News from Montpelier 2021 session week 10

The General, Housing and Military Affairs committee work this week was limited due to hours on the House Floor but focused on discussion and redrafting of JRH2 which is a joint resolution apologizing for State sanctioned eugenics policies and practices as well as hearing bill introductions. Bill introductions accommodate the flexibility needed in the committee schedule driven by the unpredictable demand of the Floor. The sponsors are fellow House members so are also affected by what is known as “legislative time”. H.244 an act relating to authorizing the natural organic reduction of human remains, H.290 an act relating to ski area operators and skiing accident reports, H.270 an act relating to modernizing Vermont’s wage and hour laws, H.210 an act relating to addressing disparities and promoting equity in the health care system, H.234 an act relating to prohibiting employment discrimination based on caste and H.228 an act relating to prohibiting discrimination based on an individual’s criminal history were introduced to the committee this week.
The House Floor acted on numerous bills with prolonged debate at times. A few recesses occurred to allow amendments to be reviewed or for procedural questions to be answered. The growing tally of bills introduced is now at four hundred and thirty-five. Bills that passed the House this week included: H.10 an act relating to permitted candidate expenditures, 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 professionals using telehealth, H.149 an act relating to modernizing statutes related to the Vermont National Guard, H.337 an act relating to the printing and distribution of State publications, H.366 an act relating to 2021 technical corrections, S.117 an act relating to extending health care regulatory flexibility during and after the COVID-19 pandemic and to coverage of health care services delivered by audio-only telephone, H.87 an act relating to establishing a classification system for criminal offenses, H.145 an act relating to amending the standards for law enforcement use of force, H.154 an act relating to the failure of municipal officers to accept office, H.428 an act relating to hate motivated crimes and misconduct, H.218 an act relating to the sale of unpasteurized raw milk, H.101 an act relating to the implementation of 2018 Acts and Resolves No. 173 by providing grant funding to build systems-driven, sustainable literacy support for all students with measurable outcomes, H.106 an act relating to equitable access to a high-quality education through community schools, H.426 an act relating to the needs and conditions of public school facilities in the state and H.434 an act relating to establishing the Agricultural Innovation Board.
On Wednesday, March 24th the Franklin County delegation will host an electronic Legislative “breakfast”, being renamed “dinner” as the time is 4:30 to 6:00 P.M. This meeting is an opportunity for county residents to address questions to the delegation on legislation that is being considered this session. The link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86500441396?pwd+aWtQR1RjZ3ZMQjAyZjl1WVl4c0xvdz09
Representative Barbara S. Murphy bmurphy@leg.state.vt.us 802-849-6545