Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. signed into law a bill raising the U.S. Virgin Islands’ minimum wage, one of eight measures he acted on from the 36th Legislature’s Jan. 12 regular session.
The wage increase, contained in Bill No. 36-0030, amends Title 24 of the Virgin Islands Code to boost the territory’s minimum wage. In a transmittal letter to Senate President Milton Potter, Bryan called the measure “an important step forward in improving the standard of living for Virgin Islands residents.”
What the Wage Increase Means for Workers
Low-wage workers across St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John stand to benefit from the new rate, though the source material does not specify the dollar amount of the increase or the timeline for implementation. For the territory’s hourly workforce — many of whom work in hospitality, retail and food service — even a modest bump can affect rent payments and grocery budgets in an economy where the cost of living routinely outpaces mainland averages.
Small businesses, a backbone of the local economy, may face increased payroll costs. The balance between worker relief and business viability has long been a tension point in territorial wage debates.
Other Bills Signed
Beyond the wage bill, the governor also acted on seven other measures:
Bill No. 36-0089, approving a lease agreement between the government and WSTA Radio.
Bill No. 36-0092, approving a lease between the government and St. John Taxi Services Corporation.
Bill No. 36-0105, amending the Virgin Islands Code to prohibit the possession, sale or manufacture of THC.
Bill No. 36-0184, updating the Virgin Islands Insurance Holding Company System Regulatory Act to align with revisions from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
Bill No. 36-0210, appropriating $4 million from the Virgin Islands Insurance Guaranty Fund to the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority.
Bill No. 36-0217, approving the sale of Parcel No. 20-A Hospital Street in Christiansted, St. Croix, to Z Property VI LLC for $260,000.
Bill No. 36-0222, designating Jan. 27, 2026, as St. John Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise Day and appropriating up to $35,000 from the Tourism Advertising Revolving Fund to the Department of Tourism for festivities.
Judicial Appointment and Veto Override
The governor also acknowledged the Legislature’s favorable action on the nomination of attorney Pedro Williams to the Virgin Islands Superior Court for the District of St. Thomas/St. John.
Separately, Bryan addressed the Legislature’s override of his veto of Section 2 of Act No. 9052 (Bill No. 36-0119). In his letter, Bryan wrote: “It is my sincere hope that both branches will continue to exercise their respective authorities in a manner that respects the balance of powers and ensures timely action in the appointment and confirmation of members of the judiciary, consistent with the more stringent system of checks and balances that existed prior to the removal of the limited grace period following an expired term.”
The override signals ongoing friction between the executive and legislative branches over judicial appointments, a dynamic that could shape how future nominations move forward.
Looking Ahead
Residents should watch for the Department of Labor’s official announcement of the new minimum wage rate and its effective date. The $4 million appropriation to WAPA could also bring near-term attention to the authority’s infrastructure challenges, while the THC prohibition measure may prompt enforcement questions across the territory.
