Carrion Proposes Digital Overhaul of Government Services with New Legislation

Senator Samuel Carrion has introduced a new bill aimed at accelerating the digitization of government services, with the goal of making them more accessible and responsive to citizens’ needs.

Presented on Monday to the Senate Committee on Government Operations, Veterans Affairs, and Consumer Protection, Bill 35-026 proposes amendments to Title 3 of the Virgin Islands Code, adding Chapter 33A to establish the 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act (IDEA). Senator Carrion criticized the current practice of government agencies individually contracting for website design at significant expense. He noted that these websites are often disconnected and incompatible, which hampers business efficiency.

Carrion emphasized the drawbacks of relying on outside contractors, who have sometimes withheld government websites due to disputes. He advocated for uniform platforms and unfettered access across all government agencies. He suggested leveraging existing government IT personnel for these services and providing them with additional training to effectively implement IDEA. Carrion described the bill as a crucial step towards modernizing government processes.

The proposed legislation assigns the Bureau of Information Technology (BIT) the responsibility for setting standards to guide the digital consolidation of government agencies and directing agency heads on website compatibility. BIT Director Rupert Ross highlighted the need for adequate resources to support the bill’s implementation, including modernization efforts, recruitment, training, and support services. He also called for a governance mechanism to ensure smooth implementation, warning that without these measures, challenges are likely to arise.

Initially, the bill set a timeframe of 180 days to one year for BIT to implement IDEA. However, Senator Carrion has pledged to adjust this deadline based on the project’s complexity and scope. BIT has requested more time for comprehensive assessments and stakeholder engagement to facilitate a seamless transition.

Stephan Adams, CEO of the Virgin Islands Next Generation Network (viNGN), testified in favor of the bill, addressing funding concerns by pointing to the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program, which provides $27 million in federal funds managed by the Office of Management and Budget. Adams suggested that these funds could support the bill’s requirements under the umbrella of workforce development.

Adams also recommended amending the bill to enable the government to operate a centralized portal for all agencies. He argued that a unified GVI website would allow residents to navigate between agencies more easily and reduce the need for each agency to recode their websites.

The bill also mandates that all government websites be ADA-compliant, ensuring accessibility for persons with disabilities. GVI’s ADA Coordinator Julien Henley reminded lawmakers that the Americans with Disabilities Act requires local governments to provide equal access to programs, services, and activities, along with effective communication comparable to those without disabilities.

Although the bill did not come to a vote during Monday’s committee meeting, it received strong support from lawmakers. Senator Milton Potter called the bill “forward thinking,” while Committee Chair Senator Carla Joseph endorsed it, citing the transformative potential of technology to enhance government efficiency and productivity.

Bill 35-0236 is expected to reduce costs by improving efficiency and creating a more uniform digital presence for government services, as envisioned by Senator Carrion.