[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6482104,"mediaKeyId","5456294-2e9305979332894e629fde821810270e","parentId",5456294,"title","Bureau of Information Technology seeks $12.33 million to sustain cybersecurity, ServiceNow rollout and FEMA LMR project management","audioSeconds",1452,"startMs",21014000,"endMs",22466000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5456294-2e9305979332894e629fde821810270e&start=21014&end=22466","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5456294-2e9305979332894e629fde821810270e/thumbnail_21014000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6482104/Bureau-of-Information-Technology-seeks-1233-million-to-sustain-cybersecurity-ServiceNow-rollout-and-FEMA-LMR-project-management","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6482104-bfb8ad733c542d9c670e56d2fd8ad163/orig.mp4?Expires=1771084116&Signature=Nk5I1OHaDr4vL3rkKR4tN64N4I01s5rGiIvG2iT7YgsrL1nQg6kksw~YueDa1CTqhcIYUMAQSOMVuF1m87d7J0wAp0Fy7yJ9crVsGNgX7BEzKxymTzzbFExDTd-rvemoem2Y0yse-La773CCcfh7GegPj7~1XCzEQwTRIv9V0RCh2PQY136zZGAwce9xpMXp3a5JnFJ4x0lWJh48q2TKRASP0p4Nqyfog1Iimi6wcrAoczllbqI1mjC07V-DNZnYwbRV6CNYjkvcTY8agAEtiQurP~C7DKsKPlkj9eYMFs0qXKFoW-jbh40u5iaEj6CLxUdTUYvoa1wZy0EYniKN4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Virgin Islands Legislature","date","2025-07-23T21:44:04.803Z","article","The Bureau of Information Technology told the Senate budget panel July 23 it needs $12,329,386 for fiscal year 2026 to preserve the territory's ongoing digital programs, maintain cybersecurity capabilities and continue infrastructure upgrades.

Director Rupert O. Ross said the request includes personnel and fringe (29 positions) as well as funding for enterprise software licensing, infrastructure upgrades and utilities to run data centers and communications sites. \"This budget request reflects more than operational cost. It's an investment in continuity, cyber defense and improved government service delivery,\" Ross said.

Key program lines and projects

Ross highlighted several priorities:
- Cybersecurity: BIT said it has adopted the NIST Cybersecurity Framework to guide detection, response and recovery efforts and has deployed Microsoft Defender and Sentinel across parts of the enterprise. The bureau said it has strengthened its Government Network Operations and Security Center (GNOSC / GNASc) to monitor and respond to incidents and held a territorywide cybersecurity summit to raise awareness.
- ServiceNow: The IT service-management rollout continues; BIT said the platform now supports over 3,700 users and has improved service-desk tracking and interagency workflows.
- FEMA Land Mobile Radio (LMR) program: BIT said it secured $160 million in FEMA funding to rebuild and upgrade the territory's land mobile radio system for first responders (P25-standard upgrades across the islands) and said project management and coordination will be essential to fully obligate and implement the project.

Budget breakdown and spending notes

BIT presented line items and explanations to the committee. Major FY26 requests included $3.2 million for personnel and fringe to fund 29 positions, $3.7 million for software licensing and platform support (including Microsoft enterprise licensing), $5.1 million for infrastructure upgrades and managed services and $250,000 for utilities to power data centers and communications towers. The bureau also listed a miscellaneous general-fund request of $7.7 million (detailed items include Microsoft enterprise renewals, managed infrastructure support, ServiceNow licenses and security awareness training).

Progress, risks and reliance on federal grants

Ross told senators that BIT had completed several agency consolidations and technical projects during FY25, including infrastructure and data upgrades for several agencies, e-citation and mobile data projects for the police, and enterprise system work for labor and licensing. But he warned of risks if funding stalls: \"Without continued funding, we risk slowing the progress we've made and our ability to defend government systems from cyber threats could weaken,\" he said.

