Vermont Legislature SmartTranscripts:

[Representative Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: Will the house please come to order and members kindly take their seats. Good morning. The devotional today will be led by representative Mark Hadley of Low.

[Representative Mark Higley (Lowell)]: Thank you madam speaker and good morning. I'd like to start off in reading a couple of poems to get us started this morning. The first is about my favorite season, Sugar Season. This is for all the sugar makers and for a budding sugar maker, our very own house clerk. Again, this is called Sap Time. It's by Albert Southwick. I took it out of a trading post paper years ago. I'm not really sure where it came from, but here we go. The city man drives past and sees the sap pails on the trees. He stops his car and steps outside and sniffs the fragrant breeze. He sees the happy farmers with their maple trees on tap. He breathes a sign of envy, but he's never gathered sap. He sees a sled and team come in. It looks like so much fun. The farmers look so healthy and he wishes he was one. But in his logic, there's apt to be one major gap. For all his vim and eagerness, he's never gathered sap. He wanders through the sap house with its clouds of fragrant steam. He watches how the rising foam is quelled with drops of cream. He sees the golden syrup pour and fill the thick felt nap. He thinks it's simply super, but he's never gathered sap. He's never slogged for ten hours at a stretch through mud and slush. He's never emptied buckets till his mittens turned to mush. He's never slipped and fallen and spilled it in his lap. He thinks it's wonderful because he's never gathered sap. He doesn't go to bed to dream of maple rose on rose with miles and miles of buckets just about to overflow. He thinks it's quite romantic. He's a very pleasant chap. But the brutal fact my friend is that he's never gathered sap. And then if I could, this is a poem about Punxsutawney Phil, which you may remember about a week ago he emerged. Si's Shadow, which signifies another six weeks of winter. This one is written by a High Park native storyteller, poet, friend, Gordy Tolman. He's actually presented a few poems here in the past. And it's called The Weatherman. I think if I could have my way, I'd do away with Groundhog Day cause I don't think I like the plan of a woodchuck for a weatherman. There's a woodchuck out in the Keystone State who in the winter fairly late takes a look and tells us whether it's an early spring or more cold weather. Here in Vermont, with winters long, you think old Phil would go along with us in spring and early spring, it wouldn't cost him anything. Some folks think he's pretty cute in his little woodchuck suit, but I've also heard it stated that others think he's overrated. I'm sure he does the best he can, but it's plain that he's no weatherman. I'm telling you this plan's no good. He ought to stick to chucking wood. Though I don't know it for a fact, I'll bet he reads the almanac. And I don't believe that he's on the level of that sneaky underhanded devil. In Pennsylvania perhaps, he's great. But what's he know about our state? And nothing makes me madder than a woodchuck scared of his own shatter. And just one last note, Valentine's Day tomorrow and on Valentine's Day in Vermont remember that giving loved ones a maple sugar candy is as good if not better than giving them chocolate and flowers. Thank you.

[Representative Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: I am so honored to thank and acknowledge the first class of legislative pages for their important contributions to the twenty twenty six legislative session. As legislative pages, you played a crucial role in carrying out the conversations and information that spurred the creation of bills to later become law. As a group, you work together and you are stewards of the building, guiding visitors, supporting legislators, and staff each and every day. Your time under the Golden Dome has made lasting impacts, and each of you brought your unique backgrounds and skills to help make the twenty twenty six legislative session a success. Just like those who came before you, you are now an invaluable part of the legislative family. I hope your experience here has been enriching and that you had the chance to learn, to explore the building, and immerse yourselves in the legislative process. I hope you form meaningful relationships and that with each other and with legislators in the building and that you'll stay connected with this institution in the years ahead. On behalf of all members of the house, we wish you the very best in your future endeavors, and we hope that you'll come back to visit us soon. Thank you. I will now present each, page with a pin. We'll take a photo. If you could hold your applause to the end, we'll give them one more round of applause and gratefulness. First, we have Liam Chase of Barrytown. Next we have Eileen Corcoran of Montpelier. Next, Judah Hare from South Stratford. Next is Elsie Kitter of St. John's Berry. Next is Winnie Liu of Montpelier. Next is Brogan Mollie of Pittsburgh. And last, we have Siobhan Merman of Waterbury. Alright. Let's give them another round of applause. Members, we have one house bill for introduction today. House bill 900 is an act relating to the exemption of social security benefits from the Vermont income tax introduced by representative Coffin of Cavendish and others. Please listen to the first reading of the bill.

