SENATE CALENDAR
November 3, 2025 – November 14, 2025
NOVEMBER 04, 2025
Committee on Budget, Appropriations, and Finance
10:00 A.M.
Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall
The Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance will meet on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, 10:00 A.M. in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall on St. Thomas to receive testimony on the following bills:
BLOCK I
Bill No. 36-0092 An act approving the lease agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands and St. John Taxi Services Corporation, for Parcel No. D-2 Estate Cruz Bay Town, Cruz Bay Quarter, St. John, Virgin Islands
Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Lisa M. Alejandro, Commissioner, VI Department of Property and Procurement
Mr. Sean L. Claxton, President, St. John Taxi Services Corporation
Ms. Carmen Wesselhoft, Taxi Driver
Bill No. 36-0045 An Act appropriating the sum of $400,000 from the Tourism Advertising Revolving Fund to the Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission for the implementation of technological upgrades
Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Kevin G. McCurdy, Commissioner, VI Department of Finance
Ms. Melissa Smith, Executive Director, Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission
Mr. Rupert O. Ross, Director, VI Bureau of Information Technology
Mr. Julio A. Rhymer, Sr., Director, Office of Management and Budget
Mr. Lawrence Ramdhansingh, President, VI Taxi Association (STT)
Mr. Dhiony Lalanne, President, St. Thomas Taxi Association
Mr. Charles Sealey, President, St. Croix Taxicab Association
Mr. Sean L. Claxton, President, St. John Taxi Association
36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands
BLOCK II
Bill No. 36-0196 An act appropriating excess debt service reserve funds for certain capital projects in the territory
Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Derek A. Gabriel, Commissioner, VI Department of Public Works
Mr. Julio A. Rhymer, Sr., Director, Office of Management and Budget
Mr. Carlton Dowe, Executive Director, VI Port Authority
Mr. Nathan Simmonds, Director, Finance & Administration, VI Public Finance Authority
Bill No. 36-0122 An act amending title 3 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 27, section 711 and chapter 28a, section 760, by requiring the Government Employees Retirement System to discontinue making disability retirement annuity payments to a member who resumes any employment
Invited Testifier:
Mr. Angel E. Dawson, Jr., CEO/Administrator, Government Employees Retirement System
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2025
Committee on Economic Development and Agriculture
10:00 A.M.
Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room
The Committee on Economic Development and Agriculture has scheduled a hearing for Monday, November 10, 2025, at 10:00 AM in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall on St. Thomas, Virgin Islands to provide testimony on the following:
BLOCK I 10:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.
The Committee on Economic Development and Agriculture will receive testimony from the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs on business licensing modernization, consumer protection enforcement, oversight and compliance mechanisms for licensed businesses, small business support, and operational challenges; from the Department of Tourism providing an overview of 2024 tourism performance and its economic impact, including visitor arrivals, key performance indicators, and the status of cruise tourism by district; and from the West Indian Company, Limited (WICO) on port operations, cruise tourism activity, and related economic contributions. The Committee will also conduct oversight on the financial management of the Tourism Revolving Fund, departmental expenditures, staffing levels across the Territory, and essential tourism-related infrastructure such as public restrooms. Additional areas of oversight will include marketing and sponsorship efforts outside the Territory and their measurable outcomes, as well as cultural tourism initiatives featuring calypso, music, and local artists. Further review will cover the 2024 Crucian Christmas Festival, St. John Celebration, and St. Thomas Carnival—highlighting achievements, challenges, and opportunities for improvement—alongside plans for the 2025 festival season.
Invited Testifiers:
Honorable H. Nathalie Hodge, Commissioner, VI Department of Licensing and Consumer Affair
Jeniffer Matarangas-King, Commissioner Nominee, VI Department of Tourism
Charlene Turnbull, Interim CEO, West Indian Company, Limited
BLOCK II 12:30 P.M. – 2:30 P.M.
