CHAPTER 7 —VIRGIN ISLANDS
SUBCHAPTER I—GENERAL PROVISIONS
SUBCHAPTER II—CIVIL GOVERNMENT
SUBCHAPTER III—VIRGIN ISLANDS CORPORATION
SUBCHAPTER IV—PUBLIC HOUSING
SUBCHAPTER V—INTERNAL DEVELOPMENT
SUBCHAPTER VI—AGRICULTURAL PROGRAM
SUBCHAPTER I—GENERAL PROVISIONS
Additional Provisions
For additional provisions, constituting a revision of the Organic Act of the Virgin Islands of the United States, see
Codification
A new organic act, or basic charter of civil government, for the people of the Virgin Islands of the United States, was passed in 1954. Act July 22, 1954, ch. 558,
Constitutions for Virgin Islands and Guam: Establishment; Congressional Authorization
"[Section 1. Authorization to organize governments] That the Congress, recognizing the basic democratic principle of government by the consent of the governed, authorities the peoples of the Virgin Islands and of Guam, respectively, to organize governments pursuant to constitutions of their own adoption as provided in this Act.
"
"(b) Such constitutions shall—
"(1) recognize, and be consistent with, the sovereignty of the United States over the Virgin Islands and Guam, respectively, and the supremacy of the provisions of the Constitution, treaties, and laws of the United States applicable to the Virgin Islands and Guam, respectively, including, but not limited to, those provisions of the Organic Act [this chapter] and Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands [
"(2) provide for a republican form of government, consisting of three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial;
"(3) contain a bill of rights;
"(4) deal with the subject matter of those provisions of the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands of 1954, as amended, and the Organic Act of Guam, as amended, respectively, which relate to local self-government;
"(5) with reference to Guam, provide that the voting franchise may be vested only in residents of Guam who are citizens of the United States;
"(6) provide for a system of local courts consistent with the provisions of the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands, as amended; and
"(7) provide for the establishment of a system of local courts the provisions of which shall become effective no sooner than upon the enactment of legislation regulating the relationship between the local courts of Guam with the Federal judicial system.
"
"
Delegate to Congress From Virgin Islands
Provisions respecting representation in Congress by a Delegate from Virgin Islands to the House of Representatives, see
§1391. Repealed. Pub. L. 89–554, §8(a), Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 643
Section, act Mar. 3, 1917, ch. 171, §1,
§1392. Local laws continued; courts
Until Congress shall otherwise provide, insofar as compatible with the changed sovereignty and not in conflict with the provisions of this section and sections 1391 1 and 1394 to 1396 of this title, the laws regulating elections and the electoral franchise as set forth in the code of laws published at Amalienborg the 6th day of April, 1906, and the other local laws, in force and effect in said islands on the 17th day of January, 1917, shall remain in force and effect in said islands, and the same shall be administered by the civil officials and through the local judicial tribunals established in said islands, respectively; and the orders, judgments, and decrees of said judicial tribunals shall be duly enforced. With the approval of the President, or under such rules and regulations as the President may prescribe, any of said laws may be repealed, altered, or amended by the colonial council having jurisdiction. The jurisdiction of the judicial tribunals of said islands shall extend to all judicial proceedings and controversies in said islands to which the United States or any citizen thereof may be a party.
(Mar. 3, 1917, ch. 171, §2,
References in Text
Amendments
1948—Act June 25, 1948, repealed last sentence relating to appeals. See
Effective Date of 1948 Amendment
Amendment by act June 25, 1948, effective Sept. 1, 1948, see section 38 of that act set out as an Effective Date note preceding