[BetsyAnn Wrask (House Clerk)]: H 900, an act relating to the exemption of social security benefits from Vermont income tax.

[Representative Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: Now the bill has been read the first time and is referred to the committee on ways and means. Members, we have received a request to read a house concurrent resolution that the house and senate adopted pursuant to the consent calendar. HCR 164 is a house concurrent resolution congratulating the St. Albans town fire department on fifty years of remarkable community service. Please listen to the reading of the resolution.

[House Reading Clerk (name not stated)]: Whereas in 1975, Saint Albans Town decided that the community's fire protection needs necessitated the creation of a separate volunteer fire department. And as a parting gesture, Saint Albans City gave the new organization $60,000 to meet initial expenses. And whereas the Saint Albans town fire department recognized the need to disperse large quantities of water in an expedited manner. And under the insightful leadership of its first fire chief, Roy c Hara senior, from whom the firehouse is named, purchased a Maxim water pumper capable of releasing 1,500 gallons of water per minute. And it also repurposed a Chevy truck to deliver water to hard to reach houses and converted two additional trucks into tankers. And whereas initially, firefighting vehicles were painted OSHA yellow on the theory that red fire trucks were insufficiently visible. And whereas although the Saint Albans City Fire Department considered refraining from assisting colleagues in Saint Albans town, this rivalry ended as the city's firefighters soon appreciated their neighbor's support. And whereas the cooperative relationship between the two departments has markedly improved as Matt Mulherran now proudly serves as fire chief for both municipalities. And whereas the once ragtag and now much respected Saint Albans Town Fire Department proudly boasts a highly trained roster of firefighters and modern equipment. And whereas in August 2025, current and former Saint Albans firefighters gathered to celebrate this historic milestone in the department's history. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the senate and house of representatives that the general assembly congratulates the Saint Albans Town Fire Department on fifty years of remarkable community service and be it further resolved that the secretary of state be directed to send a copy of this resolution to the Saint Albans Town Fire Department.

[Representative Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: Are there any announcements, member from Burke?

[Unknown Representative (Member from Burke)]: Thank you, madam speaker. I would like to ask the members today to please welcome representatives from Vermont's 14 natural resources conservation districts. Vermont's NRCDs are local governments that have been working to protect and restore natural resources across the state since the nineteen forties. They are the boots on the ground helping farmers, forest managers, towns, and other land stewards, improve fish and wildlife habitat, water quality, and soil health, all while maintaining a vibrant working lands community. They have a display today in the card room. Please stop by and introduce yourselves and say hello. They would appreciate your support, and they are seated in the gallery behind us.

[Representative Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: Will the guest member from Burke please rise and be recognized? Member from Saint Albans Town.

[Unknown Representative (Member from St. Albans Town)]: Thank you, madam speaker. You have heard the resolution recognizing the fiftieth anniversary of the formation of the Saint Albans Town Fire Department. I am pleased to present to you in the body members of the town fire department visiting us today. Matt Mulheron, who is the current fire chief, Harold Bob Cross, who's the honorary chief, Randy Swan, the honorary assistant chief, and Richard Swan, honorary captain. Accompanying them to the state house is Casey Tooth, the Saint Albans town manager who recently retired as a representative representing Saint Saint Albans Town. Please give them a warm welcome.

[Representative Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: Will the guests of the member from Saint Albans Town and former member please rise and be recognized. Member from East Montpelier.

[Unknown Representative (Member from East Montpelier)]: Madam speaker, today is Vermont Housing and Conservation Coalition Day, and I'm thrilled to welcome members of the coalition to the State House. They represent dozens of organizations and municipalities who advance community vitality with permanently affordable housing, land conservation, and historic preservation. They are with us today to share how investments made through the Housing and Conservation Board make in their communities. Since 2020, this includes the construction of over of over 2,200 units of permanently affordable housing, the conservation of over 22,000 acres of land, and the completion of 14 historic preservation projects. It's also a special day for one particular longtime member of the coalition, Allen Carnance of the Vermont Land Trust. Al has been a longtime leader in farmland conservation and recently conserved his four hundredth farm in Vermont. This is no small feat. It's highly unlikely that anyone in Vermont or maybe even the country will surpass this achievement. So today, we honor Al for his legacy of farmland protection that will serve Vermont for many, many generations to come. Madam speaker, please join me in extending a welcome to the the coalition members and congratulations to Al.

