Committee holds bill to create Virgin Islands meteorological office for further review

The Senate Committee on Government Operations, Veterans Affairs and Consumer Protection heard extensive testimony on bill 36-0026, which would amend Title 23 of the Virgin Islands Code (chapter 10) to create a Virgin Islands meteorological office inside the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA).

Sponsor Sen. Ray Fonseca said the measure would “save lives” by allowing the territory to generate localized weather data, operate sensors and eventually site a Doppler S-band radar on St. Croix to close low‑level coverage gaps created by Puerto Rico’s high‑elevation radar in El Yunque. Fonseca cited recent flash floods with limited local warning and warned of federal staffing reductions at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Weather Service that could reduce outside forecasting support.

VITEMA Assistant Director Ovid J. Williams testified that VITEMA supports creating a meteorological office and the positions described in the draft bill but does not currently have funding for full‑time meteorologists or for a radar installation. Williams told senators that VITEMA’s FY budget was roughly $9,871,005.72 (as included in testimony) and that the agency currently has unfilled positions (approximately 28 local vacancies and about 8.4 federal FTE vacancies). Williams recommended partnership with the National Weather Service for siting and technical support if a radar is pursued and requested the sponsor consider amending the bill to reflect practical funding and site constraints.

Sinead (Sana) Burke, a meteorology and climate‑science student at the University of Delaware and a native of the Virgin Islands, urged passage. Burke described how Doppler radar and local observation networks improve lead times for severe‑weather warnings and assist marine, aviation and agricultural users. She recommended starting with personnel and basic instrumentation (rain gauges, anemometers, tide gauges and radiosonde launches) while pursuing longer‑term investments such as a radar.

Committee members pressed VITEMA about costs and capacity. Senators noted that many National Weather Service products are provided without direct charge but said localized staffing and equipment would create additional recurring local costs (hiring, training, travel between islands, maintenance, and data systems). Williams said VITEMA lacks funding for those operating costs and could not provide a final cost estimate during the hearing.

After roughly 90 minutes of testimony and questioning, Sen. Ray Fonseca moved to hold bill 36-0026 in committee for further review and consideration. The motion was seconded by Sen. Franklin D. Johnson and—after no objections—the committee agreed to hold the bill for additional study and potential amendment.