The bureau said it administers multiple federal awards and is the recipient or implementer of subgrants for disaster-related projects; BIT also is coordinating the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) work that is routed through VITEMA and requires a territorywide council. Ross told senators the SLCGP process requires interagency governance and does not function as unobligated cash in the bureau's account until projects are agreed by the council and FEMA.

Why it matters

BIT is the central IT authority for the territory's executive branch. Its budget and project choices influence cybersecurity readiness, how quickly agencies can modernize services, and the government's ability to use FEMA disaster funds and federal grants. Officials told the committee that continued investment in software licensing, managed services and personnel is necessary to sustain the expanded monitoring and incident-response posture that officials say has reduced risk.

Ending

BIT asked senators to approve the FY26 request and said it would supply requested follow-ups (detailed actuals, clarifications on supplies and licensing lines) to the committee. Ross said his team will continue to expand ServiceNow service coverage and manage the FEMA LMR work in coordination with public-safety partners.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","07-23-2025 | The Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance","oneSentenceSummary","The Bureau of Information Technology asked for $12.33 million in FY26 to fund personnel, software licensing (including Microsoft enterprise licensing), infrastructure upgrades, utilities and continued ServiceNow and cybersecurity work while managing a $160 million FEMA land mobile radio project.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature, Virgin Islands","taxId",77876,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6482105,"Casino commission seeks steady funding, warns of investigator backlog at gaming enforcement",1805,10790000,12595000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5456294-2e9305979332894e629fde821810270e&start=10790&end=12595","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5456294-2e9305979332894e629fde821810270e/thumbnail_10790000.jpg","/articles/6482105/Casino-commission-seeks-steady-funding-warns-of-investigator-backlog-at-gaming-enforcement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6482105-c6d7d7b4d8904b1bb30b033e720acb34/orig.mp4?Expires=1771084116&Signature=UqIuVQSL~PmdirVdZIFTO9U3UmAwYIg~GyLoUQYeyDSw5vG4Di299L1K3RQJ4aFz3TmiXE7lfuslnJDoIIE-3jdcgxK0JHiwsPjYlQsweCechvG4QcAJXHgzu8ZFICl6pY-~erbIc3-M0sVYyh8Fn5J52-MXJLZ1rqrw2Zzpdkak51RrLzSQ1Q4TniIsPQlZkYavd6b1JzFbQAWnIphPYxd0jgROcbc~kQ1CIm2Cq2p7VmnmkzCYK6QU1EkNa1XSOvuYd0Bsk~YQhki~CJc3mKDwi7p9fl6dh7IJ3Q7MlnMoUB3b5XWyFqwnOZo-KzagbKba9~ebABgzaV0iOxpNdQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Virgin Islands Casino Control Commission told the Senate Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance on July 23 that it is requesting $1,723,800 in FY26 general fund support for commissioner and staff salaries and fringe benefits.

Chairman and CEO Marvin L. Pickering said the commission's request is intended to maintain a staff of 17 (15 filled and two proposed vacancies) and to support routine operations. The commission reported that for 10/01/2024 through 05/31/2025 it collected $112,750 into the Casino Control Revolving Fund (80% retained by the commission; 20% allocated to the Division of Gaming Enforcement for operating expenses). Year-to-date transfers from the casino revenue fund to the commission were $381,299, the commission said.

Pickering told senators the commission completed its second consecutive financial audit with an unmodified opinion for FY22; the lone repeat audit finding involved a formalized policy for review and approval of financial transactions, which the commission said is being addressed.

DGE backlog and licensing impacts

The commission emphasized that timely background and investigative work by the Department of Justice's Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) is a precondition to thoroughly vetting casino-related license applicants. At the commission's last quarterly meeting, DGE Director Oliver David reported a backlog of 385 due-diligence investigations that include new and renewal applications and registrations for gaming and non-gaming entities, casino employees and casino service vendors. Pickering said several investigations can take nearly two years to complete.