[Representative Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: Will the guest and the member from East Montpelier please rise and be recognized? Member from Burlington.

[Unknown Representative (Member from Burlington)]: Madam speaker, we have three, former legislators up in the gallery. I know they're part of the group we just recognized, but, as former legislators, it's really important that we recognize them. So up in the balcony is, representative Linda, Martin, representative Helen Head, and my former mentor, representative Joan Lennis. So I hope we can give them a really warm welcome back here.

[Representative Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: Will the former members please rise and be recognized? Member from Bennington.

[Unknown Representative (Member from Bennington)]: Madam Speaker, tomorrow is Valentine's Day, but it's also the chair of the House Institution and Corrections birthday. I'm hoping that you will join our committee in wishing her a very happy birthday tomorrow.

[Representative Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: Happy birthday, member. Member from Cornwall.

[Representative Peter Conlon (Cornwall)]: Madam speaker, I move that the house education committee be relieved of h seven fifty, an act relating to school districts pursuing construction projects during the moratorium on state aid, and that the same be committed to the committee on ways and means.

[Representative Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: The member from Cornwall moves that the committee on education be relieved of house bill seven fifty, which is an act relating to school relating districts pursuing school construction projects during the moratorium on state aid and at the same be committed to the committee on ways and means. Are you ready for the question? If so, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All those opposed, please say nay. The ayes appear to have it. The ayes do have it and you have to relieve the committee on education of house bill seven fifty and committed the same to the committee on ways and means. Member from Brattleboro.

[Unknown Representative (Member from Brattleboro)]: Madam speaker, we have another birthday to recognize today. The junior member from Brattleboro. He's turning 21 today. You might know him from his rascally charm, but it it is his deep, careful, loving care for our community and for justice that makes it a true honor for us to serve with him in the Brattleboro delegation and to continue to be very grateful that the South Burlington delegation hasn't entirely adopted him yet. Please join me in wishing him a big happy birthday.

[Representative Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: Happy birthday member. Member from Thetford.

[Representative James Masland (Thetford)]: Thank you madam speaker. Seems to be the season. We have another birthday to celebrate tomorrow. The member from Mendon is celebrating a birthday tomorrow. Simultaneously, it is Valentine's Day as we know. I hope we could wish the member happy birthday and Valentine's Day all in one swell foop. Thank you, madam speaker.

[Representative Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: Happy birthday member.

[Unknown Representative (Member from Dorset)]: Member from Dorset. Thank you, madam speaker. It's not often that a town clerk gets lucky enough to have a town manager that works side by side with her or him with total mutual respect. I was one of the lucky ones. In the people's house today is my town manager, Giotti. Rob Giotti excuse me. Rob grew up in Vermont, went away to college, and we were fortunate to have him return and hire him as our own. Rob has been a Dorset town manager for over seventeen years. He is a baseball coach for his son's travel team as well as a little league coach. He currently serves on VLCT's passive board. And madam speaker, please help me welcome him to the people's house.

[Representative Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: Will the guest member from Dorset please rise and be recognized? Member from Springfield.

[Representative Alice M. Emmons (Springfield)]: Madam speaker, tomorrow is also someone else's birthday. Another Valentine. The member from Heartland representative Bartholomew, happy birthday. And he and I go back and forth. We were born on exactly the same day. One of us was in Pennsylvania. The other was in Vermont. I'm the Vermonter. But the member from Heartland is fifteen minutes older than me.

[Representative Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: Happy birthday, member. Member from Cavendish.

[Representative V. L. Coffin IV (Cavendish)]: Thank you, madam speaker. I'd like to remind people as well as in the car room down in the, Lieutenant Governor's Office. We there is a river table set up. You can see how the dredging works. And also, for anyone that's heard me talk about them that has sent letters to seaman recruit Armando for me to encourage him in his naval basic training that his mother is down there today, Kelly Stettner, and brought that table up from Springfield, rented a car to get here. So please go down, visit her, see how the rivers work, and congratulate her. He graduates next week. Thank you.

