Calendar for the 36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands
October 20, 2025 – October 31, 2025
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2025
Committee on Education and Workforce Development
9:00 A.M.
Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall
The Committee on Education and Workforce Development will meet on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, 9:00 A.M. in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall on St. Thomas to receive considerations of proposed legislations.
Bill No. 36-0067 An Act amending title 17 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 5 by adding a section 41j requiring the Pledge of Allegiance and the Virgin Islands Motto to be recited at the beginning of each school day in public schools, but additionally provides that students may opt out of the recitation
Invited Testifiers:
Kyza A. Callwood, PhD., Chairperson, Virgin Islands Board of Education
Dionne Wells-Hedrington, Ed.D., Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Education
Merlene Jones, Ed.D., Principal, Lockhart K-8 School, Virgin Islands Department of Education
Bill No. 36-0069 An Act amending title 17 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 9, subchapter 1, section 82, subsection (a) by changing the age a child begins kindergarten from five years of age to four years of age
Invited Testifiers:
Kyza A. Callwood, PhD., Chairperson, Virgin Islands Board of Education
Honorable Dionne Wells-Hedrington, Ed.D., Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Education
Merlene Jones, Ed.D., Principal, Lockhart K-8 School, Virgin Islands Department of Education
Honorable Averil George, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Human Services
Honorable Justa E. Encarnacion, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Health
Bill No. 36-0080 An Act amending title 17 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 5 mandating a daily morning
exercise routine for students in all public schools in the Virgin Islands
Invited Testifiers:
Kyza A. Callwood, PhD., Chairperson, Virgin Islands Board of Education
Honorable Dionne Wells-Hedrington, Ed.D., Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Education
Merlene Jones, Ed.D., Principal, Lockhart K-8 School, Virgin Islands Department of Education
Honorable Justa E. Encarnacion, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Health
Brian Young, MD, FAAP, Pediatrician, Partners 4 Kids
Honorable Vincent Roberts, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2025
Committee on Rules and Judiciary
10:00 A.M.
Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall
Please be advised that the 36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands’ Committee on Rules and Judiciary has schedule a hearing for Thursday, October 23, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall on St. Thomas. The purpose of the hearing is to receive testimonies and consider the following legislative measures:
BLOCK I 10:00 A.M. – 11:30 A.M.
Ms. Joan P. Foy, Governor’s Nominee, Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority Board
Mr. Mark M. Wiechnik, Esq., Governor’s Nominee, Virgin Islands Historic Preservation Commission
BLOCK II 11:30 A.M. – 1:30 P.M.
Bill No. 36-0140 An act amending title 3 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 22, section 403, clarifying the term of service for members of the Historic Preservation Commission.
Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Jean-Pierre L. Oriol, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources
Mr. Sean Krigger, Director, Virgin Islands State Historic Preservation Office, VI DPNR
LUNCH 1:30 P.M. – 2:00 P.M.
BLOCK III 2:00 P.M. – 3:30 P.M.
Bill No. 36-0141 An act amending title 3 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 22, section 415 to add a term of service for appointees to the Board of Physical Therapy.
Bill No. 36-0142 An act amending title 27 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 17, section 45, by changing the maximum number of members of the Board for the Licensing of Barbering and Cosmetology.
Invited Testifier:
Honorable H. Nathalie Hodge, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs
BLOCK IV
BILLS 3:30 P.M. – 4:30 P.M.
Bill No. 36-0083 An act establishing a 90-day amnesty period for the waiver of penalties for payment of outstanding property taxes, income taxes, and gross receipt taxes for all tax years to assist taxpayers and businesses recovering from the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria and Tropical Storm Ernesto.
Bill No. 36-0119 An act amending Act No. 8651 by reprogramming the appropriated funds to the Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation to fund the completion of the Randall “Doc” James Racetrack on St. Croix.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 27, 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 Monday, October 27, 2025, at 9:00 AM in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands to provide testimony on the following bills:
BLOCK I 9:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M.