\"While the commission is using temporary statements of compliance in limited cases to avoid service interruptions, the commission prefers completed due-diligence reports,\" Pickering told the committee. He asked the legislature to consider restoring or reallocating a portion of casino revenue taxes to support DGE staffing so background checks and investigations can proceed more quickly.

Casinos, revenue and spending

The commission reported that gross casino-revenue tax allocations are distributed to several entities; in FY24 the commission received $554,417 from the casino revenue fund compared with $564,402 in FY23. The committee was shown distributions for departments that receive allocations from the 12% gross-casino tax, including health, education and public safety agencies.

Regulation and internet gaming

Pickering said the commission continues to regulate licensed casinos, issue licenses and exemptions, and oversee compliance. For FY24 the commission issued 690 licenses and work permits across categories; through May 2025 it had issued 432. The commission said it is planning an IGIG (Internet Gaming and Internet Gambling) summit on July 31, 2025, to solicit stakeholder input and inform any recommended statutory updates to 32 V.I. Code section 601 and related rules.

Why it matters

The commission serves as the regulatory and licensing oversight body for casino operations in the territory. The DGE backlog represents an operational and legal dependency: the commission can't complete many licensing decisions without timely investigative reports. Pickering urged legislative consideration of funding options to reduce investigative delays and strengthen oversight.

Ending

The commission asked senators to support the FY26 personnel request and signaled its intention to advance proposed statutory amendments related to internet gaming after the July 31 summit. The commission said it will continue to coordinate with the Department of Justice about investigative capacity and backlogs.","The Virgin Islands Casino Control Commission requested $1.724 million from the general fund and reported improved financial auditing and reporting but flagged a backlog of 385 due-diligence investigations at the Division of Gaming Enforcement.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6482106,"Licensing agency asks for bigger FY26 general fund, highlights cannabis program growth",2181,1677000,3858000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5456294-2e9305979332894e629fde821810270e&start=1677&end=3858","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5456294-2e9305979332894e629fde821810270e/thumbnail_1677000.jpg","/articles/6482106/Licensing-agency-asks-for-bigger-FY26-general-fund-highlights-cannabis-program-growth","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6482106-6b06fdc68328c67fb74ebb8b9c842f88/orig.mp4?Expires=1771084116&Signature=iSJyqx4CxXgJkuj0kDQ5iK2aOsF7KKx6F47G25wkeiyz5RT7xWCpVi1DDRLOg73cdNNWKGYVHNoj~JaTuMGEk0nbhzhJLl27IgnjyYI7dz~F-5wxrpphJ-HVQimadhMQbYsfR0Wy4ZE6C8~tUPNkDzM4pQbWjqCdFAzSJ6p2pdRjSCMsFrTHwWvteqcjmZ0TNPYS8V5WxqkEEecgM3FoUbhkdsN--FMxZTTu~OeeHtEcHaOXYv5RaBLQePdXXotwYJCwLlFa7mNiGoCUmbC4hclbSleIW3cpj469UnZRhqnraXPnXkVhrkMBmoZYQxXM1ehB5bO16fX74F9sGuYSzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs told the Senate Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance on July 23 that it is seeking $5,871,053 in general fund appropriations and an additional $800,000 from the Consumer Protection Fund for fiscal year 2026.

Commissioner Natalie Hodge, who led the department's budget presentation, said the FY26 general fund request represents an increase of about $973,074 over FY25 and is aimed at sustaining personnel and core operations while supporting enforcement and technology improvements. \"Our mission, serving businesses and assisting, educating and protecting consumers guides our work,\" Hodge said in prepared testimony to the committee.

The department reported license-processing and enforcement statistics for FY25 to date. Using a digitized platform, the Division of Licensing approved 8,223 business licenses in FY25 (a 1% decline from FY24) covering 14,079 active categories. License-fee collections rose slightly to $3,108,274.53, the department said. Hodge noted St. Thomas led the territory in business activity and fee collection.

