Bryan submitted bills to raise minimum wage to $15 and allow small distilleries and breweries in some districts

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. submitted two bills to the 36th Legislature on October 15, 2025: one to raise the Virgin Islands minimum wage to $15 an hour over three years and another to allow microbreweries and microdistilleries as a conditional use in agricultural and certain residential districts.

The minimum-wage measure would increase the hourly wage from $10.50 to $13 in 2026, $14 in 2027 and $15 in 2028.

The second bill, titled the Act to Support Small-Scale Distilleries and Breweries, would amend zoning law to permit microbreweries and microdistilleries in those districts after public notice, community input and regulatory approval by the Department of Planning and Natural Resources in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture.

In a statement, Bryan said the phased wage increase differed from the Legislature's earlier decision to raise the minimum salary for government employees from $27,000 to $35,000 at once.

Both measures were before the Legislature for consideration.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-advances-legislative-agenda-to-strengthen-wages-and-expand-economic-opportunity/