46

Political Issues/Comments / News from Montpelier 2020 week 5

« on: February 07, 2020, 03:16:16 PM »

A House Concurrent Resolution, HCR 247 honoring James Pelkey for his public and community service in Franklin County, sponsored by all eleven of the County’s Representatives was on the Consent Calendar this week. This instance of unity was welcome in a week that also held issues which carried strongly divided support.
Wednesday’s vote on whether H107, an act relating to paid family and medical leave would pass “the failure of the Governor to approve notwithstanding?”, generated tension in the State House. Medical and family emergencies were set aside by several members and all 150 Representatives were present for the vote which was decided in the negative 99 to 51. The Governor’s veto was sustained. Thursday’s Floor session provided a chance for any member who had voted no, to request reconsideration but the moment passed without anyone making that motion.
The vote on H619, An act relating to permitting candidate expenditures for child care costs was also decided by a Roll Call vote. It passed with 124 yes and 21 no votes and after passage the title of the bill will be An act related to permitted expenditures. One dissenting vote was explained by the Member to be based on the changes that the bill underwent from its original form which was clear in what was being permitted to one less specific.
The Transportation committee took testimony from several witnesses on a Personal Electric Vehicle pilot program design for contributions to the Transportation Fund from this sector. The Agency of Transportation is working across agencies with Departments of Conservation and Public Service as well as the State’s electric utilities to design a pilot program to collect a per-kilowatt fee determined at the Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment from the operators of electric vehicles.
Witnesses also presented to the Committee testimony on the Elderly and Disabled program which provides transit for eligible individuals to appointments and errands. Transportation Demand Management was introduced to the committee by the director of the UVM Center for Research on Vermont. The committee was interested to hear the impact being made on public transit users number’s by employers incentives.
The House Action calendar was blank Friday which provided many members the opportunity to get safely home and have a remote worker experience. The Speaker called the House to order at 9:30 and with less than a quorum present offered a poem titled “Snow Day”as the Devotional, called for announcements and a motion to adjourn. The State House closed for all business at 1:45 PM, after several legislative service departments were closed at noon.

47

Political Issues/Comments / News from Montpelier 2020 week 4

« on: January 31, 2020, 03:22:13 PM »

House Floor action this week included numerous Concurrent Resolutions, H 606, an act relating to regulating storage units which moved to the Senate and H103, an act relating to appointing town agents which moved to the Governor with the Senate’s amendment that updates the effective date. Some of the resolutions are read in their entirety, usually if an agent of or the person being honored is present. Every Thursday an Addendum to the calendar provides the text of all the resolutions that are automatically accepted for adoption unless a Member requests floor consideration before the end of Friday’s legislative session.

Many of the Franklin County delegation had lunch with Dr Von Lepel and Pamela Parsons, Executive Director of northern Tier Center for Health (NOTCH) who came to the State House Tuesday. The cafeteria has been a busy place much of the week with large groups in the State House to testify before committees or to staff displays in the public areas. A few spaces that are made available for this purpose and coordinated by the Sargent at Arms include the hallway outside the cafeteria and the “Card Room”.

The Transportation committee continued to hear overviews of programs that are contained in the proposed FY2021 budget request. Testimony was given by representatives from the Vermont League of Cities and Towns who presented funding concerns for transportation needs faced by municipalities. Many committee members have as a priority maximizing financial support to the local municipalities as well as funding shared resources through the Regional Planning Commissions and the Highway Maintenance Districts.

Testimony was heard on electric vehicle incentive programs implemented through last year’s T-Bill and on different funding sources as the gas tax becomes less able to support Vermont’s transportation infrastructure. Examples of funding ideas that have been offered are how to equitably tax the electricity that would equal a gallon of gas, taxing miles traveled and increased registration fees. The Senior Environmental Policy Manager with the Agency of Transportation testified to the committee on four components of the FY 2021 Electric Vehicle Adoption Investments. These include continued funding of the statewide EV incentive program that launched December 16, 2019, education and outreach of plug-in electric vehicles to the public, a new incentive for the auto dealers to prioritize the sales of electric vehicles and additional charging infrastructure to bring the State closer to the goal of a charging station within 30 miles of every Vermonter.

