reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
V.I. Code tit. 29, § 707 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 29 - Public Planning and Development|Chapter 12 - Economic Development and Incentives|Subchapter I - Economic Development Program|§ 707. Powers and duties of Director

 The Chief Executive Officer or at his direction, the Assistant Chief Executive Officer shall have the following powers and duties: (a) Conduct preliminary investigations with regard to all applications for economic development benefits. (b) Submit his recommendations with regard to economic development benefits applications to the Commission as required under this subchapter. (c) Advise the Commission regarding compliance by beneficiaries with the terms and conditions of their certificates and with the general requirements of this subchapter, and aid in the enforcement of all such conditions and requirements. (d) Promote the economic development program by initiating contact and communication with prospective investors and, to the extent that funds are available therefor, cause to be produced and distributed such promotional literature, brochures and pamphlets, and place advertisements in such trade, industrial or other publications, as will adequately inform and familiarize prospective investors of investment opportunities, advantages and benefits in the Virgin Islands. (e) Coordinate and expedite the prompt processing and payment of subsidy claims. (f) Aid the Commission in the preparation of its annual budget proposed for consideration and approval by the Governor. (g) Attend all meetings of the Commission and conduct such research and submit such reports as may be requested by the Commission. (h) Actively and aggressively promote the economic development program, and, in so doing, undertake and carry out studies, research and investigations with respect to the establishment and expansion of industrial or business enterprises in the Virgin Islands. (i) Hire and remove employees of the Commission and the Economic Development Park Corporation subject to the approval of the Board of Directors of the Economic Development Authority; (j) Be responsible for the general administration of the Commission and the Economic Development Park Corporation; and (k) Collect and assemble, or cause to be collected and assembled, information pertinent to carrying out the purposes of the Economic Development Park Corporation in providing industrial plants, equipment and facilities for the encouragement of new trade, industry and commerce and the expansion of existing trade, industry and commerce within the Territory.
V.I. Code tit. 29, § 708a (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 29 - Public Planning and Development|Chapter 12 - Economic Development and Incentives|Subchapter I - Economic Development Program|§ 708a. Fees; application, compliance

 (a) The following fees shall be assessed against each applicant or beneficiary other than a Participant in the Small Business Program, for applications submitted beginning February 1, 2001.Application FeeActivation FeeAnnual Compliance FeeCategory I $1,500$1,000$1,500Category II $3,500$1,500$3,000Category III $5,000$3,500$5,000Category IV $5,000$2,500$7,500 (b) All Application fees and Annual Compliance Fees collected pursuant to the provisions of this Act shall be deposited into the Industrial Promotion Fund, established pursuant to section 726 of this subchapter. Any fee adjustments may be made by the Commission on an annual basis, with the approval of the Governor, and such fee adjustments shall not exceed the Consumer Price Index for that year. (c) An applicant or a beneficiary is not required to submit copies of tax returns or other financial information from those of its shareholders, members, partners, or other owners with respect to any period that the shareholder, member, partner, or other owner is not a bona fide resident of the Virgin Islands, except: (1) with respect to the shareholders, members, partners, or other owners of an applicant who intend to relocate to the Virgin Islands and claim tax benefits within the first two years after benefits become effective; or (2) with respect to shareholders, members, partners, or other owners who own more than fifty percent of the voting shares or membership interests of the applicant or beneficiary. The Commission may require a beneficiary to submit copies of tax returns or other financial information from those of its shareholders, members, partners, or other owners who subsequently become bona fide residents of the Virgin Islands or who acquire their ownership interest in a beneficiary after its benefits have commenced.
V.I. Code tit. 29, § 708b (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 29 - Public Planning and Development|Chapter 12 - Economic Development and Incentives|Subchapter I - Economic Development Program|§ 708b. Small Business Program