The Committee on Economic Development and Agriculture will receive testimony from the Department of Planning and Natural Resources on the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s programs and management strategies, including updates on environmental education outreach, territorial fisheries management and enforcement, wildlife conservation, territorial fishery policies, and the Invasive Species Eradication Community Program, and from the Caribbean Fishery Management Council on regional fisheries management and its impacts on the U.S. Virgin Islands, including updates on island-based fishery management plans, collaboration with local fishers and government agencies, sustainable fisheries strategies, impacts of federal regulations, and available funding opportunities
Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Jean Pierre-Oriol, Commissioner, VI Department of Planning & Natural Resources
Miguel A. Rolon, Executive Director, Caribbean Fishery Management Council
BLOCK III 2:30 P.M. – 4:30 P.M.
The Committee on Economic Development and Agriculture will receive testimony from the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture on the state of agriculture in the Virgin Islands, including updates on Act 8854 regarding agricultural maintenance and equipment purchases, the USDA’s Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program, the department’s equipment maintenance plan, pricing of goods and services, Act 8306 establishing the Virgin Islands Agricultural Caribbean Conference, and Act 8404 implementing the Territorial Agriculture Plan, and from the University of the Virgin Islands on the Territorial Agricultural Plan and the V.I. Agricultural Caribbean Conference, including status updates, stakeholder engagement, funding sources, expenditures, projected outcomes, challenges, and solutions, as well as conference objectives, planning milestones, participants, goals, and budget details.
Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Dr. Louis Petersen, Commissioner, VI Department of Agriculture
Dr. Safiya George, President, University of the Virgin Islands
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2025
Committee on Education and Workforce Development
10:00 A.M.
Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room
The Committee will assess education policies, review compliance with statutory mandates, and consider proposed legislation designed to enhance educational outcomes and strengthen the Territory’s public education system.
BLOCK I
Electronic Device Policy and the impact of cell phones on school campuses
Invited Testifiers:
Kyza A. Callwood, PhD, Chairperson, Virgin Islands Board of Education
Honorable Dionne Wells-Hedrington, Ed.D, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Education
BLOCK II
Promotion and Retention Policy as it pertains to the new Virgin Islands and Caribbean History
Curriculum Implementation mandate
Invited Testifiers:
Kyza A. Callwood, PhD, Chairperson, Virgin Islands Board of Education
Honorable Dionne Wells-Hedrington, Ph.D., Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Education
BLOCK III
Proposed Legislation
Bill No. 36-0188 An act amending title 17 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 23, by adding a subchapter III establishing the Virgin Islands Technical College; amending title 3 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 7, subchapter I section 99 to increase the membership of the Board for Career and Technical Education; amending title 17 Virgin Islands Code chapter 23, subchapter I, section 262 to clarify the duties of the Board for Career and Technical Education relating to the Virgin Islands Technical College and section 263 relating to the Career-Technical Education Training Fund, and for other related purposes
Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Dionne Wells-Hedrington, Ph.D., Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Education
Mario Francis, Principal, Raphael O. Wheatley Skills Center, Virgin Islands Department of Education
Christa-Ann Molloy, Ph.D., Principal, St. Croix Career & Technical Education Center, VI Department of Education
Sana Joseph Smith, Policy Advisor (Education, Workforce, Labor), Office of the Governor
Joanne Murphy, Chairperson, Virgin Islands Career & Technical Education Board
Kyza A. Callwood, PhD, Chairperson, Virgin Islands Board of Education
Lora Bailey, PhD., Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, University of the Virgin Islands
Israel Popo, Student, St. Croix Central High School, St. Croix Career & Technical Education Center
Meridith M. Prince, Tradesman
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2025
Committee on Rules and Judiciary
10:00 A.M.
Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall
FRIDAY,
NOVEMBER 14, 2025
Committee on Government Operations, Veterans Affairs and Consumer Protection
9:00 A.M.
Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall
St. Croix Source
Legislature Corner
