Governor Bryan Acts on Bills from 35th Legislature’s September Session

Vetoes Four Bills, Approves Nomination of Attorney General Gordon C. Rhea Esq.

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS – Governor Albert Bryan Jr. acted on a number of bills passed by the 35th Legislature in its September 27 Regular Session, as well as a number of Fiscal Year 2025 Budget bills, and vetoed Budget Bill Nos. 35-0375, 35-0379, 35-0380 and 35-0381.

Additionally, Governor Bryan acknowledged the Legislature’s favorable action on the nominations of Gordon C. Rhea, Esq. as the Attorney General, Vance E. Pinney and Calford S. Martin as members of the Virgin Islands Coastal Zone Management Commission, for the District of St. Thomas, Calford S. Martin  as a member of the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority Board of Directors, for the District of St. Thomas, and Julian Penn as a member of the Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission.

Governor Bryan acted on Bill Nos. 35-0087, 35-0272, 35-0280, 35-0302, 35-0303, 35-0309, 35-0321, 35-0322, 35-0324, 35-0325, 35-0327, 35-0339, 35-0341, 35-0342, 35-0343, 35-0344, 35-0345, 35-0346, 35-0347, 35-0348, 35-0349, 35-0350, 35-0351, 35-0352, 35-0353, 35-0354, 35-0355, 35-0356, 35-0357, 35-0358, 35-0360, 35-0361, 35-0362, 35-0363, 35-0364, 35-0365, 35-0366, 35-0372, 35-0373, 35-0375, 35-0376, 35-0377, 35-0378, 35-0379, 35-0380,  and 35-0381.

Governor Bryan did not approve Bill No. 35-0087 – An Act amending title 33 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 111 to repeal and reenact section 3038 to establish in the Treasury of the Virgin Islands a special fund designated as the Veterans Mainland Travel Revolving Fund. In his transmittal letter to Senate President Novelle E. Francis Jr., Governor Bryan said the Office of Veterans Affairs was not invited to participate in the development of this bill and identified several areas in need of correction. “I respectfully request that the body collaborate with the Office of Veterans Affairs to craft an appropriate measure,” Governor Bryan wrote. “I look forward to signing a revised bill.”

Governor Bryan approved Bill No. 35-0272 – An Act amending title 20 Virgin Islands Code, part II, chapter 38, section 425(a) relating to an increase in the motor vehicle rental surcharge.

The following zoning measures were approved:  Bills No. 35-028035-030235-030935-032135-0322, 35-0324, 35-032535-0327 and 35-0372.

Governor Bryan also approved Bill No. 35-0303 – An Act approving the Government of the Virgin Islands’ conveyance of Plot No. 25B Hill Street, Company Quarter, Christiansted, St. Croix, Virgin Islands to the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority.

Governor Bryan approved Bill No. 35-0339 – An Act approving the First Renewal Agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands and Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company for Group Medical Health Insurance; the First Renewal Agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands and Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company for Group Dental Insurance; and the First Amendment to the Agreement for Group Medical Health Insurance between the Government of the Virgin Islands and United Healthcare Insurance Company. However, in his transmittal letter Governor Bryan wrote that he was “extremely disappointed that the Legislature believes it is fiscally responsible for the Government of the Virgin Islands to continue to cover a majority if not the entire increase in premium each year.”

The following FY 2025 Budget bills were approved by Governor Bryan:

Bills No. 35-0341, 35-034235-0343, 35-0344, 35-0345, 35-0346, 35-034735-0348 ,35-0349, 35-0350 . 35-0351, 35-0352, 35-0353, 35-0354, 35-035535-035635-035735-035835-036035-0361, 35-0362, 35-036335-0364, 35-0365, 35-036635-0373, 35-0376 and 35-0377.

Governor Bryan vetoed Bill No. 35-0375 – An Act amending title 11 Virgin Islands Code by adding chapter 3 establishing a money transfer fee in the amount of 3% of the total amount of money transfer and establishing the Money Laundering and Electronic Transaction Enforcement Fund.

He also vetoed Bill No 35-0379 – An Act making various amendments to titles 3, 33 and 20 of the Virgin Islands Code and making various amendments to Acts No. 8717, 8585 and 8759. Governor Bryan called the legislation “a staggering overreach for the Legislature to attempt to terminate a portion of a legally binding agreement, which they are not a party to.”

Governor Bryan vetoed Bill No. 35-0380 – An Act appropriating funds received from the settlement of The Government of the United States Virgin Islands v. Estate of Jeffrey E. Epstein, et al., and the settlement agreement with Leon Black for various projects and initiatives to enhance community services, mental health resources, infrastructure, and economic development in the Virgin Islands, including the establishment of the Southern Trust Company Settlement Fund and the Survivors and Mental Health Healing Trust Fund.

Calling it “unnecessary and flawed,” Governor Bryan vetoed Bill No. 35-0381 – An Act providing an appropriation to the Attorney General of the Virgin Islands’ Crime Prevention/Prosecution Fund.

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

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