(a) There is established within the Virgin Islands Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation, two separate commissions for the regulation of horse racing, one for the island of St. Croix, designated the St. Croix Horse Racing Commission, and one for the islands of St. Thomas and St. John designated the St. Thomas-St. John Horse Racing Commission. Each commission is composed of six members, one being the Commissioner of the Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation, who shall serve as an ex officio member and the remaining five members shall be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Legislature of the Virgin Islands. A quorum of each commission consists of a majority of members.(1) The St. Croix Horse Racing Commission is composed of five residents of the island of St. Croix, residing on St. Croix and the St. Thomas-St. John Horse Racing Commission is composed of four residents from St. Thomas, and one resident from St. John.(2) The term of each appointed member is three years; but in the initial appointments, two members of each Commission must be appointed for one year, two members for two years, and one member for three years; Thereafter, all appointments are for three years; but any person appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the predecessor’s term shall serve for the remainder of such term. Each member shall serve until the appointment and qualification of the member’s successor.(3) The members of each Commission shall annually elect one of their members to serve as chairperson of the respective Commission, but the Commissioner of the Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation shall call the initial meeting for the purpose of organizing the respective Commission.(4) Any member may be removed by the Governor of the Virgin Islands for cause. The Governor shall name a successor within 120 days of the removal.(5) Members of each Commission shall receive $150 for each day or part thereof spent in the work of the Commission.(6) Each Commission has the powers, duties, and authority as are prescribed by law. No member of a Commission who has any pecuniary interest, direct or indirect, in any horse registered for participation in horse races in the Virgin Islands may participate in any meeting, hearing, decision, or determination in relation to:(A) the order of finish of any race;(B) the disqualification of any horse participating in a race;(C) the granting, denial, suspension, or revocation of any license; or(D) the imposition of any administrative penalties or sanctions.
(1) The St. Croix Horse Racing Commission is composed of five residents of the island of St. Croix, residing on St. Croix and the St. Thomas-St. John Horse Racing Commission is composed of four residents from St. Thomas, and one resident from St. John.
(2) The term of each appointed member is three years; but in the initial appointments, two members of each Commission must be appointed for one year, two members for two years, and one member for three years; Thereafter, all appointments are for three years; but any person appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the predecessor’s term shall serve for the remainder of such term. Each member shall serve until the appointment and qualification of the member’s successor.
(3) The members of each Commission shall annually elect one of their members to serve as chairperson of the respective Commission, but the Commissioner of the Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation shall call the initial meeting for the purpose of organizing the respective Commission.
(4) Any member may be removed by the Governor of the Virgin Islands for cause. The Governor shall name a successor within 120 days of the removal.
(5) Members of each Commission shall receive $150 for each day or part thereof spent in the work of the Commission.
(6) Each Commission has the powers, duties, and authority as are prescribed by law. No member of a Commission who has any pecuniary interest, direct or indirect, in any horse registered for participation in horse races in the Virgin Islands may participate in any meeting, hearing, decision, or determination in relation to:(A) the order of finish of any race;(B) the disqualification of any horse participating in a race;(C) the granting, denial, suspension, or revocation of any license; or(D) the imposition of any administrative penalties or sanctions.
(A) the order of finish of any race;
(B) the disqualification of any horse participating in a race;
(C) the granting, denial, suspension, or revocation of any license; or
(D) the imposition of any administrative penalties or sanctions.
(b) The St. Croix Racing Commission and the St. Thomas-St. John Racing Commission shall meet jointly on a quarterly basis as the Virgin Islands Horse Racing Commission and may meet by electronic means. The chairperson of the St. Croix Racing Commission shall serve as chairperson of the Virgin Islands Horse Racing Commission during even numbered years, and the chairperson of the St. Thomas-St. John Racing Commission shall serve as chairperson of the Virgin Islands Horse Racing Commission during odd-numbered years. A quorum of the Virgin Islands Horse Racing Commission consists of a majority of members, but at least three members from each district must be included in the quorum. The Virgin Islands Horse Racing Commission, a quorum being present, may regulate all matters relating to horse racing.