1 See References in Text note below.
§1392a. Repealed. Pub. L. 89–554, §8(a), Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 650 , 654
Section, acts May 24, 1940, ch. 209, §3,
Section was formerly classified to
§1392b. Repealed. Pub. L. 97–357, title III, §308(c), Oct. 19, 1982, 96 Stat. 1710
Section, act July 1, 1932, ch. 370, §2,
§1393. Repealed. Pub. L. 97–357, title III, §308(a), Oct. 19, 1982, 96 Stat. 1710
Section, act July 12, 1921, ch. 44, §1,
§1394. Customs duties and internal-revenue taxes
There shall be levied, collected, and paid upon all articles coming into the United States or its possessions from the Virgin Islands the rates of duty and internal-revenue taxes which are required to be levied, collected, and paid upon like articles imported from foreign countries: Provided, That all articles, the growth or product of, or manufactured in, such islands, from materials the growth or product of such islands or of the United States, or of both, or which do not contain foreign materials to the value of more than 20 per centum of their total value, upon which no drawback of customs duties has been allowed therein, coming into the United States from such islands shall be admitted free of duty. In determining whether such a Virgin Islands article contains foreign material to the value of more than 20 per centum, no material shall be considered foreign which, at the time the Virgin Islands article is entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption, may be imported into the continental United States free of duty generally.
(Mar. 3, 1917, ch. 171, §3,
Amendments
1950—Act Sept. 7, 1950, permitted free entry of articles into the United States from the Virgin Islands when such articles contain foreign materials which may be imported directly into the United States free of duty.
Cross References
Customs duties, see General Headnote 3(a) under
Industrial alcohol plants, application of internal revenue laws to Virgin Islands, see
Internal revenue, special provisions applicable to Virgin Islands, see
Section Referred to in Other Sections
This section is referred to in
§1395. Tax laws continued; tax on sugar
Until Congress shall otherwise provide all laws now imposing taxes in the said West Indian Islands, including the customs laws and regulations, shall, insofar as compatible with the changed sovereignty and not otherwise herein provided, continue in force and effect, except that articles the growth, product, or manufacture of the United States shall be admitted there free of duty: Provided, That upon exportation of sugar to any foreign country, or the shipment thereof to the United States or any of its possessions, there shall be levied, collected, and paid thereon an export duty of $6 per ton of two thousand pounds, irrespective of polariscope test, in lieu of any export tax now required by law: Provided further, That the internal revenue taxes levied by the Colonial Council of Saint Croix, or by the Colonial Council of Saint Thomas and Saint John, in pursuance of the authority granted by this section and sections 1391,1 1392, 1394, and 1396 of this title on articles, goods, wares, or merchandise may be levied and collected as the Colonial Council of Saint Croix, or as the Colonial Council of Saint Thomas and Saint John, may direct, on the articles subject to said tax, as soon as the same are manufactured, sold, used, or brought into the island: And provided further, That no discrimination be made between the articles imported from the United States or foreign countries and similar articles produced or manufactured in the municipality of Saint Croix, or in the municipality of Saint Thomas and Saint John, respectively. The officials of the Customs and Postal Services of the United States are directed to assist the appropriate officials of the municipality of Saint Croix, or of the municipality of Saint Thomas and Saint John, in the collection of these taxes.
(Mar. 3, 1917, ch. 171, §4,
References in Text
The customs laws, referred to in text, are classified generally to Title 19, Customs Duties.
Amendments
1932—Act June 24, 1932, inserted provisos permitting local levy of internal revenue taxes, prohibiting discrimination against imports, and directing customs and postal services to assist in collecting taxes.
1927—Act Feb. 25, 1927, reduced export duty on sugar from $8 to $6 per ton.
Section Referred to in Other Sections
This section is referred to in
1 See References in Text note below.
§1396. Duties and taxes covered into Virgin Islands treasury
The duties and taxes collected in pursuance of
(Mar. 3, 1917, ch. 171, §5,
Cross References
Disposition of proceeds of taxes on articles produced in the Virgin Islands and transported into the United States, see
Use of proceeds of customs duties and taxes collected in the Virgin Islands, see
Section Referred to in Other Sections
This section is referred to in
§1397. Income tax laws of United States in force; payment of proceeds; levy of surtax on all taxpayers
The income-tax laws in force in the United States of America and those which may hereafter be enacted shall be held to be likewise in force in the Virgin Islands of the United States, except that the proceeds of such taxes shall be paid into the treasuries of said islands: Provided further, That, notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Legislature of the Virgin Islands is authorized to levy a surtax on all taxpayers in an amount not to exceed 10 per centum of their annual income tax obligation to the government of the Virgin Islands.
(July 12, 1921, ch. 44, §1,
References in Text
The income-tax laws in force in the United States of America, referred to in text, are classified to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Codification
Section is from act July 12, 1921, popularly known as the Naval Service Appropriation Act, 1922.
