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35th Virgin Islands Legislature

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35th Legislature of the Virgin Islands
Leadership
President
Vice President
Majority Leader
Minority Leader
Structure
Seats15
Length of term
2 years

The 35th Virgin Islands Legislature was a meeting of the Legislature of the Virgin Islands. It convened in Charlotte Amalie on January 9, 2023 until December 19, 2024, during the first two years of Governor Albert Bryan’s second term.[1]

In the 2022 elections, the Democratic Party of the Virgin Islands expanded their majority by gaining one seat which was led by Independent Senator Janelle Sarauw, who instead ran for lieutenant governor.[2]

Major events

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  • 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.
  • June 14, 2023: Senate voted to confirm Ariel Smith as the new Attorney General of the Virgin Islands.
  • July 20, 2023: Senate voted to confirm the nomination of Lisa M. Alejandro to be Commissioner of Department of Property and Procurement.
  • September 15, 2023: Senate hold vote on land swap deal with nine out 15 senators approving it for the purpose to construct a K-12 school on St. John.
  • September 20, 2023: Senate President Novelle Francis express concerns over the appointment of Finance Commissioner Nominee Kevin McCurdy as acting governor while Bryan and Lt. Governor Roach leave the territory.
  • September 22, 2023: Senate confirmed Lionel E. Selwood to the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority Board of Directors and Angel Dawson Jr. as Administrator of the Government Employees Retirement System.
  • October 19, 2023: Former Senator Alicia “Chucky” Hansen lies in state at Legislature Building on St. Croix.[3]
  • November 2, 2023: Senators attend funeral of Former Senator Lloyd Williams on St. Thomas.
  • December 19, 2023: Senate voted overwhelmingly to confirm Natalie Hodge as Commissioner of Department of Licensing & Costumer Affairs, Louis Petersen as Agriculture Commissioner, Kevin McCurdy as Commissioner of Finance, Dr. Bert Petersen and Donna Christensen to the UVI Board of Trustees.
  • January 22, 2024: Governor Bryan delivered his sixth State of the Territory Address.
  • March 25, 2024: Senate voted to confirm the nominations of Harold Willocks for Supreme Court justice, Averil George as Commissioner of Human Services and Antonio Stevens as Director of Fire & EMS.
  • April 23, 2024: Senators holds press conference to address Bryan’s emergency declaration on WAPA and its financial conditions.
  • April 25, 2024: Senate convenes special session to provide funding for WAPA.
  • June 18, 2024: Senators Gittens, Blyden and Carrion express concerns over alleged corruption within Bryan’s administration amid FBI probe.[4]
  • July 23, 2024: Senate confirmed Magistrate Judge Ernest E. Morris Jr. to the United States Virgin Islands Superior Court.
  • September 27, 2024: Senate voted to confirm the nomination of Gordon Rhea for Attorney General.
  • December 12, 2024: Senators attend grand opening of Walter I.M. Hodge Pavilion.

