Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 95.djvu/136

 95 STAT. 110

PUBLIC LAW 97-21—JULY 9, 1981 COMPOSITION OF THE SENATE

48 USC 1541 note.

SECTION 2.

The Senate shall consist of fifteen members to be known as Senators. The Senate shall provide for district and at-large Senators in accordance with law: Provided, That there shall be no more than four at-large Senators and the legislative districts of St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas each shall be represented. District Senators shall be elected for a term of two years, and at-large Senators for a term of four years. REAPPORTIONMENT

48 USC 1541 note.

SECTION 3. (a) At least

once every ten years and within one hundred and twenty days of publication of an official census, the Senate shall be reapportioned by law as required by changes in the distribution of residents on each island. A reapportionment plan may divide a legislative district and shall provide for representation by each Senator of approximately the same number of residents, while ensuring representation for each island. (b) If the Senate fails to reapportion, the appellate court shall have original and exclusive jurisdiction to promulgate a reapportionment plan. QUAUPICATIONS OF SENATORS

48 USC 1541 note.

SECTION 4.

A Senator shall be— (a) a citizen of the United States, (b) a citizen of the Virgin Islands, (c) a qualified voter of the Virgin Islands for at least three years, (d) at least twenty-one years of age, (e) a domiciliary of the Virgin Islands for at least five years immediately preceding the date of taking office, and (f) if a district Senator, a domiciliary of the legislative district from which elected for at least thirty days immediately preceding the date offilingfor office. COMPENSATION

48 USC 1541 note.

5. No law increasing the compensation of Senators shall take effect during the term of the Senate that enacts the law. SECTION

RESTRICTION OF ACTIVITIES 48 USC 1541 note.

6. A Senator may not hold any other public position while in office. Within one year of ceasing to serve, a Senator may neither be appointed to any salaried public position which was created by the Senate nor benefit from any compensation which was increased by the Senate during the Senator's last term of office. SECTION

VACANCIES 48 USC 1541 note.

7. If a vacancy occurs in the Senate and one year or more remains in the unexpired term of office, the vacancy shall befilledby a special election within sixty days. If less than one year remains in the unexpired term of office when a vacancy occurs, the President of the Senate shall, within thirty days, appoint the next available person from among those candidates considered in order of the highest number of votes received. If there is no available candidate, the vacancy will befilledas provided by law. SECTION

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