House introduces multiple bills, schedules joint assembly vote and honors retiring Sergeant at Arms

The House began the session with introductions and first readings of bills and resolutions and recognition of guests. The clerk read H.867 (miscellaneous amendments to alcoholic-beverage laws and the Board of Liquor and Lottery) and H.868 (the fiscal year 2025 transportation program and miscellaneous transportation changes). Because each might affect state revenue, the clerk stated they would be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means pursuant to House Rule 35(a).

Two senate bills were also read by title: S.199 (relating to mergers and governance of communications union districts, introduced by Senator Clarkson) was referred to the Committee on Environment and Energy; and S.278 (relating to prohibiting a comparative negligence defense in certain negligence claims, introduced by Senator Bechovsky and others) was referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

The clerk placed H.706 (an act relating to banning the use of neonicotinoid pesticides) on the notice calendar with referral to Ways and Means noted for revenue effect. The clerk also read JRS 47, a joint resolution providing for a joint assembly to vote on retention of two superior judges and one magistrate; the resolution was placed on the calendar for action the next legislative day under House Rule 52.

The House gave a special reading and placed on the consent calendar HCR 162, a concurrent resolution honoring Sergeant at Arms Janet Miller for her public service. The resolution recounted Miller's career: joining legislative support staff after work in hospitality, promotion within the legislative council, election as sergeant at arms in 2015 and re-election multiple times, pandemic-era service arranging testing and room capacities, and oversight during a major HVAC project. The resolution notes Miller announced the conclusion of her tenure effective March 1, 2024 and directs the secretary of state to send her a copy of the resolution.

Members used the floor to recognize guests: a member introduced his son Django Mays Farleys; another member introduced Mukhtar Abdulahi of Colchester; the Member from Essex Junction introduced devotional speaker Jamal Hanke and referenced his involvement with Voices for Inclusion. Member from South Burlington also welcomed adult education and literacy network providers and students, describing services spanning English language instruction, high school completion, and workforce development across every Vermont county.

The session then moved to the action calendar.