Bryan signed fiscal 2020 budget and other bills, vetoed three measures

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. signed legislation on Oct. 8, 2019, funding the Virgin Islands government for fiscal year 2020 and approved several other bills passed by the 33rd Legislature.

In signing the budget measure, Bill No. 33-0157, Bryan said he had concerns about the Legislature’s removal of funding for a White Collar Crime Division within the Department of Justice, 30 new police officers for the Virgin Islands Police Department, and $4.2 million for integration of the Virgin Islands Emergency Medical Service with the Virgin Islands Fire Service.

Bryan also objected to a $10 million appropriation limited to retroactive payments for retirees age 65 and older, saying it excluded retirees under 65 who were also owed retroactive pay. He said he approved the budget with reservations.

Among other measures Bryan approved were bills addressing loitering penalties, rear-seat seat-belt use, appointments to the Legislative Youth Advisory Council, restaurant choking first-aid signage, unemployment insurance tax methodology, business payment options, amendments to the Hotel Development Act, insurance and money-services regulation, a coastal zone permit ratification, a rezoning in Estate Concordia on St. Croix, and lease agreements for Submarine Base parcels on St. Thomas. He also approved a measure honoring Robert O’Connor Jr. by naming a new Port Authority maintenance building after him.

Bryan vetoed Bill No. 33-0061, concerning Economic Development Commission powers and tax benefits; Bill No. 33-0092, concerning continued operation of the Judicial Branch during disasters or emergencies; and Bill No. 33-0188, which would have raised the Department of Education procurement threshold from $50,000 to $250,000, excluding construction contracts.

Several approved bills were signed with objections, recommendations, or requests for technical amendments, including measures on loitering, rear-seat seat-belt use, restaurant first-aid signage, and the Hotel Development Act.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-signs-fiscal-year-2020-budget-other-legislation-into-law/