U.S. Virgin Islands Legislature

The Committee on Budget, Appropriations, and Finance, led by Senator Novelle E. Francis, Jr. met in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall. Lawmakers received testimonies regarding the proposed FY 2027 budgets for the Office of the Adjutant General and the Office of Veterans Affairs. Additionally, lawmakers forwarded a measure that would require the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority to pay compensation to the homeowners within the LBJ Gardens community who have been required to vacate their homes as a result of the actions related to the demolition of properties owned by the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority and associated with the operations of the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority and the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority. The approved item will be forwarded to the Committee on Rules and Judiciary for further consideration and action.

The Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance has scheduled a hearing for Thursday, June 18, 2026, at 10:00 A.M. in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall on St. Thomas to receive testimony on the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget:

10:00 A.M. | Bureau of Corrections

Invited Testifier:
Ms. Wynnie Testamark, Director

1:00 P.M. | VI Waste Management Authority

Invited Testifier:
Mr. Hannibal M. Ware, Director

Senator Ray Fonseca Mourns the Passing of Former Staff Member Mr. Samuel “Sam” Topp

The Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance has scheduled a hearing for Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at 10:00 A.M. in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall on St. Thomas to receive testimony on the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget:

10:00 A.M. | Office of the Adjutant General

Invited Testifier:
Major General Kodjo S. Knox-Limbacker, Adjutant General

1:00 P.M. | Office of Veterans Affairs

Invited Testifier:
Mr. Patrick Farrell, Director

Bill No. 36-0274
An act requiring the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority to pay compensation to the homeowners within the LBJ Gardens community who have been required to vacate their homes as a result of the actions related to the demolition of properties owned by the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority and associated with the operations of the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority and the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority

Sponsored by Senators Clifford A. Joseph, Sr., Marsie C. James, Novelle E. Francis, Jr., and Hubert L. Frederick; Co-Sponsored by Senators Angel L. Bolques, Jr., and Ray Fonseca

The Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance has scheduled a hearing for Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 9:00 A.M. in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall on St. Thomas to receive testimony on the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget:

9:00 A.M. | Office of Management and Budget

Invited Testifier:
Mr. Julio A. Rhymer, Sr., Director

11:00 A.M. | Department of Finance

Invited Testifier:
Honorable Kevin G. McCurdy, Commissioner

1:00 P.M.

Public Finance Authority

Invited Testifier:
Mr. Nathan Simmonds, Director of Finance and Administration

Office of Disaster Recovery

Invited Testifier:
Mrs. Adrienne Williams-Octalien, Director

3:00 P.M. | Bureau of Internal Revenue

Invited Testifier:
Mr. Joel A. Lee, Director

Statement from Senator At Large Angel L. Bolques, Jr. Following the Tragic Loss of Tre’Vante Etienne