Major Legislation

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Enacted

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  • January 18, 2023: Virgin Islands Cannabis Use Act
  • January 19, 2023: Virgin Islands Behavioral Health Act; Act No. 8684: requires public schools to include Virgin Islands and Caribbean history into the curriculum for K-12th.[5] Act No. 8682: prohibits extremely loud music in vehicles and places of entertainment as relates to noise pollution.; Equality Act, prohibits discrimination against a person's sexual orientation or gender identity.[6]
  • January 23, 2023: Act No. 8700: appropriates $2.2 million for the adoption of various portions of the Virgin Islands Agricultural Plan.
  • April 25, 2023: Act No. 8702: An Act honoring and commending former Senator George E. Goodwin, by naming the Cricket field in Estate Nazareth on St. Thomas after him while awarding him the Virgin Islands Medal of Honor.[7], Act No. 8729: appropriates $700,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Health for the Caribbean Kidney Center for the purpose of hiring dialysis nurses and other staff.; Act No. 8716: establishes a Local Food and Farm Council in accordance with mandate five of the V.I. Agricultural Plan.; Act No. 8704, enacts The Juneteenth National Independence Day Act to make June 19, a legal holiday in the Virgin Islands.; Act No. 8717: establishes a School Construction and Maintenance Bureau.
  • June 27, 2023: Act No. 8732: increases the retirement pension for National Guard retirees from $100 to $200 per month and appropriates $145,000 from the General Fund for the RAW Basketball program and Virgin Islands Little League.
  • August 4, 2023: Act No. 8735: An Act amending Title 20, V.I. Code, part II, chapter 39 section 436 (b), expanding the definition of “disabled veteran” for the purposes of eligibility for a handicapped window decal. Bill No. 35-0036: An act clarifying the duties and responsibilities of the executive director of the Taxicab Commission.
  • September 29, 2023: Act No. 8741: proposes a transfer of Whistling Cay to the federal government through the National Park Service in exchange for a parcel of land in Estate Catherineberg, for the purposes to build the first public K-12 school on St. John.
  • October 4, 2023: Act No. 8772: An Act amending title 32 of V.I. Code to establish powers and duties for the horse racing commissions for each district and relating to antidoping of racehorses to provide for regulation by district and joint horsing racing commissions.
  • November 29, 2023: Bill No. 35-0048: An Act amending Title 3, V.I. Code, requiring the GERS to send each active member an annual report of contributions by U.S. mail or by electronic means, at the member’s option. + Act No. 8783: An Act honoring and commending former Senator Almando “Rocky” Liburd for his lifetime of service to the people of the Virgin Islands, especially St. John, by renaming North Shore Road as “The Almando “Rocky” Liburd Drive”.; Act No. 8781: appropriates $5,124,000 from the Community Facilities Trust Fund in the fiscal year Sept. 30, 2024, for the construction and site improvements to the Paul E. Joseph Stadium and requiring Department of Public Works to submit status reports of the project to the Legislature.; Bill No. 35-0190, An Act appropriating $350,000 from the General Fund to provide bottled drinking water to customers residing in neighborhoods identified by WAPA as most impacted by elevated levels of copper and lead in the potable water system.
  • January 15, 2024: Bill No. 35-0159: amends Act. 8741 (St. John land swap) by changing the context of the bill pertaining to the use and public access to Whistling Cay and Fungi Passage. Allocates funding to OMB, Division of Personnel, Department of Finance, and Property and Procurement and provides financial support for equipment, supplies, and staffing needs within the Interventional Cardiology Unit at Schneider Hospital. Also includes Section 5, which mandates that every government agency and department should provide all oral and written communications to the public in both English and Spanish.
  • January 22, 2024: Driver’s Public Safety Act,Bill No. 35-0045: An Act amending Title 5 of V.I. Code, Chapter 407 relating to eligibility for parole release by adding section 4607 to establish Medical Parole Release, Geriatric Parole Release, and Non-Medical Geriatric Parole Release, and for other related purposes., Bill No. 35-0127: An Act amending Title 14 of V.I. Code, Chapter 89, relating to the invasion of privacy of accident and crime victims by first Responders., Bill No. 35-0084: An Act allowing businesses operating under a trade name to have the option of renewing the trade name every 2-6 or 10-years.; Bill No. 35-0131: An Act amending Title 3 of V.I. Code, Chapter 15, to establish a Real Crime Center and Centralized Crime Data System within the Virgin Islands Police Department.; Safe Haven Newborn Prevention Act; Bill No. 35-0175: amending V.I. Code to establish an Auxiliary Communications Unit within VITEMA.; Bill No. 35-0187: An Act aim at assisting VIPD with the prevention of gun violence by allowing certain individuals to petition for the temporary confiscation of firearms if a person is considered a threat.; Bill No. 35-0194: An Act requiring the commissioner of Education to hire school health technicians for each public school per district, to generally assume the role and responsibilities of school nurses.; Bill No. 35-0210: seeks to provide $2.5 million for the purchase of Department of Labor building on St. Thomas from its current owners.; Bill No. 35-0219: An Act changing the date for commencing the 2024 Regular Session of the Legislature to January 22, 2024.; Bill No. 35-0220: An Act developing and producing a USVI Music Festival.
  • April 10, 2024: Bill No. 35-0207: An Act establishing a registry to track chronic kidney disease and diabetes.
  • April 12, 2024: Bill No. 35-0133: An Act establishing a scholarship program to support individuals interested in pursuing a career in the territory’s maritime industry. + Bill No. 35-0178: An Act enabling the automatic expungement of arrest records upon the court finding that the arrest was made without probable cause. + Bill No. 35-0172: An Act amending Title 29, chapter 5 of V.I. Code, to provide for the adoption of nationally recognized consensus-based codes, standards and amendments to such codes that are in the best interests of the territory, and to provide for clarifications to the Virgin Islands building code. + Bill No. 35-0182: An Act amending Title 14, chapter 51 of V.I. Code, by designating the existing provisions as subchapter I and adding a subchapter II relating to the nonconsensual dissemination of sexually explicit images. + Bill No. 35-0226: seeks to increase the minimum default amount for child support. + Bill No. 35-0196: An Act establishing a deadline for GERS to resume the personal loan program, remove the $10,000,000 annual aggregate amount and the 8% interest rate cap, to limit the System’s liability to $75,000, and set a parameter in section 717 that all loans must be structured such that the payoff date occurs before the member reaches age 70. + Bill No. 35-0237: An Act recognizing the month of March as Girl Scouts Month. + Bill No. 35-0218: An Act amending Title 24 of V.I. Code, relating to unemployment benefits by reducing the number of weeks that unemployment benefits can be received; increasing the statute of limitations for the collection of overpayments of unemployment benefits from claimants and for delinquent employer contribution and implementing a 10-year record retention period for employers.
  • July 11, 2024: Bill No. 35-0078: An Act amending Title I, chapter 7 of V.I. code by establishing “Fish and Fungi” as the official dish of the Virgin Islands and “Tart” as the official dessert of the Virgin Islands, and for other related purposes.; Bill No. 35-0115: The “Fair Chance for Employement Act”, which seeks the Division of Personnel to develop fair chance hiring policies for former incarcerated individuals.; Bill No. 35-0291: An Act appropriating $3,000,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Human Services to pay providers and vendors that participate in the Medicaid program.
  • August 9, 2024: Bill No. 35-0311: An Act mandating WAPA to seek federal technical assistance within 60 days to modernize its electrical grid.
  • October 31, 2024: Bill No. 35-0289: An Act raising the legal age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21 years.
  • November 4, 2024: The Child Victims and Child Witnesses Rights Act

