Vermont House advances four Senate bills, orders committee conference on public-safety measure

Montpelier — The Vermont House took procedural and final actions on four Senate bills during its morning session, refusing to concur on one amendment and approving others that touch public safety, contracting transparency, state holidays and wildlife protections.

The House refused to concur in the Senate's proposal of amendment to S.58, an act relating to public safety, and requested a committee of conference after the Judiciary Committee voted not to concur. The chair appointed three House members to the conference committee: the member from South Burlington, Representative Malone; the member from Orwell, Representative Adriano; and the member from West Rutland, Representative Burdett. The chamber then suspended its rules to message that action to the Senate forthwith.

Members said the committee of conference will negotiate differences between the chambers. The refusal to concur and the rules suspension were agreed by voice vote.

Debate on S.96, an act relating to privatization contracts, focused on fiscal uncertainty and transparency. The member from Chittenden said an updated fiscal note arrived only recently and warned the bill's direct fiscal impacts on the general fund and other state funds "are uncertain, but could potentially be substantial," and stated that she would vote no. In response, the member from Saint Albans City urged support, saying the bill would increase transparency around bidding and help the Legislature understand costs when contractors perform work previously budgeted for state employees. The House passed S.96 in concurrence with the proposal of amendment by voice vote.

The House also took up S.206, an act to designate Juneteenth as a legal state holiday. The member from Putney told lawmakers the measure elevates Juneteenth from a commemorative observance to a full legal holiday and reviewed the historical basis for the date. The House ordered third reading.

On S.301, an act addressing miscellaneous agricultural subjects, the chamber considered a Senate-added section that would ban sale of black bear paws and internal organs except when included in taxidermy products. The member from Linden said the amendment aims to curb poaching and illegal removal of bear parts driven by high-priced markets abroad. The House concurred in the Senate proposal of amendment.

Procedural notes: several members used the routine voice-vote procedures; specific roll-call tallies were not recorded in the transcript for these items. The House recessed until 12:15 p.m. with the possibility of returning later in the afternoon.

Quotes

"The size of the direct fiscal impacts on the general fund and other state funds is uncertain, but could potentially be substantial," the member from Chittenden said, reading from the updated fiscal note on S.96.

"This bill would provide us with more information and transparency about how we are providing services to state government," the member from Saint Albans City said in urging passage of S.96.

What's next

S.58 will move to a committee of conference to resolve differences between the House and the Senate. S.96 passed in concurrence and will proceed under that status; S.206 is set for third reading; and S.301 was concurred in. The House reconvened business after a scheduled recess.