[Representative Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: Are there any further announcements? Member from panel.

[Unknown Representative (Member from Pownal, likely; transcribed as “panel”)]: Thank you, madam speaker. In brief, the caucus for Vermont's economy will meet in Room 10 at 12:10. Our program will begin, featuring Jose Oliver of Oliver Subaru in Rutland and Lindsay Dolanier from Bolton Valley. Thank you very much. All are welcome to attend.

[Representative Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: Are there any further announcements? Seeing none, orders of the day. Members we will begin with House Bill five twenty seven which is an act relating to extending the sunset of the 30 BSA section two forty eight A. Please listen to the third reading of the bill.

[Assistant/Reading Clerk (name not stated)]: H five twenty seven, an act relating to extending the sunset of 30 VSA section two forty eight a.

[Representative Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: The question is shall the bill pass? Are you ready for the question? If so, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All those opposed, please say nay. Aye. The ayes appear to have it. The ayes do have it and you have passed the bill. Up next is joint senate resolution 37 which is a joint resolution supporting in solidarity with the national and international ski organizations and numerous skiers across the globe, the introduction of the long overdue gender equality in Nordic combined Olympic competition and urging that the international Olympic committee only introduce new Olympic sports that practice gender equality. Please listen to the third reading of the resolution.

[Assistant/Reading Clerk (name not stated)]: JRS 37, joint resolution supporting in solidarity with national and international ski organizations and numerous skiers across the globe, the introduction of long overdue gender equality in Nordic combined Olympic competition and urging that the International Olympic Committee only introduce new Olympic sports that practice gender equality.

[Representative Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: The question is, shall the house adopt the resolution in concurrence? Are you ready for the question? If so, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All those opposed, please say nay. The ayes appear to have it. The ayes do have it, and you have and the resolution is adopted in concurrence. Members, the final bill on our action calendar today is house bill eight ninety eight which is an act relating to copper based to fiber based telecommunications network transitions and consumer protections. The bill was introduced by the committee on com on energy and digital infrastructure. The member from Dover, representative Sebelius, will speak for the committee. Please listen to the second reading of the bill.

[Assistant/Reading Clerk (name not stated)]: H eight ninety eight. An act relating to copper based to fiber based telecommunications network transitions and consumer protections.

[Representative Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: Member from Dover.

[Representative Laura Sibilia (Dover)]: Madam speaker, h eight ninety eight is about making sure Vermonters do not lose reliable phone service as telephone companies transition from copper landlines to fiber based networks. That transition is accelerating nationwide, and it is happening at the same time that federal rules around backup power and oversight are changing.

[Representative Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: Can can we can members can folks in the gallery please keep your voices down? Thank you. Member from Dover.

