News from Montpelier 2020 COVID-19 break week 7

The House was called to order Monday for a Token session and was adjourned after the lack of quorum was noted. An all House Caucus on Wednesday morning presented information to the members as well as an opportunity to ask questions on legislation that would come to the Floor at 1 PM and again at 10 AM on Friday. Scheduled meeting times can be found here: https://legislature.vermont.gov
In the two Floor sessions the following bills; S.182 an act relating to government operations regarding emergency medical services and public safety in response to COVID-19, S.333 an act relating to establishing a moratorium on ejectment and foreclosure actions during the COVID-19 emergency and S. 344 an act relating to temporary municipal tax rate provisions in response to COVID-19 were taken up and acted upon. H.R. 19 the House resolution extending the House declaring a state of emergency was adopted. The Resolution extends until May 31, 2020 the House declaration of a state of emergency for its rules and procedures. This only affects the ability for the House to operate under the temporary rules such as those that allow remote participation and voting that are in place during a state of emergency.

The House Transportation committee met Thursday to take testimony on three instances of pending sunsets in Title 23 (Motor Vehicles) of the Vermont Statutes. Legislation to respond or allow the sunset to go forward may be offered by a different House committee but the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles informed Transportation on all instances. The affected areas of law include regulation pertaining to 23 V.S.A. § 1607 Automated License Plate Recognition systems, 23 V.S.A. § 754 Transportation Network Companies (Lyft and Uber) and 23 V.S.A. § 1222 Inspection of Registered Vehicles (USPS right-hand drive). If action is not taken on these sections of law they will automatically be removed on July 1, 2020.

The Governor offered guidelines for incremental steps forward in re-opening businesses in his press conferences this week. The Agency of Commerce and Community Development website offers links to the mandatory health and safety requirements for all business operations https://accd.vermont.gov The Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets also has links for the opening of Farmers Markets and Greenhouses which are effective May 1. https://agriculture.vermont.gov

Unemployment Insurance issues and Childcare challenges continue to be a source of need for assistance by many. The Agencies and General Assembly are working to provide help in these areas. The Department for Children and Families https://dcf.vermont.gov and Department of Labor https://labor.vermont.gov websites offer links for up to date information. This link provides the most current information on the crisis https://www.healthvermont.gov/response/coronavirus-covid-19

I offer my deep gratitude to each and every one of you who are being cautious in contact but taking care of and serving our community. I can be contacted at bmurphy@leg.state.vt.us or 802-849-6545