36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands
SENATE CALENDAR
Feb. 9-20
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2026
Committee on Government Operations, Veterans Affairs and Consumer Protection
9:00 A.M.
Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room
The Committee on Government Operations, Veterans Affairs, and Consumer Protection has scheduled a meeting for Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 9:00 AM in the Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room on St. Croix., U.S. Virgin Islands to provide updates on the following agencies and consideration of the following bills:
BLOCK I 9:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M.
The Committee will receive a comprehensive overview from charters being impacted by the BVI’s newly implemented charter vessel licensing fees and all other information pertinent to the discussion, including but not limited to, the following:
• How these new charter fees are impacting their operations
• What challenges they are currently facing or anticipate in the near future
• What practical solutions, policy adjustments, or forms of support the Legislature can pursue to help
stabilize and strengthen the marine economy across the Territory
Invited Testifiers:
Mr. Kennon Jones, Executive Director, Virgin Islands Professional Charter Association
Mr. Steve Schlosser, Paradise Yacht Management
Mr. Kelvin Bailey, Jr., Virgin Islands Gamefish
Jay Pennington, Waypoints Yacht Charters
BLOCK II 11:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.
The Committee will receive testimony on the operations of the Department of Tourism including but not limited to enabling laws, current department challenges, a plan of action to resolve challenges and the following:
• Plans for the upcoming carnival season
• What to expect from the Division of Festivals
• Update on the outcome of the 2025-2026 Crucian Festival
Invited Testifier:
Honorable Jennifer Matarangas-King, Commissioner, Department of Tourism
BLOCK III 1:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M.
Bill No. 36-0150 An act honoring and commending Thelma Leona Petersen-Springer, posthumously, for her outstanding community service to the children and the people of the Virgin Islands
Invited Testifiers:
Mr. Charles Nibbs, Community Activist
Ms. Sheniqua Robinson, Frederiksted Majorette Former Twirler
BLOCK IV 2:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.
Bill No. 36-0225 A resolution honoring and commending Sharon Maria Williams for her outstanding achievements and significant contributions to the fields of education and culinary arts
Invited Testifiers:
Ms. Edna Thomas, Retired Educator
Mr. John Abramson, Retired Civil Servant
Honorable Jennifer Matarangas-King, Commissioner, Department of Tourism
Honorable Louis E. Petersen, Jr., PhD, Commissioner, Department of Agriculture
Bill No. 36-0226 A resolution honoring and commending Mrs. Janet Brow Phillips for her outstanding achievements and significant contributions to the fields of education and culinary arts to the Virgin Islands community
Invited Testifiers:
Ms. Mona Barnes, Apostle
Mr. Dennis Brow, Brother
Honorable Jennifer Matarangas-King, Commissioner, Department of Tourism
Honorable Louis E. Petersen, Jr., PhD, Commissioner, Department of Agriculture
Mr. Victor Somme, III, Assistant Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Education
Bill No. 36-0227 A resolution honoring and commending the Armstrong Family, long-time owners of Armstrong Ice Cream for their exceptional contributions to the economic growth, cultural heritage, and development of the Virgin Islands
Invited Testifiers:
Ms. Claire Roker, Retired Civil Servant
Reverend Florence Petersen, Pastor
Honorable Jennifer Matarangas-King, Commissioner, Department of Tourism
Honorable Louis E. Petersen, Jr., PhD, Commissioner, Department of Agriculture
WEDNESDAY,
FEBRUARY 11, 2026
Committee on Housing, Transportation and Telecommunications
9:00 A.M.
Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall
BLOCK I 9:00 A.M.
The Committee will hear testimony from the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority regarding homelessness in the Territory and the status of federal programs supporting homeless assistance, including the HOME Program, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), and the HOME-ARP Program. Testimony will focus on current program utilization, provider participation and funding awards, barriers to effective service delivery, and any known changes or risks affecting the stability and outlook of future federal funding.
