Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. on Thursday signed two bills into law, approving a five-year moratorium on issuing all permits for the construction and operation of gas stations and a bill appropriating money to buy land for the reconstruction of Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital on St. Croix, Government House announced Friday in a news release.
“May the executive and legislative branches continue to collaborate in order to continue to pass enforceable laws protecting the Territory of the Virgin Islands,” Bryan wrote in his transmittal letter to Senate President Donna Frett-Gregory.
Bill No. 34-0010 puts a halt on any permits for new gas stations in the territory. While Bryan signed it, he requested that the Legislature amend it for projects already underway.
“I would respectfully request the Legislature to provide a waiver from this moratorium for any pending and current construction permits for gas stations to allow for continued construction and licensure,” Bryan wrote in his transmittal letter.
The governor also approved Bill No. 34-0017, which appropriates $400,000 from the Community Facilities Trust Account, as well as the balance of any unexpended funds from Act 7697, which was passed by the 30th Legislature as a funding source for the Territory’s medical facilities.
The appropriations would be used to purchase Plot No. 7 in Estate Diamond Ruby to be used for the reconstruction and expansion of Juan F. Luis Hospital.
