The V.I. Legislature approved a slew of legislation on topics from vehicle emissions testing to regulating physical therapy during a 16-hour session Wednesday.
It approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Sammuel Sanes to amend a law he sponsored in 2013 prohibiting the family of chemicals used to make intoxicants sold over the counter as “bath salts” and so-called "synthetic marijuana." Sanes’ bill expands it to include "any chemicals manufactured "with the intent to circumvent the criminal penalties for synthetic cannabinoids or other substances banned."
It passed legislation sponsored by Sen. Myron Jackson to transfer the former Massac Nursing Home on St. Thomas from the Department of Human Services to the Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation for conversion to a sports facility, boxing gymnasium and housing for visiting athletes. [Bill 30-0377]
A private citizen will be able to file suit against a person or company that submits false claims for payment to the V.I. government, allowing private citizens to seek damages on behalf of the government and to take a share of any court judgment if certain conditions are met, if a bill sponsored by Sen. Nereida "Nellie" Rivera-O’Reilly and approved by the Senate on Wednesday is signed into law. It also establishes certain protections for whistleblowers. The bill summary says it is modeled after the Washington, D.C., False Claims Act and the federal False Claims Act. It is very similar to a bill approved in committee, but never acted upon, in 2012.
Long-delayed work upgrading the La Reine Fish Market and renovating the Estate Profit Recreation Center may get under way soon, because the Legislature passed a bill from Sanes to reprogram $200,000 of funding for the Durant Tower construction in Frederiksted and devote $150,000 to upgrade the La Reine Fish Market and $50,000 to renovate the Estate Profit Recreation Center. [Bill 30-0343]
Another measure from Sanes approved Wednesday [Bill 30-0188] would create $5,000 scholarships to students who study emergency management and agree to return to the territory to work in that field.
It sets aside 2 percent of the Peace Officer Training Fund and the Internal Revenue Matching Fund (but doesn’t touch any of the Internal Revenue Matching Fund) to be held by the V.I. Territorial Emergency Management Agency and doled out in cooperation with the V.I. Board of Education, which handles about $1.5 million in scholarships annually.
Students who do not return to work in the territory would be liable for the full scholarship amount, plus and additional 10 percent.
Senators approved another bill from Sanes to gives the Bureau of Motor Vehicles the authority to create an emissions testing system.
They approved a bill reforming the law that oversees the practices of physical therapists to current norms. It had last been addressed in 1969. The bill allows physical therapists to treat patients for up to 45 days or 12 visits without a doctor’s referral.
Senators also approved a bill requested by Government House authorizing the establishment of a public corporation to receive and hold the assets of Lonesome Dove Petroleum Company Inc. to provide for any income for the corporation. The territory was awarded the leases, which generate around $1 million annually, as settlement in a tax case.
Attorney General Vincent Frazer said in committee hearings that the government needed a vehicle to oversee the assets so the court will turn them over and out of receivership. Sen. Myron Jackson proposed an amendment, which was approved, placing the new entity under the Government Employee Retirement System and devoting its revenues to shoring up the ailing pension plan.
The Senate also approved legislation affecting University of the Virgin Islands Research and Technology Park tax benefits; increasing government cash subsidies to Cruzan Rum; repealing school calendar changes; and authorizing new borrowing, that are discussed elsewhere in the Source.