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
Invited Testifiers:
Justice Rhys S. Hodge, Chief Justice, Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands
Ms. Cindy L. Richardson, Director, Division of Personnel
Attorney Joss N. Springette, Chief Negotiator, Office of Collective Bargaining
Ms. Carol Burke, State Chairwoman, Democratic Party of the Virgin Islands
Ms. Ophelia Jackson, Retired Government Educator
BLOCK II 11:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.
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.
Invited Testifiers:
Ms. Melissa J. Smith, Acting Executive Director, Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission
Mrs. Jennifer Matarangas-King, Commissioner Nominee, Virgin Islands Department of Tourism
Honorable H. Nathalie Hodge, Commissioner, Department of Licensing & Consumer Affairs
Mr. Lawrence Ramdhansingh, President, Virgin Islands Taxi Association
Mr. John Cadasse, President, St. Croix Taxi Association (Airport)
Mr. John Woods, President, St. Thomas/St. John Chamber of Commerce
Mr. Akeel St. Jean, Esq., Chairperson, St. Croix Chamber of Commerce
LUNCH BREAK 1:00 P.M. – 1:30 P.M.
BLOCK III 1:30 P.M. – 3:30 P.M.
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
Invited Testifiers:
Ms. Gloria Quinlan, Former Music Professor & Choir Director, UVI
Ms. Monet I. Davis, Former Student, Music Teacher, Ivanna Eudora Kean High School
Mr. Kevre Hendricks, Former Student, 73rd Army Band Commander, Director of Bands St. Croix Educational Complex, Music Producer & Owner of Maestro Productions
Dr. LeRoy Trotman, Musicologist, Former Music Coordinator St. Thomas/St. John, Retired Professor of Music
Mr. Odgen Noland, Music Educator, Lockhart K-8
Ms. Judith Mitchell, Personal Friend
Mr. Levi Farrell, Former Student, Retired Band Instructor, Ivanna Eudora Kean High School
Mr. Dion Parson, Educator, Composer, and Grammy-Award-Winning Drummer
BLOCK IV 3:30 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.
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
Invited Testifiers:
Mr. Keith Isaac and Ms. Marlene Isaac, Grandparents
Mr. Kemel Wilson, Father
Mrs. Andrea Penn, Aunt
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2025
Committee on Health, Hospitals, and Human Services
10:00 A.M.
Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall
Please be advised that the Committee on Health, Hospitals & Human Services will be conducting a meeting on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall, on St. Thomas to discuss the following.
BLOCK I 10:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.
Bill No. 36-0086 An act amending title 3 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 25, section 590b, the Caregivers Leave Act.
Bill No. 36-0079 An Act amending title 19 Virgin Islands Code, part IV, chapter 37, to add a new subchapter mandating territorial hospitals to provide paternity testing services upon request,
Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Justa Encarnacion, Commissioner, Department of Health
Mr. Gordon Rhea, Esq., Attorney General, Department of Justice
Ms. Cindy L. Richardson, Director, Division of Personnel
Mr. Troy Schuster, State Director, AARP of the Virgin Islands
Mrs. Tracy Stewart Sanders, President, Continuum Care Home Health, LLC
BLOCK II 12:40 P.M. – 3:00 P.M.
The Committee will receive formal updates from the Medical, Dental, and Psychology Boards of the Virgin Islands. Each Board will provide a summary of current operations, challenges, and strategic objectives, including matters related to licensing, compliance, professional development, and recommendations for legislative or administrative support to strengthen healthcare regulation across the territory.
Invited Testifiers:
Mr. Trevor Connor, DDS, Chairman, Virgin Islands Dental Board
Ms. Ramona Moss, Ph. D, Chairperson, Board of USVI Psychology Examiners
Mr. Frank Odlum, MD, Chairman, Virgin Islands Medical Examiners Board
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2025
Committee of the Whole
10:00 A.M.
Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2025
Regular Session
10:00 A.M.
Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2025
Committee on Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports and Parks
10:00 A.M.
Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room
The Committee on Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports, and Parks will convene a legislative hearing to examine the pressing and multifaceted challenges affecting the youth of the Virgin Islands. This hearing will explore the intersections of public health, education, economic opportunity, and community support as they relate to youth development, safety, and success—particularly in the face of rising violence, trauma, and systemic inequity. Through testimony from government agencies, nonprofit leaders, educators, and young people themselves, the Committee seeks to identify legislative and policy solutions that address root causes, close opportunity gaps, and foster a stronger, more equitable future for the territory’s next generation.
BLOCK I 10:00 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.
Healing Our Youth: Mental Health, Intervention, Government & Community Services & Support
During this Block, the Committee will receive testimony and examine the rise of youth violence in the Virgin Islands as a public health emergency that demands a comprehensive, trauma-informed response. This segment seeks to uncover the root causes of trauma and aggression among young people, while evaluating the availability, accessibility, and cultural relevance of behavioral health services across the territory. The Committee will explore how schools, law enforcement, and grassroots organizations are working—both independently and collaboratively—to interrupt cycles of harm and deliver mental health support, crisis intervention, and violence prevention services. Special attention will be given to prevention models, early intervention strategies, and community-based programs that provide safe spaces, foster emotional resilience, and build trust between youth and institutions. The overarching goal is to assess the territory’s current response capacity and identify actionable, sustainable strategies to promote healing, safety, and longterm well-being for all young people.
Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Justa Encarnacion, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Health
Mr. Antonio Emanuel, Director, Office of Gun Violence Prevention
Honorable Dionne Wells-Hedrington, EdD, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Education
Honorable Mario Brooks, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Police Department
Honorable Averil George, Commissioner, Department of Human Services
Honorable Gordon Rhea, Esq., Attorney General Virgin Islands Department of Justice – Juvenile Division
Mr. Moleto A. Smith Jr., Director, Law Enforcement Planning Commission (LEPC)
Youth-Focused Nonprofit Organizations:
My Brother’s Workshop
Youth Against Gun Violence
St. Croix Foundation
The Village Partners in Recovery
Public Witness Panel:
Testimony from individuals with lived experience
LUNCH 12:30 P.M. – 1:00 P.M.
BLOCK II 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M.
Expanding Youth Opportunities: Community Access, Workforce Development, Education & Equity
This Block will continue the Committee’s in-depth review and shift the focus to the long-term structural conditions shaping youth success in the Virgin Islands. This segment will assess educational access, vocational training, and workforce readiness disparities. The Committee will examine data on school dropout rates, employment trends, and the underutilization of existing youth development programs. Invited agencies and stakeholders will offer insights into challenges and gaps within afterschool services, technical career education, and youth employment pathways. Testifiers will be asked to recommend legislative and policy solutions to strengthen school-to-career pipelines, improve equity in public programs, and expand youth opportunity through culturally rooted, community-based initiatives such as recreation, sports, and the arts as essential tools for youth empowerment and engagement, along with recommendations for the support of programs and services concerning the youth of the Virgin Islands.
Invited Testifiers:
Dr. Haldane Davies, Director, Virgin Islands Bureau of Economic Research
Honorable Dionne Wells-Hedrington, EdD, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Education
Ms. Genevieve Whitaker, Executive Director, Career & Technical Education Board
Honorable Gary Molloy, Commissioner, Department of Labor
Honorable Averil George, Commissioner, Department of Human Services
Honorable Vincent Roberts, Commissioner, VI Department of Sports, Parks & Recreation
Mr. Julio Rhymer, Director, Office of Management & Budget
Community Stakeholders Panel:
Youth Organization Leaders
Youth Empowerment and Recreation Program Providers
St. Croix Source
Legislature Corner
