Governor approves bills supporting mental health education, working families, retirees, election operations, public infrastructure and community recognition
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — Governor Albert Bryan Jr. has acted on a series of measures passed by the Thirty-Sixth Legislature during its May 28, 2026 Session, approving bills that support mental health education, working parents of children with disabilities, responsible waste management, public school maintenance, election operations, retirees, health care facilities, public infrastructure and the recognition of Virgin Islanders who have made meaningful contributions to the Territory.
Governor Bryan approved Bill No. 36-0133, which amends Virgin Islands law to provide for mental health education and instruction, and Bill No. 36-0207, which requires employers to grant parents or legal guardians of a child with a diagnosed disability four hours per month of paid leave to attend the child’s medical appointments.
The Governor also approved Bill No. 36-0232, which authorizes the disposal of green waste using controlled incineration technologies, including air curtain incinerators, and Bill No. 36-0238, which redirects hotel development net bond proceeds to the Government Employees’ Retirement System of the Virgin Islands and the Virgin Islands Government Hospitals and Health Facilities Corporation.
Regarding Bill No. 36-0238, Governor Bryan noted that the measure is “a well-intentioned piece of legislation” and explained that it should be clarified so that, whether or not the hotel assets are sold, they become the property of the retirement system once the debt obligation is met. The Governor stated that this “would ensure greater solvency for our retirees and the system on a whole.”
Governor Bryan also approved Bill No. 36-0248, the Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy Act, known as C-PACE. In approving the measure, the Governor made clear that implementation should not move forward until additional policy protections are in place. Before any assessment contracts are approved, the Virgin Islands Energy Office must promulgate rules and regulations to govern the administration of C-PACE.
At a minimum, those rules and regulations should require that financing entities are properly licensed to conduct business in the Territory and registered with Banking and Insurance, that property owners are duly advised of the financial impact of any C-PACE agreement, including the effect of a priority lien, that construction estimates are conducted by licensed professionals and evaluated for reasonableness, and that construction is performed by licensed contractors in compliance with applicable building codes. Governor Bryan noted that “it would have been prudent to include these provisions in the original bill” and stated that the Legislature should make those amendments.
The Governor also approved Bill No. 36-0283, which limits income tax refunds for economic development program beneficiaries. Governor Bryan explained that the bill “stands to secure our coffers against double dipping by beneficiaries and ensuring that we can pay the refunds to our constituents in a timely manner.”
Governor Bryan approved Bill No. 36-0294, which appropriates $400,000 from the General Fund of the Treasury of the Virgin Islands to the Election System of the Virgin Islands. The appropriation allows the primary election to be conducted prior to the general election.
The Governor also approved Bill No. 36-0236, a broader measure addressing several matters, including the Virgin Islands Insurance Guaranty Fund, limitations on political contributions, the incorporation of several St. Croix roads into the public road system, a $2.1 million appropriation to the Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance for school facility maintenance, a $100,000 appropriation to the Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation for the Virgin Islands Senior National Women’s Basketball Team, and amendments related to early voting.
Governor Bryan line-item vetoed Section 3 of Bill No. 36-0236 concerning ineligibility for public office. While the Governor recognized that “ensuring the capacity and integrity of our public officials is a worthy objective,” he encouraged revisions “to ensure clear legislative intent, consistent and uniform implementation, and to minimize the risk of candidate certification challenges and related litigation.”
The Governor explained that further consideration should be given to clearly defining the scope of the law’s applicability to district, territorial and Delegate to Congress races, if such coverage is intended. He also noted the need to define the mental impairments that would disqualify a candidate from seeking or holding office and to establish a process for making such determinations.
Governor Bryan further noted that, if the intent is for candidates to undergo fingerprint-based criminal background checks, the measure should include statutory language necessary to authorize access to FBI records, such as requiring applicants to “submit to a national criminal history check” or “submit fingerprints to the FBI” for screening purposes.
The Governor also explained that the bill requires the submission of three separate items to verify that a candidate is not ineligible based on a conviction for a disqualifying criminal offense. He noted that those requirements “appear cumbersome, redundant, and may impose unnecessary costs on candidates, potentially creating a financial barrier to seeking office.” Governor Bryan also stated that the Legislature should seek further clarity on crimes of moral turpitude and list them in the definitions to reduce litigation, and that the bill should establish a clear process for determining a candidate’s disqualification and, when applicable, for the removal or expulsion of an elected official found to be ineligible to hold office.
