Vermont Legislature SmartTranscripts:

[Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: Will the house please come to order? The devotional today will be led by rabbi Toby Wiseman, who is the founding director of Yearning for Learning Center for Jewish Studies in Montpelier.

[Rabbi Toby Wiseman]: Good afternoon. In two weeks from today, Jews around the world will sit together at our Seder, our holy meal of Passover, and we'll recite the ancient words from the Haggadah or Haggadah, which means telling our story. The most important part of the seder is to retell our story of being slaves in Egypt and being redeemed from slavery. The most striking passage we will recite says, in every generation, each person must see themselves as if they were the ones who were redeemed from slavery. Doctor. Horn Prowzer, dean of the academy for Jewish religion in New York, elaborates on why this is the central pass for message. She says we must feel what it means to leave our home and go into the unknown. We have to recognize the pain, the courage, and the need for a community that understands and cares. This is a very painful time for immigrants and many people throughout the world. Many of us here are children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren of immigrants who had to flee their homes. In the Torah, the Hebrew scriptures, we are taught to love the stranger. This is repeated 36 times. Even if we ourselves are not immigrants today, in a sense, we are all strangers. We are all strangers in this world, and we are strangers to each other, and we are even strangers to ourselves. We all need to have the courage to step up and be the leaders in our communities, and we are the ones who need to understand and care for all people. As rabbi Shlomo Karabakh of blessed memory teaches, even if we can't bring peace to the whole world, every day and every moment, we can start with lifting up each person we meet with a small but significant moment of joy. Let us reach out to each person we meet today and lift them up. Let us be the leaders who help make the world a more loving and peaceful place for all, one person at a time. Thank you.

[Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: Members, we have three senate bills for referral. Senate bill one seventy nine is an act relating to the Uniform Disclaimer of Property Interest Act introduced by senator Hashim. Listen to the first reading of the bill.

[First Assistant Clerk (House Clerk's Office)]: S one seventy nine, an act relating to the uniform disclaimer of property interests act.

[Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: Now the bill has been read the first time and is referred to the committee on judiciary. Senate bill two twelve is an act relating to potable water supply and wastewater system connections introduced by senator Watson. Please listen to the first reading of the bill.

[First Assistant Clerk (House Clerk's Office)]: S two twelve, an act relating to potable water water supply and wastewater system connections.

[Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: Now the bill has been read the first time and is referred to the committee on environment. Finally, senate bill two two seven is an act relating to creating immigration protocols in Vermont schools introduced by senator Gulick and others. Please listen to the first reading of the bill.

[First Assistant Clerk (House Clerk's Office)]: S two twenty seven, an act relating to creating immigration protocols in Vermont schools.

[Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: Now the bill has been read the first time and is referred to the committee on education. We have a bill on the notice calendar requiring referral to a money committee pursuant to house rule 35 a. House bill five fifty eight is an act relating to the Medicaid school based services program. Carrying an appropriation, the bill is referred to the committee on appropriations. In addition, earlier today, the committee on ways and means reported favorably on house bill nine three seven, which is an act relating to miscellaneous judiciary procedures. Carrying an appropriation, the bill is referred to the committee on appropriations pursuant to house rule 35 a pending its entry on the notice calendar. We have a joint senate resolution to take up at this time. JRS 45 is a joint resolution relating to weekend adjournment on 03/20/2026. It was offered by senator Bartholomew was read and adapted on the part of the senate. Please listen to the reading of the resolution.

[Reading Clerk (House Clerk's Office)]: JRS 45, joint resolution relating to weekend adjournment on 03/20/2026, resolved by the senate and house of representatives that when the two houses adjourn on Friday, 03/20/2026, it'd be to meet again no later than Tuesday, 03/24/2026.

[Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: Now you have read the reading of the resolution, and 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 the resolution is adopted in concurrence. We have received requests to read three house concurrent resolutions that the house and senate adopted pursuant to the consent calendar. The first is HCR one eighty seven, which is a house concurrent resolution congratulating Village Garage Distillery of Bennington on winning a silver medal at the twenty twenty five San Francisco World Spirits Competition for bonfire, its debut spirit, a smoked maple bourbon. Please listen to the reading of the resolution.

