reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
V.I. Code tit. 7, § 4 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 7 - Agriculture|Chapter 1 - Development of Sustainable Agriculture|Subchapter I - Sustainable Agriculture|§ 4. Horticulture crops, nurseries, seeds/seedlings, livestock banks

 (a) Horticulture crops produced by nurseries are considered “growing agricultural crops” for the purposes of this chapter. (b) For the purposes of this chapter, a nursery where the primary activity is planned production of horticultural crops is a farm. However, a retail nursery is not a farm, unless it is sustained in conjunction with a nursery. (c) The Department of Agriculture shall establish in each district a nursery for the production, management, and distribution, at cost, of trees, grafted fruit trees and vegetable, fruit herbs, vegetable seedlings and livestock, where possible, to be used as breeding stock for sale and distribution to farmers. (d) The Commissioner shall maintain and conduct programs for providing grafting slips, livestock and poultry for breeding purposes for distribution to the farmers, especially during times of territorial emergency due to floods, droughts, natural disasters and in situations caused by the destruction of livestock predators.
V.I. Code tit. 7, § 5 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 7 - Agriculture|Chapter 1 - Development of Sustainable Agriculture|Subchapter I - Sustainable Agriculture|§ 5. Purchase of equipment and supplies for farmers

 (a) The Commissioner of Agriculture shall purchase and make available to agriculturists throughout the territory, by sale or on a rental basis, such items of equipment and supplies that, in the Commissioner's discretion, will promote the farming industry and assist the farmers in maximizing the revenues of their farms. (b) The Commissioner shall provide for the repairs of farm equipment, at cost, to license farmers, who are up-to-date in their farm production, tax filing and any other reports required by this chapter or by the Department of Agriculture.
V.I. Code tit. 7, § 6 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 7 - Agriculture|Chapter 1 - Development of Sustainable Agriculture|Subchapter I - Sustainable Agriculture|§ 6. Responsibilities and requirements

 (a) Every licensed farmer shall file a 1040 tax form, including a schedule F tax form whether or not he earned the income. A certified copy of the form or tax clearance letter must be presented with license renewal application each year. No farming license or certification may be renewed or issued before meeting this requirement. (b) For the twelve months ending on the preceding June 30, every licensed Virgin Islands farmer shall submit a notarized report to the Commissioner stating the poundage and the value of all produce harvested and offered for sale, and the number of persons employed. On or before August 15 of each year, the Commissioner shall provide the licensee, upon his application, forms prepared in such a manner so that the licensee shall record each month's harvest; and in filling out such reports, the licensee shall provide, so far as practicable, each month's harvest. (c) In lieu of the annual report, the Commissioner may require an owner or licensee to submit a report for a period to be specified by the Commissioner, as well as the actual count or poundage and the income for each crop, where the value of the crop exceeds $100 per year. The report must contain such information as the Commissioner considers necessary.
V.I. Code tit. 7, § 7 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 7 - Agriculture|Chapter 1 - Development of Sustainable Agriculture|Subchapter I - Sustainable Agriculture|§ 7. Land management: organic materials recycling program

 (a) The Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with the UVI Cooperative Extension Service, in conjunction with the University of the Virgin Islands, the Department of Planning and Natural Resources and the Waste Management Authority, must provide training on how to establish a recycling program, initiate, manage and maintain a recycling program of organic matter utilizing vegetation, clippings, mulch, and seaweed, along with other natural waste products that can be introduced into the soil safely and naturally, without affecting the quality of food production and related agribusiness. (b) Once a recycling program is established, the Department of Agriculture shall consult with Department of Planning and Natural Resources, in collaboration with the UVI Cooperative Extension Service and the Waste Management Authority, regarding its recycling program. The Department of Planning and Natural Resources shall thereafter submit copies of all land clearing permits to the Commissioner's Office of the Department of Agriculture, for the purposes of allowing the Department of Agriculture, in conjunction with the Waste Management Authority, the opportunity to collect fallen trees, shrubs or weed to use for the creation of mulch, for the distribution to farmers. (c) The Attorney General's office, in conjunction with the Bureau of Corrections, shall provide prison labor to clear government-owned property pursuant to title 5 Virgin Islands Code, § 4509.
V.I. Code tit. 7, § 8 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 7 - Agriculture|Chapter 1 - Development of Sustainable Agriculture|Subchapter I - Sustainable Agriculture|§ 8. When agricultural operations do not constitute nuisance

