Bryan and Francis rescheduled special session to Dec. 8

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. and Senate President Novelle Francis Jr. agreed to move a special session of the Legislature from Dec. 3, 2020, to Dec. 8, 2020, according to a Government House announcement published Dec. 2, 2020.

In a transmittal letter to Francis, Bryan requested that the special session be postponed, citing concerns shared by the executive and legislative branches.

The session had been called to consider three bills submitted by Bryan and a request to extend the state of emergency.

One measure, Bill No. 33-0446, would repeal and replace Acts No. 8329 and No. 8330, which established the Matching Fund Securitization Corporation, with a different securitization proposal aimed at refinancing Virgin Islands government debt at lower interest rates.

Bill No. 33-0447 concerned the definition of a public nuisance and penalties for actions that endanger public peace, health and safety during states of emergency.

Bill No. 33-0448 would amend Act 8310 to address the governor's authority to borrow from public funds in fiscal year 2021 to offset cash-flow problems tied to revenue shortfalls resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bryan also sought to extend the state of emergency, which was set to expire on Dec. 9, 2020, to Feb. 6, 2021.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-senate-president-francis-agree-to-push-back-special-session/