[Reading Clerk (House Clerk's Office)]: Whereas in 2021, Matt Cushman and Glenn Sawyer, native Vermonters of multigenerational descent, established the Village Garage Distillery in Bennington in order to create spirit beverages consisting of high quality local source locally sourced ingredients. And whereas Village Garage distillery signature product is a bonfire smoked maple bourbon, a small batch spirit crafted in Southern Vermont that draws upon Vermont grain grains and crisp Vermont water and is invigorated with a kiss of Vermont smoked maple syrup. And whereas this tantalizing and unique bourbon evokes the special ambiance of family and friends gathered around a roaring campfire. And whereas the San Francisco World Spirits Competition is renowned for its vigorous blind tasting process that has earned this event a coveted ranking among spirits judging competitions across the globe. And whereas on 07/15/2025, the staff of Village Garage Distillery was ecstatic and honored when the San Francisco World Spirits Competition awarded the small and relatively new distillery, a prestigious silver medal in recognition of bonfire's outstanding composition and taste. Instantaneously bestowing esteemed international regard on the distillery's first product. And whereas now associated with an extraordinary imprimatur, bonfire smoked maple bourbon has inspired the Village Garage Distillery to work even harder in its creation of outstanding outstanding locally sourced spirits which may be enjoyed at pearls, at the garage restaurant, at regional retailers, and nationally via the distilleries online store. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the senate and house of representatives that the general assembly congratulates the village garage distillery of Bennington on winning a silver medal at the twenty twenty five San Francisco World Spirits Competition for bonfire, its debut spirit, a smoked maple bourbon, and be it further resolved that the secretary of state be directed to send a copy of this resolution to village garage distillery in Bennington.

[Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: Next is h c r two thirteen, which is a house concurrent resolution recognizing March 2026 as social work month in Vermont. Please listen to the reading of the resolution.

[Reading Clerk (House Clerk's Office)]: Whereas for more than a century, social workers in Vermont have worked to improve human well-being, advocate advocate for justice, and support everyone's basic needs. And whereas the positive impact of social workers on the lives of millions of Americans is experienced at hospitals, schools, child welfare agencies, community centers, and within the federal, state, and local governments. Whereas social worker workers follow a code of ethics that requires them to stand for equity in every community, uphold the human dignity, and fight injustice. And whereas these stellar professionals are on the front lines defending vulnerable populations, including immigrants, LGBTQIA two s plus individuals, and those facing discrimination or poverty while uplifting vital social safety net programs and ensuring the rights of everyone. And whereas social workers assist those navigating trauma, grief, and systemic biases and help individuals recover from natural disasters and public health crises, The transforming lives in encouraging ways. And whereas vital roles for social workers are confronting oppression and racism, advocating for human rights, and advancing fair policies for all. And whereas social workers care for those who have mental health issues and who are recovering from substance use disorders. And they support the well-being of children. And whereas according to the National Association of Social Workers, the number of social workers in The United States has risen from 715,000 in 2020 to 810,000 in 2026. And since 1963, March has been observed in The United States' social work month. And whereas the 2026 theme for social work month is social workers uplift, defend, transform, encompassing the prime mission of the social work profession to enhance human well-being, meet basic human needs of all people, and put special attention on the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the senate and house of representatives that the general assembly recognizes March 2026 as social work month in Vermont and be it further resolved that the secretary of state be directed to send a copy of this resolution to the Vermont chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.

[Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: And finally, h c r two twenty four is a house concurrent resolution congratulating the athletes representing Vermont at the twenty twenty five national senior games and designating 03/18/2026 as Vermont senior games day at the State House. Please listen to the reading of the resolution.

