The Budget, Appropriations and Finance Committee voted to favorably pass bill 36‑0209 on Dec. 15, which would establish civil penalties for disregarding official marine advisories and create a Territorial Marine Safety Fund to support emergency response and nonprofit rescue organizations.

Sponsor Senator Hubert L. Frederick said he introduced an amendment to increase penalties from the original $500 to $2,000 for a first offense, $3,000 for a second and $5,000 for a third, with the third offense carrying up to 30 days in jail. "These enhanced penalties reflect the true severity of disregarding public safety warnings," Frederick said.

Sean Santos, assistant police commissioner, testified the Virgin Islands Police Department supports the measure’s intent and described advisories as essential warnings issued by authorities including the National Weather Service and the U.S. Coast Guard. VITEMA Director Daryl Jashin described how NWS Puerto Rico issues marine advisories across a large rectangular marine area and clarified VITEMA’s role in coordinating and rebroadcasting advisories. Jean Pierre Oriel, commissioner of DPNR, supported the intent but recommended clarifying language, suggesting the bill use the term "public safety notices" and consider linking enforcement to US Coast Guard port‑condition closings for clearer legal footing.

During debate, senators and agency witnesses discussed the proper trigger for enforcement (NWS/USCG advisories versus local rebroadcasts), appeal processes, which agencies should be authorized to issue citations, and the proposed penalty levels. Assistant Commissioner Santos said the police department would review any criminal penalties proposed for inclusion before endorsing them.

Senator Frederick moved the bill, the committee took a roll call and approved the measure, and the bill will be sent to Rules & Judiciary for further consideration.

Next steps: bill 36‑0209 advances to Rules & Judiciary; sponsors and staff indicated clarifying language and the scope of agencies authorized to issue citations will be revisited.