Lawmakers Approve Delta Sigma Theta Tribute, Five Corners Sewer Line Study, and Hazard Pay Expansion

In its final Legislative session, the 35th Legislature approved a series of specially ordered bills and non-germane amendments - most of which had not been heard in their respective committees of jurisdictions. 

Among them was Bill 35-0430, a resolution moved by Senator Angel Bolques Jr. to honor and commend the St. Croix Alumnae Chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated for its numerous contributions to the people of the Virgin Islands and in recognition of its chapter's 50th anniversary. It received overwhelming support, with Senator Milton Potter describing the chapter as an “awesome sorority.” Senator Donna Frett-Gregory, too, congratulated the St. Croix chapter on its 50th anniversary. 

Lawmakers also supported Bill 35-0427, an act requiring the V.I. Waste Management Authority to conduct a feasibility study, including a cost analysis, for the installation of a sewer line from Five Corners to Villa La Reine, St. Croix. The legislation was specially ordered to the floor by Senator Samuel Carrion, his final act as a member of the territory’s lawmaking body. It received affirmative votes from all 13 present senators. 

So too did Bill 35-0418, which seeks to establish licensing standards for audiologists and speech language pathologists, and certification requirements for assistants in the preceding specialties. Specially ordered by Senator Diane Capehart, the bill is a companion to already-vetted legislation – Bill 35-0254, establishing the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact – that was also passed on Wednesday.

The 35th Legislature also approved Bill 35-0428, appropriating $2,930,870 from the Indirect Cost Fund in the fiscal year October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025, for the operating expenses of the Office of Management and Budget, the Virgin Islands Division of Personnel, and the Virgin Islands Departments of Finance and Property and Procurement. Introduced by Senator Donna Frett-Gregory, the bill was a delayed FY2024/2025 budget bill that required further clarity. 

Further, Bill 35-0428 was designated as the session’s non-germane bill, where lawmakers attached unrelated amendments to a host of bills. Most were minor, including correcting misspelled names on already-enacted resolutions and redesignating responsible entities on others. Senator Kenneth Gittens used the opportunity to make more positions eligible for hazard pay, including wastewater treatment plant operators and technicians, as well as  solid waste and sanitation technicians employed by the V.I. Waste Management Authority.

The new bills and amendments are all expected to be forwarded to Governor Albert Bryan Jr. for further consideration.