Committee on Health, Hospitals and Human Services
Please be advised that the Committee on Health, Hospitals & Human Services will be conducting a meeting on Monday, July 07, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall, on St. Thomas.
BLOCK I 10:00 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.
Bill No. 36-0079 An Act amending title 19 Virgin Islands Code, part IV, chapter 37, to add a new subchapter mandating territorial hospitals to provide paternity testing services upon request.
Bill No. 36-0003 An Act amending title 19 Virgin Islands Code relating to nursing homes and assisted living facilities by adding a new chapter 76 to establish the services that nursing homes and assisted living facilities are required to provide; establishing limitations on financial charges, requirements for visitation, and the rights of a resident.
Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Justa Encarnacion, Commissioner, V.I. Department of Health
Mr. Gordon Rhea, Esq., Attorney General, V.I. Department of Justice
Honorable Averil E. George, Commissioner, Department of Human Services
Mr. Troy Schuster, Virgin Islands State Director, American Association of Retired Persons
BLOCK II 1:15 P.M. – 4:00 P.M.
The committee will receive a comprehensive overview of the growing challenges posed by the direct discharge of minimally processed wastewater in public areas and brine discharge in our bays, which threatens environmental safety, public hygiene, and community health. This synopsis should help us understand both the immediate and long-term health risks, including potential disease outbreaks, and to provide guidance on best practices for sewage management, public health protection, and coordinated government response.
Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Justa Encarnacion, Commissioner, V.I. Department of Health
Honorable Jean Pierre-Oriol, Commissioner, V.I. Department of Planning and Natural Resources
Mr. Daryl Griffith, Interim Executive Director, V.I. Waste Management Authority
Mr. Karl Knight, Executive Director & CEO, V.I. Water & Power Authority
Anselmo Oleo, Business Owner, Double Play Bar and Grill
BLOCK III 2:15 P.M. – 4:00 P.M.
The Committee will receive testimony from Roy Lester Schneider Hospital CEO, Ms. Tina Comissiong, regarding the current status of kidney dialysis services on St. Thomas in light of the temporary closure of the Caribbean Kidney Center. The Committee will also hear updates concerning the Virgin Islands Healthcare Foundation, based on St. Croix, and the renal center’s capacity to accommodate additional dialysis patients during this period.
Invited Testifiers:
Ms. Tina M. Commissiong, Esq., MPA, Chief Executive Officer, Schneider Regional Medical Center
Dr. Tasmin Kahn, MD, Nephrologist, The Virgin Islands Healthcare Foundation
Mrs. Aminah Saleem, Patient Advocate and Community Awareness, The Virgin Islands Healthcare Foundation
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9
Committee on Housing, Transportation and Telecommunications
The Committee on Housing, Transportation and Telecommunications will meet on Wednesday, July 09, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall, to address issues related to the residential housing market from the perspective of the various Housing, Banking & Insurance invitees. The committee will engage in a discussion of various topics impacting homeownership in the Virgin Islands, including, but not limited to, construction costs, zoning and building code requirements, local and federal government policies and programs, the cost and availability of financing, the cost and accessibility of insurance, the attainability of labor, and the availability and reliability of contractors.
Invited Testifiers:
Eugene Jones, Executive Director, Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority
David Bennett, Chief Executive Officer, VI Territorial Association of Realtors
Ada Rivera, Acting Area Director, USDA Rural Development Virgin Islands
James Crites, Chairman, Virgin Islands Bankers Association
Adrienne Williams-Octalien, Director, Office of Disaster Recovery
Wayne Biggs, Chief Executive Officer, Economic Development Authority
Sandra Harty, President, Virgin Islands Insurance Association
John Woods, Chairman, Board of Architects, Engineering and Land Surveyors
Honorable Tregenza Roach, Lieutenant Governor of the Virgin Islands
Honorable Jean-Pierre Oriol, Commissioner, Department of Planning and Natural Resources
THURSDAY, JULY 10
Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance
The Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance will meet on Thursday, July 10, 2025, 10:00 A.M. in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall on St. Thomas to receive testimony on the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget.
Committee on Economic Development and Agriculture
The Committee on Economic Development and Agriculture will receive updates from RT Park on current tenant activity, including the number of active companies, industry sectors, and new tenants. The briefing will also cover RT Park’s economic impact through job creation, workforce development, and contributions to territorial revenues. Additional updates will include partnerships with UVI, infrastructure and capital development projects, community engagement efforts, and policy or legislative recommendations to support RT Park’s continued growth and impact.
