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Senate committee holds bill that would exempt private property from sign permits after safety, free‑speech debate
Summary
The Committee on Government Operations heard hours of testimony on bill 36‑0052, which would amend Title 29 §502 to limit permit rules to public property. Department of Public Works warned the change would hamper traffic‑safety oversight and program enforcement; supporters said private owners’ speech rights deserve protection. The committee voted to hold the bill for amendment.
The Committee on Government Operations, Veterans Affairs and Consumer Protection on Nov. 14 heard competing views on bill 36‑0052, which would amend Title 29, chapter 9, §502 of the Virgin Islands Code to apply the territory’s advertising‑device permitting rules only to public property.
Sponsor Senator Carla J. Joseph told the committee the amendment is meant to safeguard private‑property free speech and end uncertainty for property owners. "The right to free expression is a constitutional right, and it must be safeguarded, not restricted, especially on private property," she said during introduction remarks.
Derek Gabriel, commissioner of the Department of Public Works, testified the current permit program supports traffic safety and program administration. Gabriel said permits and inspections let the department ensure signs do not obstruct sightlines or create driver…
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