For more information or to contact me please email me at bmurphy@leg.state.vt.us or call 802-849-6545 or mail to 7 Lily Rd Fairfax VT 05454. The Sergeant at Arms at the State House will also relay messages.

48

Political Issues/Comments / News from Montpelier 2020 week 3

« on: January 24, 2020, 03:11:15 PM »

The week opened with the House vote to adopt Proposal 2, an amendment to the Vermont Constitution which has been adopted by the Senate. The amendment must also be passed by both chambers of the 2021-2022 General Assembly before coming before the voters for final approval. Its purpose is described to eliminate reference to slavery; “while Vermont was the first state to include a prohibition on slavery in its Constitution in 1777, it was only a partial prohibition, applicable to adults reaching a certain age”.
Tuesday afternoon a Joint Assembly in the House Chamber heard Governor Scott’s budget address. The highlights ran the gamut of State supported programs with a cautionary that Vermont has experienced bonding downgrades which encourage fiscal discipline. Transportation committee members found the detailed information for that portion of the Governor’s recommended budget on their desktops afterwards.
The Secretary of the AOT testified before the Transportation Committee Wednesday morning, providing a high-level overview. Throughout the week the Committee heard from Agency directors and mangers on their specific programs within the larger budget. These reports will continue to be on the agenda until the introductions are all complete. The committee members are making notes of areas of concern that need more testimony and will revisit these in detail.
Public Transit continues to be a high area of interest for the committee. Representatives of the transit companies that serve Vermont gave testimony that included the reliance on volunteers for wellness, recovery and job access programs. There has been growth in ridership for all seven companies over the last year, but these numbers include these rides as well as the traditional bus route riders. The AOT public transit coordinator spoke to the recommended budget and the initiatives it will support. One of the initiatives which affect a transit company and three school districts (with FWSU for BFA Fairfax being one) is the Volkswagen settlement program to replace two diesel school busses from their fleets with two electric busses and the training and equipment for them.
Action on the House Floor on Thursday and Friday was dedicated to H107 and S23 respectively. H107, an act relating to paid family leave was passed on a Roll Call vote of 89 yeas to 58 nays. S23, an act relating to raising the minimum wage also passed on a Roll Call vote of 93 yeas to 54 nays. Both bills have now been sent to the Governor for his action which can include his signing into law, letting become law without his signature or vetoing. If the Governor chooses to veto both or either bill the House will have to have several members decide to support the majority vote and not maintain their opposition to the bill(s) to override the veto.

For more information or to contact me please email me at bmurphy@leg.state.vt.us or call 802-849-6545 or mail to 7 Lily Rd Fairfax VT 05454. The Sergeant at Arms at the State House will also relay messages.

49

Political Issues/Comments / News from Montpelier 2020 week 2

« on: January 17, 2020, 01:53:19 PM »

The House has seen the Floor introduction of a flurry of bills as the deadline for doing so closed. They have been assigned to relevant committees for further action. A few caught the attention of the media, but this is not an indication of a Committee focus.

A Resolution, HCR 191 was read designating January 2020 as School Board recognition month. The House was asked to recognize Don Collins a past Fairfax resident, superintendent, Senator, and Vermont School Board Association board member who was present in the Gallery for the reading.

Floor action on Tuesday sent S23; an act relating to increasing the minimum wage and H107; an act relating to paid family and medical leave, each to a Committee of Conference to settle the disagreeing votes of the two Houses. H107 was on the Senate calendar Friday for action on the decision. The Senate voted to pass the Conference Committees decision on H107 and send the bill back to the House.

The Transportation Committee took testimony on many subjects of interest that will be studied during the session. The Governor’s budget address next Tuesday will draw the focus to priorities identified by the Administration as well as those of the Legislature. Sponsors of bills that have been assigned to the Committee have been invited to give a ten minute “pitch” of their bill. This may be the only attention the bill gets, or it may ignite interest that will direct the Committee to schedule further testimony.

