34th Legislature of the Virgin Islands
Coat of arms or logo
Legislature in 2021
Leadership
President
Donna Frett-Gregory (D)
Vice President
Majority Leader
Marvin Blyden (D)
(until December 24, 2021)
Minority Leader
Dwayne DeGraff (I)
Structure
Seats15
Length of term
2 years

The 34th Virgin Islands Legislature was a meeting of the Legislature of the Virgin Islands. It convened in Charlotte Amalie on January 11, 2021, during the third year of Albert Bryan’s governorship and ended on January 9, 2023.

In the 2020 elections, the Democratic Party of the Virgin Islands retained their majority although reduced from the 33rd Legislature.[1]

Major events

  • January 11, 2021: The 34th legislative session began as senators take office.
  • January 25, 2021: Governor Bryan delivered the State of the Territory Address.
  • December 23, 2021: Senate voted 12-1 on Res. 34-0185 to suspend Senator Marvin Blyden and remove him from the position of majority leader for his failure to quarantine after testing positive for covid-19.
  • January 24, 2022: Governor Bryan delivered the State of the Territory Address.[2]
  • June 13, 2022: Senate President Donna Frett-Gregory calls for federal investigation into letter sent through USPS, threatening all 14 members of the body except Senator Steven Payne Sr.
  • July 20, 2022: Senate voted 14-1 on Res. 34-0287 to expel Senator Steven Payne Sr. from the 34th Legislature following reports of sexual accusations made by three women.
  • July 25, 2022: Angel Bolques replaces Senator Steven Payne Sr. as senator at-large.
  • December 29, 2022: Senate voted 11-1 on bill no. 34-0345 to legalize recreational marijuana use in the territory.

Major legislation

Enacted

  • August 16, 2021: Bill no. 34-0077 (Act No. 8469), the repayment of the 8% cut salary to government employees.[3]
  • February 8, 2022: Bill no. 34-0188 (Act 8540), allows the government of the Virgin Islands to seek funding in the bond market to stabilize GERS for 30 years. Sponsored by: Kurt Vialet, Donna Frett-Gregory, Janelle Sarauw
  • April 11, 2022: The Virgin Islands CROWN Act, 34-0147 (Act 8553), sponsored by senators Alma Francis Heyliger and Genevieve Whitaker; the Responsible Fatherhood Act, 34-0045 (Act 8546), sponsored by Milton Potter; Virgin Islands Uniform Law on Notarial Acts of 2021, 34-0155[4]
  • August 9, 2022: Bill no. 34-0267, establishing a territorial park system, sponsored by Samuel Carrión.

Proposed (but not enacted)

  • Bill no. 34-0021, establishes the Public Services Commission as a semiautonomous agency; subjects the Waste Management Authority to regulation; and provides for resolution of customer complaints against wireless telecommunication providers. The bill also calls for a turnaround company to assess WAPA and measures to reduce the cost of electricity and water. Sponsored by: Senators Janelle Sarauw, Kurt Vialet (Veto by Governor: 5/20/2021 ; Override by Senate with a 13-0 vote on 08/3/2021)
  • Bill No. 34-0168, eliminates the requirement for Caravelle Hotel casino owned by VIGL, to build a 400-capacity banquet hall. Sponsored by Senator Kurt Vialet (Veto by governor: 12/6/2021)

Party summary

Affiliation Party
(shading indicates majority caucus)
Total
Democratic Independent
End of previous legislature 13 2 15
Begin (January 11, 2021) 9 6 15
May 13, 2022 10 5 15

Leadership

200
Vice President: Novelle Francis (D)-STX
200
Majority Leader: Marvin Blyden (D)-STT
200
Secretary: Genevieve Whitaker (D)-STX

Presiding

Majority (Democratic)

  • Majority Leader: Marvin Blyden (D), from January 11, 2021
  • Secretary: Genevieve Whitaker (D), from January 11, 2021
  • Intergovernmental Territorial Affairs Secretary: Novelle Francis (D), from January 11, 2021
  • Liaison to Congress: Marvin Blyden (D), from January 11, 2021
  • Liaison to the Department of Interior & Office of Insular Affairs: Genevieve Whitaker (D), from January 11, 2021
  • Liaison to the White House: Kenneth Gittens (D), from January 11, 2021

Majority Caucus

Members

DistrictNamePartyTook Office
At-large Steven D. Payne Sr. Democratic 2019
St. Croix Franklin Johnson Independent 2021
Kurt Vialet Democratic 2015
Javan E. James, Sr. Independent 2019
Kenneth Gittens Democratic 2019
Genevieve Whitaker Democratic 2021
Novelle Francis Democratic 2015
Samuel Carrion Independent 2021
St. Thomas/
St. John
Alma Francis-Heyliger Independent 2021
Carla Joseph Democratic 2021
Donna Frett-Gregory Democratic 2019
Dwayne DeGraff Independent 2017
Janelle Sarauw Independent 2017
Marvin Blyden Democratic 2015
Milton Potter Democratic 2021

Source:[5]

References

  1. "2020 General Election" (PDF). Election System of the Virgin Islands. November 3, 2020.
  2. "Governor Bryan Delivers Final State of the Territory Address of His First Term". VI Consortium. January 24, 2022.
  3. "Act No. 8469" (PDF). Legislature of the Virgin Islands.
  4. "Bill No. 34-0155" (PDF). Legislature of the Virgin Islands.
  5. "35th Legislature Senators Commence 2-Year Term Following Swearing-In Ceremony".
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