News from Montpelier 2021 session week 17

Monday’s token session moved the bills on notice to the action calendar which meant a dozen bills and one joint resolution were queued up for action Tuesday. Of those only seven remained after requests for postponement were agreed to. J.R.S. 24 a resolution relating to amending temporary Joint Rule 22A was sent to the House Rules committee after being postponed twice last week. Joint Rule 22A authorizes the Joint Rules Committee to permit joint committees of the General Assembly to meet and vote electronically. The authority is tied to the Governor’s declaration of a state of emergency and is being reviewed to consider a continuation beyond that end date. H.R.10 House resolution reaffirming the friendship between Vermont and the Republic of China (Taiwan) and supporting enhanced United States-Taiwan bilateral relations and Taiwan’s role in the international community was adopted as were House Concurrent Resolutions 58 through 63. https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/CALENDAR/hc210506a.pdf
During the week’s Floor sessions the House passed S.39 an act relating to the Judicial Branch fee report and electronic filing fees, H.46 an act relating to miscellaneous provisions of mental health law, H.104 an act relating to considerations in facilitating the interstate practice of health care professional s using telehealth in concurrence with the Senate or their proposal of amendment, H.108 an act relating to Vermont standards for issuing a Clean Water Act section 401 certification, H.443 an act relating to approval of the merger of the Wilmington Water district with the Town of Wilmington, S.16 an act relating to the creation of the Task Force on School Exclusionary Discipline Reform, S.20 an act relating to restrictions on perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances and other chemicals of concern in consumer products, S.124 an act relating to miscellaneous utility subjects, S.115 an act relating to making miscellaneous changes in education laws. H.210 an act relating to addressing disparities and promoting equity in the health care system, H.421 an act relating to animal cruelty investigation response and training and H.434 an act relating to establishing the Agricultural Innovation Board. The only roll call vote of the week was requested on the second reading of S.20 and resulted in a vote of 145 ayes to 0 nays.
The General, Housing and Military Affairs committee voted S.79 an act relating to improving rental housing health and safety out of committee with proposed amendments Thursday on a vote of 8-3-0. The bill will be reviewed by both money committees before being placed on the calendar for action. Other agenda items for the committee included discussion of S.78 and H.313 and a presentation from Rights and Democracy Vermont (RADVT). The presentation focused on the barriers that prevent many, especially historically disenfranchised people from finding housing suitable and affordable for families. The Housing Recovery Working Group made budget recommendations during a session with the committee followed by a presentation on a variety of housing solutions in the State. The Executive Director or Grounded Solutions Network brought a national perspective to the discussion of Community Land Trusts.
Representative Barbara S Murphy bmurphy@leg.state.vt.us 802-849-6545