35th Virgin Islands Legislature

The 35th Virgin Islands Legislature is the current meeting of the Legislature of the Virgin Islands. It has convened in Charlotte Amalie on January 9, 2023, during the first two years of Governor Albert Bryan’s second term.[1]

Major events

January 9, 2023: The 35th Legislature begins.
January 23, 2023: Governor Bryan delivered his Fifth State of the Territory Address.
April 14, 2023: Senate confirmed acting Attorney General Carol Thomas-Jacobs to the United States Virgin Islands Superior Court.
April 14, 2023: Senate voted to adopt Juneteenth making the Virgin Islands the first U.S. territory to observe the federal holiday.

January 18, 2023: Virgin Islands Cannabis Use Act
January 20, 2023: Virgin Islands Behavioral Health Act + Bill No. 34-0238, requires public schools to include Virgin Islands and Caribbean history into the curriculum for K-12th.[2] Bill No. 34-0211, prohibits extremely loud music in vehicles and places of entertainment as relates to noise pollution. + The Equality Act, 34-0271, makes it illegal to discriminate against a person's sexual orientation or gender identity.[3]
January 23, 2023: Bill No. 35-0003, appropriates $2.2 million for funds for the adoption of various portions of the Virgin Islands Agricultural Plan.
April 27, 2023: Bill No. 35-0049, establishes a Local Food and Farm Council in accordance with mandate five of the V.I. Agricultural Plan. + Bill No. 35-0009, enacts The Juneteenth National Independence Day Act to make June 19, a legal holiday in the Virgin Islands. + Bill No. 35-0050, establishes a School Construction and Maintenance Bureau.

Bill No. 35-0013: provides undocumented immigrants in the territory with a restricted driver's license and identification card.
Bill No. 35-0055: pertains to the school curriculum in elementary and secondary schools. (vetoed by Governor 4/27/2023)
Bill No. 35-0061: directs the Office of the Inspector General to conduct an audit of WAPA and appropriates $250,000 to fund the audit. (vetoed by Governor 4/27/2023)
Bill No. 35-0062: honoring and commending Gregory “DJ Avalanche” Hodge for his contributions as a disk jockey, radio talk host and entertainer while presenting him with the Official Key of the Virgin Islands. (sent to Committee on Rules and Judiciary)
Bill No. 34-0080: directs the Office of the Inspector General to conduct an investigation into WAPA and appropriates $250,000 to fund the investigation. (vetoed by Governor 1/23/2023)

Bill No. 0002 (Res.1901): Adopting the Rules of the 35th Legislature.
Bill No. 1899: expresses the support of the Legislature for U.S. House Resolution 279 acknowledging that the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in the Insular Cases and the “Territorial Incorporation Doctrine” are contrary to the text and history of the U.S. Constitution.
Bill No. 35-0006: which honors and commends former Senator George E. Goodwin, awarding him the Virgin Islands Medal of Honor and naming the Cricket field in Estate Nazareth on St. Thomas after him.
Bill No. 35-0007: which honors and commends Boyd “Boyzie” Orlanzo Todman for his contributions to the people and the youth of the Virgin Islands.
Bill No. 35-0010: An Act renaming Christiansted Bypass after Aloy “Wenty” Nielsen while honoring and commending him and appropriates $10,000 from the General Fund for signage.

	Party (Shading indicates majority/plurality)			Total

	Democratic	Independent	Independent Citizens
End of previous Legislature	10	5	0	15

Begin (January 9, 2023)	11	4	0	15
Latest voting share	60%	40%	0%	100%

Senate President

Novelle Francis (D),
from January 9, 2023

"35th Legislature Gets Down to Business". St. Thomas Source. Retrieved 2023-01-09.
"Bill No.34-0238". Legislature of the Virgin Islands.
"Bill No. 34-0271". Legislature of the Virgin Islands.

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