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Rules committee advances bill allowing government employees to run for office, adds 30‑day paid‑leave amendment
Summary
Committee on Rules and Judiciary advanced Bill 36‑0134 to the full Senate after testimony from the Division of Personnel and debate about enforcement, Hatch Act compliance and continuity of government. An amendment requires employees to take 30 days of paid annual leave before the general election.
The committee considered Bill 36‑0134, introduced by Sen. Maurice C. James, which would repeal and reenact Title 18, V.I. Code §2 to allow government employees to run for elective office while remaining in active employment unless federal law (for example the Hatch Act for federal employees) or other laws prohibit them. Cindy L. Richardson, director of the Division of Personnel, testified in support and said the Division will issue guidance and training to help agencies implement the change and to ensure compliance with prohibitions on using government time or resources for campaigning.
Sponsor Maurice C. James framed the measure as a modernization to reduce the financial hardship that forces some government workers to choose between a livelihood and running for public office. He said the bill preserves key safeguards: no campaigning during work hours, no misuse of government property, and explicit exclusions for judicial officers and law clerks whose conduct is covered by separate judicial rules.
During extended questioning, senators raised several implementation concerns: who would investigate or discipline violations, how to prevent supervisory coercion if a boss runs for elected office, whether agencies should have uniform rules or if the Division of Personnel’s guidance is sufficient, and whether allowing paid leave would create an unfair advantage over private‑sector candidates. Division attorneys said existing personnel rules and the code of conduct provide disciplinary authority and that guidance can be issued quickly, while formal rules and regulations would take months to promulgate.
Sen. Alma Francis Heiliger offered and the committee adopted amendment 36‑610, requiring that a government employee who seeks public office be granted and must take paid leave from accumulated annual leave 30 days prior to the general election. The amended bill was then moved and favorably voted out of committee (final committee tally recorded in the hearing). The committee record shows some senators reserved judgment pending seeing final amendment language.
What lawmakers said: sponsor James emphasized voter access and the goal of not discouraging employees from running; Sen. Angel L. Bocas Jr. and others warned that enforcement and fairness mechanisms should be explicit; Director Richardson said the Division is prepared to provide guidance and training for agency managers.
Next steps: the amended bill will be forwarded to the full Senate for further debate and vote. Committee members indicated some additional, technical amendments were being drafted for consideration on the floor.
Provenance: committee hearing testimony and debate (Division of Personnel testimony read into the record; sponsor remarks; amendment 36‑610 offered and adopted).
