Vermont Bills

passed both · Vermont · House Feb 9, 2024

HCR 134: House concurrent resolution in memory of youth mental health care leader Margaret Atkins Reilly Gannaway

This bill is a ceremonial resolution honoring Margaret Atkins Reilly Gannaway, a Vermont youth mental health care leader who passed away in August 2023. The resolution formally extends condolences to her family and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to them. It highlights her 35-year career in mental health services and her dedication to youth care, particularly noting her connection to Camp Ta-Kum-Ta. As a commemorative measure, the bill does not create new laws or policies but serves to recognize her contributions and support her grieving family.

passed both · Vermont · House Feb 9, 2024

HCR 150: House concurrent resolution honoring Dr. David Winfield Butsch for a half century of meritorious medical, civic, and humanitarian leadership in Central Vermont and internationally

This bill is a House concurrent resolution that formally honors Dr. David Winfield Butsch for his 50 years of medical, civic, and humanitarian contributions in central Vermont and beyond. The resolution recognizes his distinguished career as a surgeon, his military service in Vietnam where he received national and international awards, and his leadership in establishing a surgical practice in Vermont. It also acknowledges his civic work in building a community ice rink and his humanitarian efforts providing medical missions in India. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to Dr. Butsch as an official recognition of his lifetime achievements.

Topics ✓ Veterans

passed both · Vermont · Senate Feb 8, 2024

JRS 43: Joint resolution regarding weekend adjournment on February 9, 2024

This joint resolution directs the Vermont State Legislature to adjourn on Friday, February 9, 2024, and reconvene no later than Tuesday, February 13, 2024. The measure directly affects state legislators by establishing a specific weekend recess period between legislative sessions. It creates a procedural schedule for legislative meetings rather than changing substantive laws or policies. The resolution was adopted by both the Senate and House of Representatives to formalize the timing of the legislative break.

passed both · Vermont · House Feb 8, 2024

HCR 144: House concurrent resolution designating February 8, 2024 as Farm to School and Farm to Early Childhood Awareness Day at the State House

This bill designates February 8, 2024, as Farm to School and Farm to Early Childhood Awareness Day at the Vermont State House. It recognizes the Rozo McLaughlin Farm-to-School and Vermont Farm to Early Childhood Programs, which connect local farmers with schools and early childhood centers to provide healthier food options. The resolution highlights the programs' benefits, including supporting local agriculture, promoting nutritious meals, and encouraging environmentally friendly farming practices. The General Assembly formally acknowledges these efforts through a ceremonial designation rather than creating new policies or funding.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Environment

passed · Vermont · Senate Feb 7, 2024

S 256: An act relating to Department of Motor Vehicles credentials and number plates with veteran designations

This bill allows Vermont residents who are honorably discharged veterans to request a "veteran" designation on their driver's licenses and identification cards by submitting proof of service and status confirmation from the Office of Veterans' Affairs. It also authorizes the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Office of Veterans' Affairs to jointly determine specialty license plates that recognize specific military awards, combat service, or veteran status, including options for Purple Heart recipients, Pearl Harbor survivors, former prisoners of war, and disabled veterans. The legislation requires applicants to provide Department of Defense Form 214 or equivalent documentation to verify their veteran status before the designation is added to their credentials. Additionally, the bill mandates that one side of any veteran specialty plate feature an American flag or a veteran-related emblem selected by the Commissioner and the Office of Veterans' Affairs.

Topics ✓ Veterans

passed · Vermont · House Feb 6, 2024

HR 15: House resolution honoring Vermont television journalist Stewart Ledbetter for his four decades of insightful reporting

This House resolution honors Vermont television journalist Stewart Ledbetter for his 40 years of news reporting. The bill formally recognizes his career achievements, including his work as a news director, political campaign moderator, and recipient of multiple broadcast awards. It directs the House Clerk to send a copy of the resolution to Ledbetter and WPTZ, the television station where he worked.

passed both · Vermont · Senate Feb 2, 2024

JRS 42: Joint resolution relating to weekend adjournment on February 2, 2024

This bill directs the Vermont State Legislature to adjourn on Friday, February 2, 2024, and reconvene no later than Tuesday, February 6, 2024. It applies to both the Senate and House of Representatives, establishing a specific weekend break for legislative sessions. The resolution sets the exact dates for the adjournment and subsequent meeting, ensuring a structured pause in legislative activities. This procedural measure does not change any laws or policies but simply schedules when lawmakers will return to work.

passed both · Vermont · House Feb 2, 2024

HCR 147: House concurrent resolution honoring the organizations and individuals working to resolve Vermont’s rural broadband access crisis through communications union districts

This House concurrent resolution honors the organizations and individuals working to improve rural broadband access in Vermont through Communications Union Districts. It recognizes the ten regional districts that have formed to build fiber optic networks in areas where other providers struggle to reach. The resolution acknowledges the progress these districts have made in 2023, including new construction and customer additions. This formal acknowledgment does not create new laws or funding but serves to publicly recognize the efforts of these broadband initiatives.

Topics ✓ Technology

Jim Masland (D) · 18 co-sponsors

passed both · Vermont · House Feb 1, 2024

JRH 9: Joint resolution authorizing the Green Mountain Boys State educational program to use the State House facilities on June 27, 2024

This bill authorizes the Green Mountain Boys State educational program to use the Vermont State House facilities on June 27, 2024, for a mock legislative session. The program, sponsored by the American Legion Department of Vermont, provides 12th-grade boys an opportunity to study state government operations. The resolution permits access to the chambers and committee rooms from 8:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., subject to rules set by the Sergeant at Arms. A copy of the resolution will be sent to the American Legion Department of Vermont by the Secretary of State.

Topics ✓ Veterans

passed both · Vermont · House Jan 31, 2024

HCR 143: House concurrent resolution designating January 31, 2024 as Mental Health Advocacy Day at the State House

This bill designates January 31, 2024, as Mental Health Advocacy Day at the Vermont State House to recognize the importance of mental health care. It affects mental health advocacy organizations and individuals who gathered at the State House on that date to promote equal access to mental health services. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the document to the advocacy groups present during the event. This is a ceremonial measure that acknowledges the need for mental health care to be treated with the same priority as physical health care.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed both · Vermont · Senate Jan 30, 2024

JRS 39: Joint resolution establishing a procedure for the conduct of the election of two legislative trustees of the Vermont State Colleges Corporation by plurality vote by the General Assembly in 2024

This bill establishes a specific voting procedure for electing two legislative trustees to the Vermont State Colleges Corporation in 2024. It allows all candidates to appear on a single ballot, with members voting for up to two candidates, and declares the two candidates with the most votes as elected. The resolution also provides that if a tie occurs for any vacancy, additional ballots will be held until a candidate receives more votes than the others. This change temporarily overrides existing joint rules to streamline the election process for this specific year.

passed both · Vermont · Senate Jan 30, 2024

JRS 38: Joint resolution providing for a Joint Assembly for the election of an Adjutant and Inspector General, and two legislative Trustees of the Vermont State Colleges Corporation

This bill schedules a joint meeting of Vermont's Senate and House of Representatives to elect two state officials: an Adjutant and Inspector General, and two legislative Trustees for the Vermont State Colleges Corporation. The election is set for February 15, 2024, with the officials serving specific terms beginning March 1, 2024, and the legislation includes provisions to continue voting on subsequent days if the election is not completed on the scheduled date. This process directly affects the Vermont State Legislature and the leadership structure of the Vermont State Colleges Corporation. The bill is procedural in nature, focusing on the mechanics of filling these vacancies rather than changing substantive policy.

Bill results