Bryan approved package of 35th Legislature bills and vetoed one measure

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. approved several bills passed by the 35th Legislature during its Oct. 16, 2024 session, according to a Government House statement published Nov. 5, 2024.

The approved measures included Bill No. 35-0031, the Child Victims’ and Child Witnesses’ Rights Act; Bill No. 35-0289, which raised the minimum age to purchase tobacco products to 21; and Bill No. 35-0257, which established an annual U.S. Virgin Islands Beer, Wine, and Spirits Festival and included funding for electrical service restoration in parts of St. Croix, Emergency Medical Services instructor training, and education support.

Bryan also approved Bill No. 35-0283, which amended the Virgin Islands Cannabis Use Act; Bill No. 35-0285, awarding musician and producer Bryan “Benny-Demus” Boulai the Official Key to the Virgin Islands; and Bill No. 35-0286, naming the St. Thomas-St. John Superior Courthouse after Judge Verne A. Hodge.

Among infrastructure and emergency measures, Bryan approved Bill Nos. 35-0300 and 35-0320, authorizing lease agreements with Advance Power LLC for microgrid development with wind turbines on St. Thomas and St. Croix, and Bill No. 35-0340, extending the state of emergency tied to the power crisis through Dec. 20, 2024.

He also approved Bill No. 35-0390, establishing the Money Transmission Revolving Fund, while advising the Legislature to amend the measure to assign collection responsibilities to the Office of the Lieutenant Governor and remove an income tax credit.

The statement said Bryan approved additional land measures, including Bill No. 35-0374, conveying Parcel No. 201 Submarine Base to the Virgin Islands Public Broadcasting System, and Bill No. 35-0383, authorizing a lease for the St. Croix Science Teachers’ Association.

Bryan vetoed Bill No. 35-0388, which would have amended felony prosecution procedures. Government House said the administration objected on the grounds that the bill would strain the territory’s judicial and prosecutorial systems and require more time to implement.

The statement also said the Legislature had overridden several acts, identified as Act Nos. 8919, 8920, 8921 and 8922.

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