I 
110TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2107 
To create the Office of Chief Financial Officer of the Government of the 
Virgin Islands, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 2, 2007 
Mrs. CHRISTENSEN introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Natural Resources 
A BILL 
To create the Office of Chief Financial Officer of the 
Government of the Virgin Islands, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OF THE VIRGIN IS-
LANDS. 
(a) APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Governor of the Virgin 
Islands shall appoint a Chief Financial Officer, with 
the advice and consent of the Legislature of the Vir-
gin Islands, from the names on the list required 
under section 2(d). If the Governor has nominated 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
22:41 May 10, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2107.IH
H2107
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with BILLS
a person for Chief Financial Officer but the Legisla-
ture of the Virgin Islands has not confirmed a nomi-
nee within 90 days after receiving the list pursuant 
to section 2(d), the Governor shall appoint from 
such list a Chief Financial Officer on an acting basis 
until the Legislature consents to a Chief Financial 
Officer. 
(2) ACTING CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER.—If a 
Chief Financial Officer has not been appointed 
under paragraph (1) within 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Virgin Islands 
Chief Financial Officer Search Commission, by ma-
jority vote, shall appoint from the names on the list 
submitted under section 2(d), an Acting Chief Fi-
nancial Officer to serve in that capacity until a Chief 
Financial Officer is appointed under the first sen-
tence of paragraph (1). In either case, if the Acting 
Chief Financial Officer serves in an acting capacity 
for 180 consecutive days, without further action the 
Acting Chief Financial Officer shall become the 
Chief Financial Officer. 
(b) TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Upon the appointment of a 
Chief Financial Officer under subsection (a), the 
functions of the Director of the Office of Manage-
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
22:41 May 10, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2107.IH
H2107
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with BILLS
ment and Budget established under the laws of the 
Virgin Islands shall be transferred to the Chief Fi-
nancial Officer. All employees of the Office of Man-
agement and Budget become employees of the Office 
of the Chief Financial Officer. 
(2) DOCUMENTS
PROVIDED.—The heads of 
each department of the Government of the Virgin Is-
lands, in particular the head of the Department of 
Finance of the Virgin Islands and the head of the 
Internal Revenue Bureau of the Virgin Islands shall 
provide all documents and information under the ju-
risdiction of that head that the Chief Financial Offi-
cer considers required to carry out his or her func-
tions to the Chief Financial Officer. 
(c) DUTIES OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER.—The 
duties of the Chief Financial Officer shall include the fol-
lowing: 
(1) Assume the functions and authority of the 
office of the Office of Management and Budget es-
tablished under the laws of the Virgin Islands as 
transferred under subsection (b). 
(2) Develop a report on the financial status of 
the Government of the Virgin Islands not later than 
6 months after appointment and quarterly there-
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
22:41 May 10, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2107.IH
H2107
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with BILLS
after. Such reports shall be available to the public 
and shall be submitted to— 
(A) the Governor of the Virgin Islands; 
(B) the legislature of the Virgin Islands; 
(C) the Committee on Natural Resources 
in the House of Representatives; and 
(D) the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources in the Senate. 
(3) Each year certify spending limits of the an-
nual budget and whether or not the annual budget 
is balanced. 
(4) Monitor operations of budget for compliance 
with spending limits, appropriations, and laws, and, 
in consultation with the Governor, direct adjust-
ments where necessary. 
(5) Develop standards for financial manage-
ment, including inventory and contracting, for the 
government of the Virgin Islands in general and for 
each agency in conjunction with the agency head. 
(6) Oversee all aspects of the implementation of 
the financial management system provided pursuant 
to section 3 to ensure the coordination, trans-
parency, and networking of all agencies’ financial, 
personnel, and budget functions. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
22:41 May 10, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2107.IH
H2107
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with BILLS
(7) Provide technical staff to the Governor and 
legislature of the Virgin Islands for development of 
a deficit reduction and financial recovery plan. 
