The Senate Rules and Judiciary Committee spent Thursday working through a long agenda that touched nearly every branch of government — confirming judges, vetting nominees, and approving a slate of bills that senators said reflect “where the territory is trying to go.”
By the end of the day, lawmakers had advanced four gubernatorial nominations and six legislative measures to the full body, with committee members praising what Chair Sen. Carla Joseph called “a productive, grounded session.”
Much of the morning was devoted to the nomination of Magistrate Judge Venicia H. Velasquez and Attorney Melanie L. Turnbull to the Superior Court. Both nominees spoke about restoring public confidence in the judiciary through fairness, accessibility, and consistent leadership. Velasquez, who has served on the St. Croix bench for more than a decade, told senators that timely justice depends on structure and accountability. “Every person who enters the courtroom should feel heard and respected — whether they win or lose,” she said, adding that her division issued more than 500 civil orders last year and closed nearly as many cases.
Turnbull, a veteran public defender and nominee to the Family Division on St. Thomas, said her experience representing vulnerable clients has shaped her understanding of justice. “I will run the courtroom with empathy,” she said, “but my decisions will always be grounded in the law.” She called for digitized filing systems and simplified court forms to make the process less daunting for residents. Virgin Islands Bar Association President Russell Pate endorsed both nominees, describing them as “the embodiment of competence, fairness, and service.”
In the afternoon, attention shifted to Jennifer Matarangas-King, nominated to lead the Tourism Department. The St. Croix native, whose career bridges communications, marketing, and executive leadership, outlined a vision centered on digital innovation, workforce development, and stronger connections between residents and the tourism economy. “I’m humbled to do what I love most — serve my community,” she said. “Our people are our greatest asset. We have to show what we’re doing locally — not just the festivals and promotions, but the work behind the scenes: the greeters, the planners, the staff managing 30,000 visitors a day. That’s part of our story too.”
Matarangas-King’s testimony prompted broad discussion about tourism’s future. Sen. Novelle Francis Jr. urged that any marketing strategy must also address sustainability and infrastructure. “We can’t keep attracting visitors to the same beaches and not take care of them,” he said. Senate President Milton Potter described her presentation as “refreshing in its clarity and realism,” while Joseph emphasized that the department’s success “will be measured in how well it engages the community.”
Matarangas-King agreed, adding that tourism “doesn’t just happen in hotels and airports — it happens in neighborhoods, schools, and small businesses. It’s about creating pride and opportunity.”
Also approved was Bernisha B. Liburd, a senior analyst with the Bureau of Economic Research, who was nominated to the Virgin Islands Cannabis Advisory Board. Liburd said the territory has the potential to create a regulated cannabis market that balances opportunity and oversight. “My work has always been guided by evidence — data that tells the story of where we are and how to move forward,” she said. She described plans for a seed-to-sale tracking system, compliance training, and public outreach to ensure equity and transparency. Joseph called her testimony “measured, methodical, and informed,” adding that “the industry’s credibility will depend on data, not politics.”
Before adjourning, senators moved quickly through six bills, forwarding each to the full Legislature. Bill No. 36-0291, amending the Family Caregiver Leave Act, expands job protections for employees caring for elderly or ill relatives — a measure Sen. Angel Bolques Jr. said “makes workplaces more humane without putting small businesses at risk.” Bill No. 36-0293, modernizing taxi commission payments through digital platforms, drew bipartisan support for improving efficiency and accountability. Its sponsor, Sen. Marvin Blyden, said the update “brings an outdated system into the modern era.”
Bill No. 36-0295 streamlines building permits for housing and capital projects — a move Potter described as “critical to our economic recovery.” Bill No. 36-0297 appropriates funds for long-overdue infrastructure work, while Bill No. 36-0300 expands small-business grant opportunities under the Economic Development Authority. The final measure, Resolution No. 1897, honors Virgin Islanders who have distinguished themselves through public service — a nod, Joseph said, “to the people whose quiet contributions shape our community every day.”
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