ST. CROIX — Senator Samuel Carrión is optimistic his colleagues will vote to override the governor’s veto of his bill to improve governmental agency digital services during the next legislative session scheduled for Monday in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall on St. Thomas.
Carrión, who said he plans on moving for an override of the veto during session, responded to concerns Governor Albert Bryan Jr. raised relative to funding and the timeline for implementation when he vetoed the senator’s measure.
The measure, Bill No. 35-0236, seeks to enact the 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act to improve website design and digital services for all governmental departments and agencies, as well as ensure the websites are accessible to individuals with disabilities.
“The bill passed favorably,” Carrión said, adding that every senator present during session supported it. “This was heard in committee of jurisdiction, and received favorable vote and support as it did in session. I don't see why it would not favorably pass for an override given the fact that all my colleagues understand the source of funding, which is not local funds, and support the measure and understand that it’s 21st century thinking.”
While questioning the heads of government departments and agencies about their finances during annual budget hearings throughout recent years, Carrión said senators have realized the computer systems in the agencies are not compatible because each agency is doing something different. He said the result is a less efficient digital communication process within the government.
“The intent of this bill is to bring uniformity within our government to ensure that there are some digital standards that have been established, guidelines by the BIT, which is the Bureau of Information Technology,” he said, adding that BIT has jurisdiction over matters related to website design and digital customer service communication. “What the bill intends to create is a more customer-friendly government digital base so that it can be even accessible to people that have a disability.”
The senator spoke about options available on accessible websites that include the ability to adjust the font or audible features.
The bill also requires the government to transition to digital forms from paper forms that can be accessed online, Carrión said. He said some agencies do not have forms available online, or do not have methods of payment online.
“This is really taking us one step closer to provide the best, efficient, accessible service to the residents of the Virgin Islands by upgrading our system and creating standards and processes that would allow uniformity and connectivity within our systems, website, and just in general digital systems within the government,” he said.
Bryan vetoed the bill, explaining in his July 10 transmittal letter to Senate President Novelle Francis Jr. his reasoning.
“It would be irresponsible to sign this expensive and cumbersome measure into law, knowing that it is unfunded and that we are not able to meet the ambitious timeline proposed by the measure,” the governor wrote. “Nevertheless, we are committed to modernizing the government’s digital services, and we are working to update our systems and ensure that they are user-friendly and accessible.”
Although his original bill did not include a funding source, Carrión said the Senate amended it to identify federal funding through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program. He pointed out the federal BEAD grant is managed by the Virgin Islands Office of Management and Budget. He said BIT Director Rupert Ross Jr. confirmed the federal grant can be utilized to fulfill the mandates within the bill. He said Stephan Adams, Virgin Islands Next Generation Network president and CEO, also testified that BEAD funding is a perfect funding source. He said Julien Henley Sr., the territorial Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator, supported the bill as well. Ross, Adams, and Henley testified in support of the bill during a Committee on Government Operations, Veterans Affairs and Consumer Protection meeting on May 20.
While addressing the governor’s concern about the timeline to implement the mandates in the bill, Carrión said the measure was amended to extend the initial 180-day timelines to one year. He said Ross also raised concern about the timelines, noting the BIT director agreed to the one-year extension.
“An amendment was submitted, and everywhere where it’s 180 days were extended to a year,” the senator said, adding that the bill provides for a five-year transition. “That’s a five-year plan that has been created.”
Carrión said the first year allows Ross time to complete an analysis and create the standards that are necessary, clarifying it is not for immediate implementation. He said the transition to digital from paper is included in the five-year plan, providing guidelines based on a percentage that must be obtained annually within the plan. He said if there are no timelines, there is no sense of urgency, and nothing gets done.
“We can’t continue the way we are,” he said. “We have to provide better services to our taxpayers that are here working hard. And we need to really come up to the 21st century when it comes to our digital process, website, and our internal system within this government.”