(d) DEPUTY CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER.—Until the 
date that is 5 years after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, the position of the Director of the Office of Man-
agement and Budget of the Virgin Islands shall— 
(1) have the duties, salary (as specified in sub-
section (f)(3)), and other conditions of the Deputy 
Chief Financial Officer in lieu of the duties, salary, 
and other conditions of the Director of the Office of 
Management and Budget of the Virgin Islands as 
such functions existed before the appointment of the 
Chief Financial Officer; and 
(2) assist the Chief Financial Officer in car-
rying out the duties of the Chief Financial Officer. 
(e) CONDITIONS RELATED TO CHIEF FINANCIAL OF-
FICER.— 
(1) TERM.—The Chief Financial Officer shall 
be appointed for a term of 5 years or until the adop-
tion and ratification of a Constitution by the Virgin 
Islands, whichever occurs first. 
(2) REMOVAL.—The Chief Financial Officer 
shall not be removed except for cause. An Acting 
Chief Financial Officer may be removed for cause or 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
22:41 May 10, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2107.IH
H2107
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with BILLS
by a Chief Financial Officer appointed with the ad-
vice and consent of the Legislature of the Virgin Is-
lands. 
(3) REPLACEMENT.—If the Chief Financial Of-
ficer is unable to continue acting in that capacity 
due to removal, illness, death, or otherwise, another 
Chief Financial Officer shall be selected in accord-
ance with subsection (a). 
(4) SALARY.—The Chief Financial Officer shall 
be paid at a salary to be determined by the Governor 
of the Virgin Islands, except such rate may not be 
less than the highest rate of pay for a cabinet officer 
of the Government of the Virgin Islands or a Chief 
Financial Officer serving in any government or semi 
autonomous agency. 
(f) CONDITIONS RELATED TO DEPUTY CHIEF FI-
NANCIAL OFFICER.— 
(1) TERM; REMOVAL.—The Deputy Chief Fi-
nancial Officer shall serve at the pleasure of the 
Chief Financial Officer. 
(2) REPLACEMENT.—If the Deputy Chief Fi-
nancial Officer is unable to continue acting in that 
capacity due to removal, illness, death, or otherwise, 
another person shall be selected by the Governor of 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
22:41 May 10, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2107.IH
H2107
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with BILLS
the Virgin Islands to serve as Deputy Chief Finan-
cial Officer. 
(3) SALARY.—The Deputy Chief Financial Offi-
cer shall be paid at a salary to be determined by the 
Chief Financial Officer, except such rate may not be 
less than the rate of pay of the Director of the Of-
fice of Management and Budget. 
(g) RESUMPTION OF FUNCTIONS.—On the date that 
is 5 years after the date of the enactment of this Act or 
upon the adoption and ratification of a Constitution by 
the Virgin Islands, whichever occurs first, the functions 
of the Chief Financial Officer shall be transferred to the 
Director of the Office of Management and Budget of the 
Virgin Islands. 
(h) SUNSET.—This section shall cease to have effect 
after the date that is 5 years after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act. 
SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established a com-
mission to be known as the ‘‘Virgin Islands Chief Finan-
cial Officer Search Commission’’. 
(b) DUTY OF COMMISSION.—The Commission shall 
recommend to the Governor not less than 3 candidates for 
nomination as Chief Financial Officer of the Virgin Is-
lands. Each candidate must have demonstrated ability in 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
22:41 May 10, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2107.IH
H2107
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with BILLS
general management of, knowledge of, and extensive prac-
tical experience at the highest levels of financial manage-
ment in governmental or business entities and experience 
in the development, implementation, and operation of fi-
nancial management systems. Candidates shall not have 
served in a policy making or unclassified position of the 
Government of the Virgin Islands in the 10 years imme-
diately preceding appointment as Chief Financial Officer. 
(c) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(1) NUMBER AND APPOINTMENT.—The Com-
mission shall be composed of 9 members appointed 
not later than 30 days after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act. Persons appointed as members 
must have recognized business, government, or fi-
nancial expertise and experience, and shall be ap-
pointed as follows: 
(A) 1 individual appointed by the Governor 
of the Virgin Islands. 