 (a) The Commission may with respect to a small business: (1) reduce the minimum investment requirement of section 708(a) of this subchapter to not less than $20,000; and (2) reduce the minimum employment requirement of section 708(f) of this subchapter to not less than two (2) employees. However, the participant shall hire one (1) Virgin Islands resident, as defined in section 703(e) of this subchapter, for every $1,000,000 of net income prior to salaries. (b) Notwithstanding section 713a(b) of this subchapter, the term for a participant in the Small Business Program is fifty percent of the otherwise applicable term that would apply to a participant in the Economic Development Program other than a participation in the Small Business Program. However, at the conclusion of the initial term, a participant in the Small Business Program may apply for an extension in accordance with section 715 of this subchapter. (c) Notwithstanding and in addition to the residency requirements of section 708 of this subchapter, the participant shall agree in writing to purchase or build a home in the Virgin Islands within 18 months of obtaining benefits under this subchapter as evidence of permanent residency in the Virgin Islands and commitment to the Virgin Islands community. (d) Notwithstanding the definition of “employer” set forth in title 24, chapter 3, section 62, of this Code, as amended, all participants in the Small Business Program established under this section are subject to the provisions of title 24, chapter 3, section 76, of this Code (1997 ed., 2000 supp.) relating to grounds for discharge of employees.
V.I. Code tit. 29, § 708c (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 29 - Public Planning and Development|Chapter 12 - Economic Development and Incentives|Subchapter I - Economic Development Program|§ 708c. Tax credits or benefits for clean up and redevelopment activities

 The Commission may provide tax credits or benefits under this subchapter for clean up and redevelopment activities by developers real property declared and certified to the Commission as Brownsfields sites under 12 V.I.C., chapter 14. The Commission shall promulgate rules and regulations to carry out the purpose of this section.
V.I. Code tit. 29, § 709 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 29 - Public Planning and Development|Chapter 12 - Economic Development and Incentives|Subchapter I - Economic Development Program|§ 709. General guidelines to be applied by Commission

 In addition to the specific requirements and qualifications of beneficiaries enumerated in section 708 of this subchapter, the anticipated pollution potential of an applicant's proposed industry and the applicant's needs for resources, utilities and social services shall be closely evaluated and considered by the Commission as a factor in determining whether an economic development certificate should be granted. Applicant's proposed enterprise should be one which would utilize human resources, which are available in the Virgin Islands at the time of application and meet the requirements of section 703(e), to the maximum while minimizing demands for public utilities services and social and other government services. Applicant's proposed business or industry should be compatible with existing businesses and industries in the Virgin Islands and should be of a nature that will utilize to the maximum degree local skills and intellectual capabilities while avoiding imbalances in the social and economic structure of the Virgin Islands community. The provisions of this section shall not be construed as being specific requirements, but shall serve only as general guidelines to be applied in determining whether economic development benefits should be granted.
V.I. Code tit. 29, § 709a (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 29 - Public Planning and Development|Chapter 12 - Economic Development and Incentives|Subchapter I - Economic Development Program|§ 709a. Discrimination; hearing; certificate revocation

 If after notice and hearing the Commissioner of Labor finds that the beneficiary or any contractor or any other agent of the beneficiary has wilfully practiced discrimination in employment based on sex, race or religion or to deny employment in serving or dispensing food or beverages solely by reason of sex, he shall certify his finding to the Commission, which shall revoke the beneficiary's certificate without need for further proceedings under section 722 of this subchapter.
V.I. Code tit. 29, § 710 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 29 - Public Planning and Development|Chapter 12 - Economic Development and Incentives|Subchapter I - Economic Development Program|§ 710. Employment of residents—Temporary permits

 (a) Eighty percent of all persons employed by beneficiaries under this chapter shall be residents of the Virgin Islands; provided that, after the third year of operation, a beneficiary shall be required to have at least 20% of its management, supervisory and/or technical positions filled by residents of the Virgin Islands unless granted a waiver by the Commission. A waiver shall be granted only when— (1) the Commissioner of Labor has certified that: (A) he has not been able to recruit individuals to fill the positions; (B) he has not been able to train individuals to fill the positions; or (C) the beneficiary has demonstrated to the Commissioner of Labor that the beneficiary's training program has failed to provide individuals capable of filling the positions and that the beneficiary has made a public effort to recruit personnel for the positions; or (2) when the Economic Development Commission has made a finding that the economic position of the beneficiary is such that the beneficiary cannot comply with the requirement without further erosion of its financial position or that the beneficiary cannot comply for such other practical reasons that the Commission has established by its rules and regulations. (b) Each applicant employing nonresidents shall agree to either establish and conduct training classes for residents to fill the positions held by nonresidents or agree to subsidize the cost of training pre-selected resident employee applicants in a school or other facility not conducted by the applicant, which training procedures are further described under section 712 of this subchapter. However, an applicant may elect to meet the training requirements of this subsection by annually transferring $2,500 to the Territorial Scholarship Fund (established under Title 17, section 171, Virgin Islands Code) for each nonresident employed by the applicant. (c) When a nonresident employee is to be replaced by a resident employee pursuant to the requirements of this section, the employer shall give the nonresident employee 14 days notice of such fact prior to his termination. (d) No resident employee of a beneficiary shall be laid off or have his work week reduced to provide employment for a nonresident. (e) Any beneficiary who hires nonresidents shall bear the full responsibility for bonding and other procedures required by law for the employment of nonresidents. (f) Wilful violation of this section by a beneficiary shall be cause for suspension, modification or revocation of his certificate pursuant to section 722 of this subchapter.
V.I. Code tit. 29, § 711 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 29 - Public Planning and Development|Chapter 12 - Economic Development and Incentives|Subchapter I - Economic Development Program|§ 711. Powers and duties of Commissioner of Labor

