Approves Bill Increasing the Virgin Islands Minimum Wage and Proposes Amendments to Cannabis Use Act
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS – Governor Albert Bryan Jr. acted on eight bills passed by the 36th Legislature in its January 12th regular session, including a bill increasing the Virgin Islands minimum wage.
Governor Bryan acknowledged the 36th Legislature’s favorable action on the nomination of attorney Pedro Williams to the Virgin Islands Superior Court, District of St.Thomas/St. John.
Among the bills Governor Bryan approved is Bill No. 36-0030, an act amending title 24 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 1, section 4, increasing the Virgin Islands minimum wage.
In his transmission letter to Senate President Milton Potter, Governor Bryan called the wage increase “an important step forward in improving the standard of living for Virgin Islands residents.”
Governor Bryan also acted on Bill Nos. 36-0089, 36-0092, 36-0105, 36-0184, 36-0210, 36-0217, 36-0222.
- Bill No. 36-0089 – an act approving the lease agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands and PEO Productions, LLC d/b/a WSTA Radio
- Bill No. 36-0092 – an act approving the lease agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands and St. John Taxi Services Corporation.
- Bill No. 36-0105 – an act amending title 7 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 13, subchapter III to prohibit the possession, sale, or manufacture of THC
- Bill No. 36-0184 – an act amending title 22 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 14, of the Virgin Islands Insurance Holding Company System Regulatory Act to implement revisions that were made to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners
- Bill No. 36-0210 – an act appropriating the sum of $4,000,000 from
the Virgin Islands Insurance Guaranty Fund to the Virgin Islands Water and Power
Authority
- Bill No. 36-0217 – an act approving the sale of Parcel No. 20-A Hospital
Street, Christiansted, St. Croix by and between the Government of the Virgin Islands and Z Property VI LLC for the sum of $260,000
- Bill No. 36-0222 – an act designating January 27, 2026 as St. John Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise Day and appropriating up to $35,000 from the Tourism Advertising Revolving Fund to the Department of Tourism to organize and host festivities in celebration of St. John Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise Day
Governor Bryan also acknowledged the Legislature’s override of his veto of Section 2 of Act No 9052, (Bill No. 36-0119).
“It is my sincere hope that both branches will continue to exercise their respective
authorities in a manner that respects the balance of powers and ensures timely action in the
appointment and confirmation of members of the judiciary, consistent with the more stringent
system of checks and balances that existed prior to the removal of the limited grace period
following an expired term,” Governor Bryan wrote.
The Bryan-Roach Administration is investing in the Territory’s people, infrastructure and future through transparency, stabilizing the economy, restoring trust in the government and ensuring that recovery projects are completed as quickly as possible. Visit transparency.vi.gov
# # #