Amendments
1976—
Application of Western Hemisphere Trade Corporation Provision Under the Virgin Islands Tax Laws
Cross References
All provisions of laws of the United States applicable to assessment and collection of taxes imposed by Internal Revenue Code as applicable to possessions, see
Disposition of proceeds of taxes on articles produced in the Virgin Islands and transported into the United States, see
Use of proceeds of United States income tax collected in the Virgin Islands, see
Taxation of income derived from sources within the United States, see
Section Referred to in Other Sections
This section is referred to in title 26 section 934.
§1398. Omitted
Codification
Section, act July 1, 1922, ch. 259,
§1399. Repealed. Pub. L. 97–357, title III, §308(b), Oct. 19, 1982, 96 Stat. 1710
Section, acts July 3, 1930, ch. 847, §8,
§1400. Repealed. Pub. L. 98–454, title VII, §709, Oct. 5, 1984, 98 Stat. 1741
Section, act May 20, 1932, ch. 194,
Effective Date of Repeal
Repeal effective on ninetieth day following Oct. 5, 1984, see section 1005 of
§1401. Equalization of taxes on real property; declaration of policy
It is the policy of Congress to equalize and more equitably to distribute existing taxes on real property in the Virgin Islands of the United States and to reduce the burden of taxation now imposed on land in productive use in such islands.
(May 26, 1936, ch. 450, §1,
Section Referred to in Other Sections
This section is referred to in
§1401a. Valuation of real property for assessment; uniformity of rates
For the calendar year 1936 and for all succeeding years all taxes on real property in the Virgin Islands shall be computed on the basis of the actual value of such property and the rate in each municipality of such islands shall be the same for all real property subject to taxation in such municipality whether or not such property is in cultivation and regardless of the use to which such property is put.
(May 26, 1936, ch. 450, §2,
Section Referred to in Other Sections
This section is referred to in
§1401b. Rate of tax in absence of local laws; regulations by President for assessment and collection pending adoption of local laws
Until local tax laws conforming to the requirements of
(May 26, 1936, ch. 450, §3,
Cross References
Excess or additional rate of taxation for servicing outstanding bonds authorized, see
Section Referred to in Other Sections
This section is referred to in
§1401c. Depository
All taxes so levied and collected shall be deposited in the municipal treasury of the municipality in which such taxes are collected.
(May 26, 1936, ch. 450, §4,
Section Referred to in Other Sections
This section is referred to in
§1401d. Omitted
Codification
Section, acts May 26, 1936, ch. 450, §5,
§1401e. Exemptions from taxation; authority of municipalities to alter, amend, or repeal existing laws
Nothing in
(May 26, 1936, ch. 450, §6,
Section Referred to in Other Sections
This section is referred to in
§1401f. Omitted
Codification
Section, act Oct. 5, 1992,
Nov. 13, 1991,
Nov. 5, 1990,
Oct. 23, 1989,
Sept. 27, 1988,
Dec. 22, 1987,
Oct. 18, 1986,
Dec. 19, 1985,
Oct. 12, 1984,
Nov. 4, 1983,
Dec. 30, 1982,
Dec. 23, 1981,
Dec. 12, 1980,
Nov. 27, 1979,
Oct. 17, 1978,
July 26, 1977,
July 31, 1976,
Dec. 23, 1975,
Aug. 31, 1974,
Oct. 4, 1973,
Aug. 10, 1972,
Aug. 10, 1971,
July 31, 1970,
Oct. 29, 1969,
July 26, 1968,
June 24, 1967,
May 31, 1966,
June 28, 1965,
July 7, 1964,
July 26, 1963,
Aug. 9, 1962,
Aug. 3, 1961,
May 13, 1960,
June 23, 1959,
June 4, 1958,
July 1, 1957,
June 13, 1956, ch. 380, title I,
June 16, 1955, ch. 147, title I,
July 1, 1954, ch. 446, title I,
July 31, 1953, ch. 298, title I,
July 9, 1952, ch. 597, title I,
Aug. 31, 1951, ch. 375, title I,
Sept. 6, 1950, ch. 896, Ch. VII, title I,
§1402. Extension of industrial alcohol and internal revenue laws to Virgin Islands
Title III of the National Prohibition Act, as amended, and all provisions of the internal revenue laws relating to the enforcement thereof, are extended to and made applicable to the Virgin Islands, from and after August 27, 1935. The Insular Government shall advance to the Treasury of the United States such funds as may be required from time to time by the Secretary of the Treasury for the purpose of defraying all expenses incurred by the Treasury Department in connection with the enforcement in the Virgin Islands of the said Title III and regulations promulgated thereunder. The funds so advanced shall be deposited in a separate trust fund in the Treasury of the United States and shall be available to the Treasury Department for the purposes of this section.
