(h) VACANCIES The Governor of the Virgin Islands shall fill any vacancy in the office of a member of the Legislature by appointment in such manner as the Legislature may by law direct. 7. LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS (a) Regular Sessions of the legislature shall be held annually, commencing on the second Monday in January (unless the legislature shall by law fix a different date) and shall continue in regular sessions for not more than 60 days which need not be consecutive; Provided, that the session shall conclude no later than May 31st. The Governor may call special sessions of the legislature at any time when in his opinion the public interest may require it, but no special session shall continue longer than fifteen calendar days, and the aggregate of such special sessions during any calendar year shall not exceed thirty calendar days. No legislation shall be considered at any special session other than that specified in the call therefore or in any special message by the Governor to the legislature while in such session. (b) PLACE OF HOLDING Sessions of the legislature shall be held in the capital of the Virgin Islands at Charlotte Amalie, Saint Thomas. 8. LEGISLATIVE POWER (a) The legislative authority and power of the Virgin Islands shall extend to all rightful subjects of legislation not inconsistent with this Act or the laws of the United States made applicable to the Virgin Islands, but no law shall be enacted which would impair rights existing or arising by virtue of any treaty or international agreement entered into by the United States, nor shall the lands or other property of non-residents be taxed at a higher rate than the lands or other property of residents. (b) APPLICABILITY OF LAWS AND ORDINANCES The laws of the United States applicable to the Virgin Islands on the date of approval of this Act, including laws made applicable to the Virgin Islands by or pursuant to the provisions of the Act of June 22, 1936 (49 Stat. 1807), and of the Act of July 22, 1954 (68 Stat. 491) as amended respectively, and all local laws and ordinances in force in the Virgin Islands, or any part thereof on the date of approval of this Act shall, to the extent they are not inconsistent with this Act continue in force and effect until otherwise provided by the Congress: Provided; that the legislature shall have power, when within its jurisdiction and not inconsistent with the other provisions of this Act, to amend, alter, modify, or repeal any local law or ordinance, public or 225