 (a) The Commissioner of Labor shall appoint a qualified and responsible employee of the Department of Labor to administer, supervise and enforce, or cause to be enforced the provisions of sections 710 and 712 of this subchapter, and in this connection may promulgate necessary rules and regulations, conduct such investigations and institute such remedial actions as may be required. (b) Any beneficiary applying for permission to hire nonresidents in accordance with subsection (c), paragraph (2) of this section, shall submit a specification of the number of nonresident workers required and their occupational classifications and wage rates, to the Commissioner of Labor for review prior to any grant of permission to hire said nonresidents. Upon receiving said information and material, the Commissioner shall: (1) promptly supply same to all labor unions operating in the Virgin Islands; (2) at the expense of the beneficiary, to give public notice of such employment opportunity; and (3) assist beneficiaries in the recruitment of residents. It shall be the responsibility of the Commissioner of Labor to provide an evaluation of those residents available in the labor market with necessary skills suitable for employment by the beneficiary. All beneficiaries employing nonresidents shall annually prepare, and file with the Commissioner of Labor, a complete roster of all nonresidents and a detailed description of the positions held by such nonresidents. The Commissioner of Labor shall promulgate specific rules and regulations governing compliance with these requirements. (c) A beneficiary may not employ a person who is not a resident of the Virgin Islands unless: (1) after hiring the nonresident, at least eighty percent (80%) of the beneficiary's employees are residents of the Virgin Islands; or (2) the Department of Labor has certified that: (A) the beneficiary requested the Department's assistance in filling the vacancy; and (B) the Department was unable, within ten (10) working days after the beneficiary's request, to refer any qualified applicants to the beneficiary for employment. (d) The Commissioner of Labor shall report all violations of the resident employment provisions of this subchapter to the Commission.
V.I. Code tit. 29, § 712 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 29 - Public Planning and Development|Chapter 12 - Economic Development and Incentives|Subchapter I - Economic Development Program|§ 712. Training of employees

 (a) Any applicant for economic development benefits proposing to employ persons who are not residents of the Virgin Islands shall, at the time of filing his application for benefits, submit to the Commissioner of Labor a comprehensive plan for the establishment and conduct of an occupational training program for the purpose of adequately training resident employees in the skills necessary for their employment by the applicant. The training program shall be approved and monitored pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the Commissioner of Labor. (b) An employee who is engaged in training pursuant to this subchapter shall receive at least the minimum wage prescribed by law for trainees or apprentices. (c) Any beneficiary who employs one (1) or more persons who are not residents of the Virgin Islands, other than a beneficiary who contributes to the Territorial Scholarship Fund in accordance with section 710, subsection (b) of this subchapter, shall establish or subsidize a training program in conformity with the comprehensive plan required under subsection (a) of this section, and shall maintain said program so long as any person who is not a resident of the Virgin Islands is employed by the beneficiary.
V.I. Code tit. 29, § 713c (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 29 - Public Planning and Development|Chapter 12 - Economic Development and Incentives|Subchapter I - Economic Development Program|§ 713c. Customs duty reduction

