Trudy Fenster

In 1954, this unified legislative system was put into effect when the United States Congress passed the Revised Organic Act of 1954. This act created a unicameral body in which all legislative power was vested. For the first time since 1863, the government of the Virgin Islands was fused into one entity. A relatively equal balance of power between the executive and legislative branches was finally attained. In addition, equal representation from St. Thomas and St. Croix was achieved. In 1966 the Legislature underwent further change when the U. S. Congress and the V. I. Legislature passed a resolution. The number of seats was increased from 11 to 15 and the distribution changed to the following: seven from the District of St. Thomas - St. John; seven from the District of St. Croix; and one At-Large who must be a resident of St. John. With that move, the V.I. Legislature had finally evolved into its present form. It is now a body with the rights and powers enjoyed by most state legislatures of the Union. The Legislature is one of three co-equal branches of the Government of the Virgin Islands of the United States, with its own powers delegated by the Revised Organic Act of 1954, passed by the U.S. Congress, which established our local government. The other two branches are the Executive Branch, headed by the Governor and is responsible for administering the laws passed by the Legislature; and the Courts, usually called the Judiciary, which interprets the laws passed.