Tom Kavet, a Legislative Economist gave a revenue briefing to the committee at the end of the afternoon Thursday. A quote from the January 2020 Economic Review and Revenue Forecast Update his team presented earlier in the day to the State of Vermont Emergency Board and the Legislative Joint Fiscal Office speaks to the economic costs of climate change. This is echoed in the discussion as the Transportation committee looks to opportunities to diminish the contribution of Green House Gas from this sector of the economy but also the needs presented by infrastructure maintenance and repair of damage such as the failure of the I89 Exit 18 culvert during the Halloween storm.   

For more information or to contact me please email me at bmurphy@leg.state.vt.us or call 802-849-6545 or mail to 7 Lily Rd Fairfax VT 05454. The Sergeant at Arms at the State House will also relay messages.

50

Political Issues/Comments / News from Montpelier week 1 2020

« on: January 17, 2020, 12:26:03 PM »

Tuesday January 7th the Vermont Legislature was reconvened for the second year of the 2019-2020 biennium. Two new members were welcomed to the House to fill vacant seats and a few committee assignments were rearranged. The Speaker’s welcoming remarks contained a focus of three “asks”: a request to treat all with civility and respect, trust everyone is here honoring Vermont’s past and caring about its future and to get to know a colleague outside the day to day contacts.

The afternoon Committee work was dedicated to the Agency of Transportation updates presented by Secretary Joe Flynn. The presentation ended with a funding update and included information on areas that are being changed by the FY2020 Budget Adjustment bill. The adjustments are necessary to meet the projected reduced revenue and are in a few areas where the actual needs were less than what was budgeted. One item that provides a $400,000 savings is the Amtrak subsidy which is expected to be less than budgeted due to increased ridership.

The rest of the week the Transportation committee received reports from Agency personnel as well as other individuals who provided supporting information on various
topics. The public transportation program and policy plan, Transportation and Climate Initiative, Electric Vehicle Incentive and High Fuel Efficiency and Emissions Repair Programs were agenda items and initiatives the committee had prioritized last year.
Friday morning the committee heard from the Youth Climate Lobby. Thoughts and concerns were shared in areas where Transportation can be addressed to diminish Vermont’s contribution to the climate crisis.
 
Thursday afternoon the Legislature convened a Joint Assembly to hear Governor Scott’s State of the State. The Address was interrupted early on with a demonstration by members of the public who shouted that everyone “listen to the people” and attend the climate emergency. They were allowed to share their message for about 10 minutes until their statements became repetitive and they refused to end the disruption. After a brief pause to clear the demonstrators from the House chamber, the Governor resumed his speech. Woven through the address was the belief in a common cause that is bigger than politics. That if we care about the details rather than the talking points, we can find a purpose which allows us all to be part of something bigger than ourselves.

51

Political Issues/Comments / News from Montpelier 2019 Overtime

« on: May 24, 2019, 03:34:53 PM »

Tuesday the Senate met as did many Committees of Conference. Both H. 529, the T-Bill and S. 149, the DMV bill were agreed to and signed by the conferees of both chambers Transportation committees. Wednesday the House and Senate were both in session and Floor action was fast paced in between recesses to allow for caucuses to meet and each chamber to review the other’s actions. Both Chambers took up and passed the reports on H. 529 and S.129 which brings the work of the Transportation Committee to a close.
A Roll Call was taken on S. 96, an act relating to the provision of water quality services and it passed the House 133 Ayes to 5 Nays. Six percent of the amount of Meals and Rooms Revenue allocated to the General Fund is being dedicated as a funding source for Clean Water. The Education Fund retained it’s twenty-five percent of the Revenue.
The gavel finally fell Friday after long days of waiting for movement on bills that could not be resolved. The Budget and Revenue Bills were packaged and voted through to the Governor.  Another session for the record books.