(B) 1 individual appointed by the Presi-
dent of the Legislature of the Virgin Islands. 
(C) 1 individual, who is an employee of the 
Government of the Virgin Islands, appointed by 
the Central Labor Council of the Virgin Is-
lands. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
22:41 May 10, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2107.IH
H2107
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with BILLS
(D) 1 individual appointed by the Chamber 
of Commerce of St. Thomas-St. John. 
(E) 1 individual appointed by the Chamber 
of Commerce of St. Croix. 
(F) 1 individual appointed by the Presi-
dent of the University of the Virgin Islands. 
(G) 1 individual appointed by the Chief 
Judge of the Virgin Islands Supreme Court. 
(H) 1 individual, who is a resident of St. 
John, jointly appointed by the At-Large Mem-
ber of the Legislature of the Virgin Islands and 
the St. John administrator. 
(I) 1 individual appointed by the Advocates 
for the Preservation of the Retirement System. 
(2) TERMS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Each member shall be 
appointed for the life of the Commission. 
(B) VACANCIES.—A vacancy in the Com-
mission shall be filled in the manner in which 
the original appointment was made. Any mem-
ber appointed to fill a vacancy shall be ap-
pointed for the remainder of that term. 
(3) BASIC PAY.—Members shall serve without 
pay. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
22:41 May 10, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2107.IH
H2107
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with BILLS
(4) QUORUM.—Five members of the Commis-
sion shall constitute a quorum. 
(5) CHAIRPERSON.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Chairperson of the 
Commission shall be determined by a majority 
vote of the members of the Commission. 
(B) CHAIRPERSON
PRO
TEM.—Until the 
Commission elects a Chairperson under sub-
paragraph (A), the Chairperson pro tem shall 
be the individual appointed under paragraph 
(1)(G). 
(6) MEETINGS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall 
meet at the call of the Chairperson or the 
Chairperson pro tem. 
(B) INITIAL MEETING.—Not later than 15 
days after all members have been appointed 
under this subsection, the Commission shall 
have its initial meeting at the call of the Chair-
person pro tem. 
(7) 
GOVERNMENT
EMPLOYMENT.—Members 
may not be current government employees, except 
for the member appointed under paragraph (1)(C). 
(d) REPORT; RECOMMENDATIONS.—The Commission 
shall transmit a report to the Governor and the Natural 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
22:41 May 10, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2107.IH
H2107
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with BILLS
Resources Committee of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the 
Senate not later than 60 days after its first meeting. The 
report shall name the Commission’s recommendations for 
candidates for nomination as Chief Financial Officer of 
the Virgin Islands. 
(e) TERMINATION.—The Commission shall terminate 
210 days after its first meeting. 
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 
For the purposes of this Act, the following definitions 
apply: 
(1) CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER.—In sections 1 
and 2, the term ‘‘Chief Financial Officer’’ means a 
Chief Financial Officer or Acting Chief Financial 
Officer, as the case may be, appointed under section 
1(a). 
(2) COMMISSION.—The term ‘‘Commission’’ 
means the Virgin Islands Chief Financial Officer 
Search Commission established pursuant to section 
2. 
(3) GOVERNOR.—The term ‘‘Governor’’ means 
the Governor of the Virgin Islands. 
(4) REMOVAL FOR CAUSE.—The term ‘‘removal 
for cause’’ means removal based upon misconduct, 
failure to meet job requirements, or any grounds 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
22:41 May 10, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2107.IH
H2107
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with BILLS
that a reasonable person would find grounds for dis-
charge. 
SEC. 4. NO ABROGATION OF POWERS. 
Nothing in this Act shall be construed to allow the 
Governor and Legislature of the Virgin Islands to dilute, 
delegate, or otherwise alter or weaken the powers and au-
thority of the Office of Management and Budget estab-
lished under the laws of the Virgin Islands. 
Æ 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
22:41 May 10, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H2107.IH
H2107
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with BILLS