An Act amending title 33 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 111, section 3100i aligning the disbursement and spending limitations of funds allotted to public
Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable
Enacted
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
9 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.
St. Croix cricket field gets funding
The law provides $2.175 million for fiscal year 2025 to develop the St. Croix Cricket Field. The money comes from the Community Facilities Trust Fund. The Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation provides it as a grant to the Twin City Cricket Association. The funds remain available until spent.
St. Thomas street lighting gets funding
The law provides $296,700 for fiscal year 2025 for street lighting from the University of the Virgin Islands to Raphune Hill. The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority receives the money from the St. Thomas Street Lighting Account. It includes $203,200 for materials, $42,500 for equipment, and $51,000 for labor. The funds remain available until spent. Within 90 days after installation, the authority's Executive Director must report the light locations to the Legislature.
Aviation scholarship receives money for administration
The law provides $44,000 from the Territorial Scholarship Fund to the Virgin Islands Board of Education. The money supports administration of the Caroline Felicia Adams Aviation Scholarship for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025. This appropriation does not specify larger scholarship awards.
Dedicated funding for Virgin Islands schools
The Education Initiative Fund is a separate Treasury fund managed by the Finance Commissioner. It gets 35% of game proceeds under each private-contractor lottery contract, including video lottery, plus public appropriations and private gifts. Each year, public schools get $65,000 and public adult education facilities get $20,000. Both get another $20 per enrolled student above 500. Enrollment reports are due September 1, and funds must be released within 30 days after submission. Each superintendent gets $75,000 yearly for district academic and social-emotional programs. The Education Commissioner gets $176,000 yearly for athletic coach stipends outside the American Federation of Teachers. The Education Department gets $250,000 yearly for Fund operations and one Financial Control Officer per district. Schools keep year-end balances for classroom resources, student support, and interventions, including textbooks and software.
Emergency services can manage ambulance billing
Virgin Islands Fire and Emergency Medical Services can obtain a federal Employer Identification Number. It can also manage ambulance billing and collection systems. This provision does not set ambulance rates, patient charges, or new service eligibility rules.
Appraisers get updated license education rules
Affected real estate appraiser applicants must show completion of a Board-prescribed course from an approved education provider. The course must meet Appraiser Qualifications Board standards. The Board must also accept approved Practical Applications of Real Estate Appraisal programs as a licensing option. The law also adds Psychiatric Technician to a list of licensed technician professions.
School funding gets deadlines and oversight
Each year, the Education Department must request funds and prepare distribution plans by October 1. The budget office must authorize release by November 1, and Finance must disburse funds by December 1. Each recipient school and superintendent must maintain a dedicated checking account. Only the principal, or the next-ranking assistant principal during the principal's absence, can sign school checks. Principals and superintendents must submit spending reports, receipts, and supporting records by the 15th of each month. Education's annual financial report is due within 30 days after fiscal year-end. The Finance Commissioner must keep complete records and report to the Governor and Legislature within 60 days after year-end. The Inspector General must audit each school's account on a biannual schedule and report findings to the Governor and Legislature. Missing reports can stop later payments until compliance. Suspected misuse triggers investigations and can bring suspension, termination, or civil or criminal penalties. Progressive penalties include warnings, required financial training, reduced allocations, and referrals to the Inspector General or Attorney General.
Schools face limits on fund spending
Schools can use Education Initiative Fund money for listed school and district administrative costs. These include financial-control staff pay and benefits, communications, financial training, student and financial data systems, and routine office costs. Administrative office equipment and supplies are capped at $8,000 yearly. Non-employee professional services are capped at $5,000 per provider and half of a school's allocation; goods, materials, and travel are excluded from that service limit. Fund money cannot pay for entertainment, donations, raffle tickets, overdue prior obligations, vehicles, or employee travel.
Prior law's year moves to 2025
The law changes the year in Section 1 of Act No. 8868 from 2024 to 2025. The available text does not explain what deadline, funding period, or requirement that year controls. Its practical effect is unclear.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
There is no primary sponsor on record.
Cosponsors
Angel L. Bolques, Jr.
legislature
Avery L. Lewis
legislature
Carla J. Joseph
legislature
Clifford A. Joseph, Sr.
legislature
Kurt A. Vialet
legislature
Milton E. Potter
legislature
Novelle E. Francis, Jr.
legislature
Ray Fonseca
legislature
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
Vetoed
7/9/2025legislatureEnacted
7/9/2025legislatureTo Governor
7/1/2025legislatureFloor
6/27/2025legislatureRules
6/25/2025legislatureIntroduced
3/28/2025legislatureCommittee
2/19/2025legislature
Bill Text
Enacted Act
7/9/2025
Amendment
6/27/2025
Bill Text
3/28/2025
Related Bills
Bill No. 36-0393, An act amending Act No. 9035 to reprogram funds within the 2026 fiscal year budget for Virgin Islands Department of Health to provide a $2,500,000 appropriation
Lease 36-0293, An act approving the lease agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands and The St. Thomas Cricket Association Inc. for Parcel No-2 of Tract
Bill No. 36-0192, An act amending title 34 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 15 to enact the Senior Financial Protection and Promissory Note Abuse Prevention Act of 2025
Bill No. 36-0290, An act granting a zoning use variance for Plot No. 104 Estate Concordia, Westend Quarter, St. Croix from the R-2 (Residential Low Density–One and Two Family)
Bill No. 36-0339, An act approving the lease agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands, acting through the Commissioner of the Department of Property and Procurement,
Bill No. 36-0392, An act amending title 33 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 111 creating the Virgin Islands Contractor Bonds Cost Revolving Loan Fund