The 35th Virgin Islands Legislature was a meeting of the Legislature of the Virgin Islands. It convened in Charlotte Amalie on January 9, 2023, and adjourned on December 19, 2024, during the first two years of Governor Albert Bryan second term.
In the 2022 election, the Democratic Party of the Virgin Islands expanded their majority by gaining one seat which was led by Independent Senator Janelle Sarauw, who instead ran for lieutenant governor.
Major events
January 9, 2023: Members-elect of the 36th Legislature are sworn-in at Emancipation Gardens on St. Thomas. 12 p.m. EST: The 35th Legislature convenes into session. Novelle Francis succeeds Donna Frett-Gregory as Senate President. January 23, 2023: Governor Bryan delivered his Fifth State of the Territory Address. April 14, 2023: Senate confirmed acting Attorney General Carol Thomas-Jacobs to the United States Virgin Islands Superior Court. April 14, 2023: Senate voted to adopt Juneteenth making the Virgin Islands, the first US territory to recognize the federal holiday. June 14, 2023: Senate voted to confirm Ariel Smith as the new Attorney General of the Virgin Islands. July 20, 2023: Senate voted to confirm the nomination of Lisa M. Alejandro to be Commissioner of Department of Property and Procurement. September 15, 2023: Senate held vote on land swap deal with nine out 15 senators approving it for the purpose to construct a K-12 school on St. John. September 20, 2023: Senate President Novelle Francis express concerns over the appointment of Finance Commissioner Nominee Kevin McCurdy as acting governor while Bryan and Lt. Governor Roach leave the territory. September 22, 2023: Senate confirmed Lionel E. Selwood to the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority Board of Directors and Angel Dawson Jr. as Administrator of the Government Employees Retirement System. October 19, 2023: Former Senator Alicia “Chucky” Hansen lies in state at Legislature Building on St. Croix. November 2, 2023: Senators attend funeral of Former Senator Lloyd Williams on St. Thomas. December 19, 2023: Senate voted overwhelmingly to confirm Natalie Hodge as Commissioner of Department of Licensing & Customer Affairs, Louis Petersen as Agriculture Commissioner, Kevin McCurdy as Commissioner of Finance, Dr. Bert Petersen and Donna Christensen to the UVI Board of Trustees. January 22, 2024: Governor Bryan delivered his sixth State of the Territory Address. March 25, 2024: Senate voted to confirm the nominations of Harold Willocks for Supreme Court justice, Averil George as Commissioner of Human Services and Antonio Stevens as Director of Fire & EMS. April 23, 2024: Senators holds press conference to address Bryan's emergency declaration on WAPA and its financial conditions. April 25, 2024: Senate convenes special session to provide funding for WAPA. June 18, 2024: Senators Gittens, Blyden and Carrion express concerns over alleged corruption within Bryan administration amid FBI probe. July 23, 2024: Senate confirmed Magistrate Judge Ernest E. Morris Jr. to the United States Virgin Islands Superior Court. September 27, 2024: Senate voted to confirm the nomination of Gordon Rhea for Attorney General. December 12, 2024: Senators attend grand opening of Walter I.M. Hodge Pavilion on St. Croix.
Major Legislation Enacted February 2, 2023: Act 8700 (Bill No. 35-0003): An Act appropriating $2.2 million for the adoption of various portions of the Virgin Islands Agricultural Plan. (introduced by Sen. Donna Frett-Gregory)
April 20, 2023: Act 8701 (Bill No. 35-0070): An Act authorizing the Governor to utilize monies from public funds of the Virgin Islands to create working capital, to engage in a line of credit in the maximum amount of $100 million to provide for the disbursement of funds needed to advance disaster-related recovery projects that are reimbursable through federal funding and other disaster-related projects and provide funding to advance payment of the $45,000,000 towards the buyout of the infrastructure agreement between WAPA and VITOL and the acquisition of the LPG facilities and to issue the Series 2023 Notes. (introduced by Sen. Novelle Francis) April 25, 2023: Act 8702 (Bill No. 35-0006): An Act honoring and commending former Senator George E. Goodwin, by naming the Cricket field in Estate Nazareth, St. Thomas after him while awarding him the Virgin Islands Medal of Honor. (introduced by Sen. Carla J. Joseph) Act 8703 (Bill No. 35-0007): An Act honoring and commending Mr. Boyd "Boyzie" Orlanzo Todman for his many contributions to the people and the youth of the Virgin Islands and to name the basketball court at Oswald Harris Court "The Boyd "Boyzie" Orlanzo Todman Basketball Court". Act 8704 (Bill No. 35-0009): enacts The Juneteenth National Independence Day Act to make June 19, a legal holiday in the Virgin Islands. (introduced by Sen. Marvin Blyden, Alma Francis-Heyliger, Milton Potter) Act 8705 (Bill No. 35-0010): An Act honoring and commending Mr. Aloy “Wenty” Nielsen for his years of service to the Virgin Islands community and naming the Christiansted Bypass in his honor; making a $10,000 appropriation from the General Fund for signage at Aloy Nielsen Bypass. Act 8706 (Bill No. 35-0011): An Act honoring and commending former Senator Horace A. Caliwood, Sr. posthumously for his dedication, service, and commitment to the people of the Virgin Islands and naming the north–south street immediately east of Windward Passage in his memory. Act 8714 (Bill No. 35-0026): An Act amending title 22 Virgin Islands Code relating to insurers becoming members of a Federal Home Loan Bank. Act 8716 (Bill No. 35-0049): An Act amending title 7, chapter 1, of the Virgin Islands Code by adding subchapter VIII, establishing a Local Food and Farm Council in accordance with mandate five of the Virgin Islands Agricultural Plan. Act 8719 (Bill No. 35-0063): An Act approving the conveyance by the Port Authority to the UVI of Tract E, Parcel 72 Estate Lindbergh Bay, 4A Southside