(June 26, 1936, ch. 830, title III, §329(c),
References in Text
The National Prohibition Act, as amended, referred to in text, is act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85,
The internal revenue laws, referred to in text, are classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Codification
Provisions similar to those comprising this section relating to Puerto Rico are classified to
Cross References
Industrial alcohol plants, application of internal revenue laws to Virgin Islands, see
§1403. Issuance of bonds or other obligations by government or municipalities; use of proceeds; limit on public indebtedness; terms, execution, interest rate, and sale price; taxes
To construct, improve, extend, better, repair, reconstruct, acquire, and operate any and all types of public works which shall include, but not be limited to, streets, bridges, wharves, and harbor facilities, sewers and sewage-disposal plants, municipal buildings, schools, libraries, gymnasia and athletic fields, fire houses, electric distribution systems or other work pertaining to electric systems, and other public utilities, including those owned or operated by the Saint Thomas Power Authority, or to clear slums, accomplish urban redevelopment or provide low-rent housing, negotiable general obligation bonds and other obligations may be issued by the government of the Virgin Islands or any municipality thereof: Provided, That no public indebtedness of any municipality thereof shall be incurred in excess of 10 per centum of the aggregate assessed valuation of the taxable real property in such municipality and that no public indebtedness of the government of the Virgin Islands shall be incurred in excess of 10 per centum of the aggregate assessed valuation of the taxable real property in the islands. Bonds issued pursuant to
(Oct. 27, 1949, ch. 769, §1,
Section Referred to in Other Sections
This section is referred to in
§1403a. Expenditure of bond proceeds for public improvements
The proceeds of the bond issues or other obligations herein authorized shall be expended only for the public improvements set forth in
(Oct. 27, 1949, ch. 769, §2,
Section Referred to in Other Sections
This section is referred to in
§1403b. Bond liability of United States
Bonds or other obligations issued pursuant to
(Oct. 27, 1949, ch. 769, §3,
Section Referred to in Other Sections
This section is referred to in
SUBCHAPTER II—CIVIL GOVERNMENT
Subchapter Referred to in Other Sections
This subchapter is referred to in
§1405. Geographical application of subchapter; land and waters included in term "Virgin Islands"
The provisions of this subchapter, and the name "the Virgin Islands" as used in this subchapter, shall apply to and include the territorial domain, lands and waters acquired by the United States through cession of the Danish West Indian Islands by the convention between the United States of America and His Majesty the King of Denmark entered into August 4, 1916, and ratified by the Senate on September 7, 1916 (
(June 22, 1936, ch. 699, §1,
Cross References
Provisions of this subchapter, not inconsistent with
§§1405a, 1405b. Repealed. Pub. L. 97–357, title III, §307, Oct. 19, 1982, 96 Stat. 1709
Section 1405a, act June 22, 1936, ch. 699, §2,
Section 1405b, act June 22, 1936, ch. 699, §3,
§1405c. Transfer of property to government
(a) Property not reserved
All property which may have been acquired by the United States from Denmark in the Virgin Islands under the convention entered into August 4, 1916, not reserved by the United States for public purposes prior to June 22, 1937, is placed under the control of the Government of the Virgin Islands.
(b) Applicability of United States law
Except as otherwise expressly provided, all laws of the United States for the protection and improvement of the navigable waters of the United States shall apply to the Virgin Islands.
(c) Applicability of tonnage duties
No Federal laws levying tonnage duties, light money, or entrance and clearance fees shall apply to the Virgin Islands.
(d) Presidential determination of applicable laws
The legislature of the Virgin Islands shall have power to enact navigation, boat inspection, and safety laws of local application; but the President shall have power to make applicable to the Virgin Islands such of the navigation, vessel inspection, and coastwise laws of the United States as he may find and declare to be necessary in the public interest, and, to the extent that the laws so made applicable conflict with any laws of local application enacted by the legislature, such laws enacted by the legislature shall have no force and effect.