Invited Testifier:
Mr. Eric Sonnier, Executive Director, UVI Research and Technology Park
The Committee on Economic Development and Agriculture will receive updates from the VI Casino Control Commission on its operations, regulatory activities, financial oversight, and community impacts. The Commission is expected to provide testimony and supporting documentation on current licensing, compliance, and enforcement actions; revenue collections and employment data; responsible gaming initiatives; financial audits and regulatory compliance; community benefit programs; and any legislative recommendations to enhance its operations.
Invited Testifier:
Mr. Marvin Pickering, CEO/Chairman, VI Casino Control Commission
TUESDAY, JULY 15
Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance
The Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance will meet on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, 10:00 A.M. in the Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room on St. Croix to receive testimony on the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget.
Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance
The Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance will meet on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, 10:00 A.M. in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall on St. Thomas to receive testimony on the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget.
Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance
The Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance will meet on Thursday, July 17, 2025, 10:00 A.M. in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall on St. Thomas to receive testimony on the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget.
The Committee on Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports, and Parks will convene a legislative hearing to examine the financial and operational oversight of the Paul E. Joseph Stadium project. The hearing will focus on reviewing the historical and current management of this major territorial capital improvement initiative, with particular attention to financial stewardship, regulatory compliance, procurement processes, and construction progress.
BLOCK I 10:00 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.
During this Block, the Committee will receive testimony and conduct a comprehensive examination of the financial and administrative oversight of the Paul E. Joseph Stadium project. This inquiry will span the past decade and focus on identifying the root causes behind persistent delays, budget overruns, and the current status of project implementation.
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) will provide an in-depth review of historical funding allocations and expenditures, offering clarity on the fiscal trajectory of the project and identifying any budgeting inconsistencies or reallocations over time.
The Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) will share insights into regulatory oversight, environmental permitting, and compliance with Coastal Zone Management guidelines. Their testimony is expected to reveal how environmental regulations have influenced project pacing and development.
The Department of Property and Procurement (DPP) will address procurement strategies, contract management, and any administrative hurdles encountered during the solicitation and oversight of construction contractors, including GEC, LLC.
The Department of Public Works (DPW) will present on the operational coordination and statutory responsibilities related to infrastructure execution. Testimony will cover project milestones, contractor coordination, and the department’s role in ensuring progress accountability.
The Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation (DSPR), as the agency with end-user responsibility, will summarize its oversight contributions, facility requirements, and its involvement in guiding the project toward functional utility.
The USVI Office of Disaster Recovery (ODR), report on its oversight of funds allocated to the Paul E. Joseph Stadium project. Testimony will cover funding compliance, project monitoring, and coordination with agencies and contractor to ensure timely execution.
Representatives from GEC, LLC/Coastal Systems USVI will be required to outline the history of their contractual engagement, change order justifications, and ongoing challenges affecting project delivery. Their testimony will be key to understanding the practical execution of construction tasks and any unresolved issues still affecting completion.
This Block seeks to present a full-spectrum view of the operational, fiscal, and regulatory layers of the stadium’s development, with the goal of identifying actionable legislative solutions to move the project forward effectively and responsibly.
Invited Testifiers:
Julio A. Rhymer, Sr., Director, Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
Honorable Jean-Pierre L. Oriol, Commissioner, Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR)
Honorable Lisa M. Alejandro, Commissioner, Department of Property and Procurement (DPP)
Honorable Derek A. Gabriel, Commissioner Department of Public Works (DPW)
Vincent Roberts, Commissioner Nominee, Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation (DSPR)
Mr. John Wessel, Managing Member, GEC, LLC/Coastal Systems USVI
Mr. Tim Dempsey, Director of Operations, USVI Office of Disaster Recovery
Adrienne L. Williams-Octalien, Director, USVI Office of Disaster Recovery
This Block will continue the Committee’s in-depth review of the Paul E. Joseph Stadium project. Building on the testimonies and findings from the morning session, this segment will allow additional input from invited testifiers and deeper discussion on unresolved issues. The focus will remain on construction progress, fiscal management, interagency coordination, and identifying any further actions needed.