 (a) No agricultural operation or any of its appurtenances shall be or become a nuisance, private or public, if such operations are conducted in accordance with existing best management practices and comply with existing laws and regulations of the Territory. The provisions of this section do not apply whenever a nuisance results from the negligent or improper operation of any such agricultural operation or its appurtenances, or where, because of close proximity to residential uses and increased intensity of use, such operation or appurtenances is shown to have an adverse effect on the health, safety and general welfare of citizens in the area. (b) For the purposes of this chapter, “agricultural operation” means any operation devoted to the bona fide production of crops, or animals, or fowl, including but not limited to the production of fruits and vegetables of all kinds, meat, dairy, and poultry products, nuts, nursery and floral products and the production and harvest of products from silviculture activity. (c) The provisions of subsection (a) do not affect or defeat the right of any person, firm, or corporation to recover damages for any injuries or damages sustained by any of them on account of any pollution of, or change in condition of, the waters of any stream or on the account of any overflow of lands of any such person, firm, or corporation. (d) Any and all ordinances of any unit of local government now in effect or hereafter adopted which would make the operation of any such agricultural operation or its appurtenances a nuisance or providing for abatement thereof as a nuisance in the circumstance set forth in this section are and shall be null; however, the provisions of this section do not apply whenever a nuisance results from the negligent or improper operation of any such agricultural operation or any of its appurtenances, or where, because of close proximity to residential uses and increased intensity of use, such operation or appurtenances is shown to have an adverse effect on the health, safety and general welfare of citizens in the area.
V.I. Code tit. 7, § 9 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 7 - Agriculture|Chapter 1 - Development of Sustainable Agriculture|Subchapter II - Administration, Fiscal Duties and Powers|§ 9. Administration

 The Commissioner shall: (a) Identify, preserve, advise for the purchase and manage all public agricultural resources and agricultural-zoned lands in the territory for the development of a sustainable agriculture industry; (b) Encourage and assist the people of the Virgin Islands in raising, handling, grading, packing, shipping, processing and marketing of agriculture products; (c) Ensure compliance with regulations as they pertain to the operation of all public farms; (d) Secure and maintain statistical records of the production and harvest of various crops and livestock, and make the records available annually thirty days after the end of the fiscal year to the President of the Legislature for dissemination among the members of the legislature; to the Bureau of Economic Research and to the public via electronic and print media; (e) Advice and assist farmers, in conjunction with the University of the Virgin Island and other relevant vocational entities in the territory, in the development and use of farm equipment and agricultural techniques; (f) Administer, coordinate and enforce the provisions of this chapter, in cooperation with other appropriate departments of the Territorial and Federal Governments; (g) Appoint, subject to the provisions of this chapter, such environmental enforcement officers, research staff, grant writers and other such personnel as are necessary for the proper and effective administration and enforcement of the provisions of this chapter; (h) Work with the University of the Virgin Islands and other government agencies in the marketing, promotion, research, technical services and agricultural training programs, for the development of new agriculturist and the development of a labor force; (i) In conjunction with the University of the Virgin Islands and the Department of Labor, develop a farm certification program in crop farming and livestock rearing; (j) Assist the farming industry in the establishment of farming cooperatives; and (k) Research the feasibility of creating a loan program to assist farmers in purchasing, maintaining, and expanding farms.
V.I. Code tit. 7, § 10 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 7 - Agriculture|Chapter 1 - Development of Sustainable Agriculture|Subchapter II - Administration, Fiscal Duties and Powers|§ 10. Licenses, certificates, registrations, permits

 The Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs shall issue, modify, suspend and revoke licenses, certificates and registrations for the use of agricultural resources and the Department of Health shall issue, modify, suspend and revoke permits, certificates and registrations of the processing food in the territory.
V.I. Code tit. 7, § 11 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 7 - Agriculture|Chapter 1 - Development of Sustainable Agriculture|Subchapter II - Administration, Fiscal Duties and Powers|§ 11. Prohibition of development and exclusive use

 All VICORP land is prohibited from development and shall be used exclusively for agricultural purposes.
V.I. Code tit. 7, § 12 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 7 - Agriculture|Chapter 1 - Development of Sustainable Agriculture|Subchapter II - Administration, Fiscal Duties and Powers|§ 12. Fiscal duties—expenditures

 With the exception of the Sustainable Agricultural Revolving Fund, no appropriations may be made from the Department of Agriculture's annual budget.
V.I. Code tit. 7, § 13 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 7 - Agriculture|Chapter 1 - Development of Sustainable Agriculture|Subchapter II - Administration, Fiscal Duties and Powers|§ 13. Interdepartmental expenses

 (a) The Commissioner may charge any departments, bureau, division, board, or other government agency that is supported by the appropriations from the General Fund its proportionate share of the administrative expenses of the Department, or an amount that reasonably compensates the Department for the administrative services it rendered. (b) Subject to the approval of the Commissioner of Finance, the Commissioner shall establish the reasonable administrative fees for services rendered by the Department. (c) The administrative fees may not exceed five percent of the charge for services rendered to the departments, bureau, division, board or other agency.
V.I. Code tit. 7, § 14 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 7 - Agriculture|Chapter 1 - Development of Sustainable Agriculture|Subchapter III - Fees and Refunds|§ 14. Fees