[Reading Clerk (House Clerk's Office)]: Whereas annually, the Vermont Senior Games Association organizes the Vermont Senior Games, a qualifying event for the biennial national senior games, which in 2025 were held in Des Moines, Iowa. And whereas in 2025, 50 Vermont athletes participated in the National Senior Games and won 22 gold medals, eight silver medals, 13 bronze medals, and 36 ribbons for the fourth through eighth place. And whereas the athletic dedicated Vermonters who competed at the twenty twenty five national senior games were Leon Banks, Dennis Burgeron, Rose Burgeron, Kristen Beski, Jeannie Blackmore, John Bolton, Dennis Casey, David Chesley, Margaret Clark, Brian Cuncheri, Robert Chek, David Dubois, Eugene Demar, Valentina Hodgboom, Don Kelleran, Mary Lugers, Victoria Lux, Christine Maloney, Janet Mara, Elizabeth McCarthy, Florence Meyer, Mark Meredith, Mitchell, Bob Murphy, Kevin Plett, Jenny Prince, Susan Rand, Tom Schicker, Carolyn Sikima, Pam Sills, Donna Myers, Andrew Sparta, Sarah Sarita Swim, Andrew Andrew Strum, James Taggart, John Tocero, John Valentine, Sandra Wall, Stan Wilbur, Charlie Windisch, and Michael Woodfield. And whereas today, 03/18/2026 during National Senior Games Week, representatives of the VGSA and the Vermont Governor's Council on Physical Fitness are present at the state house to inform legislators of the important role that physical fitness plays in the lives of everyone regardless of age. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the senate and house of representatives, the general assembly congratulates the Vermont athletes representing the Vermont at the twenty twenty five National Senior Games and designates 03/18/2026 as Vermont Senior Games Day at the State House. And be it further resolved that the secretary of state be directed to send a copy of this resolution to the VSGA and the Vermont Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sport.

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

[Unidentified Member from Bennington]: Thank you, madam speaker. We just heard the reading of the resolution congratulating the Village Garage Distillery for their incredible win at the twenty twenty five San Francisco World Spirits Competition for their iconic smoked maple bourbon bonfire. So on behalf of my fellow colleagues from Bennington, we're so proud of our team at the Village Garage Distillery that made this happen and brought home silver to our town and our state. In case you missed a pint or two on Saint Patty's Day like I did driving back to Bennington, Let me give you a little taste figuratively, of course, madam speaker, that would be prohibited under house rules, of what bonfire is like. As was stated in part in the resolution and also in their press release from last year, quote, bonfire bourbon features Vermont grains and crisp crisp Vermont water as well as a kiss of Vermont smoked maple syrup to give it subtle smokiness on the palate and a touch of maple on the finish. Rather poetic, I'll add. But even more incredible than the sweet taste of liquor at the Village Garage are its people and the community that has blossomed since it was founded in 2021. In such a short period of time, they have built a signature brand and become a beacon of life in Downtown Bennington. Matt Cushman and Glenn Sour made a gamble on spirit beverages and turned it from a dream into a reality. As lifelong Vermonters, they've put more back into their community than they ever expected in return. They are good citizens at heart and at work. But today, I think our delegation found it most appropriate to recognize their contributions and their commitment to representing us far and wide to bring tourism and trade to the South Shire. Now they didn't come here to ask for anything, but I'm gonna ask. So if you're able to come down to Bennington, stop by, try their products. But if the drive's too far, don't worry, you're in luck. Village Garage Distillery delivers online and they can ship it directly to your home. Madam speaker, we do have quite a tight itinerary for them today, for the folks that came today. But I would like to introduce our guests who drove all the way up and are seated in the balcony, Matt Cushman of Bennington, Doug Goebel of Bennington, Tom Remp of Randolph, and Ivy of Randolph as well. Madam speaker, would you please help me welcome them to the State House? They're seated in the gallery.

[Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: Will the guest member from Bennington please rise and be recognized. Member from Milton.

