News from Montpelier 2021 session week 16

[Barbara]

The final weeks are at hand and this is evidenced by Monday’s token session to move the Floor Calendar forward. The Speaker announced before adjournment Friday that a token session would be held again next Monday. Senate morning committees are moving toward closure, another sign the session is in its last weeks.
The House passed fifteen bills this week. Bills that were passed in concurrence with a Senate proposal of amendment included H.128 an act relating to limiting criminal defenses based on victim identity, H218 an act relating to the sale of unpasteurized raw milk, H.145 an act relating to amending the standards for law enforcement use of force, H.18 an act relating to sexual exploitation of children and limited immunity from liability for a person reporting a crime, and S.88 an act relating to insurance, banking, and securities. These bills are done and will head to the Governor.
Three bills passed by the House permitted Town charter changes requested by votes of the affected towns. H.445 an act relating to approval of an amendment to the charter of the Town of Underhill, H.140 an act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the Town of Williston and H.361 an act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the Town of Brattleboro were all approved with some amendments which generated extended debate. The House also passed S.66 an act relating to electric bicycles, S.42 an act relating to establishing the Emergency Service Provider Wellness Commission, S.1 an act relating to extending the baseload renewable power portfolio requirement, S.86 an act relating to miscellaneous changes to laws related to vehicles and vessels, S.102 an act relating to the regulation of agricultural inputs for farming, S.107 an act relating to confidential information concerning the initial arrest and charge of a juvenile, and S.99 an act relating to repealing the statute of limitations for civil actions based on childhood physical abuse.
Work on S.79 an act relating to improving rental housing health and safety was the main focus of the week for the General, Housing and Military Affairs committee but testimony was also heard on S.78 an act relating to binding interest arbitration for employees of the Vermont Judiciary and exemptions to the Eviction Moratorium.  The committee is looking at language to include in S.79 that would allow some relief in extreme cases from the Eviction Moratorium for property owners.
A Joint Public Hearing is being held on May 4, 2021 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Follow the link for details about how to testify and observe the hearing https://legislature.vermont.gov/assets/Press-Releases/Press-Release-2021-House-Econ-Dev-House-Gov-Ops-unemployment-insurance-issues.pdf
General Legislative information is accessible here https://legislature.vermont.gov/
Representative Barbara S Murphy              bmurphy@leg.state.vt.us            802-849-6545