52

Political Issues/Comments / News from Montpelier 2019 week 18

« on: May 17, 2019, 05:02:42 PM »

Although this is the last budgeted week of session, the gavel has not fallen for its close. The hope that a Monday session might allow sufficient time to negotiate the bills toward passage was dashed Thursday. Token sessions will happen Monday and Tuesday with Conference Committees getting scheduled and Wednesday is now targeted as the final day.
A disturbance on Thursday compounded the end of session chaos and was a misplaced burst of frustration on behalf of a climate crisis awareness group. It was noted that littering the House Floor with hundreds of index cards was not the best demonstration of respect to our planet and resources. The concern for our environment and people has been ever present in the legislation and the bill being addressed when the commotion occurred related to medical monitoring in the case of exposure to a toxic substance release by any person. The bill, S. 37 passed on a Roll Call vote of 100 ayes to 42 nays after an amendment failed which provided language that would have helped reduce nuisance lawsuits without restricting access to the courts. A Roll Call vote was also taken for S. 55, an act relating to the regulation of toxic substances and hazardous materials. This bill focuses on chemicals of high concern to children and the vote was 137 ayes to 4 nays.
Wednesday two bills dominated the majority of a very long day on the House floor.  S. 23, an act relating to increasing the minimum wage and S. 169, an act relating to firearms procedures both received a great deal of debate and five Roll Call votes including the final vote to move to third read.  An amendment to S. 23 which requests a report on increasing the Medicaid reimbursement rates to address the problems Home Health and other care organizations have with maintaining services on insufficient compensation received unanimous support, but the other Roll Call votes were divided and third read was ordered on a vote of 90 ayes and 53 nays.  The amendments for S. 169 which included exempting gun shows, internet sales and where an individual holds a current relief order, as well as a motion to send it to the Committee on Health Care all failed and the Roll Call vote to order third read was 82 ayes to 58 nays. Bill S. 169 requires a 24-hour waiting period in the purchase of a handgun where a background check is required and walks back some of the components of S. 55 which passed in the 2017-18 session.
Monday and Tuesday floor action allowed many bills to be moved through the system and exemplified the need to be present but patient. Friday was also a test of patience as many Conference Committees tried to negotiate consensus language that could move forward. The Transportation bills, both the T-Bill and the DMV bill are in conference committees. Agreement appeared within reach but then was lost on Friday and negotiations continue.  H. 529, the T-Bill is a must pass bill which means it needs to be resolved before the Budget/Big Bill can be closed. Once the road blocks clear the end will come quickly.

53

Political Issues/Comments / News from Montpelier 2019 week 17

« on: May 10, 2019, 03:18:04 PM »

The devotion Friday morning was given by Representative Kimbell in honor of Mother’s Day this Sunday. He highlighted the plaque for Mother of the Year which hangs in the State House. His mother is among the recipients for the year 1990 and the past Representative from Georgia, Carolyn Branagan was the 2010 recipient. Wednesday afternoon the State House provided a great vantage point for viewing the All State parade. It was wonderful to cheer on the members of the BFA marching band and offer a hearty congratulations to all the participants.
Floor action has been a mix of voting to concur with or without amendments to bills sent over from the Senate and on the appointments to Committees of Conference. H. 529, the T-Bill has been sent to a conference committee due to irreconcilable differences between the House and Senate versions. Three members of each chamber’s Transportation committees will produce the final version that is then offered for a final vote of yes or no by the respective Chambers.
Tuesday the House listened to the report from the committee on Human Services on proposed amendment to the Vermont constitution, proposal #5. If it passes all future votes it will be added as Article 22.  Personal reproductive liberty: “That the people are guaranteed the liberty and dignity to determine their own life’s course. The right to personal reproductive autonomy is central to the liberty protected by this Constitution and shall not be denied or infringed unless justified by a compelling State interest achieved by the least restrictive means.” The adoption of the proposal was decided by Roll Call with 106 yeas and 38 nays and will be up in both Chambers again in the 2021-2022 biennium. H. 57, an act relating to preserving the right to abortion was passed as amended by the Senate on a voice vote Friday.
Thursday floor time was taken up by long debate on S. 113, an act relating to the management of single-use products (plastics) and S. 96, an act relating to the provision of water quality services. Concern for what bags could be provided and where as specified by the bill was debated including the removal of an exemption that had permitted dry cleaning establishments use of plastic on cleaned items. The concerns raised by the clean water bill focused on the funding sources being specified. S. 96 reallocates four percent of the twenty five percent of the Meals and Rooms Tax allocated to the Education fund last session over to the Clean Water Fund. Arguments were presented that this is an attack on the integrity of the Education Fund. Other fund sources were identified that make the Education Fund whole but there was concern that a precedence was being set. Both bills were passed by Roll Call with the vote being 120 yeas to 24 nays on S. 113 and 124 ayes to 14 nays on S. 96.