[Unidentified Member from Milton]: Madam speaker, I'd like to welcome to the People's Chamber, the Vermont chapter of the National Federation of Republican Women. I have benefited personally from this organization serving in my role as a state representative to bring Vermont's independent spirit, fiscal responsibility, and the hope to lower taxes. Madam speaker, please help me in welcoming the VFRW to the People's House. They are seated in the gallery.

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

[Representative Brian Cina]: Thank you, madam speaker. We also have so many people here today to hear the resolution we just heard marking March as social work month in Vermont. Today, we have members of the National Association of Social Workers, including over 40 undergraduate and graduate social work students and some of their professors. The NASW was founded in 1955. It has over 120,000 members nationally. They work to enhance professional growth and development of its members to create and maintain professional standards and advance sound social policies. In Vermont, we happen to have into as of 2024, 1,656 licensed social workers of which a ten ninety six are active in Vermont and roughly 20 in total. Social Work Month is an important time to recognize a profession that quietly helps improve the lives of so many Vermonters. Social workers show up where the needs are greatest. Social workers work with some of the most challenging corners of our communities and bring compassion, skill, and steady resolve. Their work rarely makes headlines but absolutely changes lives. When social workers speak up, we get better loss. Social workers share what they're seeing, we get smarter systems. When social workers help shape policy, we get solutions that are grounded in dignity and reality. On behalf of the member from Burlington and myself, we're proud as social workers to have put forth a resolution to honor those working in this profession. We ask the body to thank and recognize our visitors who are in the gallery and in the balcony.

[Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: Will the guest the member from Burlington please rise and be recognized? Are there any further announcements? Member from Burlington.

[Representative Mary-Katherine Stone]: There are a lot of announcements. Sorry. Tonight, the Friends of the Vermont State House presents the Wednesday Farmers Night program. The Burlington based quartet, Kratz Carmato, will be taking us through a musical journey that echoes the migration of the Roma people through The Middle East and Europe. And for the first fifteen minutes of the program, there's been an addition. Bread and Puppet will be here performing with their founder. So, hopefully, we'll be off the floor about 07:30, but if we're not, it would be in the cafeteria. But it's gonna be a good show. Hope to see you all there.

[Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: There any further announcements? Member from Charlotte.

[Representative Chea Waters Evans]: Madam speaker, I learned, some exciting things today, some breaking news. First, it is very fun to put names of colleges and universities in little rectangles. And second of all, this is, involved in a thing called March Madness.

[Reading Clerk (House Clerk's Office)]: I don't

[Representative Chea Waters Evans]: know if any of you have heard of it. The other piece of breaking news I learned is that the deadline for the men's tournament is noon tomorrow. We're gonna pretend this is just like a last minute floor amendment. We can all do these things very quickly. I know you can all vote the drop of a hat. And the women's deadline is 11:15 on Friday. There are instructions, I believe, in your in your email, or you can email me or the member from Fairfax if you have questions. Thanks. Good luck.

[Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: Member from West Windsor.

[Representative Elizabeth Burrows]: Thank you, madam speaker. I have a guest today that I'd like you all to help me welcome to the chamber. He is the quintessential, public servant, and he hails from Windsor, Vermont. He has served on the select board, on the school board. He I met him as we clawed our way through the act forty six study committee several years ago. And he's a very circumspect and lovely human, and his name is John Tansey. Please well help me welcome him to the chamber. Thank you.

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

[Unidentified Member from Burlington]: Madam speaker, I introduce to the house through you members of the Vermont Senior Games Association, which promotes healthy lifestyles and community building for people 50 and up. Its motto is fun, fitness, and fellowship. Today we recognize 50 Vermonters who competed along with 12,500 athletes from across The US at the US twenty twenty five national senior games held in Des Moines, Iowa. Vermont's 50 athletes representing 35 Vermont municipalities competed in 16 different sports, Tacoma remarkable 22 golds, eight silvers, 13 bronze medals, and 36 ribbons for fourth and eighth podium finishes. Social isolation and lack of motivation for physical activity can lead to poor health outcomes, particularly for people in later years. The Vermont senior games offers opportunities to prevent those outcomes and provide a sense of purpose, camaraderie, and pride. Madam speaker, I invite the house to congratulate Vermont senior athletes seated in the balcony.

[Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: Will the guests of the member from Burlington please rise and be recognized. Member from.

[Representative Tiffany Bluemle]: Interesting her story. And she talked to me about what it was like, to be housed in our out of state facilities across four different states, Kentucky, then Michigan, then Pennsylvania, and then most recently at our for profit prison in Mississippi. And for those who don't know, our out of state facilities house exclusively men. So Kalani talked for a while about what it was like to be a trans woman in our facilities. And when we finished meeting, I I knew I had a bill to write, and she's here today to to to have us talk to hear watch us to witness us talk about that bill. I invited her to our committee. She spoke to our committee with grace, with courage, and she talked about the stories of injury, that she sustained as a woman living in a men's facility and about her journey back to Vermont. She finished her time incarceration, at the women's facility here in Vermont. She had a lot of ideas about how we can improve those facilities, and that went into a bill that we're gonna be discussing later. I'm so humbled and grateful to have met her. I saw the impact that she had on our committee, and I just hope the the chamber would welcome here her here to today. Thank you.

[Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: Will the guest and the member from Burlington please rise and be recognized? Are there any further announcements? Seeing none, orders of the day. Members we will begin with House Bill eight eighty seven which is an act relating to crime victim status under the fair employment practices act. The bill was referred to the committee on general and housing which recommends that the bill be amended as printed in today's calendar. The member from South Burlington, representative Krasno will speak for the committee. Please listen to the second reading of the bill.

[Reading Clerk (House Clerk's Office)]: H eight eight seven, an act relating to crime victim status under the Fair Employment Practices Act.

[Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: Member from South Burlington.

[Representative Emilie Krasnow]: Madam speaker, last year, the legislature took an important step forward in protecting survivors in the workplace through the passage of h four sixty one. That bill, now act 32, allows survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking to take up to twelve weeks of unpaid job protected safe leave to seek safety, pursue justice, and heal. Since that passage, the civil rights unit of the Vermont Attorney's General's Office has identified a gap between the documentation requirements needed to access unpaid safe leave and those required to receive protections under the existing fair employment practices act which is also referred to as FIPA as a victim of a crime. Under FIFA, employers are prohibited from discriminating on the basis of protective status, including status as a victim of a crime. But because the documentation standards in the two statutes are not aligned, survivors who lawfully take safe leave may still face vulnerability to adverse employment actions because they're unable to satisfy FIFA's differing documentation rules. H eight eighty seven resolves this problem by harmonizing these documentation standards. It ensures that survivors can fully access both unpaid safe leave and anti discrimination protections without unnecessary or intended barriers. Now I will walk you through the bill section one twenty one VSA four ninety five D Fair Employment Practices Act Section one of h eight eighty seven add survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking to the definition of crime victim under the Fair Employment Practices Act. In addition, it adds the same sources of supporting documentation as contained in the parental and family leave act and the same cross references to other statutes for the definitions of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Section two, effective date. The effective date is 07/01/2026. Your committee on general and housing heard from the following witnesses. Todd Dallas, director of policy and legislative affair, affairs, attorney general's office, lead sponsor of the bill, legislative council, office of legislative council. Madam speaker, this is a modest but important fix. It strengthens the integrity of the protections this legislature has already enacted by ensuring our statutes work together. Our committee's vote was eight one two, and we ask for your support.

[Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: The question is, shall the bill be amended as recommended by the committee on general and housing? 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 amended the bill. Now the question is shall the bill be read a third time? Are you ready for that 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 third reading is ordered. Up next is house bill nine seventeen which is an act relating to military affairs. The bill was introduced by the committee on government operations and military affairs. The member from Burlington, representative Stone will speak for that committee. Materially affecting the revenue of one or more municipalities, the bill was then referred to the committee on ways and means which recommends that the bill ought to pass. The member from Newport City, representative Page, will speak for that committee. Please listen to the second reading of the bill.