Invited Testifiers:
Eugene Jones, Executive Director, Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority
Honorable Averil George, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Human Services
Honorable Mario M. Brooks, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Police Department
Wynnie Testamark, Director, Virgin Islands Bureau of Corrections
Dr. Suzanne Darrow-Magras, Board Secretary, Continuum of Care
Dan Derima, Executive Director, Meeting the Needs of The Community, Inc.
Andrea Shillingford, Executive Director, Catholic Charities of the Virgin Islands
Junia John-Straker, Chief Executive Officer, Lutheran Social Services
BLOCK II 12:30 P.M.
Jackson Development Company, LLC is requested to provide testimony regarding ongoing maintenance and repair deficiencies at tax credit residential properties acquired in 2024, including serious housing code violations at the Calabash Boom housing complex, where residents have been without sanitation facilities since December 10, 2025, creating an unresolved public health hazard. This hearing will assist the Committee in evaluating compliance with statutory housing standards, determining the need for legislative or oversight action, and examining the role of the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority in the approval, monitoring, and post-transfer compliance of the subject properties
Invited Testifiers:
Eugene Jones, Executive Director, Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority
Bob Jackson, Executive Director, Founder/Managing Partner, Jackson Development Company, LLC
BLOCK III 2:30 P.M.
The Committee will hear testimony from the Virgin Islands Housing Authority on the status of its operations and the state of affordable housing programs in the Territory, including the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program, with emphasis on current performance, major projects, and challenges affecting service delivery. Testimony will also address the growing number of constituent complaints regarding maintenance conditions at VIHA properties, including the status of maintenance operations, strategies to address deferred repairs, and any resource constraints contributing to these issues.
Invited Testifier:
Dwayne Alexander, Executive Director, Virgin Islands Housing Authority
BLOCK IV 4:30 P.M.
Consideration of offer to Accept Real Property (Road Plot 1-1 Spanish town, Road Plot 2-1 Estate Annaberg and Shannon Grove, Road Plot 5-1, Road Plot 10-1 and Road Plot 11-1 Estate Blessing, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands) in Lieu of Property Taxes in accordance with Title 33, Section 2494a, Virgin Islands Code
Invited Testifiers:
Ludence Romney, Tax Assessor, Office of the Lieutenant Governor
Honorable Vincent Roberts, Commissioner, Department of Sports, Parks & Recreation
Jehangir Zakaria, Vice-President, General Manager, Chief Operating Officer, St. Croix Renaissance Group
THURSDAY,
FEBRUARY 12, 2026
Interment of Mrs. Alma Ottley
12:00 P.M.
Legislature of the Virgin Islands Capitol Building Grounds
FRIDAY,
FEBRUARY 13, 2026
Committee on Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety
9:00 A.M.
Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room
The 36th Legislature’s Committee on Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety will meet on Friday, February 13, 2026, at 9:00 A.M. in the Frits E. Lawaetz Conference Room on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands to consider the following official agenda.
BLOCK I
The Committee on Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety will receive an update on the operations of the Virgin Islands Fire and Emergency Medical Services, including but not limited to:
• Staffing, staff safety, overtime and merger of the Virgin Islands Fire and Emergency Medical Services
• Long-term plans for staffing recruitment and retention, improvement of facilities, and strategic initiatives
• Update on equipment purchases and replacement
• Conditions and readiness of fire and medical apparatus and vehicles
Invited Testifier:
Mr. Antonio Stevens, Director, VI Fire and Emergency Medical Services
BLOCK II
The Committee on Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety will receive an update on the operations of the V.I. Police Department to include but not limited to the following:
• Status of the federal consent decree.
• Changes in operational and investigative focus.
• Changes to staffing levels and patrol schedules.
• Status of the camera system.
• Current initiatives or special operations targeting recent crime trends.
Invited Testifier:
Honorable Mario Brooks, Commissioner, VI Police Department
BLOCK III
Bill No. 36-0139 An act amending title 31 Virgin Islands Code to assess civil liability for destruction or damage to government property through willful or negligent acts.
Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Mario Brooks, Commissioner, V.I. Police Department
Honorable Gordon Rhea, Esq., V.I. Attorney General, V.I. Department of Justice
Honorable Lisa Alejandro, Commissioner, V.I. Department of Property and Procurement
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2026
Committee on Disaster Recovery, Infrastructure and Planning
10:00 A.M.
Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2026
Committee on Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports and Parks
10:00 A.M.
Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room
The Committee on Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports, and Parks will reconvene for a pivotal oversight hearing to examine the intersecting threads of investment, accountability, and completion timelines tied to two of the Territory’s most prominent capital projects: the Paul E. Joseph Stadium and the Clinton E. Phipps Horse Racing Track. This hearing marks a renewed push for transparency, efficiency, and measurable progress, following earlier discussions in July that left unresolved questions and unmet deliverables
BLOCK I 10:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M.
Operational Status and Financial Oversight of the Clinton E. Phipps Racetrack and the Horse Racing Initiative Fund
This block will assess the current operational status of the Clinton E. Phipps Racetrack on St. Thomas, with a focus on remaining construction, regulatory, and logistical needs. The Committee will receive testimony on delays, including permitting issues, funding gaps, and inter-agency coordination challenges, that have impacted any pending progress. The Committee will also review revenues from past racing events, examining how funds are tracked, reported, and allocated.
Testifiers are expected to present a detailed financial breakdown of receipts and disbursements, as well as provide
information on transparency and fund distribution practices. A key focus will be the Horse Racing Initiative Fund, including current balance, recent spending, and district-level allocations. Emphasis will be placed on the availability of funds to support racetrack improvements and local horsemen associations in both districts
Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Vincent Roberts, Commissioner, Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation
Raymond Williams, Director, Virgin Islands Lottery
Mr. Robert E. Huckabee, III, President and CEO, Southland Gaming
Mr. Hugo Hodge Jr., Chairman, USVI Horseracing Commission
LUNCH 12:30 P.M. – 1:00 P.M.
BLOCK II 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M.
During this Block, the Committee will receive testimony and conduct a comprehensive examination of the financial and administrative oversight of the Paul E. Joseph Stadium project. This follow-up hearing aims to clarify the progress made since July, identify any key items that remain incomplete, and assess how the project is tracking toward the pledged December 2025 completion date.
Agency Roles and Focus Areas:
• Office of Management and Budget (OMB) – Provide a detailed report on historical appropriations and current expenditures.
The Committee expects transparency regarding any recent budget reallocations or shortfalls that may have impacted the project’s timely completion.
• Department of Property and Procurement (DPP) – Address the status of contractor performance, including any procurement delays, contract amendments, or unresolved vendor issues that may be affecting final project delivery.
• Department of Public Works (DPW) – Present an update on current construction progress, agency coordination efforts, and confirm whether the December 2025 completion target remains feasible. The Committee seeks clarity on progress since July and explanations for any missed milestones.
• Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation (DSPR) – Provide an operational readiness assessment of the facility, including which amenities are complete, what remains outstanding, and what is required to make the stadium fully accessible for public use.
• Office of Disaster Recovery (ODR) – Review funding disbursements, contractor oversight, and compliance with all applicable federal and local regulations. The Committee requests a summary of all ODR-administered grants supporting this project.
• GEC, LLC / Coastal Systems USVI – Deliver a comprehensive update on construction deliverables, identify remaining tasks, and explain any delays related to change orders, materials, or workforce that could impact the project’s timeline.
Invited Testifiers:
Julio Rhymer, Director, Office of Management & Budget
Honorable Jean-Pierre L. Oriol, Commissioner, Department of Planning and Natural Resources
Honorable Lisa M. Alejandro, Commissioner, Department of Property and Procurement
Honorable Derek A. Gabriel, Commissioner, Department of Public Works
Honorable Vincent Roberts, Commissioner, Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation
Mr. John Wessel, Director of Operations, GEC, LLC / Coastal Systems USVI
Adrienne L. Williams-Octalien, Director, USVI Office of Disaster Recovery