54

Political Issues/Comments / News from Montpelier 2019 week 16

« on: May 03, 2019, 01:19:19 PM »

The official biennium photograph was taken on Tuesday between raindrops and committee work is winding down:  these are signs the final weeks are here. The House voted to convene a mock session on Monday to advance the calendar which means bills can be warned to Monday and then acted on when the Floor is convened Tuesday. For much of the session a rhythm for the week develops which will now be altered to make the most of the two weeks left of budgeted session.  H. 529 and S. 149, the committee bills the Transportation committee has been engaged with are poised for Senate action Tuesday. The Senate action can be either further amendment, concurrence or a request for a Conference Committee. Historically the differences have been settled by the latter but that is yet to be determined.
During the week organizations arrange to set up displays to share information with General Assembly members and visitors to the State House on many topics. Representatives from Age Well VT were in the Card Room one morning offering information on their services. “These agencies coordinate and support a wide range of home- and community-based services, including information and referral, home-delivered and congregate meals, transportation, employment services, senior centers, adult day care and a long-term care ombudsman program. They also provide assistance for adults in need of protection or supportive services.”  When introduced on the House Floor emphasis was placed on sharing the phone number for their helpline 1-800-642-5119.
H. 550, an act relating to unclaimed property passed the House on Wednesday. A list of property owners is available via: https://secure2.vermonttreasurer.gov/unclaimed/ownerSearch.asp The State receives new financial property continuously so encourages individuals to make an annual check of their database. S. 40, an act relating to testing and remediation of lead in the drinking water of schools and child care facilities passed the House by a roll call vote with 138 yeas to 3 nays. A roll call failed 61 yeas to 81 nays to send S. 133, an act relating to juvenile jurisdiction back to committee. During debate concern was raised that this bill was not correcting a serious flaw that has been identified in the ability to charge defendants who commit certain crimes before turning eighteen but aren’t accused of it until after. Prior to third reading the House Judiciary committee invited members to hear testimony that language will be placed in a separate technical corrections bill to correct this concern. With this confirmation of redress the bill passed on strong voice vote.
Friday members of the 14th Star Brewing Co. family were present for the reading of H.C.R. 131, House concurrent resolution congratulating Steve Gagner on his selection as the 2019 U. S. Small Business Administration’s Vermont Small Business Person of the Year. Franklin County members were pleased to join the rest of the House in welcoming them and Steve.
Please continue to contact me at bmurphy@leg.state.vt.us or 802-849-6545 or through the Sergeant at Arms office (802) 828-2228.

55

Political Issues/Comments / News from Montpelier 2019 week 15

« on: April 26, 2019, 01:00:45 PM »

