36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands
SENATE CALENDAR
February 24, 2025 – March 7, 2025
MONDAY,
FEBRUARY 24, 2025
Committee on Government Operations, Veterans Affairs and Consumer Protection
9 a.m.
Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall, St. Thomas
BLOCK I
The Department of Property and Procurement will provide a comprehensive update on the state of the Government of the Virgin Islands contractual agreements, vendor payments, leases, and the GVI Buy Software.
Key highlights will include the status of capital projects, pending/outstanding leases, contracts, and payments that
affect government operations.
Invited Testifier:
Honorable Lisa Alejandro, Commissioner, Department of Property and Procurement
BLOCK II
Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs to provide an update on programs that prevent fraudulent, deceptive,
and unfair business practices and information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid scams and fraud.
Key highlights include a fuel price survey, the frequency of grocery store price analyses and results, and the status of
capital projects.
Invited Testifier:
Honorable H. Natalie Hodge, Commissioner, Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs
TUESDAY,
FEBRUARY 25, 2025
Committee on Health, Hospitals and Human Services
10 a.m.
Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room, on St. Croix.
BLOCK I
The Committee will receive testimony regarding the strategic plan to address staffing shortages and the reduction of
emergency room wait-times at both hospital facilities. Also, the members will be presented with an overview on the
territory’s MAP program and the boarder crisis in the Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital & Regional Medical Center and the
Schneider Regional Medical Center.
Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Averil E. George, Commissioner, Department of Human Services
Tina M. Comissiong, Esq., MPA, CEO, Schneider Regional Medical Center
Hazel Philbert, Interim CEO, Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital & Regional Medical Center
Darlene Carty-Baptiste, Incoming CEO, Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital & Regional Medical Center
Christopher Finch, Chairman, Virgin Islands Government Health and Hospital Corporation
Edgar Phillips, Resident, St. Thomas, USVI
BLOCK II
The members will receive an overview on the designs including final completion target dates of the Herbert Grigg
Nursing Home, Queen Louise Home for the Aged, Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital & Medical Center, Schneider Regional Medical Center, Myrah Keating Smith Community Health Center, and the Department of Human Services Complex, on St. Thomas.
Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Averil E. George, Commissioner, Department of Human Services
Christopher Finch, Chairman, Virgin Islands Government Health and Hospital Corporation
Darryl Smalls, Executive Director, Facilities and Capital Development, Territorial Hospital Redevelopment Team
Jerry Smith, Incoming Chairman, Virgin Islands Government Health and Hospital Corporation
THURSDAY,
FEBRUARY 27, 2025
Committee on Rules and Judiciary
10 a.m.
Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall on St. Thomas.
BLOCK I
The Committee will receive testimony on the operations of the Judiciary Branch of the Virgin Islands including but not limited to enabling law and jurisdiction, current department challenges, and plan of action to resolve challenges.
Invited Testifier:
Regina deChabert Petersen, Esq., Administrator of Courts, Judiciary Branch of the Virgin Islands
BLOCK II 12:30 p.m.
Dr. Safiya George, Governor’s Nominee Virgin Islands Government Hospital and Health Facilities Corporation, District Governing Board of St. Thomas-St. John
BLOCK III 2 p.m.
Mr. Anthony Mardenborough, Jr., Governor’s Nominee
Board of Career and Technical Education-St. Croix
BLOCK IV 3:30 p.m.
Mrs. Elizabeth Guadalupe-Perez, Governor’s Nominee, Virgin Islands Real Estate Appraisers Board
FRIDAY,
FEBRUARY 28, 2025
Committee on Housing, Transportation and Telecommunications
10 a.m.
Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall on St. Thomas.
BLOCK I
Update and discussion on key matters related to the operations of the Department of Public Works. Providing the
department’s short- and long-term goals, staffing updates, transportation and bus route extensions, ferry operations,
engineering services to GVI agencies, and the current state of the territory’s roads, bridges, and cemeteries. As well as the challenges the Department is facing and their plans to address them to better serve the residents of our territory.
Invited Testifier:
Honorable Derek Gabriel, Commissioner, Department of Public Works
BLOCK II
Discussion on the operations of the Virgin Island Waste Management Authority as it relates to their plans and priorities for the coming year. Update on the status of staffing, payroll challenges and vendor payments. In addition to the status of tipping fees, wastewater treatment plants, pump station operations and capacity, landfills within the territory, garbage collection, oil collection, and any other challenges the agency is facing, along with their plans to overcome them to better serve the community.
Invited Testifier:
Daryl Griffith, Interim Executive Director, Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority
MONDAY,
MARCH 03, 2025
Committee of the Whole
10 a.m.
Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall
TUESDAY,
MARCH 04, 2025
Committee of the Whole
10 a.m.
Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room
WEDNESDAY,
MARCH 05, 2025
Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance
9 a.m.
Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall
FRIDAY,
MARCH 07, 2025
Committee on Education and Workforce Development
9 a.m.
Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room on St. Croix.
BLOCK I
Status of Workforce Development Programs that align with key industries (construction, technology, healthcare)
Breakdown of local and federal funds allocated for workforce development and the number of individuals served
Update on the Youth and Apprenticeship Program, including participating service providers and individuals served
Financial breakdown of expenditures for the Youth and Apprenticeship Program
Status and of the Summer Youth Work Experience Program
Youth Team impact: Number of youths served, completed academic/career assessments, and service referrals
Invited Testifier:
Honorable Gary Molloy, Commissioner, Department of Labor
BLOCK II
Overview of Organization’s Mission and Programs
Workforce Development Initiatives
Educational and training opportunities offered
Collaborations with schools, colleges, and vocational programs
Success stories and community impact
Barriers and challenges to workforce development
Invited Testifiers:
Scott Bradley, Founder, My Brother’s Workshop
Frandelle Gerard, Executive Director, Crucian Heritage & Nature Tourism
Suzanne Darrow-Magras, PhD, Director, University of the Virgin Islands Center for Excellence in Leadership and Learning (UVI CELL)
