DECEMBER 02, 2025
Committee on Government Operations, Veterans Affairs and Consumer Protection
9:00 A.M.
Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall
The Committee on Government Operations, Veterans Affairs, and Consumer Protection has scheduled a meeting for Tuesday, December 02, 2025, at 9:00 A.M. in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands to provide testimony on the following bills:
BLOCK I 9:00 A.M. – 10:30 A.M.
The Committee will receive testimony on the operations of the Office of Veterans Affairs including but not limited to an overview of the agency’s current challenges, a plan of action to resolve challenges, and any other updates pertinent to the discussion.
Invited Testifier:
Mr. Patrick Farrell, Director, Virgin Islands Office of Veterans Affairs
BLOCK II 10:30 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.
The Committee will receive testimony on the operations of the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority including but not limited to an overview of the agency’s current challenges, a plan of action to resolve challenges, and a comprehensive update on the agency.
Invited Testifier:
Mr. Hannibal “Mike” Ware, Director, Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority
LUNCH 12:00 P.M. – 12:30 P.M.
BLOCK III 12:30 P.M. – 2:00 P.M.
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.
Invited Testifiers:
Mr. Kevin Callwood, President, Callwood and Associates
Ms. Teri Helenese, Director, State-Federal Relations and Washington Representative for The Governor of the Virgin Islands
Mr. Angel E. Dawson, Administrator/Chief Executive Officer, Government Employees Retirement System
BLOCK IV 2:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M.
Bill No. 36-0190 An act amending title 1 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 15 section 254 providing for sign language interpreters at all Government of the Virgin Islands broadcasts and official functions.
Invited Testifiers:
Mr. Angus Drigo, Executive Director, Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands (DRCVI)
Ms. Monique Bute, Executive Director, Virgin Islands Association for Independent Living (VIAIL)
Ms. Shamika Thomas, Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (VIUCEDD)
Mr. Julio Rhymer Sr., Director, Office of Management & Budget (OMB)
Mr. Daryl Jaschen, Director, Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA)
Mr. Julian Henley, ADA Coordinator, Office of the Governor – ADA Office
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 04, 2025
Committee on Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety
10:00 A.M.
Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room
The 36th Legislature’s Committee on Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety will meet on Thursday, December 04, 2025, at 10:00 A.M. in the Frits E. Lawaetz Conference Room on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands to consider the following official agenda:
BLOCK I
Bill No. 36-0139 An act amending title 31 Virgin Islands Code to assess civil liability for destruction or damage to government property through willful or negligent acts.
Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Mario M. Brooks, Commissioner VI Police Department
Honorable Lisa M. Alejandro, Commissioner, VI Department of Property and Procurement
Honorable Gordon Rhea, Esq., Attorney General of 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.
Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Mario M. Brooks, Commissioner, VI Police Department
Honorable Gordon Rhea, Esq., Attorney General of the Virgin Islands
Honorable Justa “Tita” Encarnacion, Commissioner, VI Department of Health
Honorable H. Nathalie Hodge, Commissioner, VI Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs
Ms. Riise Richards, Chair, VI Industrial Hemp Commission, Deputy Commissioner, VI Department of Agriculture
Ms. Joanne Moorehead, Executive Director, VI Office of Cannabis Regulation
Ms. Lindsey Rithamel, Owner, The Remedy
Mr. William Waldo, Owner, Virgin Abis
BLOCK II
Bill No. 36-0144 An act amending title 14 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 113 to define and prohibit assault rifles, ban suppressors and silencers, require safety training for licensed rifles and shotgun holders; prohibit large-capacity magazines and prevent the illegal sales of firearms, firearm accessories and ammunition.
Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Mario M. Brooks, Commissioner, VI Police Department
Honorable Gordon Rhea, Esq., Attorney General of the Virgin Islands
Mr. Luis Valdes, Florida State Director, Southeast Regional Director, Puerto Rico & U.S. Virgin Islands Director of
Outreach, Co-Chair, Fuerza 2A, National Spokesman, Gun Owners of America
Mr. Kosei Ohno, Founder, VI Safe Gun Owners
Mr. Ehren Henderson, Former Gun Shop Owner, St. Thomas
Mr. John Canegata, Owner, D&J’s Shooting Gallery, LLC, St. Croix
Bill No. 36-0151 An act amending title 23 Virgin Islands Code regarding the illegal possession of machine guns and machine gun conversion devices.
Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Mario M. Brooks, Commissioner, VI Police Department
Honorable Gordon Rhea, Esq., Attorney General of the Virgin Islands
Mr. Moleto Smith, Director, VI Law Enforcement Planning Commission
Mr. Antonio Emanuel, Director, VI Office of Gun Violence Prevention
Mr. Luis Valdes, Florida State Director, Southeast Regional Director, Puerto Rico & U.S. Virgin Islands Director of
Outreach, Co-Chair, Fuerza 2A, National Spokesman, Gun Owners of America
BLOCK III
The Committee on Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety receive an update on the operations of the Bureau of Corrections, including but not limited to:
• Status of the federal consent decree, to include the joint motion filed to terminate court-ordered monitoring of medical services at the John Bell Adult Correctional Facility.
• Status on payments to all vendors, to include the independent monitoring team.
• Status on staffing, staff safety, healthcare, sanitation and fire safety at all Bureau of Corrections facilities and at facilities where inmates are housed.
• Status of all capital projects and capital improvement projects.
• Status of the Bureau of Corrections long term plans for staffing recruitment and retention, improvement of facilities, and strategic initiative, to include those aimed at rehabilitation of inmates and reducing recidivism.
Invited Testifier:
Ms. Wynnie Testamark, Director, V.I. Bureau of Corrections
St. Croix Source
Legislature Corner