The division that oversees alcohol licensing reported 617 alcohol-related licenses and 22 notices of violation in FY25, and DLCA said inspectors performed extensive checks across retail food and fuel sellers: the weights and measures unit inspected about 106 businesses and found 51 locations with expired products. The consumer protection unit said it received 184 complaints between October and May and resolved 168 of them, securing roughly $16,800 in restitution.

On enforcement, DLCA reported 174 citations in FY25 totaling roughly $100,550 and two arrests tied to licensing-law violations. Legal staff said the agency processed 214 notices of intent to revoke for tax nonpayment under Title 27, Sec. 304(k) of the Virgin Islands Code; 57 cases closed after BIR confirmed payment or approved plans, and 20 licenses were revoked for continued noncompliance.

Office of Cannabis Regulation: growth, licensing and spending

Joanne Morehead, executive director of the Office of Cannabis Regulation (OCR), which is housed within DLCA, told senators the OCR's FY26 ask is $1,639,917 (including $200,000 from the Tourism Advertising Revolving Fund). OCR said it has grown from a single-person office to a six-person team and has begun accepting cultivation and dispensary applications.

OCR reported receiving 26 cultivation-license applications (14 on St. Croix, 10 on St. Thomas and 2 on St. John) during the first application round, and it said awarding of licenses must follow the 90-day statutory window for initial awards. Morehead said OCR had collected $103,725 in revenue from October 2024 through June 2025, mostly from cultivation application fees, and that $616,480.78 of the $1,000,000 TARF appropriation from Act 8,680 had been expended by June. Morehead told the committee $243,180 of that TARF money had paid for law-enforcement vehicles.

OCR said about $248,666.66 is allocated for its registry portal (Tyler Technologies) and $26,691 for hardware; the office reported spending roughly $32,000 on training and professional engagement. Morehead told the committee OCR is buying field test kits and pursuing cannabis analyzers for territory testing; OCR also said it purchased $207,000 in equipment for the Department of Health public laboratory.

Staffing, vacancies and technology

Hodge said DLCA has 53 general-fund positions; six were listed as vacant at the hearing, and she asked for two new critical FY26 roles: a network administrator and a public information officer. Hodge said two new positions were approved for DLCA in FY26 and that the enforcement division is understaffed for after-hours work, requesting $50,000 for overtime and nighttime differential to increase late-night inspections.

Committee members pressed DLCA on several operational details, including vendor payables (DLCA reported roughly $218,000 outstanding as of the hearing), revenue collections for FY25 (Assistant Commissioner Horace Graham reported $3,970,067 year-to-date), and whether the department had received allotments (Hodge said the department had received allotments through October). Senators asked about supply and \"other services\" line items in the post-audit report; DLCA staff acknowledged discrepancies and said they would resubmit corrected figures.

Why it matters

DLCA regulates business licensing, consumer protection and enforcement across the territory; it also houses OCR as that new program grows. The department's budget and staffing choices affect business permitting timelines, enforcement capacity for consumer and weights-and-measures issues, and the pace of OCR licensing and oversight for the emerging cannabis market. The committee asked for follow-up documentation and corrected post-audit figures before final appropriations.

Ending

DLCA said it would provide requested clarifications and corrected numbers to the committee. OCR said it expects to award cultivation licenses within the statutory 90-day evaluation window and that dispensary and manufacturing licensing rounds will follow. The committee recessed after the hearing and planned additional follow-up from agencies as the budget process continued.","The Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs asked the Senate budget committee for $5.87 million in FY26 general fund support and described enforcement, licensing volumes and the Office of Cannabis Regulation's startup, which has begun processing business and patient applications.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bureau of Information Technology seeks $12.33 million to sustain cybersecurity, ServiceNow rollout and FEMA LMR project management

Casino commission seeks steady funding, warns of investigator backlog at gaming enforcement

Licensing agency asks for bigger FY26 general fund, highlights cannabis program growth