(Washington, DC, January 31, 2007) — The Virgin Islands property tax bill was reported out of the Senate’s Energy and Natural Resources Committee today.  The bill, sponsored by Delegate to Congress Donna M. Christensen, H.R. 57 will now go to the floor for Senate consideration.  The bill, H.R. 57, became necessary because of a recent federal court ruling which revived a 1936 federal law which could put Virgin Islands property owners at risk for drastically increased tax assessments. H.R. 57 repeals that law.

“I am pleased that the bill has passed this crucial step.  We expect it to go to the full Senate any day now,” Christensen said.  She thanked the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Energy Committee, Senators Jeff Bingaman and Pete Domenici, respectfully for support in moving the bill.  Chairman Bingaman and Ranking Member Domenici, sponsored a companion bill to the Delegate’s property tax bill, in the last Congress which they eventually passed in the Senate.