35th Virgin Islands Legislature explained

35th Legislature of the Virgin Islands
Coa Res:220px
Coa Caption:USVI Capitol Building (2023)
Members:15
Term Length:2 years
Leader1 Type:President
Leader1:Novelle Francis (D)
Leader2 Type:Vice President
Leader2:Marvin Blyden (D)
Leader3 Type:Majority Leader
Leader3:Kenneth Gittens (D)
Leader4 Type:Minority Leader
Leader4:Dwayne DeGraff (I)

The 35th Virgin Islands Legislature is the current meeting of the Legislature of the Virgin Islands. It has convened in Charlotte Amalie on January 9, 2023, during the first two years of Governor Albert Bryan’s second term.[1]

In the 2022 elections, the Democratic Party of the Virgin Islands retained and expanded their majority by gaining one seat which was led by Independent Senator Janelle Sarauw, who instead ran for lieutenant governor.

Major events

Major Legislation

Enacted

Proposed (but not enacted)

Vetoed

Major resolutions

Zonings

Party summary

Party

(Shading indicates majority/plurality)

Total
DemocraticIndependentIndependent
Citizens
nowrap style="font-size:80%"End of previous Legislature105015
nowrap style="font-size:80%"Begin (January 9, 2023)114015
Latest voting share

Leadership

Presiding

Majority (Democratic)

Majority Caucus

Minority Caucus

Members

District Name Party Took Office
At-large Angel Bolques Jr.Democratic2022
St. CroixFranklin JohnsonIndependent2021
Diane CapehartDemocratic2023
Javan E. James, Sr.Democratic2019
Kenneth GittensDemocratic2019
Marise JamesDemocratic2023
Novelle FrancisDemocratic2015
Samuel CarrionIndependent2021
St. Thomas/
St. John
Alma Francis-HeyligerIndependent2021
Carla JosephDemocratic2021
Donna Frett-GregoryDemocratic2019
Dwayne DeGraffIndependent2017
Ray FonsecaDemocratic2023
Marvin BlydenDemocratic2015
Milton PotterDemocratic 2021
Source:[7]

Committees

CommitteeChairVice Chair
Economic Development and Agriculture Angel Bolques Jr.
Budget, Appropriations and Finance Donna Frett-GregoryNovelle Francis
Education and Workforce Development Marise James Donna Frett-Gregory
Health, Hospitals and Human Services Ray FonsecaKenneth Gittens
Government Operations, Veteran Affairs and Consumer Protection Carla Joseph
Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety Kenneth Gittens Ray Fonseca
Housing, Transportation and Telecommunications Marise James
Culture, Aging, Sports, Parks and Youth Angel Bolques Jr.Marvin Blyden
Rules and Judiciary Diane CapehartMilton Potter
Disaster Recovery, Infrastructure and Planning Milton PotterDiane Capehart

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: 35th Legislature Gets Down to Business . en . St. Thomas Source . 2023-01-09.
  2. Web site: Body Of Former Senator Alicia "Chucky" Hansen To Lay In State At The Legislature Of The Virgin Islands . 2023-10-13.
  3. Web site: Gittens, Blyden and Carrion Voice Concern Over Government Corruption and Recovery Delays . The Virgin Islands Consortium . June 18, 2024.
  4. Web site: Bill No.34-0238 . Legislature of the Virgin Islands.
  5. Web site: Bill No. 34-0271 . Legislature of the Virgin Islands.
  6. Web site: Bill No. 35-0062 . Legislature of the Virgin Islands.
  7. Web site: 35th Legislature Senators Commence 2-Year Term Following Swearing-In Ceremony .