Felons will be able to vote as soon as they finish their sentences and parole or probationary periods, if a bill sent on its way Friday to the full Senate for a final vote becomes law.

Currently, the V.I. Code disallows individuals who have twice been convicted of felonies or crimes "involving moral turpitude" from voting for 10 years after serving out their sentence. A first time offender, however, is allowed to vote again one year after he or she is discharged. The bill considered Friday, however, does not make the distinction, and restores the right of any felon to vote after they’ve served out their sentence or completed their parole, probation or restitution payments.

"This is just a tool which can be used for rehabilitation purposes," said Sen. Sammuel Sanes, one of the bill’s sponsors. Being able to vote can help engage people civically, helping to prod them onto the right path, and it helps them get photo identification, in the form of their voter registration card, which also helps them become involved in mainstream society, he said.

Senate President Ronald Russell said he favors the concept, but questions whether there should be a period of time first. The existing time frame is too long, he says but thinks "a grace period is something to consider, because some people could fool you."

For that reason, Russell said he would abstain for now and think about possible amendments for when the bill reaches the Senate floor.

Voting to send the bill on for a final vote were: Sanes, Sens. Alicia "Chucky" Hansen, Celestino White and Usie Richards. Russell abstained. Sen. Patrick Sprauve was absent.

Rules and Judiciary also sent forward a bill broadly reworking traffic fines, creating a greater variety of fines and moderately increasing existing penalties. The new fines are not extreme by stateside standards. Passing a school bus would carry a fine of $75 for the first offense. Reckless driving would have a minimum fine of $300.

White argued the bill was too draconian and offered an amendment partially exempting taxi drivers from the new fees and instead imposing administrative fees that start at $50 and increase with subsequent offenses. White’s amendment and the bill were approved.

Also sent on to the full Senate Friday were bills:

• Authorizing the executive branch to enter into a memorandum of understanding with federal agencies such as U.S. Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection, and the national Transportation Security Administration, for the sharing of information on firearms, or other weapons and substances entering the territory.

• Increasing the government’s car rental fee from $2 to $3.75 and using part of the new money to finish Leonardo "Nardo" Trotman Drive on St. Thomas. Once the road is complete, the extra revenue would be split between the Education Maintenance Fund, which is dedicated to school maintenance, and the V.I. Education Initiative Fund. In an earlier hearing, senators approved amendments adding several smaller capital projects to the tab, including some culvert work in Christiansted on St. Croix and a permanent emergency services facility in Estate Fortuna on St. Thomas, to house fire and rescue personnel and equipment.

• Creating a veterans burial revolving fund and appropriating $50,000 from the Caribbean Initiative Fund to fund it. These funds are in addition to an existing appropriation of $200,000 that is available until expended for V.I. veterans’ burial expenses. The bill would also transfer responsibility for administering burial funds to the Department of Finance, which would disburse it with the approval of the Office of Veterans Affairs.