Governor acts on August 26 legislation, approves measures supporting housing, veterans and public health while raising concerns over inconsistent legislative scrutiny
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — Governor Albert Bryan Jr. has acted on a series of measures passed by the 36th Legislature during its August 26, 2026 session, signing legislation supporting homeownership, veterans services, public health, Government Employees’ Retirement System members and other priorities.
Among the measures approved by Governor Bryan is Bill No. 36-0273, which redirects funding previously appropriated under Act No. 8465 to the Williams Delight Community Homeownership Program and the VI Slice Homeownership Program.
The Governor also signed Bill No. 36-0274, requiring the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority to compensate homeowners within the Lyndon B. Johnson Gardens community who have been required to vacate their homes because of demolition activity involving VIHFA properties and operations associated with the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority and Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority.
Governor Bryan approved Bill No. 36-0278, establishing immunization requirements for children and students enrolling in educational institutions in the Virgin Islands, providing for exemptions and requiring electronic reporting of immunization compliance through the Virgin Islands Immunization Registry.
He also signed Bill No. 36-0279, establishing the position of Women Veterans Coordinator within the Virgin Islands Office of Veterans Affairs.
Additional measures approved by the Governor include:
- Bill No. 36-0250, amending provisions governing personal loans to members of the Government Employees’ Retirement System.
- Bill No. 36-0224, amending the Virgin Islands Code relating to the moving violations point system.
- Bill No. 36-0213, renaming Contentment Road on St. Croix as “Senator Alicia ‘Chucky’ Hansen Lane” and appropriating $10,000 for signage.
- Bill No. 36-0252, ratifying a perpetual access easement over a portion of Store Tvaer Gade in Queen’s Quarter, St. Thomas.
Governor Bryan vetoed Bill No. 36-0344, a measure containing nine unrelated sections, including one section with substantial amendments to the Territory’s gun safety laws.
Because the measure contained a single appropriation, the Governor was unable to exercise a line-item veto and was required to approve or reject the bill in its entirety.
Governor Bryan expressed particular concern that significant amendments affecting constitutional rights, public safety and pending legal proceedings were advanced without a public hearing or an opportunity for stakeholders to provide testimony.
“Legislation of this significance deserves a deliberate, transparent, and inclusive process,” Governor Bryan said. “When proposed changes affect constitutional rights, public safety and matters before the courts, the public should have an opportunity to understand those changes and be heard.”
Governor Bryan also pointed to what he described as a troubling inconsistency in the Legislature’s handling of major policy matters. While substantial changes to the Territory’s gun laws were advanced without a public hearing or stakeholder testimony, the proposed St. Croix horse racing agreement was subjected to months of discussions between the Executive and Legislative Branches, stakeholder engagement and a Committee of the Whole hearing before ultimately being referred to another committee rather than receiving an up-or-down vote.
“It is difficult to reconcile those two approaches,” Governor Bryan said. “One measure affecting constitutional rights and pending litigation moved forward without the benefit of a public hearing, while another that underwent months of negotiations, public discussion and legislative review was deemed to require still further consideration. The people of the Virgin Islands deserve a legislative process that applies the same standard of scrutiny consistently.”
Governor Bryan also vetoed Bill No. 36-0272, which would have rezoned Plot No. 4 of 12 Estate Richmond on St. Croix from R-3 Residential-Medium Density to B-2 Business-Secondary/Neighborhood.
The Governor determined that stronger restrictions were necessary to ensure that any proposed commercial development does not become a persistent nuisance or otherwise interfere with the quality of life currently enjoyed by neighboring residents.
He also vetoed Bill No. 36-0307, which would have rezoned Parcel No. 17-D-5 Estate Adrian in Cruz Bay Quarter, St. John, from R-1 Residential-Low Density to B-3 Business-Scattered.
Governor Bryan concluded that the proposed change would adversely alter an established residential neighborhood. While acknowledging the limited availability of industrially zoned property on St. John, the Governor determined that rezoning an existing residential area to accommodate the parking and storage of heavy equipment does not represent sound land-use policy.
Governor Bryan also thanked the Legislature for its favorable action on the nominations of Lynton Scotland to the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority Governing Board and Dr. Kisha M. Christian to the Virgin Islands Board of Pharmacy.
“I thank the members of the 36th Legislature for their work on behalf of the people of the Virgin Islands,” Governor Bryan said. “We will continue working together where we can to advance sound policy, strengthen our communities and improve opportunities for Virgin Islanders. Just as importantly, the public deserves a legislative process that is thoughtful, transparent and consistent when addressing matters of significant consequence.”
# # #
Comments are closed