(e) Existing powers of United States officers unaffected
Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to affect or impair in any manner the terms and conditions of any authorizations, permits, or other powers heretofore lawfully granted or exercised in or in respect of the Virgin Islands by any authorized officer or agent of the United States.
(June 22, 1936, ch. 699, §4,
Amendments
1982—Subsec. (d).
1951—Subsec. (f). Act Oct. 31, 1951, repealed subsec. (f) which authorized the Secretary of the Interior to lease or sell any property under his administrative supervision in the Virgin Islands not needed for public purposes.
1939—Act Aug. 7, 1939, designated existing provisions as subsecs. (a), (b), (e), and (f) and added subsecs. (c) and (d).
Construction of Virgin Islands Projects by Secretary of the Army
"(a)
"(b)
"(c)
Ex. Ord. No. 9170. Certain Navigation Laws Made Applicable to Virgin Islands
Ex. Ord. No. 9170, eff. May 21, 1942, 7 F.R. 384, provided in part:
It is ordered that all of the navigation and vessel inspection laws of the United States be, and they are hereby, made applicable to the Virgin Islands of the United States, with the following exceptions:
(1) The coastwise laws of the United States.
(2) The act of Congress approved June 7, 1897 (
(3) So much of the vessel inspection laws of the United States as requires the inspection as a passenger vessel of any cargo vessel, foreign or domestic, when carrying more than twelve passengers or persons in addition to the crew.
(4) Federal laws levying tonnage duties, light money, or entrance and clearance fees.
Cross References
Terms of the convention between the United States and Denmark, see Presidential Proclamation of Jan. 25, 1917,
Section Referred to in Other Sections
This section is referred to in
§§1405d to 1405g. Repealed. Pub. L. 97–357, title III, §307, Oct. 19, 1982, 96 Stat. 1709
Section 1405d, act June 22, 1936, ch. 699, §5,
Section 1405e, act June 22, 1936, ch. 699, §6,
Section 1405f, act June 22, 1936, ch. 699, §7,
Section 1405g, act June 22, 1936, ch. 699, §8,
§§1405h, 1405i. Repealed. Pub. L. 89–554, §8(a), Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 649
Section 1405h, act June 22, 1936, ch. 699, §9,
Section 1405i, act June 22, 1936, ch. 699, §10,
§§1405j to 1405p. Repealed. Pub. L. 97–357, title III, §307, Oct. 19, 1982, 96 Stat. 1709
Section 1405j, act June 22, 1936, ch. 699, §11,
Section 1405k, act June 22, 1936, ch. 699, §12,
Section 1405l, act June 22, 1936, ch. 699, §13,
Section 1405m, act June 22, 1936, ch. 699, §14,
Section 1405n, act June 22, 1936, ch. 699, §15,
Section 1405o, act June 22, 1936, ch. 699, §16,
Section 1405p, act June 22, 1936, ch. 699, §17,
§1405q. Laws continued in force until modified; patent, trade mark, and copyright laws extended to Virgin Islands; jurisdiction of district court
The laws of the United States applicable to the Virgin Islands on June 22, 1936, and all local laws and ordinances in force on such date in the Virgin Islands, not inconsistent with this subchapter, shall continue in force and effect: Provided, That the Municipal Council of Saint Croix and the Municipal Council of Saint Thomas and Saint John, and the legislative assembly, shall have power when not inconsistent with this subchapter and within their respective jurisdictions, to amend, alter, modify, or repeal any law of the United States of local application only, or any ordinance, public or private, civil or criminal, continued in force and effect by this subchapter, except as herein otherwise provided, and to enact new laws and ordinances not inconsistent with this subchapter and not inconsistent with the laws of the United States hereafter made applicable to the Virgin Islands or any part thereof, subject to the power of the Congress to annul the same. The laws of the United States relating to patents, trade marks, and copyrights, and to the enforcement of rights arising thereunder, shall have the same force and effect in the Virgin Islands as in the continental United States, and the District Court of the Virgin Islands shall have the same jurisdiction in causes arising under such laws as is exercised by United States district courts.
