LobbyComply Blog

The U.S. Virgin Islands Legislature met in special session on August 1 to consider three bills. After debate, lawmakers voted unfavorably for a bill to establish a special committee to procure self-funded group health and dental insurance for government employees and retirees. Bills concerning legislator pension and leave of absence for government employees seeking elected office were removed from the agenda and assigned to committees for further review. The special session was adjourned upon completion of its business.

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Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. called for a special session beginning August 1st. The session will consider three critical legislative proposals aimed at restoring fiscal discipline, promoting fairness, and strengthening public confidence in government. The bills will be focused on health insurance, legislator pay and pension, and required leave of absence for government employees seeking office.

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Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. announced a special session for December 18.

The special session is to consider an amendment to the Medicinal Cannabis Patient Care Act.

The amendment provides more regulatory controls and enables the generation of tax and fee revenues.

If passed, the amendment would allow for the sale of cannabis products to tourists and create a regulated system to prevent fraud, increase transparency, testing, licensing and penalties.

Lawmakers convened and adjourned two special sessions regarding a proposal for tuition-free college education and to vote on a reapportionment initiative.

The Legislature approved Bill 32-0329 to schedule a special election for March 30, 2019.

The election will allow voters to decide whether to restructure the Legislature to create smaller district senators and increase the number of at-large senators.

Lawmakers scheduled a special session for Wednesday, October 24. The special session is regarding an initiative seeking to split the territory into five districts on the November ballot.

The Legislature must either accept, reject, or propose an alternative by October 31 for the measure to be included in the general election or a special election must be held within 90 days.

Gov. Kenneth Mapp also called a special session for Friday, October 26 to consider a proposal for free college tuition.

The proposal would provide $3 million from the Internal Revenue Matching Fund and pay tuition for students at the University of the Virgin Islands starting the fall of 2019.