 Pursuant to title 3 Virgin Islands Code § 935, the Commissioner shall promulgate rules and regulations establishing fees in accordance with this chapter. All fees implemented under the regulations must be published in a newspaper of general circulation twice per week for at least three consecutive weeks prior to their effective date. The rules, regulations, and fees promulgated by the Commissioner to effectuate this chapter take effect sixty days after promulgation. All fees collected under this chapter must be deposited into the Agriculture Revolving Fund, established in title 33, chapter 111, section 3018 of this Code.
V.I. Code tit. 7, § 15 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 7 - Agriculture|Chapter 1 - Development of Sustainable Agriculture|Subchapter III - Fees and Refunds|§ 15. Refund of fees; collection

 (a) The Commissioner may, in whole or in part, refund money paid as fees in any of the following instances: (1) The payer requests a refund of a fee before any examination or inspection has been performed or service rendered by the Department. (2) The payment of the fee, assessment or tax represents an overpayment, payment in duplicate, payment in error of the payer or the Department. (b) The fiscal officer of the Department shall make or issue a refund only upon receipt of a voucher from the Commissioner which sets forth the facts warranting the refund and which authorizes the refund. (c) If any money that is to be refunded has been deposited in the territory's treasury, the Commissioner of Finance, upon receipt of a claim that is filed by the Department, shall refund the monies from the fund to which the money was credited. (d) At his discretion, the Commissioner may decide not to attempt to collect amounts of $5 or less, if he determines that the cost associated with collection is prohibitive.
V.I. Code tit. 7, § 16 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 7 - Agriculture|Chapter 1 - Development of Sustainable Agriculture|Subchapter IV - Promotion and Protection of the Agricultural Industry|§ 16. Promotion of the agricultural industry

 (a) The Department of Agriculture in an effort to promote sustainable agriculture shall collaborate with the Department of Education and the Board of Education to incorporate agricultural science courses in the curriculum at all grade levels, including kindergarten, by: (1) providing agriculture programs, through the school system; (2) providing significant opportunities of vocational education in agriculture; and (3) developing programs to counsel school dropouts and rehabilitation programs for juvenile delinquents, first-time criminal offenders, and those being released from the prison system by providing alternative programs, such as agricultural training camps and employment opportunities in the agricultural industry. (b) The Commissioner shall collaborate with the Department of Justice to create sustainable prison farms as a means of providing supplemental food to the prison and as an alternative means of rehabilitation in the prison system for the development of prisoners who are released into society. (c) The Commissioner, in conjunction with the University of the Virgin Islands and the Department of Education, shall establish programs that further assists in the development of future agriculturists who will provide for the continued sustainable development of an agriculture industry, and provide adequate training in agricultural sciences to grant agriculturists certification. (d) The Commissioner shall: (1) Conduct a program of incentives through a cost-sharing program; (2) Develop a program for assisting in the marketing of local agricultural products; (3) Maintain adequate livestock health services; (4) Develop a program, in conjunction with the University of the Virgin Islands Co-operative Extension Service, the Department of Education, and Department of Labor to encourage the processing of local agricultural produce and products; (5) Develop a program to assure a source of supply of forage and other resources needed for the livestock industry; and (6) Develop a program to make water available to farmers during times of drought.
V.I. Code tit. 7, § 17 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 7 - Agriculture|Chapter 1 - Development of Sustainable Agriculture|Subchapter IV - Promotion and Protection of the Agricultural Industry|§ 17. Homesteading/housing on public farmland

 (a) The Commissioner shall allow the lease holder of government property leased to farmers to construct a wooden structure or to put a trailer upon the leased premises. The Commissioner may not allow any masonry or similar type structure to be constructed on Government-leased farmland. All structures must be totally removed when a lease is expired or terminated, at the discretion of the Commissioner. (b) No leased farmland may consist of more than one-single family, non-masonry structure and one non-masonry storage/utility building, to every five-acre parcel. Any additional structure permitted may be at the discretion of the Commissioner. Farmers must notify and receive approval from the Commissioner, in writing, thirty days before erecting or establishing any structure on leased farmland. (c) No poured foundations for structures and storage/utilities are allowed on Government leased farmland. (d) Nothing in this section relieves the lease holder from obtaining the necessary building permits required by the Department of Planning and Natural Resources.
V.I. Code tit. 7, § 18 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 7 - Agriculture|Chapter 1 - Development of Sustainable Agriculture|Subchapter V - Restatement of Law, Penalties and Prosecution|§ 18. Restatement of the law