The Transportation committee offered the second reading of S. 149, an act relating to miscellaneous changes to laws related to vehicles and the Department of Motor Vehicles on Friday to the House. An amendment from the committee was offered and accepted to mirror the point assessments for a junior operator found violating the handheld device ban in school and work zones that were put into law for operator’s over 18 in prior session. Representatives from Rochester and Pittsford offered an amendment to proscribe the type and use of GPS by trucks and to have that requirement be enforced as a secondary offense when the operator is stopped for a violation of restriction for trucks such as access or weight limits.  The amendment was withdrawn before the floor vote, but the committee did discuss it and voted not to support the intent as framed but intends future discussion to try and find a means for municipalities to enforce the use limits that protect infrastructure.
Other floor action this week included the votes on tobacco21 and its amendments. Tuesday S. 86, an act relating to increasing the legal age for buying and using cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, and other tobacco products from 18 to 21 years of age was reported with a committee amendment to set the effective date at September 1, 2019 rather than the proposed July 1, 2019. The Roll Call vote supported the bill being read for a third time with 124 votes for and 14 against. Prior to the third read two amendments were offered for consideration. The first would allow for an exemption when “the person is in possession of tobacco products or tobacco paraphernalia in connection with participation in a bona fide religious, spiritual, or ceremonial activity”. The presenter withdrew the amendment after speaking to it with the hope that consideration would be given to the idea that it be seen as similar to the exclusion for sacramental wine from the under 21 alcohol prohibition. The second amendment would provide an Armed Forces exemption from the under 21 age restriction and was defeated on a Roll Call of 33 to 109 after consideration which included the reading of excerpts from a letter written by the Adjutant General which spoke to the need to support the health of service members.
On Thursday the Committee listened to testimony from the current and past operators of the Franklin County State airport. Between them, Cliff and George Coy have been the fixed-base operators of the airport since 1996 and were in the State House to testify before the House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development. They presented information and a short video to the Transportation committee giving evidence of the value the State airports have had in past economic growth and specifically to Franklin County.
Please continue to contact me at bmurphy@leg.state.vt.us or 802-849-6545 or through the Sergeant at Arms office (802) 828-2228. (802()) (802

56

Political Issues/Comments / News from Montpelier 2019 week 14

« on: April 19, 2019, 01:13:52 PM »

The week opened with Floor debate and Roll Call on two bills. S. 49, an act relating to the regulation of polyfluoroalkyl substances in drinking and surface waters was presented and passed for Third reading on a vote of 135 to 1. The debate on S. 68, an act relating to Indigenous Peoples’ Day focused on what date should be appointed for this observance. The bill passed to third read on a Roll Call vote of 113 to 24. An amendment was put forward Wednesday to identify the first Monday in February as Indigenous People’s Day and retain Columbus Day on the second Monday in October but failed on Roll Call vote of 42 to 95.
The Transportation committee voted S. 149, an act relating to miscellaneous changes to laws related to vehicles and the Department of Motor Vehicles out unanimously Thursday afternoon rather than Tuesday as intended. The bill was not ready for the vote out of committee on Tuesday and the committee was not able to have enough time to take action Wednesday as many of the House members attended the funeral of Rep Bob Forguites in Springfield. S. 149 was on the House calendar Friday for notice but affecting the revenue of the state, under rule 35(a), was referred to the committee on Ways and Means.
A public hearing on Proposal 5, proposed amendment to the Constitution of the State of Vermont regarding personal reproductive liberty was held Wednesday evening for members of the public to give testimony to the House committee on Human Services. Proposal 5 has been adopted by the required two-thirds of the Senate and the next step is for the House to vote as to whether it concurs. The Vermont Constitution provides the requirements for how it may be amended. A concurrence by the House will mean it must be brought forward in the 2021-2022 biennium for a vote in each chamber again. The final General Assembly vote moves the proposed amendment to be put before the voters for approval by a majority of those voting.
Floor discussion Thursday on H. 207, an act relating to approval of an amendment to the charter of the City of Montpelier regarding non-citizen voting in City elections focused on concerns for the creation of a list of non-citizens that might be used to target individuals, a conflict with the Freeman’s oath language and the right for a person who is a resident of a municipality but non-citizen to vote on city issues. Charter changes are often cut and dried bills when they reach the House floor, but on this instance, there was a great deal of debate.  A Roll Call was requested on whether the bill should have a third read and passed on a vote of 95 to 46.
Please continue to contact me at bmurphy@leg.state.vt.us or 802-849-6545 or through the Sergeant at Arms office (802) 828-2228. (

57

Political Issues/Comments / News from Montpelier 2019 week 13

« on: April 12, 2019, 02:54:24 PM »

