A loss of power on St. Thomas threatened to break up the Committee on Rules and Judiciary’s quorum Monday, legislative staff confirmed, prompting Sen. Clifford Joseph to motion around 5 p.m. that the entire final block of bills — including his controversial assault weapons measure — be held until the committee’s next meeting. The motion passed without objection.
Joseph’s sweeping gun control measure seeks to ban assault rifles, silencers, and large-capacity magazines while requiring safety training and imposing a $1,000 annual registration fee for grandfathered ownership.
Also held was Bill No. 36-0105, another Joseph-sponsored bill aimed at prohibiting the possession, sale, or manufacture of THC derivatives such as delta-6, delta-8, and delta-10. Supporters argue the measure is needed to close loopholes in cannabis regulation, while critics contend it could undermine the legal cannabis market by targeting products widely available on the mainland. Rounding out the block were Bill No. 36-0123, by Sen. Ray Fonseca, lowering the legal blood alcohol content for commercial drivers and creating a zero-tolerance standard for underage motorists, and Bill No. 36-0136, by Sen. Avery Lewis, requiring mandatory lethal weapon training for private security guards and investigators.
While those measures were postponed, the committee advanced other business earlier in the day. Senators approved nominees to several boards, including Roy Moorhead to the Board of Parole, L. Damian Cartwright to the Board of Land Use Appeals, Xavier Acevedo to the WAPA Governing Board, and Safiya George to the Hospitals and Health Facilities Corporation.
Lawmakers also vetted two measures related to the courts. Bill No. 36-0101, proposed by Sen. Novelle Francis, would allow the Superior Court to temporarily recall former judges and appoint part-time magistrates to ease crippling case backlogs. Testimony from court officials revealed that more than 12,700 cases are currently pending, with three judges nearing retirement.
Another measure, Bill No. 36-0112 by Committee Chair Sen. Carla Joseph, would raise civil filing fees from $75 to $150 and increase prejudgment interest from 4 to 9 percent, with funds directed to a Judicial Branch Improvement Fund. The Virgin Islands Bar Association endorsed the proposal, saying it aligns with national standards and provides resources for badly needed court facility upgrades.
The Committee on Rules and Judiciary will reschedule the held bills for its next meeting, where testimony is expected from stakeholders including Crown Bay Marina co-owner Kosei Ohno on the firearms legislation.
Senators also moved forward on several gubernatorial appointments. The committee unanimously approved Roy Moorhead to the Board of Parole, L. Damian Cartwright to the Board of Land Use Appeals, Xavier Acevedo to the Water and Power Authority Governing Board, and Dr. Safiya George to the Hospitals and Health Facilities Corporation. Each nominee received favorable testimony, and the votes send their names to the full Senate for final confirmation
