The Government of the Virgin Islands has introduced new legislation aimed at enhancing integrity standards for members of the House of Assembly (HOA).
Premier Dr. the Hon. Natalio Wheatley presented the Parliamentary Commission for Standards Bill during last Thursday’s HOA sitting. This bill seeks to establish an accountability framework for HOA members in line with recommendations from the Commission of Inquiry.
The new bill follows the Integrity in Public Life (Amendment) Bill 2024, passed in July, which set similar guidelines for public officers. According to Wheatley, this legislation is part of a broader integrity framework designed to govern various branches of public service.
The Parliamentary Commission for Standards Bill guides the creation of a committee to oversee and implement a Code of Conduct for HOA members. This commission will be responsible for addressing grievances from the public and fellow lawmakers regarding potential code violations.
Under the new system, HOA members will continue to register their interests as per the existing Register of Interests Act, ensuring the declaration of any potential conflicts related to their roles.
Wheatley noted that this legislation represents the first instance of HOA members being governed by a parliamentary commission for standards.
He acknowledged the contributions of HOA members, the Speaker of the House, and her team in developing the bill.
The bill was read for a third time and passed with amendments in a subsequent sitting.