Proposed (but not enacted)

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  • Bill No. 35-0032: allows government employees to run for public elected office while remaining on the job.
  • Bill No. 35-0075: An Act designating the third Monday in February as Governor's Day. (bill failed to reach Senate floor)
  • Bill No. 35-0179: An Act which strengths enforcement tools towards illegal gambling and lottery. (awaiting Governor’s signature)
  • Bill No. 35-0186: An Act repealing and reenacting title 3 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 16, section 274 “Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission and enacting in its place “The Division of Transportation and Taxicab Services”.
  • Bill No. 35-0202: An Act relating to the conservation and preservation of historic and cultural sites in the historic downtown districts.
  • Bill No. 35-0238: An Act to confer peace officer status on qualified enforcement officers employed by the Government Employees Retirement System of the Virgin Islands.
  • Bill 35-0243: An Act requiring individuals to get concise from the Police Commissioner before purchasing firearm components that will be mailed or shipped to the territory. (bill failed in Committee on Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety)
  • Bill No. 35-0248: An resolution authorizing Congress to amend the Revised Organic Act to allow the people of the Virgin Islands to elect an Attorney General. (bill failed in Committee on Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety)
  • Bill No. 35-0262: An Act appropriating $1,434,950 in Fiscal Year 2024 from the Community Facilities Trust Fund for the preconstruction soft cost funding to prepare for the dredging of Charlotte Amalie harbor.
  • Bill No. 35-0395: An Act designating individuals to change their gender on identification cards, driver’s licenses and other related purposes. (bill failed in Committee on Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety)
  • Bill No. 35-0420: Virgin Islands Firearm Serial Number Regulation Act (awaiting Governor’s signature)
  • Bill No. 35-0416: An Act honoring and commending the Honorable Senator Alicia “Chucky” Hansen posthumously for her unmatched and immeasurable service and dedication to the people of the Virgin Islands, the Caribbean, and the United States as the longest-serving senator from the District of St. Croix and the highest vote-getter in the territory's history by designating December 6th as “Alicia ‘Chucky’ Hansen Day” (awaiting Governor’s signature)

Vetoed

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  • January 23, 2023: 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.
  • April 27, 2023: Bill No. 35-0055: pertains to the school curriculum in elementary and secondary schools. * 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. (Override by Legislature on June 14, 2023)
  • October 5, 2023: Bill No.35-0082: limit the expulsion and suspension of students in pre-kindergarten through third grade.
  • November 30, 2023: Bill No. 35-0200: intent to issue a monthly water bill abatement for six months to WAPA customers on St. Croix affected by levels of lead and copper.
  • May 8, 2024: Bill No. 35-0266: An Act reappropriating funds from a previous $6 million loan to WAPA to cover current payment obligations of the territory’s two hospitals and Waste Management Authority. + Bill No. 35-0267: An Act granting GVI the authority to utilize the Budget Stabilization Fund. + Bill No. 35-0268: An Act requiring the Governor to seek approval from the Legislature for any use of government funds in response to man-made disasters and would have given the Legislature authority to terminate emergency declarations with a two-thirds majority vote.
  • July 11, 2024: Bill No. 35-0215: An Act relating to handgun training and the term of firearm licensure.
  • August 9, 2024: Bill No. 35-0229: An Act renaming portions of Route 75, which extends from Estate Richmond to Krause Lagoon as the “Gov. Kenneth Mapp Highway” and awarding him with the Virgin Islands Medal of Honor.; Bill No. 35-0269: An Act amending title 2, of V.I. Code, chapter 1 by adding a section 13 providing a penalty for the commission of perjury in proceedings before the Legislature of the Virgin Islands. (Override by Legislature on August 16, 2024)
  • October 15, 2024: Bill No. 35-0375: An Act aiming to impose a 3% fee on money transfers to establish the Money Laundering and Electronic Transaction Enforcement Fund.; Bill No. 35-0380: An Act allocating 137.5 million from settlements between GVI and Jeffrey Epstein estate and Leon Black to establish the Southern Trust Company Settlement Fund and the Survivors & Mental Health Healing Trust Fund.