[Reading Clerk (House Clerk's Office)]: H nine seventeen, an act relating to military affairs.

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

[Representative Mary-Katherine Stone]: Madam speaker, Vermont has a long tradition of service. In communities across our state, neighbors step forward to wear the uniform of our country and our Vermont National Guard. But service is never carried alone. It is shared by spouses who move and rebuild careers, by families who endure long deployments, and by veterans who return home carrying the lasting impacts of that service. H nine one seven is about making sure Vermont meets that service with respect and support. This bill brings our statutes up to date and strengthens the way our state recognizes and assist those who have served and those who have stand beside them, from military spouses seeking employment to disabled veterans navigating everyday life in our community. In short, this bill is a practical and meaningful step to ensure Vermont continues to honor the people who have given so much in service to our nation. I will now walk you through the bill. The big picture. This bill incorporates four military related bills into a single omnibus bill. The bill, one, corrects the title of the adjutant general of the National Guard to remove the reference to inspector general. Two, defines Gold Star family member. Three, creates a preference for hiring military spouses into employment in state government. And four, provides free parking for disabled veterans. Sections one through 39. Those are the ones that relate to adjutant general of the Vermont National Guard. The first 39 sections of the bill amended the title of Adjutant and Inspector General to read Adjutant General. And titles two, sixteen, and 20, I e, all statutory references to the Adjutant and Inspector General. This change is being made to more accurately reflect the adjutant general's role. Historically, the role of the adjutant and inspector general were combined, but these roles have since been separated and the inspector general is a separate position within the Vermont National Guard and whose office reports to the adjutant general. Sections one through 39 also contain some gender neutral conforming changes by replacing references to his or her. In addition to correcting the adjutant general's title, section five twenty VSA subsection three sixty three a one adds a cross reference to two VSA subsection 10 c, 20 VSA subsection three sixty three a states that the general assembly shall biannually elect an adjutant general for a term of two years, while two VSA subsection 10 c, c section one of the bill, sets forth the date and time for the election. This cross reference will enable those interested in the adjutant general election to more easily locate the information. Gold Star families sections forty and forty one discuss adding a definition of Gold Star family member to title one's definition of statutory terms in section 41, looks at motor vehicle and special license plates. However, I will be proposing an amendment later, very shortly, to address sections forty and forty one, and therefore, we'll be touching on those sections later when the amendment is discussed. Hiring preferences for military spouses, section 42, three BSA subsection three ten, classification plan and rules. Section 42 adds language to the statutory section on the classification of state personnel to provide a hiring preference for military spouses. After the requirements of a collective bargaining agreement have satisfied and a diligent effort has been made to recruit an employee within the classified service to fill a vacancy, then the state shall make a diligent effort to recruit, interview, and hire the spouses of personnel currently serving in the US Armed Forces. In addition, military spouses along with veterans who apply for and meet the requirements for any competitive recruitment that is conducted using a point based examination and who receive a passing score shall have five points added to their competitive examination rating. Currently, only applicants for sworn law enforcement positions are required to take a written examination. And finally, parking for disabled veterans. Section forty three twenty four VSA subsection twenty two ninety one, police power of municipalities. Section 43 adds some additional language to the list of enumerated powers for towns, cities, and incorporated villages. Subdivision 26 provides that municipality municipalities have the power to regulate parking lots and parking meters on public property, including the power to set parking fees. Section 43 provides that quote, a vehicle with disabled veteran plates issued by any state shall be permitted to park at a parking meter without fee, end quote. Section 44, the effective date. The effective date is 07/01/2026. We heard from the following witnesses, sponsor of the bill, legislative council, office of legislative council, clerk, Vermont House representatives, the New England region liaison, defense state liaison office, department of war, Policy priority lead for military spouse, spouse hiring preference, defense state liaison office, department of war. Director of Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs, military spouse, and a surviving spouse of the member of the Vermont National Guard. Madam speaker, service to our country touches entire families and communities. H nine one seven helps ensure that here in Vermont, that service is met with care, recognition, and support our service members, veterans, and their families deserve. Your House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs found this bill favorable with a vote of eleven zero zero, and we respectfully ask for the body's support. And

[Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: now speaking for the Committee on Ways and Means, member from Newport City.