News that a fellow member Representative Robert Forguites of North Springfield died unexpectedly was shared with House members at the closing of Floor on Tuesday. A white rose in a simple vase sat on his desk number 22 throughout the week and the members stood for a moment of silence Friday in recognition of his service in sessions 2015-2016, 2017-2018 and 2019.
The B.F.A. Fairfax Senior Social studies annual class visit on Tuesday and Wednesday was a highlight of the week. The students were lauded by several legislators for their thoughtful questions. The opportunity to share the visit with exchange students from China and a group from France made it extra special this year. Fairfax and other Franklin county farmers were at the State House on Wednesday with the Vermont Dairy Alliance to give testimony in the House Committee on Agriculture and Forestry. The Alliance sponsored coffee earlier in the day which provided an opportunity to meet and speak with legislators at large.
House Transportation spent most of the committee time addressing concerns with sections of S. 149, an act relating to miscellaneous changes to laws related to vehicles and the Department of Motor Vehicles. The specific sections addressed referenced autonomous vehicles, primary enforcement of seat belts, emissions inspections and the translation of DMV operator licensing forms, applications and tests. The committee took testimony and debated the concerns and merits of the statute changes that would accompany any of these sections. There is still work to be done to have a final draft ready for the committee vote but the goal is to take that vote Tuesday.
The exemption for the Fairfax Fire Department’s Calcutta from Rooms and Meals tax is not across the finish line yet. The Senate Finance committee has concerns and may remove the language from H. 514, an act relating to miscellaneous tax provisions. The language is very specific as to the exemption, “the organization or association is a fire department, as defined in 24 V.S.A. sec. 1951” but the concern is that other service organizations will petition for the same consideration and create a revenue loss to the State. The Bill will return with any changes made by the Senate for the House’s concurrence or further amendments.
Please continue to contact me at bmurphy@leg.state.vt.us or 802-849-6545 or through the Sergeant at Arms office.

58

Political Issues/Comments / News from Montpelier 2019 week 12

« on: April 05, 2019, 02:23:41 PM »

The week closed with the farewell ritual for the second group of Pages. The Speaker reminded the House that this means the Session is heading in to the home stretch. H. 102, an act relating to paid family and medical leave passed the House on a vote of 92 yeas to 52 nays. Floor debate on Thursday and Friday addressed amendments that adjusted portions of the bill. Rep. Browning’s amendment which allowed for an individual to opt out of the plan also was determined by a Roll Call vote but failed 55 yeas to 87 nays. Other Floor action this week included not concurring in the Senate proposal of amendment for H. 39, an act relating to the extension of the deadline of school district mergers required by the State Board of Education and requesting a Committee of Conference be appointed.
Tuesday afternoon the Transportation committee took testimony on H. 201, an act relating to consumer protections related to involuntary towing and storage of motor vehicles and abandoned motor vehicles. Witnesses from Vermont Legal Aid and the towing industry spoke to some points of the issue. Concerns were raised about an owner’s access to a vehicle and the cost that can be accrued when a vehicle is towed without the owner’s permission. That evening the House Chamber was full of citizens who wished to give testimony to the House Judiciary committee on S. 169, an act relating to firearms procedures. The language of this bill as it came out of the Senate has sections that would step back some of the restrictions imposed by S. 55 of the prior biennium as well as the 24-hour waiting period for the purchase of a handgun and in that sense provides concessions to both sides of this volatile debate.
The House Transportation committee received official possession of S. 149 and continued to take testimony on sections of it. Witnesses spoke to sections that address the translation of DMV written forms, applications, or tests used for operator licensing into the primary language of the nations that individuals have come to Vermont from in the last ten years.  Currently the manual is available in Spanish as well as English and the written knowledge test is available in five other languages. The Committee also received testimony on sections that addressed foreign driver’s license reciprocity and automated vehicle testing. The language in the bill provides a strong voice to individual municipalities as to testing AV’s on public roads and witnesses spoke to a preference for a central clearing house for any testing permit.
Please continue to contact me at bmurphy@leg.state.vt.us or 802-849-6545 or through the Sergeant at Arms office.

