Lawmakers Advance Judicial, Tourism, and Cannabis Nominees — and Six Key Bills — in Packed Rules Committee Hearing

The Senate Rules and Judiciary Committee spent Thursday working through a long agenda that touched nearly every branch of government — confirming judges, vetting nominees, and approving a slate of bills that senators said reflect “where the territory is trying to go.”

By the end of the day, lawmakers had advanced four gubernatorial nominations and six legislative measures to the full body, with committee members praising what Chair Sen. Carla Joseph called “a productive, grounded session.”

Much of the morning was devoted to the nomination of Magistrate Judge Venetia H. Velazquez and Attorney Melanie L. Turnbull to the Superior Court. Both nominees spoke about restoring public confidence in the judiciary through fairness, accessibility, and consistent leadership. Velazquez, who has served on the St. Croix bench for more than a decade, told senators that timely justice depends on structure and accountability. “Every person who enters the courtroom should feel heard and respected — whether they win or lose,” she said, adding that her division issued more than 500 civil orders last year and closed nearly as many cases.

Turnbull, a veteran public defender and nominee to the Family Division on St. Thomas, said her experience representing vulnerable clients has shaped her understanding of justice. “I will run the courtroom with empathy,” she said, “but my decisions will always be grounded in the law.” She called for digitized filing systems and simplified court forms to make the process less daunting for residents. Virgin Islands Bar Association President Russell Pate endorsed both nominees, describing them as “the embodiment of competence, fairness, and service.”