[Representative Woodman Page]: Madam Speaker, your house ways and means focused on two areas of h nine seventeen relating to the revenue and financial concerns of our state. The first area can be found in Section 42. It's entitled Hiring Preference for Military Spouses. As was mentioned, this provides that spouses of veterans or spouses of personnel currently serving in the US armed forces who apply for and meet the requirements of state employment that uses a point based exam system. And if that spouse receives a passing score, then the spouse shall have five points added to the examination rating. This point system only applies to the area of Vermont law enforcement. And there are no other positions that meet this requirement in state government. This amendment has no fiscal this portion of the amendment has no fiscal impact to our state. The third area can be found in section 43. It's entitled parking for disabled veterans. This amendment relates to the powers of municipalities for vehicles with a disabled veteran plate issued by the state of Vermont or any state for that matter. The amendment allows a disabled veteran plate vehicle to park at a parking meter without having to pay a fee. And again, this amendment or this portion of the of the bill has no fiscal impact to the state. Your house ways and means took testimony from the reporter of the bill, the Vermont General Assembly Office of Legislative Council, and the Vermont Legislative Office Joint Fiscal Office. Your Ways and Means Committee voted h nine seventeen favorably, eleven zero zero, and ask that this body do to do the same. Thank you.

[Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: And now the member from Burlington, representative Stone, and others offer an amendment to the bill that the first assistant clerk emailed to members at 12:51 today. This amendment is also posted on the house overview webpage and paper copies are available at the main table. Member from Burlington.

[Representative Mary-Katherine Stone]: Madam speaker, this floor amendment offered by all the members of the house government operations and military affairs committee who were present during this morning's committee meeting proposes to strike the portions of the bill that center on the definition of a Gold Star family member. Those are sections forty and forty one. After the underlying bill had been voted out of our committee, conversations emerged regarding differences of opinion about this sensitive topic. Therefore, due to the significance and sensitive nature of the subject matter, the committee members on this amendment felt it required more time for discussion and that this bill and this floor time is not the time to have that discussion. Therefore, we propose to strike the language centering around that topic. Again, that's sections forty and forty one. The amendment was voted out on a straw poll vote of nine zero one.

[Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: And for the committee on ways and means, member from Newport City.

[Representative Woodman Page]: Madam speaker, your committee of house ways and means, took testimony from the reporter of the bill. And, regarding the strike all language, we took a straw poll, and the results of that straw poll were ten zero zero or ten zero one in favor of the strike all rescinding of the amendment. And again, this change has no fiscal impact to H27 what is it? It's H917. Thank you.

[Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: The question is shall the bill be amended as offered by the member from Burlington and others? 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 amended the bill. Now the question is shall the bill be read a third time? Are you ready for that 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 third reading is ordered. Will the house please stand in recess and can I see house leadership up at the podium please? The house will stand in recess. Will the house please come to order and members kindly take their seats. Will the house please come to order? Members, we are going to hear the floor report on house bill six zero six which is an act relating to firearms procedures and then we will hold caucuses. I will give that reminder when we get to that point. So now we will turn to house bill six zero six which is an act relating to firearms procedures. The bill was referred to the committee on judiciary which recommends that the bill be amended as printed in today's calendar. The member from Williston, representative Arsenault will speak for the committee. Please listen to the second reading of the bill.

[Reading Clerk (House Clerk's Office)]: H six zero six. An act relating to firearms procedures.