 Notwithstanding any other law, raw materials and component parts (as defined by the Commission) brought into the Virgin Islands by a beneficiary for the purpose of producing, creating or assembling an article, good or commodity as a result of industrial or manufacturing processing such raw materials or component parts shall be imported into the United States Virgin Islands at a customs duty rate of one percent (1%).
V.I. Code tit. 29, § 714 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 29 - Public Planning and Development|Chapter 12 - Economic Development and Incentives|Subchapter I - Economic Development Program|§ 714. Special provisions or limitations

 (a) If the beneficiary owns and operates more than one enterprise in the Virgin Islands, benefits granted under this subchapter shall apply only to those specified in the certificate. (b) With respect to a corporation, partnership, including a general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, or limited liability limited partnership, the Commission shall review the ownership structure, or the proposed ownership structure, of the corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust or similar entity and may, upon review of the applicant's business plan or amended business plan, and consistent with the basic purposes and objectives of this subchapter, limit the number of shareholders, partners, owner or beneficiary of the entity. Any new shareholder, partner, owner or beneficiary added to the entity after its application has been approved may not claim benefits under this subchapter without the prior written approval of the Commission prior to the establishment of the new shareholder, partner owner or beneficiary of the entity. The Commission may adopt additional rules governing the approval of additional entities. The Commission shall provide to the applicant a written, detailed explanation of the basis for any withholding of approval. (c) Any entity, including without limitation, a limited liability company, that is disregarded for income tax purposes pursuant to Treasury Regulation section 301.7701-3(b)(1)(ii), as applicable in the Virgin Islands, shall be similarly disregarded for all purposes of title 29, chapter 12 of the Virgin Islands Code, so that a beneficiary can establish directly or indirectly one or more such single-owner entities, and such entity or entities shall be considered to be a part of the beneficiary.
V.I. Code tit. 29, § 714a (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 29 - Public Planning and Development|Chapter 12 - Economic Development and Incentives|Subchapter I - Economic Development Program|§ 714a. Extended tax benefits for producers of Virgin Islands rum

 (a) Notwithstanding any other law, Virgin Islands producers of Virgin Islands rum, who possess an economic development certificate, under the provisions of this subchapter, shall receive extended benefits under sections 713a and 713b of this subchapter, for a period of time equal to the greater of (1) twenty (20) years from the date of enactment of this section, or (2) the period of time during which any bonds, issued by the Government of the Virgin Islands pursuant to 48 USC § 1574a(a) (“Matching Fund Bonds”, in existence on the date of enactment of this section which remain outstanding. However, should the Government of the Virgin Islands after the enactment of this section, issue any new Matching Fund Bonds secured by United States excise taxes returnable to the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands pursuant to section 28(b) of the Revised Organic Act of 1954 and section 7652(b) of the United States Internal Revenue Code, as amended, the period of time referenced in (2) hereof shall be the period of time during which any new Matching Fund Bonds remain outstanding. (b) The provisions of section 715, of this subchapter, shall not apply to the provisions of this section.
V.I. Code tit. 29, § 714b (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 29 - Public Planning and Development|Chapter 12 - Economic Development and Incentives|Subchapter I - Economic Development Program|§ 714b. Extended tax benefits for Virgin Islands processors and producers of milk and milk products

 (a) Notwithstanding any other law, Virgin Islands processors and producers of milk and milk products, who possess an Economic Development Certificate, under the provisions of this subchapter, shall receive extended benefits under sections 713a, 713b, 713c and 713d of this subchapter, for a period of time equal to twenty-five (25) years from the date of enactment of this section. (b) The provisions of section 715 of this subchapter shall not apply.
V.I. Code tit. 29, § 714c (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 29 - Public Planning and Development|Chapter 12 - Economic Development and Incentives|Subchapter I - Economic Development Program|§ 714c. Extended benefits for watch and jewelry manufacturing and assembly business

 (a) Notwithstanding any other law, watch and jewelry manufacturing and assembly businesses that possess an economic development certificate or an economic development certificate, under the provisions of this subchapter, shall receive extended benefits under sections 713a, 713b, 713c and 713d of this subchapter, for a period of time equal to the greater of (1) twenty (20) years from the date of enactment of this section, or (2) the period of time that the Federal Production Incentive Certificate Program provisions, which are set forth in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, Supplement 1, Chapter 91, Additional U.S. Note 5 and Chapter 71, Additional U.S. Note, are in effect. (b) The provisions of section 715, of this subchapter, shall not apply to the provisions of subsection (a) of this section.