Bryan vetoed three bills passed by the 35th Legislature

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. vetoed three bills passed by the 35th Legislature, Government House said on May 10, 2024.

The measures were Bill No. 35-0266, Bill No. 35-0267 and Bill No. 35-0268.

According to Government House, Bryan vetoed Bill No. 35-0266, which would have reappropriated funds and authorized a credit system to manage debts among the territory’s major utilities and health-care facilities. In a statement, Bryan said the bill did not address the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority’s immediate cash needs and would have worsened WAPA’s financial position.

Bryan also vetoed Bill No. 35-0267, which concerned use of the Budget Stabilization Fund. Government House said Bryan objected on the grounds that territorial law already established the fund’s availability during a state of emergency.

The third veto applied to Bill No. 35-0268, which would have changed procedures for declaring a state of emergency in the territory. Government House said Bryan argued the bill would limit the executive branch’s ability to respond quickly to disasters by requiring legislative involvement in emergency expenditures, operations and certain response actions.

Government House said Bryan cited scenarios including terrorist attacks, plane crashes and mass shootings in explaining his objections to the emergency-powers bill.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-acts-on-three-legislative-measures-passed-by-the-35th-legislature/