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COMMITTEE HEARS CHIROPRACTIC BOARD NOMINEE, RESOLUTIONS, BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS, AND CRIME BILLS - Legislature of the United States Virgin Islands Close About Us History Functions and Structure FY 2026 Budget Honor Roll Rules of the 36th Legislative Youth Advisory Council Application Careers Archives Legislative Archives Tours × St. Thomas Senators  St. John Senators  St.Croix Senators  Districts All Senators St. Croix St. Thomas - St. John Senator at Large × Committees Committee of the Whole Budget, Appropriation and Finance Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports, and Parks Disaster Recovery, Infrastructure and Planning Economic Development and Agriculture Education and Workforce Development Government Operations, Veteran Affairs and Consumer Protection Health, Hospitals and Human Services Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety Housing, Transportation and Telecommunications Rules and Judiciary Session Folder × No event found! Calendars Bi-Weekly Senate Calendar Session Agenda × Dialog window Dialog window General Senators Committees Media Calendars Contact News | Press Releases COMMITTEE HEARS CHIROPRACTIC BOARD NOMINEE, RESOLUTIONS, BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS, AND CRIME BILLS Published: Jun 2, 2022 Search for: ST. THOMAS- Members of the Committee on Rules and Judiciary, led by Senator Milton E. Potter convened in a meeting at the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Chambers. In Block 1, the Committee considered the nomination of Dr. Bradley Keys to the Virgin Islands Chiropractic Board. Dr. Keys’ nomination was voted upon favorably. In Block 2, the Committee considered the following resolutions, which were all voted upon favorably. Bill No. 34-0201, a resolution honoring and commending Kemit-Amon Lewis for his outstanding service and contributions to the Marine Science industry in the Virgin Islands. This measure was proposed by Senators Kurt A Vialet, Genevieve R. Whitaker, Franklin D. Johnson, and Marvin A. Blyden. Bill No. 34-0202, a resolution honoring and commending Eugene “Genix” Thomas posthumously for his outstanding contributions to the Virgin Islands community as a baseball, softball, and life coach. This measure was proposed by Senators Kurt A. Vialet and Franklin D. Johnson. Bill No. 34-0203, a resolution honoring and commending Alvin Delano Burke, Sr. posthumously for his service and contributions to the sport of basketball, horse racing and to the people of the Virgin Islands. The measure was proposed by Senators Kurt A. Vialet, Carla J. Joseph, Franklin D. Johnson, and Genevieve R. Whitaker. Bill No. 34-0220, a resolution honoring and commending the Agriculture and Food Fair Board of Directors, the University of the Virgin Islands, and the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture for 50 years of diligence in coordinating, promoting, and hosting the Virgin Islands Agriculture and Food Fair, known as “Agrifest.” The measure was sponsored by Senator Javan E. James, Sr. In Block 3, the following bills were all considered favorably. Bill No. 34-0206, an act amending Title 23, chapter 5, section 460 of the Virgin Islands Code, repealing reciprocal recognition of firearm licenses for persons that own firearms outside of the Virgin Islands. The measure was proposed by Senator Alma Francis Heyliger. Bill No. 34-0225, an act amending Title 5, Virgin Islands Code, subtitle 2, chapter 201, section 2539 to increase the penalties for failure to report certain crimes. The measure was proposed by Senator Alma Francis Heyliger. Bill No. 34-0226, an act amending Act Nos. 8474, 8479, 8486, 8494, 8496, and 8498 to adjust the fiscal year 2022 budget to appropriate funds to the Casino Control Commission for capital outlay, WTJX for capital outlay and satellite uplink respectively, Elections System of the Virgin Islands for General Election, Virgin Islands Cricket Board, Department of Tourism for personnel and fringe benefits, Virgin Islands Board of Nurse Licensure for personnel and fringe benefits, and 8% salary restoration Social Security and Medicare taxes reimbursement to the Economic Development Authority, Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center and the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority. The measure was proposed by Senators Kurt A Vialet, Donna A. Frett-Gregory, and Marvin A. Blyden. Finally in Block 4, the Committee considered Bill No. 34-0207, an act repealing and re-enacting Title 14, Virgin Islands Code, chapter 41, section 843 relating to fraudulent claims upon the Government of the Virgin Islands, its officers, departments, boards, commissions, or agencies. The measure was sponsored by Senator Alma Francis Heyliger. The measure was voted upon favorably. Testimony was read into the record from the Attorney General of the US Virgin Islands, Denise George. As per Attorney General George’s delivered testimony, the purpose of Bill No. 34-0207 is to replace the existing language contained in 14 V.I.C. § 843 and replace it with slightly different but stronger language regarding fraudulent claims upon the Virgin Islands Government. The proposed measure would alter the current statute’s subsection 3. This subsection currently states “whoever—. . . makes any false or fraudulent statements or representations. . . shall be fined not more than $500 or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.” This updated language which would be placed under subsection (a)(4)- would make it a crime for any “materially” false for fraudulent statements made. According to Black’s Law Dictionary, “material” means “important, more or less necessary; having influence or effect; going to the merits; having to do with matter, as distinguished from form.” A materially false statement would be something that would cause someone to rely on the representation in error or to their detriment. The Office of the Attorney General voiced their support of the added language. The proposed measure would also add a new subsection, (a) (5), which would state that “whoever knowingly or willfully: submits or invites reliance on any forged, altered or fictitious writing, document, sample, specimen, map, boundary mark or other object; in any matter within the jurisdiction of the executive, legislative, or judicial branch of the Government of the Virgin Islands, or within the jurisdiction of any officer, department, board, commission, or other agency of the Government shall be fined not more than $2,500 or imprisoned not more than five years, or both”. This proposed new subjection would create more specific circumstances in which someone may be convicted under 14 V.I.C. § 843, as well as increasing the fines and terms of imprisonment upon conviction. The Office of the Attorney General supports the language and the increase in penalty and supported the passage of Bill No.34-0207. All approved nominees and bills will be sent to the full body and will be voted upon at the next Legislative Session. Senators present at today’s committee hearing included Milton E. Potter, Kenneth L. Gittens, Novelle E. Francis, Jr, Alma Francis Heyliger, Carla J. Joseph, Franklin D. Johnson and Genevieve R. Whitaker. ####   Find More Search for: Categories News Observances Press Releases Special Events Related Content COMMITTEE REVIEWS FY 2027 EXECUTIVE BUDGET REQUESTS FOR GOVERNOR’S OFFICE, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR’S OFFICE, AND BUREAU OF MOTOR VEHICLES July 23, 2026 ST. CROIX, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS – Members of the Committee on Budget, Appropriations, and Finance, chaired by Senator Novelle E. Francis Jr., met in the Frits E. Lawaetz Conference Room to receive testimony on the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budgets for... Read More COMMITTEE RECEIVES UPDATES FROM WASTE MANAGEMENT CONCERNING SEWAGE HEALTH RISKS, CANCER CARE IN THE TERRITORY                                   July 22, 2026 ST. 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