(June 22, 1936, ch. 699, §18,
References in Text
The laws of the United States relating to patents, trade marks, and copyrights, referred to in text, are classified generally to Title 35, Patents,
Cross References
Jurisdiction of District Court of the Virgin Islands, see
Provisions of this subchapter, not inconsistent with
§1405r. Repealed. Pub. L. 97–357, title III, §307, Oct. 19, 1982, 96 Stat. 1709
Section, act June 22, 1936, ch. 699, §19,
§§1405s to 1405t. Repealed. Pub. L. 89–554, §8(a), Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 649 , 651, 655
Section 1405s, acts June 22, 1936, ch. 699, §20,
Section 1405s–1, act Oct. 15, 1949, ch. 695, §5(a),
This section was not enacted as part of the Organic Act of the Virgin Islands of the United States which comprises this subchapter.
Section 1405t, act June 22, 1936, ch. 699, §21,
§§1405u to 1405w. Repealed. Pub. L. 97–357, title III, §307, Oct. 19, 1982, 96 Stat. 1709
Section 1405u, act June 22, 1936, ch. 699, §22,
Section 1405v, act June 22, 1936, ch. 699, §23,
Section 1405w, act June 22, 1936, ch. 699, §24,
§1405w–1. Omitted
Codification
Section, act July 3, 1945, ch. 262, §1,
§1405x. Repealed. Pub. L. 97–357, title III, §307, Oct. 19, 1982, 96 Stat. 1709
Section, act June 22, 1936, ch. 699, §25,
§1405y. Repealed. Pub. L. 89–554, §8(a), Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 649 , 650, 654, 657
Section, acts June 22, 1936, ch. 699, §26,
§§1405z to 1406e. Repealed. Pub. L. 97–357, title III, §307, Oct. 19, 1982, 96 Stat. 1709
Section 1405z, act June 22, 1936, ch. 699, §27,
Section 1406, act June 22, 1936, ch. 699, §28,
Section 1406a, act June 22, 1936, ch. 699, §29,
Section 1406b, act June 22, 1936, ch. 699, §30,
Section 1406c, act June 22, 1936, ch. 699, §31,
Section 1406d, act June 22, 1936, ch. 699, §32,
Section 1406e, act June 22, 1936, ch. 699, §33,
§1406f. Judicial process; title of criminal prosecutions
All judicial process shall run in the name of "United States of America, scilicet, the President of the United States", and all penal or criminal prosecutions in the local courts shall be conducted in the name of and by authority of "the People of the Virgin Islands of the United States."
(June 22, 1936, ch. 699, §37,
§1406g. Repealed. Pub. L. 97–357, title III, §307, Oct. 19, 1982, 96 Stat. 1709
Section, act June 22, 1936, ch. 699, §34,
§1406h. Taxes, duties and fees as funds for benefit of municipalities; appropriations
All taxes, duties, fees, and public revenues collected in the municipality of Saint Croix shall be covered into the treasury of the Virgin Islands and held in account for said municipality and all taxes, duties, fees, and public revenues collected in the municipality of Saint Thomas and Saint John shall be covered into said treasury of the Virgin Islands and held in account for said municipality: Provided, That the proceeds of customs duties, less the cost of collection, and the proceeds of the United States income tax, and the proceeds of any taxes levied by the Congress on the inhabitants of the Virgin Islands, and all quarantine, passport, immigration, and naturalization fees collected in the Virgin Islands shall be covered into the treasury of the Virgin Islands and held in account for the respective municipalities, and shall be expended for the benefit and government of said municipalities in accordance with the annual municipal budgets. The Municipal Council of Saint Croix may make appropriations for the purposes of said municipality from, and to be paid out of, the funds credited to its account in the treasury of the Virgin Islands; and the Municipal Council of Saint Thomas and Saint John may make appropriations for the purposes of said municipality from, and to be paid out of, the funds credited to its account in said treasury.
