Bryan signed 16 bills and vetoed six measures

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. acted on 22 measures on July 31, 2020, signing 16 into law and vetoing six, according to Government House.

Among the bills he signed was Bill No. 33-0077, aimed at preventing financial exploitation and abuse of elderly people and dependent adults. Government House said Bryan recommended revisions to broaden the measure beyond financial exploitation, strengthen penalties and clarify language involving access to certain financial records.

Bryan also signed Bill No. 33-0275, which appropriated $8.2 million from the Revenue Matching Fund in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 for construction of Paul E. Joseph Stadium on St. Croix. In a transmittal letter, he said the original request had been for the full $8.2 million in fiscal year 2020 and that an additional $3 million would be needed in fiscal year 2021 to complete the project as designed.

The six vetoed measures were Bill No. 33-0054, concerning a small and local disadvantaged business enterprise act; Bill No. 33-0106, regulating drones and including other amendments; Bill No. 33-0217, concerning public restrooms in Charlotte Amalie; Bill No. 33-0320, a rezoning request in Estate Honduras on St. Thomas; Bill No. 33-0335, restructuring the Cannabis Advisory Board; and Bill No. 33-0338, concerning the Government Employees' Retirement System board.

Government House said Bryan objected to Bill No. 33-0054 because it contained statutory errors, including references to an agency that no longer exists, and said similar programs already operate in other government entities. He said Bill No. 33-0106 combined non-germane provisions, including sections on coral reef protections, sex offenders operating drones and gas station exemptions.

Bryan said he vetoed Bill No. 33-0217 because it encroached on executive authority over capital projects and did not provide funding or personnel. He said Bill No. 33-0320 contained an incorrect property description, Bill No. 33-0335 conflicted with separate pending cannabis legislation, and Bill No. 33-0338 was too broad and would give the Legislature blanket approval over policies created by GERS trustees.

Other signed measures included rezonings on St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John; ratification of coastal zone permits; approval of lease agreements and an insurance agreement; a zoning variance for an assisted living facility on St. John; a conditional use variance for a restaurant, bar and retail development in Estate Adrian; a measure honoring Pastor Hector Gonzalez; and Bill No. 33-0339, enabling a referendum on adoption of a Virgin Islands territorial constitution.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-takes-action-on-bills/