[Representative Laura Sibilia (Dover)]: As a result, more risk and responsibility is shifting onto individual customers often without clear notice. For a number of households, that is not an abstract policy issue. When a home is moved from a copper landline to fiber based phone service, that phone no longer works during a power outage unless there is charged backup power in the home. During extended outages after storms, some residents have discovered their phones and medical alert systems no longer worked once backup batteries had run out. In those moments, access to 911 depended entirely on whether or not someone had been clearly informed in advance and had the right equipment in place. This bill responds to that gap. It requires clear repeated notice before a network transition occurs. Coordination with public safety agencies and basic reporting so that the state can see where service disruptions and emergency access problems are emerging. It does not regulate technology or override federal law. It ensures visibility, transparency, and accountability at a moment when federal requirements have narrowed and oversight is becoming later. H eight ninety eight establishes baseline consumer protections focused on notice, monitoring, and emergency access during copper to fiber transitions. It helps ensure Vermonters understand what is changing, what they need to stay connected during outages, and that the state can identify risks and respond before service failures turn into public safety emergencies. I will now walk through the bills section by section, which can be found as passed on the house energy and digital infrastructure web page. In section one, we outline consumer protections during copper to fiber transitions in title 30. And this section begins with legislative findings and intent recognizing that fiber transitions can affect service reliability, consumer choice, and access to emergency services, particularly because fiber based voice service relies on customer powered equipment rather than a self powered copper network. This section defines VoIP or voice over internet protocol service for purposes of the statute. We add notice requirements. The bill requires carriers planning a copper to fiber transition to provide written notice to affected customers, the Department of Public Service, and the enhanced nine one one board at least one hundred and twenty, sixty, and thirty days before the transition. The notice must include clear information about service changes, backup power needs, impacts on medical or safety devices, customer rights, and where to seek assistance. We add reporting requirements beginning in November 2026. VoIP service providers must file an annual report with the Department of Public Service detailing customer uptake of backup power options, and any known incidents where e nine one one access was impaired due to lack of backup power. We, outline enforcement and monitoring by authorizing existing enforcement tools under title 30 for violations of the section. We also direct the Department of Public Service to review outage reports on a quarterly basis, coordinate with the office of the attorney general on consumer complaints, and monitor areas of the state that may be vulnerable to extended service disruptions. And, we provide consumer education and reporting to the legislature. The Department of Public Service is directed to conduct consumer education and outreach related to copper to fiber transitions and emergency preparedness. The commissioner, must include findings and recommendation in the department's annual report to the general assembly, including specific recommendations in 2027 on whether additional backup power requirements or financial assistance programs should be considered. Section two is the effective date which is, it takes effect upon passage and applies to telecommunications carriers beginning 09/01/2026. The House Energy and Digital Infrastructure Committee voted the bill out, eight zero one. We heard from the deputy general counsel for the PUC, the vice president of market development for consolidated communications, the controller of Franklin Telephone and independent telephone companies, the director of the enhanced nine one e nine one one board, the director for public advocacy, the Department of Public Service, legislative counsel for the Office of Legislative Counsel, and the telecommunications and connectivity director for the Department of Public Service. And we ask for your support.

[Representative Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: The question is, shall the bill be read a third time? Are you ready for the question? If so, member from Coventry.

[Representative Michael Marcotte (Coventry)]: Thank you, madam speaker. I just have one question. Could I inquire the member?

[Representative Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: Member from Dover is interrogated.

[Representative Michael Marcotte (Coventry)]: Madam speaker, could you tell me that if this change over from copper to fiber will change any of the the legacy telephone company's requirement to be the provider of glass resort?

[Representative Laura Sibilia (Dover)]: We have asked this question. This is a very dynamic space federally, and, right now, it does not, but we are unclear as to whether or not that might change going forward. Thank you, madam. Which is part of why we want to we why we have put in place the monitoring here from the Department of Public Service, to monitor this really dynamic space. Thank you, member. Thank you, madam speaker.

[Representative Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: The question is, shall the bill be read a third time? Are you ready for the question? If so, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All those opposed, please say nay. The eyes appear to have it. The eyes do have it, and third reading is ordered. Members, that completes the orders of the day. Are there any announcements? Member from Weitzfield.

[BetsyAnn Wrask (House Clerk)]: Madam speaker, I want to invite the body to a presentation and reception this coming Wednesday, February 18 on a report entitled women work and wages. This is a sneak peek of a larger study that will be released in its entirety this summer presenting data compiled by the collaboration of three organizations looking at the status of women in Vermont. Those three organizations are the Vermont Women's Fund, the Vermont Commission on Women, and Vermont Works for Women. This report is a continuation of critical data collection first started under the project name change the story. The member from Burlington, rep Bluemle, was instrumental in this initial project. These organizations in partnership with the women's caucus will share an overview of the report from five to 6PM in Room 11 on February 18. A reception in the Cedar Creek Room will follow. All members are invited to attend. You should have received a postcard invite in your in your legislative mailbox. And if there are any questions, feel free to see me or members of the women's caucus.

[Representative Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: Are there any further announcements? Seeing none. Member from Pulte, can you please offer us a motion to adjourn until Tuesday, January 17 at 10AM?

[Unknown Representative (likely member referenced as “Pulte”)]: Madam speaker, I make a motion this body stand in adjournment until Tuesday, 02/17/2026 at 10AM.

[Representative Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: You have heard the motion. Are you ready for the question? If so, all those in favor, please say I. I. All those opposed, please say nay. The eyes appear to have