Henry Raymond
Fairfax News => Political Issues/Comments => Topic started by: Barbara on February 21, 2020, 03:26:16 PM
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Tuesday’s public hearing on H. 610, an act relating to firearms and domestic violence brought many people to the State House including a few residents of Fairfax. Version 8.2 is available on the House Judiciary website for documents and handouts for February 21.
The House Transportation committee took testimony during the week from several witnesses on language to support the adoption of Transportation Demand Management (TDM) for Vermont’s large employers. The intent is to encourage measures that reduce vehicle trips through alternative transit options where available. Testimony was also taken on H. 854, an act relating to the modification of a motor vehicle’s exhaust system. The Chief Inspector, Department of Motor Vehicles testified to the current regulations and the challenge of enforcement. Equipment violations can be identified at the annual inspection but do not cause a failure of inspection, just notice of the violation.
As the session progresses more time will be spent on Floor debate as demonstrated by a late gavel fall on Thursday and extended discussion Friday. The topic of discussion for much of both these times was H. 688, an Act relating to addressing the climate change. The House Energy and Technology committee presented a strike-all amendment to the bill and two further amendments were proposed for consideration. The main points of contention focused around the “cause of action” language and the perception that the bill cedes Legislative authority to the Executive branch. The vote on Thursday to accept the amended language was taken by Roll and passed 105 yeas to 37 nays.
Other bills taken up, read a third time and passed this week are H. 922, an Act relating to miscellaneous amendments to the Vermont State Employees’ Retirement System,
H.674, an Act relating to clarifying the definition of development used for use value appraisals and H. 568, an Act relating to human trafficking and prostitution. H.674 allows more than one dwelling to share the same housesite, provided the dwellings are contained within a two-acre area, for the Agricultural and Managed Forest Land Use Value Program. H. 568 was divided in order to vote separately on sections of the bill and sec 3 which creates a sex work study committee to make recommendations to the legislature regarding the modernization of Vermont’s prostitution laws was passed on Roll Call 126 yeas to 19 nays.
Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department had a display in the Card Room Friday with information on the Green Mountain Conservation Camps whose program’s goal is to “cultivate a caring attitude among our youth for Vermont’s fish and wildlife resources”. Visit https://vtfishandwildlife.com/learn-more/gmcc for information and applications.
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.