PUBLIC LAW 97-21—JULY 9, 1981
95 STAT. l U
LEGISLATIVE IMMUNITY SECTION 8.
A Senator may not be held to answer in any place except the Senate for a statement made in any Senate proceeding. A Senator shall, except in cases of treason, felony, or breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during attendance at a session of the Senate and in going to and returning from same.
48 USC 1541 note.
ORGANIZATION AND PROCEDURE
9. A majority of the Senate shall constitute a quorum. The Senate shall have all authority inherent in a legislative assembly; shall be the sole judge of the election and qualifications of its members, and shall have the power to institute and conduct investigations, issue subpoenas, and administer oaths. The Senate, upon the vote of three-fourths of its members, may discipline any member for cause. The Senate shall keep a daily journal of its proceedings, which shall include a record of all votes and shall be published within thirty days. SECTION
48 USC 1541 note.
REGULAR AND SPECIAL SESSIONS
10. (a) Regular sessions of the Senate shall be held in the capital of the Virgin Islands beginning on the first Monday following the first Tuesday in January of each year. (b) A special session of the Senate may be called by the Governor or by the President of the Senate upon request of one-third of its members. Until the business specified in the call has been acted upon, no other business shall be considered at a special session. (c) All sessions of the Senate shall be open to the public. SECTION
48 USC 1541 note.
ENACTMENT OF LAWS
11. (a) A law may be enacted only by bill, and a bill shall not be enacted unless it is written, read, and passed by a majority of the members present and voting on the question. Ob) Each bill passed by the Senate shall be presented to the Governor. If the Governor signs or fails to return a bill within ten working days of presentation, it shall become law. If the Governor vetoes a bill, it shall be returned to the Senate within ten working days of its presentation with a statement of reasons for the veto. The Governor may veto an item of an appropriation bill and sign the remainder of the bill, in which event the vetoed item shall be returned to the Senate within ten working days of its presentation with reasons for the veto. (c) A bill or item of an appropriation bill vetoed by the Governor may be considered by the Senate upon the motion of any Senator within thirty days of its return and shall become law as originally passed upon a vote of two-thirds of the members of the Senate. SECTION
48 USC 1541 note.
IMPEACHMENT
12. The Senate may impeach any elected official for cause upon a vote of two-thirds of its members. The appellate court shall determine, by a two-thirds vote, whether to remove from office an elected public official impeached by the Senate, and a person so removed shall not be immune from criminal charges or civil action. SECTION
48 USC 1541 note.
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