(June 22, 1936, ch. 699, §35,
§1406i. Taxes and fees; power to assess and collect; ports of entry; export duties
Taxes and assessments on property and incomes, internal-revenue taxes, license fees, and service fees may be imposed and collected, and royalties for franchises, privileges, and concessions granted may be collected for the purposes of the Government of the Virgin Islands as may be provided and defined by the municipal councils herein established: Provided, That all money hereafter derived from any tax levied or assessed for a special purpose shall be treated as a special fund in the treasury of the Virgin Islands and paid out for such purpose only, except when otherwise authorized by the legislative authority having jurisdiction after the purpose for which such fund was created has been accomplished. Until Congress shall otherwise provide, all laws concerning import duties and customs in the municipality of Saint Thomas and Saint John now in effect shall be in force and effect in and for the Virgin Islands: Provided, That the Secretary of the Treasury shall designate the several ports and sub-ports of entry in the Virgin Islands of the United States and shall make such rules and regulations and appoint such officers and employees as he may deem necessary for the administration of the customs laws in the Virgin Islands of the United States; and he shall fix the compensation of all such officers and employees and provide for the payment of such compensations and other expenses of the collection of duties, fees, and taxes imposed under the customs laws from the receipts thereof. The export duties in effect on June 22, 1936 may be from time to time reduced, repealed, or restored by ordinance of the municipal council having jurisdiction: Provided further, That no new export duties shall be levied in the Virgin Islands except by the Congress.
(June 22, 1936, ch. 699, §36,
References in Text
The customs laws, referred to in text, are classified generally to Title 19, Customs Duties.
§1406j. Repealed. Pub. L. 89–554, §8(a), Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 649
Section, act June 22, 1936, ch. 699, §38,
§1406k. Repealed. Pub. L. 97–357, title III, §307, Oct. 19, 1982, 96 Stat. 1709
Section, act June 22, 1936, ch. 699, §39,
§1406l. Effective date
This subchapter shall take effect June 22, 1936, but until its provisions shall severally become operative as herein provided, the corresponding legislative, executive, and judicial functions of the existing government shall continue to be exercised as now provided by law or ordinance, and the present incumbents of all offices under the Government of the Virgin Islands shall continue in office until their successors are appointed and have qualified unless sooner removed by competent authority.
(June 22, 1936, ch. 699, §40,
§1406m. Short title
This subchapter may be cited as the Organic Act of the Virgin Islands of the United States.
(June 22, 1936, ch. 699, §41,
Cross References
Provisions of this subchapter not inconsistent with
SUBCHAPTER III—VIRGIN ISLANDS CORPORATION
§§1407 to 1407i. Repealed. Pub. L. 97–357, title III, §308(e), Oct. 19, 1982, 96 Stat. 1710
Section 1407, act June 30, 1949, ch. 285, §1,
Section 1407a, act June 30, 1949, ch. 285, §2,
Section 1407b, act June 30, 1949, ch. 285, §3,
Section 1407c, acts June 30, 1949, ch. 285, §4,
Section 1407d, act June 30, 1949, ch. 285, §5,
Section 1407e, acts June 30, 1949, ch. 285, §6,
Section 1407f, act June 30, 1949, ch. 285, §7,
Section 1407g, acts June 30, 1949, ch. 285, §8,
Section 1407h, acts June 30, 1949, ch. 285, §9,
Section 1407i, act June 30, 1949, ch. 285, §10,
Effective Date
Act June 30, 1949, ch. 285, §14,
Short Title
Act June 30, 1949, ch. 285, §15,
Savings Provision
Section 308(e) of
Transfer of Facilities; Investment Increase; Supply of Electric Power
Dissolution of Virgin Islands Company
Act June 30, 1949, ch. 285, §11,
SUBCHAPTER IV—PUBLIC HOUSING
§1408. Legislative authority to create authorities; appointment of members; powers of authorities
The government of the Virgin Islands, through its legislative assembly, may grant to a public corporate authority existing or to be created through said assembly, exclusive authority to undertake slum clearance, urban redevelopment, urban renewal, and low-rent housing activities within the municipalities of the Virgin Islands. The legislative assembly may provide for the appointment and terms of office of the members of such authority and for the powers of such authority, including authority to accept whatever benefits the Federal Government may make available under the Housing Act of 1949 (Public Law 171, Eighty-First Congress), as amended [
(July 18, 1950, ch. 466, title III, §301,
References in Text
The Housing Act of 1949 (Public Law 171, Eighty-First Congress), as amended, referred to in text, is act July 15, 1949, ch. 338,
This Act, referred to in text, means act July 18, 1950, ch. 466,
Amendments
1955—Act Aug. 11, 1955, included urban renewal projects, and inserted "as amended" after "Housing Act of 1949" and after "this Act".
