Votes at a glance: several bills advanced, introductions read by number

The House suspended its rules to introduce bills by number only and the clerk read a long series of House bill numbers and their committee referrals. The House also handled several floor votes:

- H.270 (confidentiality for peer support counseling among emergency service providers): read a third time and passed by voice vote.

- H.516 (approval of amendments to the charter of the town of Essex): read a third time and passed by voice vote.

- H.648 (annual banking, insurance and securities housekeeping bill): committee amendments were approved and third reading was ordered.

- H.790 (FY2026 Budget Adjustment Act): committee presentation given and the bill was ordered read a third time for further action.

The House also read HCR 173 designating Jan. 29, 2026, as Mental Health Advocacy Day at the State House and named participating advocacy organizations (NAMI Vermont; Vermont Association for Mental Health and Addiction Recovery; Vermont Care Partners). Members were reminded of local caucus meetings and invited guests were recognized, including former Governor Jim Douglas.

Several of the bill actions were routine committee-led floor items with committee reports recommending passage or amendment; voice votes determined passage on early items and the resolution HR 12 was handled later by roll call (see separate story for details and debate).