U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — Governor Albert Bryan Jr. has acted on several measures recently passed by the 36th Legislature during its June 27 session. The Governor approved a number of bills that reflect responsible public policy, while vetoing others that present legal, financial, or policy concerns.
In a letter to Senate President Milton Potter, Governor Bryan reaffirmed his duty to review each measure carefully and make decisions in the best interest of the Virgin Islands and its people.
Bills Signed into Law
The Governor approved the following bills:
- Bill No. 36-0012: Simplifies the process for approving disability annuities through the Government Employees Retirement System.
- Bill No. 36-0024: Clarifies that individuals in police custody cannot consent to sexual activity, strengthening legal protections and reinforcing ethical standards in law enforcement.
- Bill No. 36-0031: Limits liability for emergency service providers operating 911 systems except in cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct.
- Bill No. 36-0035: Allows the territory to implement the federal ABLE Act, which helps individuals with disabilities save for future needs through tax-free accounts.
- Bill No. 36-0043: Increases penalties for violations of sanitation laws.
- Bills No. 36-0050 and 36-0051: Modernize the regulation of the social work profession and establish a licensing board for social workers.
- Bill No. 36-0064: Includes funding for a range of initiatives, such as educational planning, aviation scholarships, library services, street lighting on St. Thomas, and sports development on St. Croix. However, the Governor vetoed Section 9 due to concerns over its financial impact on the retirement system.
- Bill No. 36-0090: Establishes Virgin Islands Gun Violence Awareness Week during the first week of June each year.
- Bill No. 36-0062 and Bill No. 36-0098: Approve leases that support the operations of NOAA on St. Thomas and allow helicopter services on St. John.
The Governor also approved three resolutions:
- Resolution No. 1916: Honors James Sasso for his service in the funeral industry.
- Resolution No. 1917: Posthumously honors Sonya Hough, creator of the Crucian hook bracelet and a pioneer in local jewelry design.
- Resolution No. 1918: Commends the National Conference of State Legislatures on its 50th anniversary.
Vetoed Measures
Governor Bryan vetoed the following bills due to concerns about fairness, enforceability, or financial sustainability:
- Bill No. 36-0027 (Jah’niqua’s Law): Would have required child maintenance payments from defendants convicted of certain vehicular offenses. The Governor rejected the bill due to its limited scope, noting that it excludes more serious crimes such as intentional homicide.
- Bill No. 36-0032: Sought to reduce the salary used to calculate the retirement annuity for the Governor and Lieutenant Governor. The Governor said the proposal was symbolic and structurally flawed. He emphasized the importance of preserving the dignity and stability of the highest offices in the territory.
- Bill No. 36-0057: Proposed automatic expungement of arrest records after an acquittal. The Governor expressed concern about eliminating judicial discretion and the potential impact on law enforcement’s ability to identify behavioral patterns in repeat cases.
- Section 9 of Bill No. 36-0064: Would have extended early retirement benefits to psychiatric technicians. The Governor vetoed the section because it lacks an actuarial study and dedicated funding as required by law. He noted that GERS remains financially vulnerable and cannot support new benefit increases without proper analysis and funding.
“These vetoes are not a rejection of the goals behind the legislation,” Governor Bryan wrote in his transmittal to the Legislature. “They are a necessary step to ensure that we protect the financial integrity of our government and treat all Virgin Islanders fairly.”
Governor Bryan thanked members of the Legislature for their work and reiterated his commitment to reviewing legislation based on its merits. He pledged to continue working with lawmakers to advance proposals that are practical, equitable, and fiscally sound.
“My responsibility is not only to sign laws that sound good,” the Governor stated, “but to ensure they work for the people, align with our laws, and support the long-term health of our territory.”
###