U.S. Virgin Islands – The 34th Legislature’s Committee on Government Operations and Consumer Protection chaired by Senator Carla Joseph embarked on an interesting agenda at the Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room on St. Croix on Wednesday, October 20, 2021. While the meeting was scheduled for a 10 a.m. start but as seems to be customary of late the meeting did not get started until around 11:30 a.m. The day began with the consideration of Bill No. 34-0096 an Act amending title 3 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 7 by designing the existing sections as subchapter 1 and adding a subchapter II establishing the Virgin Islands Virtual Information System. Representatives from the Department of Education, The Virgin Islands Department of Health, the Department of Human Services, the Office of the Attorney General, the Department of Labor, the Director of the Bureau of Information Technology, Rupert Ross and President David Hall, SJD of the University of the University of the Virgin Islands. After discussion the bill was offered and received a unanimous vote from the committee to move forward to the committee on Rules and Judiciary for further consideration. In block II of the agenda Senator Alma Francis Heyliger introduced Bill No. 34-0103 an Act amending title 23 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 10, section 1004 by adding a definition for essential businesses and essential employees or workers. After discussion and amendments to be made on the bill, Senator Francis Heyliger offered to hold the bill in committee and her colleagues agreed. Lisa Hamilton, the President of the Virgin Islands Hotel & Tourism Association, Andrea Shillingford, the Director of Catholic Charities, Darryl Jaschen, the Director of the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency were some of the testifiers presenting testimony on this legislation. The hearing took a twist as Senator Francis Heyliger introduced Bill No. 34-0108 an Act amending title 3 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 27, section 7 relating to membership of senators in the Government Employees Retirement System to increase the age of retirement for its members from 60 where it currently stands to the age of 65. There were a lot of opposition from majority and minority colleagues. The members of the Committee present were Senators Novelle Francis, Jr., Marvin Blyden, Milton Potter, Javon James Sr., Franklin Johnson, Francis Heyliger and Chairwoman Joseph. Many arguments were raised, and Francis Heyliger stayed with her belief that the people she was elected to represent should know that we do not have an advantage as senators and should have the same qualifying factors for benefits across the board. After the dust settled Senator Francis Heyliger wanted to offer an amendment to correct a point of contention in the bill but was not afforded the opportunity as none of her colleagues offered a second. Francis Heyliger went on to offer the bill as is m the form of Bill No. 34-0108 that suffered the same faith as the amendment for a lack of a second from any of her fellow committee members. So, the bill as we know it is no longer. Non committee member Kenneth Gittens made sure he was present to speak against the bill and its significance. Closing out the day was testimony from Mr. Raymond Williams the Executive Director of the Virgin Islands Lottery on the day-to-day operations along with any updates. The senate calendar continues Thursday, October 21, 2021, at 9:30 a.m. at the Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room on St. Croix. The Rules and Judiciary chaired by Senator Milton Potter, will here Bills No. 34-0047, and 34-0062, consider confirmation of a University of the Virgin Islands Board of Trustees and the confirmation of Virgin Island Police Department Commissioner Nominee.