Quarter, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, in exchange for the University of the Virgin Islands’ conveyance to the Virgin Islands Port Authority of Parcel 66-5 Estate Lindberg Bay St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. Act 8720 (Bill No. 35-0068): An Act authorizing the members of the Board of Medical Examiners to serve temporarily as de facto board members of boards established under title 3 Virgin Islands Code, section 415 if a board does not have enough members to establish a quorum. Act 8721 (Bill No. 35-0072): An Act ratifying the Governor's approval of Major Coastal Zone Management Permit No. CZT-03-20 (L&W) issued to SVB 155 SPRING LLC, D/B/A Independent Boatyard and Marina. Act 8722 (Bill No. 35-0054): An Act amending title 1 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 7, section 103b, relating to the Centennial Treasures Award, to provide for a single, lumpsum award payment. June 14, 2023: Act 8730 (Bill No. 35-0055): An Act amending title 17 of the Virgin Islands Code pertaining to school curriculum in elementary and secondary schools. Act No. 8731 (Bill No. 35-0061): An Act directing the Virgin Islands Inspector General to conduct an audit of WAPA; making a $250,000 appropriation to conduct the audit; and for other related purposes (governor’s veto overridden by Legislature) June 21, 2023: Act 8732 (Bill No. 35-0012): An Act amending title 23 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 19, subchapter III, section 1556 relating to increasing the retirement pension for National Guard retirees. June 27, 2023: Act 8728 (Bill No. 35-0105): An Act ratifying the Governor's approval of Minor Coastal Zone Permit CZT-12-16W issued to Emerald Beach Corporation d/b/a Emerald Beach Hotel for a term of 20 years for the installation, use, and occupancy of submerged land by three swim buoys, an Aquabana and a floating dinghy dock seaward of Parcel Nos. 70-D-1 and 70-T-1, Estate Lindbergh Bay, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. Act 8729 (Bill No. 35-0106): An Act appropriating $700,000 from the Genera] Fund of the Virgin Islands to the Department of Health for the Caribbean Kidney Center for the purpose of hiring dialysis nurses and other staff. July 24, 2023: Act 8739 (Bill No. 35-0029): An Act honoring and commending Donna Marie Christian-Christiansen M.D., for her tireless contributions to the people of the Virgin Islands in the medical field and representation in the United States Congress. August 1, 2023: Act 8733 (Bill No. 35-0033): An Act honoring and commending Mr. Benburin “Benny” Stephens posthumously for his heroism in saving the lives of a mother and her children and to rename the Bovoni Road (Route 30), specifically from the entrance of the St. Thomas Abattoir to the entrance of the Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School, “The Benburin “Benny” Stephens Drive”. Act 8734: An Act amending title 20 Virgin Islands Code, part II, chapter 39, section 436(b), by expanding the definition of “disabled veteran” for the purposes of eligibility for a disabled window decal, making various appropriations and amending Act 8681. Act No. 8735: An Act amending title 3 Virgin Islands Code. chapter 16, section 274, subsection (f), paragraph (II) to clarify the duties and responsibilities of the executive director of the Taxicab Commission. Act No. 8736: An Act awarding the Virgin Islands Medal of Honor posthumously to former Senator Edgar Milton lies for his commendable public service and contributions to the people of the Virgin Islands. Act No. 8738 (Bill No. 35-0114): : A resolution honoring and commending the 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games’ Gold Medal Winners. August 18, 2023: Act 8737 (Bill No. 35-0101): A resolution honoring and commending Dr. Olaf “Bronco” Hendricks for his tireless years of remarkable and invaluable contributions to the people of the Virgin Islands in the field of psychiatry, his advocacy for social justice for individuals with behavioral health and substance use issues, and for his music. September 29, 2023: St. John Land Exchange Act October 4, 2023: Act 8772 (Bill No. 35-0073): An Act amending title 32 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 11 by setting forth the duties and responsibilities of the Virgin Islands Horse Racing Commission, establishing a horse racing commission for the St. Croix district and one for the St. Thomas and St. John district, and amending the chapter to reflect the responsibilities of each horse racing commission. Act 8773: An Act amending title 32 of the Virgin Islands Code, chapter 11, subchapter I, section 201 to establish separate horse racing commissions for each district and making provision for a temporary commission. Act No. 8774: An Act approving the Lease Agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands, acting through its Commissioner of the Department of Property and Procurement, and Dave Jeffers d/b/a Dave Trucking Service for Parcel No. 142-B Estate Anna's Retreat, No, I New Quarter, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, consisting of approximately 6,627.393 U.S. sq. ft. or 0.144 U.S. acre zoned “P” as shown on O.L.G. File No. D9-8646-T012. to be used for the purpose of operating the general offices of the trucking company and for other related purposes. Act No. 8775: An Act approving the lease agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands, acting through its Commissioner of the Department of Property and Procurement and Demah, Inc. d/b/a Moe's Fresh Market, Revised Parcel No. 17-3 Remainder Estate Nisky, No. 6, Southside Quarter, St. Thomas and Unimproved Parcel No. 17-4 Estate Nisky, No. 6, Southside Quarter, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, for operating a gourmet retail food market and store, butchery, importer of goods, restaurant, tobacco retailer, storage warehouse, and executive offices, executive and workforce suites, and for other related purposes.