Senate committee hears bill to penalize unused property acquired by eminent domain

Senator Alma Francis Heiliger, sponsor of Bill 36-0070, presented the measure to the Committee on Disaster Recovery Infrastructure and Planning at a June 16, 2025, hearing at Earl B. Otley Legislative Hall in St. Thomas.

"Bill number 36 0 0 7 0, an act amending Title 28 Virgin Islands Code Chapter 19 by adding section 4 23 relating to failure to use property acquired through the exercise of the power of eminent domain," Heiliger said, explaining the measure grew out of research and constituent concerns about land use on the territory’s smaller islands. "The idea behind this piece of legislation came as I have been doing a lot of work and research, even reaching out to members in the community ... when it comes to the utilization of land here in the territory. As you know, we are small islands limited with inventory, whether it's on the Island Of Saint John, whether it's on the…