Urban Renewal Activities
Section 107(4) of act Aug. 11, 1955, amended the heading of title III of the Territorial Enabling Act of 1950, this subchapter, to insert the words "urban renewal" in order to make financial assistance available for urban renewal projects.
§1408a. Issuance of notes, bonds, and obligations
The legislative assembly may authorize such authority, any provision of the Virgin Islands Organic Act [
(July 18, 1950, ch. 466, title III, §302,
References in Text
The Virgin Islands Organic Act, referred to in text, probably means the Organic Act of the Virgin Islands of the United States, act June 22, 1936, ch. 699,
§1408b. Authorization of loans, conveyances, etc., by government and municipalities
The government of the Virgin Islands, through its legislative assembly, may assist such authority with cash donations, loans, conveyances of real and personal property, facilities, and services, and otherwise, and may authorize municipalities and other subdivisions to make cash donations, loans, conveyances of real and personal property to such authority, and to take other action, including but not limited to, the making available or the furnishing of facilities and services, in aid of slum clearance, urban redevelopment, urban renewal, or low-rent housing projects.
(July 18, 1950, ch. 466, title III, §303,
Amendments
1955—Act Aug. 11, 1955, included urban renewal projects.
§1408c. Grants-in-aid by Federal Government
Notwithstanding the limitation contained in the last sentence of section 110(d) [
(July 18, 1950, ch. 466, title III, §304,
References in Text
The Housing Act of 1949, referred to in text, is act July 15, 1949, ch. 338,
This Act, referred to in text, means act July 18, 1950, ch. 466,
Amendments
1967—
1955—Act Aug. 11, 1955, included urban renewal projects, and inserted "as amended" after (Public Law 171, Eighty-first Congress), after "this Act", and after "Housing Act of 1949" in cl. (1).
§1408d. Ratification of prior acts
All legislation heretofore enacted by the legislative assembly of the Virgin Islands dealing with any part of the subject matter of this Act and not inconsistent herewith is ratified and confirmed.
(July 18, 1950, ch. 466, title III, §305,
References in Text
This Act, referred to in text, means act July 18, 1950, ch. 466,
§1408e. Additional powers
Powers granted in this Act shall be in addition to and not in derogation of any powers granted by other law to or for the benefit or assistance of any public corporate authority or municipality.
(July 18, 1950, ch. 466, title III, §306,
References in Text
This Act, referred to in text, means act July 18, 1950, ch. 466,
SUBCHAPTER V—INTERNAL DEVELOPMENT
§§1409 to 1409j. Repealed. Pub. L. 97–357, title III, §308(d), Oct. 19, 1982, 96 Stat. 1710
Section 1409, acts Dec. 20, 1944, ch. 615, §1,
Section 1409a, act Dec. 20, 1944, ch. 615, §2,
Section 1409b, acts Dec. 20, 1944, ch. 615, §3,
Section 1409c, acts Dec. 20, 1944, ch. 615, §4,
Section 1409d, act Dec. 20, 1944, ch. 615, §5,
Section 1409e, acts Dec. 20, 1944, ch. 615, §6,
Section 1409f, act Dec. 20, 1944, ch. 615, §7,
Section 1409g, act Dec. 20, 1944, ch. 615, §8,
Section 1409h, act Dec. 20, 1944, ch. 615, §9,
Section 1409i, act Dec. 20, 1944, ch. 615, §10,
Section 1409j, act Dec. 20, 1944, ch. 615, §11,
Estimates As Not Constituting Limitations
Act July 31, 1953, ch. 298, title I, §1,
Similar provisions were contained in acts July 9, 1952, ch. 597, title I, §101,
SUBCHAPTER VI—AGRICULTURAL PROGRAM
§§1409m to 1409o. Repealed. Pub. L. 97–357, title III, §308(f), Oct. 19, 1982, 96 Stat. 1710
Section 1409m, act Oct. 29, 1951, ch. 603, §1,
Section 1409n, act Oct. 29, 1951, ch. 603, §2,
Section 1409o, act Oct. 29, 1951, ch. 603, §3,