Recently the federal government announced that certain provisions of the Affordable Care Act would no longer apply to U.S. territories — most specifically the requirement that insurance companies must offer coverage to all individuals. The decision related to the Public Health Service Act’s definition of the word “state.” Under the PHSA, the provisions of the
U.S. Virgin Islands Could See Tourism Boost with U.S. News Ranking
The U.S. Virgin Islands Tourism Department recently announced that the Territory, which consistently ranks highly on the U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Places to Visit in the Caribbean”, has topped the list this year.
U.S. News & World Report recognized the many amazing natural and cultural features the U.S. Virgin Islands has to offer
Police, Fire Retirements May Stress Public Services in US Virgin Islands
During recent budget hearings before the Finance Committee of the Legislature of the Virgin Islands, police and fire officials alerted the Virgin Islands Senate that their agencies, chronically understaffed already over the last few years, may be in even worse shape in the coming months and years.
According to the officials, an unprecedented number of
Could Marijuana Legalization Be on Its Way to the U.S. Virgin Islands?
With marijuana legalization and decriminalization efforts sweeping the United States, most notably in Colorado and Washington, advocates here in the U.S. Virgin Islands are calling on our territory to take on similar reforms. At a recent gathering at the University of the Virgin Islands Great Hall, more than 200 advocates attended a forum and discussion
Water & Power Authority Reaches Agreement with EPA
Under a legal agreement announced on April 23, the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (WAPA) will soon come into compliance with the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s air pollution control requirements. When announcing the agreement, the U.S. Justice Department and the EPA stated that it would go a long way toward reducing air pollution
Know the Key Environmental Issues Related to the Hospitality Industry
Rapidly growing concerns related to environmental protection have resulted in regulations affecting nearly every industry in the United States and its territories, including the U.S. Virgin Islands. The hospitality industry is no exception, and it has been the focus of a great deal of attention from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other regulators.
The
Could the U.S. Virgin Islands Face Bankruptcy Issues Like Detroit?
Recent concerns surrounding the U.S. Virgin Islands’ growing debt has led some to wonder whether the territory might soon face bankruptcy issues similar the city of Detroit, Michigan.
Detroit filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy on July 18, 2013, and was declared eligible on December 3 of the same year. The municipal bankruptcy filing was the
Cockfighting May Soon Be Illegal in the U.S. Virgin Islands
A key provision of the federal Agricultural Act of 2014 (known commonly as the farm bill), recently signed into law by President Barack Obama, may soon make cockfighting illegal in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Guam.
Currently, the laws related to cockfighting in U.S. territories are ambiguous. An entertainment tax is placed on
Virgin Islands Young Lawyer Elected to National Bar Office
BoltNagi Associate Steven K. Hardy was recently elected as the District 10 Representative to the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Executive Council at the quarterly meeting of the Virgin Islands Bar (VIBA). Hardy currently serves as Chair of VIBA’s Bar Journal Committee, Co-Chair of VIBA’s Young Lawyer Committee and as VIBA Delegate to the ABA YLD Assembly.Continue Reading Virgin Islands Young Lawyer Elected to National Bar Office
BoltNagi Attorney Attends ABA Bar Leadership Institute
BoltNagi Senior Associate and Virgin Islands Bar Association (VIBA) President-Elect Nycole A. Thompson attended this year’s ABA Bar Leadership Institute (BLI) in Chicago, March 13-15, 2013. Sponsored by the ABA Standing Committee on Bar Activities and Services and the Division for Bar Services, the ABA Bar Leadership Institute is the premier program for bar association leaders. The program features a variety of substantive courses in bar leadership and management and attracts Presidents, President-elects and Executive Directors of bar associations large and small from throughout the country.Continue Reading BoltNagi Attorney Attends ABA Bar Leadership Institute