Legislature of the Virgin Islands

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Legislature of the Virgin Islands

Seal of Virgin Islands.png
General Information
Type:   unicameral
Term limits:   None
Website:   Official Legislature Page
Leadership
Senate President:   -
Majority Leader:   -
Structure
Members:  15
Length of term:   2 years
Authority:   Revised Organic Act of 1954
Salary:   $80,000
Meeting place:
Virginislandslegislaturebuilding.jpg
The Legislature of the Virgin Islands is the unicameral legislature of the U.S. Virgin Islands. The 15-member body is composed of seven senators from the district of St. Croix, seven senators from the district of St. Thomas and St. John, and one Senator at-large who must be a resident of St. John.

Each member represents an average of 7,093 residents, as of the 2010 Census.[1] After the 2000 Census, each member represented 7,240 residents.[1]

Virgin Islands' senators serve without term limits for two-year terms.[2]

The legislative power and authority of the Legislature of the Virgin Islands was created by Section 5(A) of the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands. Approved by the U.S. Congress on July 22, 1954, the act is amended when needed and established a legislature consisting of "one house."[2]

Sessions

According to Chapter 12 of Title 48, Sub-Chapter III of the U.S. Code, regular sessions of the Legislature shall be held annually, commencing on the second Monday in January.[3]

In addition, Chapter 12 of Title 48, Sub-Chapter III of the U.S. Code contains the rules for convening special sessions of the Legislature. Section §1573 allows a special session to be called by the Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands at any time, when the governor feels the public interest may require it.[3]

2015-2016

The 31st Legislature of the Virgin Islands was in session from January 12, 2015, through December 31, 2016.[4]

2013-2014

The 30th Legislature of the Virgin Islands was in session from January 14, 2013, to December 31, 2014.[4]

Elections

2014

Elections for the office of Legislature of the Virgin Islands were held in the U.S. Virgin Islands on November 4, 2014. The primary election was on August 2, 2014. A total of 15 seats were up for election.

2012

Elections for the office of Legislature of the Virgin Islands were held in the U.S. Virgin Islands on November 6, 2012. A total of 15 seats were up for election.

2010

Elections for the office of Legislature of the Virgin Islands were held in the U.S. Virgin Islands on November 2, 2010. A total of 15 seats were up for election.

Qualifications

To be eligible to serve in the Legislature of the Virgin Islands, a candidate must be:[5]

  • A citizen of the United States.
  • At least 21 years of age.
  • A qualified voter in the Virgin Islands and have been a resident of the Virgin Islands for at least three years prior to the election.
  • Must not have ever been convicted of a felony or of a crime involving moral turpitude.
  • Federal employees and persons employed in the legislative, executive or judicial branches of the government of the Virgin Islands shall not be eligible for membership in the legislature.

Vacancies

See also: How vacancies are filled in state legislatures

According to Title two, Chapter 8 of the U.S. Virgin Islands code, if a vacancy occurs more than one year prior to the date of the next general election, the governor shall call a special election in said district, within thirty days following the day on which the vacancy occurs. The special election shall occur no later than sixty days after the special election is called.[6]

When a vacancy occurs within one year prior to the general election, the President of the Legislature, upon the recommendation of the territorial committee of the political party of which the previous office holder was a candidate, shall appoint the person that was recommended.[6]

Senators

Salaries

See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries

As of 2014, members of the Legislature of the Virgin Islands were paid $80,000/year.[7]

When sworn in

Virgin Islands legislators assume office the second Monday in January following the November election.[5]

Leadership

The presiding officer of the Legislature is called the "President" of the Legislature.[2]

2015-2017 leadership

2015-2017 Leadership, Legislature of the Virgin Islands
Office Senator Party
President Neville James Electiondot.png Democratic
Vice President Janette Millin Young Electiondot.png Democratic
Secretary Myron D. Jackson Electiondot.png Democratic
Majority Leader Samuel Sanes Electiondot.png Democratic
Secretary for Intergovernmental & Territorial Affairs Janette Millin Young Electiondot.png Democratic
Liaison to U.S. Congress Samuel Sanes Electiondot.png Democratic
Liaison to U.S. Department of Interior Office of Insular Affairs Myron D. Jackson Electiondot.png Democratic
Liaison to the White House Kenneth Gittens Electiondot.png Democratic

2015-2017 members

2015-2017 members, Legislature of the Virgin Islands
District Senator Party Term
At-large Almando "Rocky" Liburd Independent Independent 4th
St. Croix Kurt Vialet Electiondot.png Democratic 1st
St. Croix Novelle Francis Electiondot.png Democratic 1st
St. Croix Kenneth Gittens Electiondot.png Democratic 2nd
St. Croix Neville James Electiondot.png Democratic 3rd
St. Croix Terrence "Positive" Nelson Ind. Citizens 6th
St. Croix Nellie Rivera-O'Reilly Independent Independent 4th
St. Croix Samuel Sanes Electiondot.png Democratic 4th
St. Thomas/St. John Marvin Blyden Electiondot.png Democratic 1st
St. Thomas/St. John Clifford Graham Electiondot.png Democratic 2nd
St. Thomas/St. John Myron D. Jackson Electiondot.png Democratic 2nd
St. Thomas/St. John Janette Millin Young Electiondot.png Democratic 3rd
St. Thomas/St. John Jean Forde Electiondot.png Democratic 1st
St. Thomas/St. John Justin Harrigan, Sr. Electiondot.png Democratic 1st
St. Thomas/St. John Tregenza Roach Independent Independent 2nd

External links

BP-Initials-UPDATED.png
 		Suggest a link

Footnotes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 U.S. Census. "U.S. Census Bureau Releases 2010 Census Population Counts for the U.S. Virgin Islands," August 24, 2011
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 United States Virgin Islands, "Executive Budget for Fiscal Year 2014," accessed June 15, 2014
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 The United States Code, "48 USC 1573: Time, frequency, and duration of regular sessions; special sessions; place of holding," accessed June 15, 2014(Referenced Statute §1573)
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 StateScape, "Session Schedules," accessed June 16, 2014
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 The United States Code, "48 USC 1572: Legislators," accessed June 15, 2014(Referenced Statute §1572)
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Lexis Nexis, "Virgin Islands Code," accessed June 15, 2014(Referenced Statute §111)
  7. ↑ Virgin Islands Daily News, "Senators urged to slash their own salaries," April 24, 2010
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