Rules & Judiciary approves two bills, tables one that would give public access to information and greater transparency

US VIRGIN ISLANDS- The Committee on Rules & Judiciary gathered at the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall on Wednesday, December 22, 2021, on the island of St. Thomas in the United States Virgin Islands. The agenda featured four bills on the floor for discussion and action.

Bill No. 34-0149 sponsored by Senator Alma Francis Heyliger is a measure that seeks to amend Virgin Islands Code title 18, chapter 3, section 53 updating the record keeping practices of the Board of Elections to ensure all official records relating to elections are accessible to the public through the use of technology and cloud-based services.

This measure was heard previously in the Committee on Rules and Judiciary and held in committee for further consideration. With the understanding that it only lacked two amendments that were of concern. Testimony was provided by the Supervisor of Elections, Caroline Fawkes back then and again today. The measure took a different twist as Senator Francis Heyliger was not willing to compromise on the time period in which the documents would have to be provided to the public. However, freshman lawmaker changed the time period from ten consecutive days to ten business days. The second item was who will be able to access the information. That led to great contention and prompted Francis Heyliger to provide a series of facts from other jurisdictions to defend her bill, as Supervisor Fawkes spewed contrary information.

“I will continue to fight on behalf of the people of this territory to have access to information,” Francis Heyliger affirmed. With debates exhausted Senator Genevieve Whitaker attempted to move an amendment in the form of a “Nature of Substitute”. That attempt failed when two members voted yes, two voted no, two were absent and the Chairman, Senator Milton Potter abstained from voting. Keep in mind that Francis Heyliger is not a member of the committee and as a result she can’t make motions to move a measure and she does not have a vote in that committee.

Ultimately Bill No. 34-0149 was voted on to be held in the committee until the call of the chair.  Senator Carla Joseph initially objected to even the holding of the bill in an attempt to kill the bill until she was told by the legal counsel she could not  object to the bill it self.  Ultimately, Senators Carla Joseph, Franklin Johnson, Genevieve Whitaker and Chairman Potter voted in favor of holding the bill. Senator Novelle Francis voted no, which indicates that he too wanted the bill to die, and Senator Steven Payne, Sr. and Senator Kenneth Gittens were absent at the time of the vote.

In other business before the committee a great display of harmony and agreement took charge. Bill No. 34-0173 an Act amending Act No.8479 to adjust the fiscal year 2022 budget for the University of the Virgin Islands; and making an appropriation of $280,660 for employment tax on the restoration of 8% of salaries owed to the employees of the University of the Virgin Islands. “I am glad that I can be a part of making our people whole especially when money was taken from them illegally,” Francis Heyliger said.

Bill No. 34-0144 an Act amending title 17 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 9, section 86 relating to school truancy to provide procedures for addressing unexcused absences from school and providing for related purposes. Both measures passed unanimously among all members that were present. The votes were six yes and one member absent (Senator Kenneth Gittens).

An Act to amend title 23 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 5, providing for the declaration of firearm components upon their entry into the Virgin Islands and other related purposes in the form of Bill No. 34-0072. That measure was held in committee until the call of the chairman.

The legislature will engage in legislative session at the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall on St. Thomas at 10 a.m. on Thursday, December 23, 2021. The agenda features the nomination consideration of Ms. Cindy Richardson to be the next director of the Division of Personnel to lead off the agenda. There are 14 pieces of legislation that include zoning map amendments and bills to be considered.