Major resolutions

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  • 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. 35-0007: A resolution honoring and commending Boyd “Boyzie” Orlanzo Todman for his contributions to the people and the youth of the Virgin Islands.
  • Bill No. 35-0010: A resolution honoring and commending Aloy “Wenty” Nielsen by renaming Christiansted Bypass after him and appropriates $10,000 from the General Fund for signage.
  • Bill No. 35-0014: An Act posthumously honoring and commending Wayne “Facts Man” Adams for articulating and bringing events of historic significance to the people of the Virgin Islands, by naming Nadir bridge on St. Thomas in his honor. (12/19/24: Legislature override Governor’s veto)
  • Bill No. 35-0016: A resolution honoring and commending the Supervisor of Elections, Caroline Fawkes, and her entire team for their tireless service and contributions to the Virgin Islands community and on the occasion during the 60th Anniversary of the establishment of the V.I. Election System.
  • Bill No. 35-0029: A resolution honoring and commending Donna Marie Christian-Christiansen, M.D., for her tireless contributions to the people of the Virgin Islands in the medical field and representation in Congress, while naming the Charles Harwood Complex on St. Croix in her honor.
  • Bill No. 35-0030: An Act honoring and commending Vaughn Benjamin posthumously for his contributions to reggae music in the Virgin Islands and the global communities; appropriating $45,000 to the Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation for the design and construction of the “Vaughn Benjamin Monument” and naming the waterfront park west of the Marley Homes “The Vaughn ‘Akae Beka’ Memorial Park”.
  • Bill No. 35-0062: A resolution 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.[8]
  • Bill No. 35-0091: A resolution honoring and commending Indiana Fever basketball player Aliyah Boston for her athletic accomplishments while awarding her the Key to the Virgin Islands.
  • Bill No. 35-0100: A resolution honoring and commending Music in Motion School of Higher Dance Education and its founder, Charlita Schuster, on the 40th Anniversary of the establishment of the Music in Motion Dance Academy.
  • Bill No. 35-0107: An Act posthumously honoring and commending Fenella Cooper for her contributions to the fields of education, sports and culture, while naming the UVI tennis courts in her honor.
  • Bill No. 35-0109: A resolution honoring and commending the late Corporal Kendall Emanuel George by renaming portions of Highway 107 on St. John to the “Kendall Emanuel George Drive”.
  • Bill No. 35-0114: A resolution honoring and commending the 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games’ Gold Medal Winners.
  • Bill No. 35-0116: A resolution honoring and commending Lieutenant Colonel Leayle Gerard Galiber for his leadership in the Virgin Islands National Guard and his dedication to the country and to the people of the Virgin Islands.
  • Bill No. 35-0123: An Act to commission and direct the Virgin Islands Council on the Arts to construct and erect a bronze bust of Dr. Alfred O. Heath to be placed next to those of Edith L. Williams, J. Antonio Jarvis and Rothschild Francis in Education Park on St. Thomas.
  • Bill No. 35-0208: A resolution honoring and commending Mrs. Bernice Alma Turnbull for her lifetime service and dedication to the people of the Virgin Islands.
  • Bill No. 35-0223: An Act renaming a portion of Gamle Gade on St. Thomas as the “William A. Industrious Street”.
  • Bill No. 35-0247: A resolution requiring the V.I. Public Service Commission to file a complaint on behalf of the people of the Virgin Islands against Liberty Latin America and its subsidiaries, Liberty Mobile USVI and Liberty Mobile Puerto Rico, with the Federal Communications Commission.

