved that Bill No. 36-0089, 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, Francis Heyliger and Joseph, Sr. 6 yeas 1 absent P a g e | 5 Rules and Judiciary Committee Report January 8, 2026 Thomas and Parcel No. 171 Sub Base, No. 6, Southside Quarter, St. Thomas. 36-0092 An act approving the lease agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands and St. John Taxi Services Corporation, for Parcel No. D-2 Estate Cruz Bay Town, Cruz Bay Quarter, St. John, Virgin Islands. Senator Bolques, Jr. moved that Bill No. 36-0092, 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 Joseph, Sr. 5 yeas 1 absent 1 not voting 36-0030 An act amending title 24 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 1, section 4, increasing the Virgin Islands minimum wage. Senator Lewis moved that Bill No. 36-0030, 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 Joseph, Sr. and Potter. 6 yeas 1 absent 36-0208 A resolution recognizing United States Senator Mike Crapo for his instrumental role in securing the historic increase in the rum cover over tax reimbursement for the Virgin Islands. Senator Lewis moved that Bill No. 36-0208, 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 Joseph, Sr. 5 yeas 1 absent 1 not voting 36-0105 An act amending title 7 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 13, subchapter III to prohibit the possession, sale, or manufacture of tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, delta-6 THC, delta- 8 THC and delta-10 THC products in the Virgin Islands and for other related purposes. Senator Joseph moved that Bill No. 36-0105, 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 Potter. 6 yeas 1 absent P a g e | 6 Rules and Judiciary Committee Report January 8, 2026 36-0184 An act amending title 22 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 14, The Virgin Islands Insurance Holding Company System Regulatory Act to implement revisions that were made to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners Senator Potter moved that Bill No. 36-0184, 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 Joseph, Sr. 6 yeas 1 absent 36-0209 An act amending title 23 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 10 to establish civil penalties for disregarding marine advisories and to create the Territorial Marine Safety Fund Senator Bolques moved that Bill No. 36-0209, 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, Potter and Joseph, Sr. 6 yeas 1 absent 36-0210 An act appropriating the sum of $4,000,000 from the Virgin Islands Insurance Guaranty Fund to the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority for the repair, replacement, and operation of streetlights throughout the Territory Senator Lewis moved that Bill No. 36-0210, 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 Potter. 4 yeas 1 absent 1 nay 1 not voting 36-0217 An act approving the sale of Parcel No. 20-A Hospital Street, Christiansted, St. Croix, Virgin Islands by and between the Government of the Virgin Islands and Z Property VI LLC for the sum of $260,000 Senator Potter moved that Bill No. 36-0217, 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 Joseph. 6 yeas 1 absent 36-0134 An act repealing and reenacting title 18 Virgin Senator Francis Heyliger offered Senator Lewis moved that Bill No. 36-0134 as amended, be 5 yeas 1 absent P a g e | 7 Rules and Judiciary Committee Report January 8, 2026 Islands Code, chapter 1, section 2 relating to government employees’ eligibility for elected offices, to allow government employees to run for political office while actively employed, unless specifically prohibited by federal or other laws. Amendment No. 36-610, which was seconded by Senators Potter and Joseph, Sr., the motion was carried. 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 Joseph, Sr. and Potter. 1 nay The Chair, Sen. Carla J. Joseph, adjourned the Committee on Rules and Judiciary hearing at 4:44 p.m.