After reconvening in full session Wednesay, the 36th Legislature moved quickly through a crowded agenda—confirming two judges, a new Tourism Commissioner, and a board appointee before advancing some of the year’s most consequential energy, tourism, and economic development measures.
Senators voted to confirm Venetia H. Velazquez to the Superior Court Division of St. Croix, Melanie L. Turnbull to the Superior Court Family Division on St. Thomas–St. John, Jennifer M. Matarangas-King as Commissioner of Tourism, and Bernesha B. Liburd to the Virgin Islands Cannabis Advisory Board.
Matarangas-King’s confirmation places the Territory’s top industry under new leadership as the USVI continues to see record-breaking visitor arrivals. A St. Croix native with more than 30 years of experience in communications, public affairs, and organizational leadership, she has spent her first 90 days stabilizing internal operations at the Department of Tourism, deepening airline and cruise partnerships, and rebuilding the Territory’s visibility at global industry events. She met with major carriers at Routes Americas, engaged cruise executives during the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association Conference, represented the USVI at CTO’s State of the Industry Conference, and launched the “WOW Wednesday” career-development collaboration with the University of the Virgin Islands.
“Strengthening partnerships, investing in people, and setting a clear path forward is our mission,” she said after the vote. “Together, we will continue to showcase the authenticity, excellence, and opportunity that define our islands.”
With confirmations complete, senators turned to the measures discussed earlier in Committee of the Whole, beginning with two major solar proposals for St. Thomas. Lawmakers voted to ratify the Coastal Zone Management permits for the proposed arrays at Estate Fortuna (Bill No. 36-0214) and Estate Bovoni (Bill No. 36-0215), projects central to the Territory’s long-term renewable strategy. The decisions followed hours of testimony earlier in the day, where senators pressed developers and WAPA officials on engineering standards, storm-resiliency, insurance protections, community notification, and environmental safeguards. Supporters argued the projects are essential to grid reliability and cost reductions, while residents raised concerns grounded in past storm damage.
The Legislature also approved Bill No. 36-0138, transferring several government-owned parcels in Subbase to the Virgin Islands Port Authority for the Crown Bay Redevelopment Project. The more than $200 million public-private initiative aims to modernize the port, expand cruise capacity, and create a year-round waterfront district for residents and visitors. Senators stressed the need for cultural integration, tenant protections, and meaningful community involvement as planning advances.
A major financial vote came with Bill No. 36-0216, amending the Hotel Development Act to authorize a wholly owned Public Finance Authority subsidiary to issue tax-exempt bonds for the Frenchman’s Reef financing structure. Advisors told lawmakers the arrangement will safeguard the hotel asset, ensure it is maintained to first-class standards throughout the bond term, and ultimately return the property to government ownership after repayment.
Additional measures passed during the session included updates to the Caregivers Leave Act (Bill No. 36-0086), expedited building permit provisions (Bill No. 36-0135), a mandate for electronic payment systems through the V.I. Taxicab Commission (Bill No. 36-0148), and appropriations for capital projects using excess debt service reserve funds (Bill No. 36-0196).
Senators also adopted two resolutions:
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Bill No. 36-0044, honoring seven-year-old brothers Kruz and Stefon Wilson for saving a drowning man at Magens Bay; and
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Bill No. 36-0075, posthumously recognizing Austin A. Venzen for his contributions to music education and the arts.
St. Croix Source
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