News
HoA continues today, May 30, 2024; Crown Lands Bill is being debated
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The controversial Crown Lands Management Bill is before the House of Assembly (HoA) today, May 30, 2024, as the debate continues. Today is the continuation of the 11th Sitting of the 1st Session of the 5th HoA.
USVI Governor proposes restricting food stamps to healthy choices
VI CONSORTIUM
FREDERIKSTED, St Croix, USVI- At a recent meeting of governors in Washington to discuss priorities for the upcoming federal Farm Bill, Governor Albert A. Bryan highlighted challenges facing the territory's agricultural sector and expressed his hopes for support through new legislation.
Bill seeks to up default minimum child support from $250 to $1K in USVI
VI CONSORTIUM
FREDERIKSTED, St Croix, USVI- A bill that seeks to raise the default minimum child support payment in the US Virgin Islands (USVI) from $250 to $1,000, referred to as “the most meaningful proposed child support legislation [in] recent years,” was successfully voted out of the Committee on Government Operations, Veterans Affairs and Consumer Protection on Tuesday, February 27, 2024.
Senate Bill aims to combat 'Revenge Porn' in USVI
VI CONSORTIUM
FREDERIKSTED, St Croix, USVI- A bill introduced to the US Virgin Islands (USVI) Senate on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, hopes to protect victims whose sexually explicit images have been shared without their consent – a practice often called “revenge porn” – as well as prevent such instances in the future.
Trade Commission Act implementation to be suspended- VI Gov't
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade, Hon Lorna G. Smith OBE is to bring a bill today Tuesday, October 31, 2023, to suspend the implementation of the Trade Commission Act.
‘We need the Police Act to come back to’ HoA ‘for passage’- Gov Rankin
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Despite widespread public criticisms the proposed amendments to the Police Act 2023 will take away from the rights of the people as well as possibly empower the police to abuse citizens, Governor John J. Rankin, CMG continues to defend the proposed amendments and has once again called for the bill to return to the House of Assembly (HoA) for passage.
Bill to determine USVI National Dish moves forward
VI CONSORTIUM
FREDERIKSTED, St Croix, USVI- In a bid to cement the culinary identity of the [US] Virgin Islands and bolster its gastronomic tourism, Senator Angel Bolques on Friday, June 23, 2023, presented Bill 35-0078 to the Senate Committee on Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports, and Parks, proposing a territory-wide survey to establish an official dish and dessert for the region.
Police Officers claim they were not shown version of Police Act before HoA
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- On the heel of an outcry by the public and many legislators on the version of the Police Act 2023 before the House of Assembly (HoA) comes word that local police officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) are claiming to not have seen the version that made it to the HoA.
USVI Senators pass bill to legalise recreational marijuana
VI CONSORTIUM
FREDERIKSTED, St Croix, USVI- The US Virgin Islands (USVI) has joined a list of 21 states and the District of Columbia that have approved legislation to legalise the adult use of marijuana for recreational purposes. Governor Albert A. Bryan Jr is expected to sign the measure into law, which is already veto-proof with 11 senators voting in favour.
USVI senators approve $40M for retroactive wages owed since 1990
VI CONSORTIUM
FREDERIKSTED, St Croix, USVI- "Pay the people what we owe them" was the consensus of senators when they voted to appropriate $40 million to thousands of retired and existing government employees, who are owed correct wage payments that stretch back three decades.