Governor Bryan also line-item vetoed Section 9 of Bill No. 36-0236 concerning the omission of non-commercial signs from political fees. The Governor explained that “road signs can be an ugly impediment to our territory’s natural beauty and fines or fees are necessary to maintain order for the erection and removal of such signs in a timely manner.”
Governor Bryan approved several zoning measures, lease matters and land transfers, including:
Bill No. 36-0266, rezoning Parcel 15 Estate Susannaberg, No. 17A Cruz Bay Quarter, St. John, from R-4 Residential-Medium Density to R-3 Residential-Low Density.
Bill No. 36-0268, granting a zoning use variance from the P Public zoning designation for Parcel No. 300-B Revised Cruz Bay Town, Cruz Bay Quarter, St. John.
Bill No. 36-0270, rezoning Parcel Nos. 11-F and 11-G Estate Penitentiary Land, Company Quarter, St. Croix, from R-3 Residential-Medium Density to P Public.
Bill No. 36-0288, rezoning Plot Nos. 242, 243, 563 and 564 Estate Strawberry Hill, Queen Quarter, St. Croix, from R-2 Residential-Low Density-One and Two Family to R-4 Residential-Medium Density.
Bill No. 36-0289, granting a zoning use variance from the R-2 Residential-Low Density-One and Two Family zoning designation for Plot No. 395 Estate Whim, Westend Quarter, St. Croix.
Bill No. 36-0291, granting a zoning use variance to Plot No. 295-D-2 Estate Barren Spot, King Quarter, St. Croix, to allow for warehouse and storage services.
Bill No. 36-0275, approving the amended lease agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands, acting through the Commissioner of the Department of Property and Procurement, and Hearts In Service Association, Inc., for the leasing of Parcel No. 175C Estate Anna’s Retreat No. 1 New Quarter, St. Thomas, for the purpose of providing eligible programs and services to homeless families, individuals, veterans and at-risk youth and operating a soup kitchen and other related purposes.
Bill No. 36-0257, transferring Parcel No. 2C Estate Ross, 8 New Quarter, St. Thomas, from the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority to the Virgin Islands Department of Education for use by the Charlotte Amalie High School.
Governor Bryan also approved several honor bills recognizing Virgin Islanders for distinguished service and contributions to the community, including:
Bill No. 36-0009, honoring and commending Steven van Beverhoudt for his years of dedicated service and numerous contributions to the people of the Virgin Islands and naming the Office of the Virgin Islands Inspector General building “The Steven van Beverhoudt Inspector General Building.”
Bill No. 36-0114, honoring and commending Dilsa Capdeville for her many contributions to the Virgin Islands community through her roles in social services and advocacy for abused women and children and naming the Bolongo Bay Head Start Facility the “Dilsa Capdeville Head Start Facility.”
Bill No. 36-0149, honoring and commending Janeisha John for her outstanding achievements, pioneering spirit and significant contributions to entertainment, modeling and television production, and celebrating her role as a cultural ambassador, trailblazer and inspirational leader of the Virgin Islands.
Bill No. 36-0191, honoring and commending Detective Delberth Phipps Jr. posthumously for his service with the Virgin Islands Police Department and to the Virgin Islands community by renaming the portion of Hospital Gade where it intersects with Veterans Drive, at the Alexander Farrelly Criminal Justice Complex, to the beginning of Maude Proudfoot Drive, the “Detective Delberth Phipps, Jr., Memorial Street.”
Governor Bryan also acknowledged Resolution No. 1926, Bill No. 36-0194, urging the United States Congress and the Office of the United States Trade Representative to expand and modernize the Caribbean Basin Initiative to further support economic growth and development in the Virgin Islands and the wider Caribbean region.
The Governor also acknowledged Resolution No. 1927, Bill No. 36-0297, petitioning the United States Congress to express its support for and solidarity with Taiwan in its quest for meaningful participation in international organizations.
Governor Bryan also thanked the Legislature for its favorable action on the nominations of the Honorable Denise M. Francois as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands and Attorney Renee M. Andre as Judge of the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands in the District of St. Thomas and St. John.
###
Comments are closed