59

Political Issues/Comments / News from Montpelier 2019 week 11

« on: March 29, 2019, 01:45:58 PM »

Little time was spent in Committee this week   Friday morning continued the pace of what has been a jam-packed week of Floor debate. Prior to the Orders of the day, the devotion was delivered by a few of the students whose group filled the gallery, included in the large group were a handful from B.F.A. Fairfax. The students were in the State House with Outright Vermont and witnessed the reading of H.C.R. 98, House concurrent resolution congratulating Outright Vermont on its 30th anniversary. During announcements the House members stood in recognition of March 29th as National Vietnam War Veteran’s day and gave an ovation for all that served.
The first of three Roll Call votes for the day was requested for H. 524, an act relating to health insurance and the individual mandate. An amendment to grandfather businesses who were providing health insurance through Associate plans failed when presented Thursday but the bill does remove the penalty to the uninsured and maintains pre-existing condition protection as well as coverage for dependents to the age of 26 and passed on a vote of 92 to 44. H. 541, an act relating to changes that affect the revenue of the State and H. 542, an act relating to making appropriations for the support of government were the topics of the second and third Roll Call votes. These are the Budget Bill and it’s accompanying Revenue Bill. The House voted 116 to 22 to pass the Revenue Bill and 137 to 1 to pass the Budget. The Appropriations committee was praised for presenting a bill that balances needs and reflects priorities and the Ways and Means committee for simplifying sections of tax law and supporting Downtown tax credits.
H. 543, an act relating to capital construction and State bonding was the last fiscal bill presented to the House on Friday. This legislation provides for $123 million in bonding authority for Vermont to move ahead on projects for water quality, building maintenance for correctional and mental health needs as well as general state properties. One allocation is directed at the Salisbury Fish Hatchery which was identified to be closed and is an investment that allows for it to continue operation.
S. 169, an act relating to firearms procedures has generated a lot of messages and is currently in the House Judiciary committee. A public hearing has been scheduled to allow for people who wish to testify in favor or opposition of this bill. The hearing has been scheduled for April 2 from 5 to 7 p.m. by the House Committee on Judiciary and will be held in the House Chamber. Witnesses may start signing up to speak at 4 p.m. and testimonies are limited to two minutes. For information or to submit written testimony, contact the House Committee on Judiciary by e-mail  testimony@leg.state.vt.us or 802-828-2257.
Please continue to contact me at bmurphy@leg.state.vt.us or 802-849-6545 or through the Sergeant at Arms office.

60

Political Issues/Comments / News from Montpelier 2019 week 10

« on: March 22, 2019, 01:55:02 PM »

The Transportation Committee presented the T-Bill to the House on Friday and it was voted through to third reading with the technical amendments that were printed in the day’s calendar. There may be amendments presented on Tuesday before its final vote, but the Committee is close to handing it off to the Senate.
S149, an act relating to miscellaneous changes to laws related to vehicles and the Department of Motor Vehicles has not yet been committed to the Transportation committee, but Legislative counsel offered a run through of the bill’s sections. The Agency began the deeper review and testimony will start to be scheduled for the bill as well as other bills in committee. This bill covers a broad range of motor vehicle topics which will allow many of the sponsored bills to be incorporated in it.
At the end of the afternoon Wednesday the members were invited to attend an Electric Vehicle demonstration held at the Department of Labor. Several models were there including a used 2017. House Transportation committee members took this opportunity to become more familiar with the technology as well as affordability of these vehicles.
H. 527, an act relating to executive branch fees was introduced to and passed by the House. The Total new revenues in FY2020 are estimated to be over nine million dollars. Of those monies approximately five and three quarter million go to the General Fund and three and a third to a Special or Other Fund. These fees apply to several separate agencies or departments. A few examples of these are an increase in fees in the Department of Fish & Wildlife to be used toward the Salisbury Fish Hatchery expenses and the annual registration fee for all-terrain vehicles. This Department of Motor Vehicles fee is increased by $10 and will provide an estimated additional $135,000 to VASA as well as $15,000 to the T-Fund.
House Appropriations offered H. 532, an act relating to fiscal year 2019 budget adjustments for third read on Friday and it passed out of the House and with a vote to suspend rules was put in all further stages of passage which moves it directly to the Senate. This bill incorporates the components of the Budget Adjustment Act which passed with amendments made by the Senate. H. 97 which was the prior act relating to fiscal year 2019 budget adjustments was ordered to lie. It will appear as a footnote on future House Calendars.
Please continue to contact me at bmurphy@leg.state.vt.us or 802-849-6545 or through the Sergeant at Arms office.