 The provisions of this chapter, insofar as they are substantially the same as existing law, are restatements and continuations of existing law, and not new enactments. The enactment of this chapter does not impair any privilege granted or right acquired under any laws of the Virgin Islands prior to the date it takes affect.
V.I. Code tit. 7, § 19 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 7 - Agriculture|Chapter 1 - Development of Sustainable Agriculture|Subchapter V - Restatement of Law, Penalties and Prosecution|§ 19. Penalties

 (a) Any person who willfully fails to make a report, as required in § 6 of this chapter, or willfully makes a false report shall have their license or farm registration suspended, and a new license or registration may not be issued until the report is made or a true report is filed with the Commissioner. (b) Any person who willfully violates any provision of this chapter shall be punished by a fine of not less than $100 or more than $500. Any person who violates any provision of this section twice shall be punished by a fine of $300, but not more than $800. Any person who violates the provisions of this section more than twice within a two-year period shall be punished by not more than one year in prison and a fine of not more than $1,000. All fines collected under this section must be deposited in the Agriculture Revolving Fund. (c) Any person engaged in the selling of produce shall obtain a vendor's license from the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs. Anyone found selling produce without a vendor's license shall be fined, not less than $250, which must be paid within 45 days after it is assessed. (d) A person who fails to pay the fine within forty-five days shall have his farming license suspended for a period of not less than one year. (e) Failure to pay fine within twelve months results in the forfeiture of farming license and leased government farmland. (f) Any person found guilty of stealing, or vandalizing produce, farm equipment or farm products shall reimburse the owner the value of the stolen or vandalized property and is subject to six-month's imprisonment and a fine of not more than $500. (g) Failure to comply with any provision of this chapter by any farmer disqualifies the farmer from receiving any benefits offered by the Department. (h) The Department of Agriculture shall notify the appropriate agencies of any violations of this section.
V.I. Code tit. 7, § 20 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 7 - Agriculture|Chapter 1 - Development of Sustainable Agriculture|Subchapter V - Restatement of Law, Penalties and Prosecution|§ 20. Prosecution of violators; Attorney General

 The Attorney General shall prosecute all offenses committed in violation of this chapter.
V.I. Code tit. 7, § 25 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 7 - Agriculture|Chapter 1 - Development of Sustainable Agriculture|Subchapter VI - Virgin Islands Fruit of Choice|§ 25. Julie Mango

 (a) The Julie Mango is the fruit of choice of the Virgin Islands. (b) In collaboration with the Agriculture Department and our local farmers, the University of the Virgin Islands shall host annual workshops and demonstrations on mango production and marketing. (c) The Department of Agriculture shall set aside acreage for mango development on St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix to develop harvesting and production of factories of mangoes. (d) The Department of Agriculture shall establish and implement the Julie Mango in Every Yard Program to encourage private residents of the Virgin Islands to dedicate a portion of their land for at least one Julie Mango Tree. (e) The program established by the Department of Agriculture must provide financial incentive to Virgin Islands residents who grow Julie Mango trees in their yard through an established purchasing program that buys from each owner a percentage of their Julie mango tree harvest. Through funds appropriated by the Legislature from time to time, the Department of Agriculture shall develop the purchasing program for residents who partake in the Julie Mango in Every Yard Program. The Department of Agriculture shall include the Julie Mango in Every Yard Program in its annual budget requests. (f) The Department of Tourism shall assist the Department of Agriculture in promoting the Julie Mango in Every Yard Program locally and nationally to encourage productions by residents who live in the territory and owners of land in the Virgin Islands who live abroad. (g) The Department of Tourism shall include Julie Mango value-added products in tourism promotions, conferences and special events.
V.I. Code tit. 7, § 26 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 7 - Agriculture|Chapter 1 - Development of Sustainable Agriculture|Subchapter VII - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Fresh Food Access and Farmers’ Market Technology Program|§ 26. Short title

 This subchapter may be cited as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Fresh Food Access and Farmers’ Market Technology Improvement Program Act.
V.I. Code tit. 7, § 27 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 7 - Agriculture|Chapter 1 - Development of Sustainable Agriculture|Subchapter VII - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Fresh Food Access and Farmers’ Market Technology Program|§ 27. Definitions

 As used in this subchapter, unless it is otherwise provided or the context requires a different construction, application, or meaning: “Farmers’ market” means a nontraditional fresh food market, licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service to accept SNAP benefits, where farmers, fishermen or growers sell a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables and other locally-grown or caught food products directly to consumers. “EBT card” means an electronic benefits transfer card issued by the Department of Human Services for the purpose of enabling a user of the card to obtain SNAP (formerly known as food stamps) benefits or cash. “Program” means the SNAP Fresh Food Access and Farmers’ Market Technology Improvement Program. “SNAP” means Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as “Food Stamps”.