Zonings

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  • Bill No. 35-0212: An Act ratifying Minor Coastal Zone Permit No. CZT-18-21(W) issued to Beach Life, LLC for the continued use and occupancy of submerged lands and the installation of a five-foot-wide by thirty-foot long floating dock anchored by a four-foot wide by twenty-four-foot-long wooden walkway on Honeymoon beach and seaward of Tract C-1 Estate Water Island.
  • Bill No. 35-0213: An Act granting a conditional zoning use variance for Plots Nos. 219 and 220 Estate Morningstar, Queen Quarter, St. Croix, from the R-1(Residential-Low Density) zoning designation to allow for a restaurant and bar, amphitheater, retail, a barber or beauty salon, short-term rental/guesthouse, and event space rental/rental of commercial space.
  • Bill No. 35-0214: An Act granting a zoning use variance for the construction and operation of a guesthouse in Estate Glynn, St. Croix.
  • Bill No. 35-0233: An Act granting a use variance to Parcels No. 41 Remainder Estate Contant and 41-C Estate Contant, 7A Southside Quarter, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands to allow for commercial parking.
  • Bill No. 35-0234: An Act granting a zoning variance from the I-2 (Light Industry) zoning designation to Revised Parcel No. 17-3 Remainder Estate Nisky, No. 6 Southside Quarter, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, to allow for a business hotel.
  • Bill No. 35-0235: An Act amending Official Zoning Map No. STZ-7 to rezone Reconfigured Remainder Consolidated Parcel No. 1-13 Estate Donoe, No. 2A New Quarter, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, behind Cost-U-Less from R-4 (Residential-Medium Density) to B-3 (Business-Scattered).

Party summary

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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%

Leadership

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Presiding

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Majority (Democratic)

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  • Majority Leader: Kenneth Gittens (D), from January 9, 2023
  • Secretary: Carla Joseph (D), from January 9, 2023
  • Intergovernmental Territorial Affairs Secretary: Marise James (D), from January 9, 2023
  • Liaison to Congress: Donna Frett-Gregory (D), from January 9, 2023
  • Liaison to the Department of Interior & Office of Insular Affairs: Carla Joseph (D), from January 9, 2023
  • Liaison to the White House: Kenneth Gittens (D), from January 9, 2023

Majority Caucus

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Minority Caucus

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Members

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District Name Party Took Office
At-large Angel Bolques Jr. Democratic 2022
St. Croix Franklin D. Johnson Independent 2021
Diane T. Capehart Democratic 2023
Javan E. James, Sr. Democratic 2019
Kenneth Gittens Democratic 2019
Marise James Democratic 2023
Novelle Francis Democratic 2015
Samuel Carrion Independent 2021
St. Thomas/
St. John 		Alma Francis-Heyliger Independent 2021
Carla J. Joseph Democratic 2021
Donna Frett-Gregory Democratic 2019
Dwayne M. DeGraff Independent 2017
Ray Fonseca Democratic 2023
Marvin Blyden Democratic 2015
Milton E. Potter Democratic 2021

Source:[9]

Committees

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Committee Chair Vice Chair
Economic Development and Agriculture Javan James Sr. Angel Bolques Jr.
Budget, Appropriations and Finance Donna Frett-Gregory Novelle Francis
Education and Workforce Development Marise James Donna Frett-Gregory
Health, Hospitals and Human Services Ray Fonseca Kenneth Gittens
Government Operations, Veteran Affairs and Consumer Protection Carla Joseph Javan James Sr.
Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety Kenneth Gittens Ray Fonseca
Housing, Transportation and Telecommunications Marvin Blyden Marise James
Culture, Aging, Sports, Parks and Youth Angel Bolques Jr. Marvin Blyden
Rules and Judiciary Diane Capehart Milton Potter
Disaster Recovery, Infrastructure and Planning Milton Potter Diane Capehart

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "35th Legislature Gets Down to Business". St. Thomas Source. Retrieved 2023-01-09.
  2. ^ "Vialet Announces Bid for Governor With Running Mate Sarauw, Saying Only Few Have Benefited From Bryan Administration". The Virgin Islands Consortium. 2024-03-12.
  3. ^ "Body Of Former Senator Alicia "Chucky" Hansen To Lay In State At The Legislature Of The Virgin Islands". 2023-10-13.
  4. ^ "Gittens, Blyden and Carrion Voice Concern Over Government Corruption and Recovery Delays". The Virgin Islands Consortium. June 18, 2024.
  5. ^ "ACT NO. 8684". Legislature of the Virgin Islands.
  6. ^ "ACT NO. 8687". Legislature of the Virgin Islands.
  7. ^ "ACT NO. 8702". Legislature of the Virgin Islands.
  8. ^ "Bill No. 35-0062" (PDF). Legislature of the Virgin Islands.
  9. ^ "35th Legislature Senators Commence 2-Year Term Following Swearing-In Ceremony".
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