Committee advances 17 measures including pension cap, NOAA tower lease, Janiqua’s Law and ABLE accounts; all moved to full body

The Committee on Rules and Judiciary of the 36th Legislature met June 25, 2025, and voted to forward 17 bills and resolutions to the full body, including measures to cap the retirement-salary base used to compute gubernatorial annuities, approve two government lease agreements for a NOAA telecommunications tower and a helicopter operator on Saint John, enact “Janiqua’s Law” requiring restitution in the form of child maintenance in certain motor-vehicle negligence convictions, implement a local ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) program for persons with disabilities, and streamline Government Employees Retirement System (GERS) disability annuity procedures.

Why it matters: the committee cleared a mix of policy, administrative and ceremonial items that affect territorial budgets (the governor/lieutenant governor annuity cap), public safety and emergency services (NOAA tower, Saint John helipad/medical-transport discussions), family restitution for certain negligent driving cases, financial security for people with disabilities, and administrative relief for disability annuity applicants. Several bills also change enforcement or regulatory frameworks for public health and professional licensing.

Votes at a glance (select items and outcomes) - Bill 36-0032 — Amend Title 33 §3080: limit the salary amount used to compute the service retirement annuity for the governor and lieutenant governor. Committee motion: moved by Senator Kenneth L. Gittens, seconded by Senator Angel L. Bocas Jr. Vote in committee: 6 yeas, 1 nay (Senator Avery L. Lewis voted No). Outcome: Favorably voted and forwarded to full body. - Bill 36-0062 — Lease with U.S. Department of Commerce / NOAA for telecommunications tower (Parcel R-22, Estate Nazareth, Red Hook, St. Thomas). Committee motion: moved by Senator Milton E. Potter. Vote: 7 yeas. Outcome: Favorably voted and forwarded to full body. - Bill 36-0098 — Lease with Caribbean Buzz LLC for portion of Parcel 3B, Estate Susannaberg 17A, Cruz Bay, Saint John (existing helipad). Committee motion: moved by Senator Milton E. Potter. Vote: 7 yeas. Outcome: Favorably voted and forwarded to full body. Committee discussion noted the lease’s potential to expand medical-transport services and that the parcel had previously been the subject of prior act (Act 86—related property tracks were verified by legal counsel). - Bill 36-0024 — Add Title 14 §1710: declare persons in custody incapable of consenting to sexual relations (amended to expressly include traffic stops and questioning following detention). Committee motion (as amended): moved by Senator Angel L. Bocas Jr.; roll call: 7 yeas. Outcome: Favorably voted and forwarded to full body. Committee recorded an amendment (36-348) expanding the scope to include traffic stops and questioning after detention. - Bill 36-0027 (“Janiqua’s Law”) — Amend Title 5 to require a defendant convicted of negligent homicide or specified DUI offenses that result in a parent/guardian’s death or permanent disability to pay child maintenance as restitution until the child reaches age 18 (or 19 if still in high school). Motion: moved by Senator Kenneth L. Gittens; roll call: 7 yeas. Outcome: Favorably voted and forwarded to full body. Committee sponsors and supporters emphasized restorative justice and long-term support for affected children. - Bill 36-0031 — Amend Title 23 §1073: exempt public safety or private safety entities from liability for negligent acts in 911 operations unless grossly negligent or willful intent is shown. Motion: moved by Senator Alma Francis Hallager; roll call: 7 yeas. Outcome: Favorably voted and forwarded to full body. - Bill 36-0057 — Amend Title 5 §3733: require automatic expungement of arrest records and complaints/information when an accused has been acquitted. Motion: moved by Senator Alma Francis Hallager; roll call: 7 yeas. Outcome: Favorably voted and forwarded to full body. Sponsors argued the current petition process is costly and burdensome. - Bill 36-0035 (as amended) — Implement federal ABLE (Stephen J. Beck, Jr. Achieving a Better Life Experience Act) locally to allow tax-free savings accounts for persons with disabilities without jeopardizing benefits. Motion (as amended, amendment 36-380 in the nature of a substitute): moved by Senator Avery L. Lewis; roll call: 6 yeas, 1 not voting. Outcome: Favorably voted and forwarded to full body. Committee discussion and amendment clarified the commissioner of finance’s role and contracting authority for program implementation. - Bill 36-0043 (as amended) — Amend Title 19 §1481: raise and structure penalties for sanitation-law violations and establish a risk-based inspection framework and enforcement tools for the Department of Health. Motion (as amended): moved by Senator Angel L. Bocas Jr.; roll call: 7 yeas. Outcome: Favorably voted and forwarded to full body. Sponsors and health officials worked with the National Environmental Health Association on the amendment. - Bills 36-0050 and 36-0051 — Repeal/reenact and modernize Title 27 Chapter 20 to regulate social work practice and create a Virgin Islands Board of Social Work Licensure (companion bills). Motions (as amended): moved by Senator Angel L. Bocas Jr.; roll call: each 7 yeas. Outcome: Favorably voted and forwarded to full body. Committee record notes stakeholder input from Department of Licensing & Consumer Affairs, Department of Human Services, and the Social Work Board; amendments were adopted to address technical issues and exemptions for existing experienced practitioners. - Bill 36-0029 — Resolution to honor Sonia Howe (posthumous recognition) for creating the Saint Croix hook bracelet. Motion: moved by Senator Avery L. Lewis; roll call: 7 yeas. Outcome: Favorably voted and forwarded to full body. - Bill 36-0007 — Resolution honoring James Sasso for distinguished service in mortuary/funeral service. Motion: moved by Senator Angel L. Bocas Jr.; roll call: 7 yeas. Outcome: Favorably voted and forwarded to full body. - Bill 36-0064 (as amended) — Amend Title 33 §3100(i): align disbursement and spending limits from the Education Initiative Fund with school-academic planning realities (proposed increases and elimination of punitive “use-it-or-lose-it” timing). Motion (as amended by committee amendments, including auditing language): moved by Senator Angel L. Bocas Jr.; roll call: 7 yeas. Outcome: Favorably voted and forwarded to full body. Sponsors explained the amendment increases per-school allocations (proposal moved $50,000→$65,000) and removes a penalty that reduced next-year allocations if funds were unspent; committee added an audit provision to increase transparency. - Bill 36-0090 — Add Title 1 §200M: designate the week beginning the Monday before the first Friday in June as Virgin Islands Gun Violence Awareness Week. Motion: moved by Senator Angel L. Bocas Jr.; roll call: 7 yeas. Outcome: Favorably voted and forwarded to full body. - Bill 36-0097 — Resolution commending the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) on its 50th anniversary. Motion: moved by Senator Milton E. Potter; roll call: 7 yeas. Outcome: Favorably voted and forwarded to full body. - Bill 36-0012 — Amend Title 3 Chapter 27 to streamline GERS disability-annuity approval procedures so straightforward cases certified by qualified physicians can bypass the Committee of Medical Review and reach benefits faster. Motion: moved by Senator Milton E. Potter; roll call: 7 yeas. Outcome: Favorably voted and forwarded to full body. GRS representatives said the change could reduce applicant wait time by up to four months.

