Acting on behalf of Gov. Albert Bryan Jr., who was in Washington, D.C., for meetings with federal officials, Lt. Gov. Tregenza A. Roach took action on five bills passed by the 35th Legislature during its Nov. 20 session. Among these, he approved four and vetoed one, citing concerns over departmental responsibilities and resource allocation.
Approved Legislation:
- Bill No. 35-0205: Allocates $900,000 to the Virgin Islands Sports, Parks, and Recreation Department for constructing an equestrian training facility in Estate Body Slob, St. Croix.
- Bill No. 35-0271: Amends Title 20 of the Virgin Islands Code to establish school speed zones, signage, and enforcement measures aimed at enhancing student and pedestrian safety near schools. Roach suggested amending a portion of the code to allow all law enforcement officers, not just the Virgin Islands Police Department, to enforce these infractions for broader compliance monitoring.
- Bill No. 35-0402: Extends the statute of limitations for bringing civil actions involving childhood sexual abuse, allowing survivors more time to seek justice.
- Bill No. 35-0412: Amends various sections of Titles 19, 30, and 31 of the Virgin Islands Code, addressing the management of public property, procurement processes, the Virgin Islands Cannabis Use Act, and the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority. Roach exercised his line-item veto to remove section 3, arguing that restricting the governor’s ability to address emergency impacts could hinder effective response efforts. He also removed section 9, which proposed reallocating funds from the University of the Virgin Islands to the Economic Development Authority for grants to farmers and fishermen, a move Roach did not support.
Vetoed Legislation:
- Bill No. 35-0403: This bill sought to amend Title 20, Part II, Chapter 49 of the Virgin Islands Code by repealing and re-enacting provisions related to abandoned and derelict motor vehicles. Roach vetoed the measure, explaining that existing statutes already address the issue and that shifting sole responsibility to the Virgin Islands Police Department would place undue strain on an already overstretched agency. Roach emphasized that the island administrators’ offices, which currently oversee the removal of abandoned vehicles, have effectively managed the program.
Sen. Donna Frett-Gregory, the bill’s sponsor, expressed disappointment at the veto, noting that the measure was designed to tackle a pervasive and vexing issue in the territory. While the current law designates VIPD as the responsible entity, Frett-Gregory pointed out that, in practice, a longstanding partnership between VIPD and the administrators’ offices — dating back to the Farrelly and Schneider administrations — has shifted much of the workload to the latter.
“The bill aimed to formalize and streamline the process, not to take away the administrators’ role,” Frett-Gregory said. “It’s about strengthening the law to address issues impacting our citizens, such as mosquito and rodent infestations and illicit activities around derelict vehicles.”
The measure, which was developed with input from VIPD, proposed increasing fines for violations and tightening timelines for vehicle removal, including a 72-hour requirement for action. Frett-Gregory noted that VIPD testified in favor of the bill and had recommended higher fines to deter offenders.
Frett-Gregory plans to pursue a veto override, emphasizing that the bill’s intent was to eradicate abandoned vehicles across the territory and address public health concerns. “This is not a third-world country, and we need to ensure it doesn’t look like one,” she said. “The issue of abandoned vehicles should be a thing of the past.”
The senator also highlighted the importance of enforcing stronger penalties and ensuring the responsibility for managing abandoned vehicles is clearly defined and efficiently executed.
