What Is the Legislature of the Virgin Islands?

The Legislature of the Virgin Islands is the lawmaking body for the United States Virgin Islands: a single chamber of 15 elected senators who write and pass the territory’s local laws. Congress established it through the Revised Organic Act of 1954, which serves as the territory’s governing charter.¹ The 36th Legislature was sworn in on January 14, 2025.

How the 15 Seats Are Divided

The original Organic Act allocated five senators to the District of Saint Thomas, five to the District of Saint Croix, one to the District of Saint John, and four at-large seats, while giving the legislature authority to reapportion over time.¹ Today, seven senators represent the District of Saint Croix, seven represent the District of Saint Thomas and Saint John, and one at-large senator must be a resident of Saint John.² That reserved at-large seat guarantees Saint John a dedicated voice in the chamber.

Leadership and Committees

At the start of each new legislature, senators elect their own leadership by majority vote. The top posts are the President of the Legislature, Vice-President, Legislative Secretary, Majority Floor Leader, and White House Liaison. The Minority Leader is the only leadership role not chosen through that majority vote.²

The President presides over floor sessions, maintains order, appoints members to all committees, designates committee chairs, and hires legislative employees.² The 36th Legislature works through 11 standing committees covering budget and finance, health services, homeland security, education, housing, economic development, and other policy areas.³ A Committee of the Whole allows all 15 senators to deliberate together on matters that cross committee lines.

What the Legislature Can and Cannot Do

The legislature’s authority reaches “all rightful subjects of legislation” that do not conflict with the Organic Act or federal law.⁴ Senators set local tax rates, appropriate funds for government agencies and public projects, and pass the criminal and civil statutes that govern daily life in the territory. The body also confirms or rejects the Governor’s appointments to cabinet positions, boards, and commissions.

When the Governor vetoes a bill, the legislature can override that veto with a two-thirds vote of the full 15-member body, meaning at least 10 senators.²

Congressional Oversight

Congress retains the power to annul any act the legislature passes.⁴ The territory also cannot pass any law that would impair rights under U.S. treaties or international agreements, and nonresidents’ property cannot be taxed at a higher rate than residents’ property.

Fiscal Limits

Federal law caps the territory’s total public debt at 10 percent of the aggregate assessed value of all taxable real property in the Virgin Islands.⁴ The legislature can impose customs duties on imported goods, but those duties cannot exceed 6 percent ad valorem.

How a Bill Becomes Law

A bill begins when a senator formally introduces it. It is assigned to one of the standing committees, where members research the issue, hold public hearings, take testimony, and revise the language. If the committee votes favorably, the bill moves to the full body for debate and a floor vote. Once passed, it goes to the Governor to sign or veto. Federal law requires all sessions where these votes take place to be open to the public.⁵

Terms, Sessions, and Pay

Senators serve two-year terms with no limit on reelection, and elections fall in even-numbered years.² Regular sessions begin on the second Monday in January each year and continue for as long as the legislature determines necessary.⁵ The Governor may call special sessions at any time for urgent matters, but those sessions are limited strictly to the topics the Governor specifies in the call. All sessions take place in Charlotte Amalie, Saint Thomas.

Each senator receives an annual base salary of $85,000.

Who Can Run for a Seat

Federal law sets the qualifications a candidate must meet. To be eligible, a person must be a U.S. citizen, be at least 21 years old, be a qualified voter in the Virgin Islands, and have lived in the territory for at least three consecutive years before the election date. A candidate cannot have an unresolved felony conviction or conviction for a crime involving moral turpitude unless pardoned and civil rights restored. Federal employees and anyone employed in the executive, legislative, or judicial branches of the territorial government are also barred from serving.⁶⁷

1
Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 48 U.S. Code 1571 – Legislature
2
Legislature of the United States Virgin Islands. Functions and Structure
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Legislature of the United States Virgin Islands. Committees Archive
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Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 48 U.S. Code 1574 – Legislative Powers and Activities
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Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 48 U.S. Code 1573 – Time, Frequency, and Duration of Regular Sessions; Special Sessions; Place of Holding
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Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 48 U.S. Code 1572 – Legislators
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Election System of the Virgin Islands. Qualifications for Offices