Selected discussion highlights and attributions - On pension calculation cap (36-0032): Senate Majority Leader (identified in committee as Senator Kurt/Kirk A. Violette in floor remarks) described the measure as aligning governor/lieutenant governor annuity calculations with existing caps applied to other government employees and noted the cap would fix the salary base at the current governor salary ($150,000) and lieutenant governor ($125,000) to avoid automatic increases to annuity payouts should future salaries rise. (Sen. Kurt A. Violette; comment recorded by committee.)

- On Janiqua’s Law (36-0027): Vice Chair Senator Kenneth L. Gittens and other sponsors framed the bill as restorative justice to ensure children who lose a parent or guardian to negligent or impaired driving have mandated maintenance paid by the convicted defendant until age 18 (or 19 if in high school). The committee record names staff help (Jennifer Avila) and family supporters; multiple senators thanked the family and witnesses who testified in committee. (Sen. Kenneth L. Gittens; Sen. Angel L. Bocas Jr.; Sen. Milton E. Potter.)

- On ABLE implementation (36-0035): sponsor Senator Novelle E. Francis Jr. explained the need for a local ABLE program so people with disabilities can save for education, housing, healthcare, and other needs without risking federally means-tested benefits. The committee adopted an amendment specifying the commissioner of finance’s authority to implement the program and contract with financial institutions. (Sen. Novelle E. Francis Jr.)

- On Education Initiative Fund changes (36-0064): sponsor Senator Kirk/Kurt A. Violette described how late-year disbursements and an “use-or-lose” penalty forced hurried spending; the committee accepted amendments to remove the punitive recapture and to increase per-school allocations while adding audit requirements (inspector general reporting). (Sen. Kurt A. Violette; amendment sponsor Senator Angel L. Bocas Jr.; Senator Kenneth L. Gittens amendment clarifications.)

Decisions, directions and follow-up recorded in committee - All measures in today’s agenda were voted favorably by the committee and forwarded to the full Legislature for further consideration unless otherwise noted in the official calendar. - Legal counsel and Department of Property and Procurement were asked to clarify prior acts and parcel descriptions on the Caribbean Buzz helipad lease; counsel confirmed the leases address different portions (9,000 sq ft vs. 400 sq ft) and that maps are part of the legislative public drive. - For several bills the committee adopted sponsor-proposed amendments on the record (noted above). The committee asked departments (Health; DLCA; DHS; GRS; Property & Procurement) to continue coordination with sponsors as the measures move to session.

Ending: The committee adjourned after completing four blocks of business; votes and adopted amendments will appear in the formal committee report submitted with the bills when they reach the full body.