MONDAY, MARCH 10, 2025
Committee on Economic Development and Agriculture
10 A.M.
Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room, St. Croix, Virgin Islands
BLOCK I
The Department of Planning and Natural Resources will provide a comprehensive update on its operations, regulatory responsibilities, and ongoing efforts to manage and protect the Virgin Islands’ natural, cultural, and historical resources.
Key highlights will include staffing challenges, enforcement capabilities, concerns over potential loss of federal funding, updates on the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s conservation and regulatory programs, ongoing environmental protection initiatives, the status of coastal development projects under the Division of Coastal Zone Management, and current efforts in historic preservation and compliance enforcement.
Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Jean-Pierre L. Oriol, Commissioner, Department of Planning and Natural Resources
BLOCK II
The Virgin Islands Port Authority will present an overview of its operational performance, infrastructure development projects, and efforts to improve air and seaport facilities throughout the territory.
Key highlights will include a review of VIPA’s 2024 Year-End Report, progress on airport modernization projects at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport and Cyril E. King Airport, updates on the $230 million CEKA terminal expansion and $140 million HERA improvements, seaport dredging plans for Charlotte Amalie Harbor, and discussions on coordination between VIPA and WICO to optimize operations and minimize redundancies.
Invited Testifier:
Carlton Dowe, Executive Director, Virgin Islands Port Authority
BLOCK III
The Office of Cannabis Regulation will provide an update on the agency’s progress in implementing the Virgin Islands Cannabis Use Act and regulating the territory’s emerging cannabis industry.
Key highlights will include the status of cannabis regulations, timelines for business licensing applications, updates on the track-and-trace system partnership with Metrc, staffing levels and hiring plans, public outreach initiatives for
entrepreneurs, and plans for upcoming community engagement sessions.
Invited Testifier:
Joanne Moorehead, Executive Director, Office of Cannabis Regulation
FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2025
Girl Scouts Mock Session
10:00 A.M.
Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall
TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2025
Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance
10:00 A.M.
Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall
BLOCK I
Bill No. 36-0028 An Act approving the lease agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands and Tropical Marine, Inc., for Parcel No. 37-1 Estate Nadir, No. 2 Red Hook Quarter, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands and a portion of unsurveyed Estate Nadir, No. 2 Red Hook Quarter, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands
Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Lisa Alejandro, Commissioner, Department of Property and Procurement
Vincent Richards, Assistant Commissioner, Department of Property and Procurement
Carmen Ruan, President, Tropical Marine, Inc.
Bill No. 36-0040 An Act approving the lease agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands and Charles
M. Kim V.I. Foundation, Inc. d/b/a Virgin Islands Museum of Art, for a portion of Lot No. 48b Norre Gade, Kings Quarter, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands
Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Lisa Alejandro, Commissioner, Department of Property and Procurement
Mr. Vincent Richards, Assistant Commissioner, Department of Property and Procurement
Mr. Jason Charles, Representative
BLOCK II
Bill No. 36-0008 An Act amending title 33 Virgin Islands Code, subtitle 2, chapter 89, subchapter I, section 2494 requiring the Lieutenant Governor to offset a property owner’s property tax liability against any amount of money that the Government of the Virgin Islands owes to the property owner
Invited Testifiers:
Mr. Julio Rhymer Sr., Director, Office of Management and Budget
Mr. Joel Lee, Director, VI Bureau of Internal Revenue
Mr. Brent Leerdam, Tax Collector, Office of the Lieutenant Governor
Bill No. 36-0023 An Act amending title 33 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 4, section 72 relating to the highway user tax.
Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Kevin McCurdy, Commissioner, VI Department of Finance
Honorable Derek A. Gabriel, Commissioner, VI Department of Public Works
Mr. Joel Lee, Director, VI Bureau of Internal Revenue
Bill No. 36-0038 An Act amending title 29 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 10, subchapter III, section 551, subsection
(a) by increasing the limit for outstanding bonds for the Virgin Islands Port Authority from $100 million to $500 million
Invited Testifiers:
Mr. Carlton Dowe, Executive Director, Virgin Islands Port Authority
Mr. Willard John, Chairman, VI Port Authority Board of Directors