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

[Representative Angela Arsenault]: H six zero six is an act relating to firearms procedures. Madam speaker, this is a carefully crafted public safety bill that proposes to address three specific firearms related issues, mainly by relying on existing federal laws that have been upheld by numerous courts, including the US Supreme Court. This bill carefully balances second amendment rights with the need to keep Vermonters safe. It helps improve Vermonters safety by keeping guns out of the hands of individuals who've been found by a court to be a danger of harm to themselves or others. It also mimics the existing federal prohibition on machine guns, are not tools for hunting or self defense. In short, the bill upholds the long standing tradition of narrow, targeted, constitutionally sound restrictions on gun ownership in this country. The text of the bill can be found on page eleven seventy nine of today's house calendar. Let us now walk through the bill. Section one amends Vermont's exist existing grand larceny statute by adding theft of a firearm. This means that the theft of a firearm, regardless of the value of the firearm, will be a felony offense punishable by not more than ten years in prison, a fine of not more than $5,000, or both. Typically, theft of objects or goods valued at less than 900 would be $900 would be a misdemeanor charge. This change reflects the seriousness of the offense. The definition of firearm in this provision refers to 13 VSA forty seventeen, which expressly excludes antique firearms. This definition replaced a more expansive one that was used in an earlier version of the bill, a change that was made at the request of gun rights group, the Vermont Federation of Sportsman's Clubs. Section two proposes several amendments to existing Vermont statute that prohibits possession of firearms by persons convicted of certain violent crimes. Similar prohibitions exist in all 49 states and under federal law. Vermont's law was passed in 2015 and provides that possession of a firearm after being convicted of a violent crime is a misdemeanor subject to a maximum penalty of two years in prison. Section two proposes to increase that penalty to a three year felony if a person commits the crime for a second or subsequent time. In addition to persons convicted of violent crimes, there are several other categories of persons who are prohibited from possessing firearms under both Vermont and federal law. Current Vermont law prohibits possession by fugitives from justice and persons subject to relief from abuse orders or orders against stalking. These persons are also prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law. At the request of the Department of State's Attorneys and Sheriffs, section three proposes to add to Vermont law another category of persons who are already excluded from firearms possessions by federal law, and that would be persons who have been involuntarily committed

[First Assistant Clerk (House Clerk's Office)]: by a

[Representative Angela Arsenault]: court order because they were dangerous to themselves or others. Persons who seek voluntary mental health treatment will not be subject to this prohibition. Federal law prohibits all persons who have been involuntarily committed from possessing firearms permanently regardless of whether the commitment order is still in effect. However, section three only prohibits possession by persons who are currently subject to the commitment or hospitalization order. Under the bill, when the commitment or hospitalization order ends, the state level prohibition on firearm ownership also ends. In addition, six zero six prohibits persons from possessing firearms if they were found not guilty by reason of insanity or incompetent to stand trial for certain offenses. Section three adds the same increased penalties for second or subsequent offenses that were added in section two. This section also includes a pathway for individuals to petition the court for relief from firearms prohibition using the same process as individuals barred from firearms possession for mental illness under the federal statute, which is spelled out in 13 VSA forty eight twenty five. Section four prohibits the possession of machine guns under Vermont law. Federal law already prohibits possession of machine guns, so by making it a state crime, section four permits a Vermont state's attorney to bring a charge for the offense in a Vermont state court. The bill defines machine gun in the same way it is defined under federal law, namely a firearm that is capable of shooting more than one shot without manual reloading and with a single pull of the trigger. Included in this provision are the exceptions provided in federal law for machine guns that are registered under the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record maintained by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. And just like federal law, this section effectively prohibits devices that turn a semiautomatic weapon into a machine gun, including auto sears like Glock switches. Such devices are easy to manufacture or three d three d print and can shoot up to 1,200 rounds per minute. They are present in Vermont and have been recovered at crime scenes. One second. Machine guns that are still lawful to possess under federal law and would therefore still be lawful to possess in Vermont are those lawfully owned prior to 1986 and those possessed by a state or federal government agency. Finally, section five provides the bill takes effect on passage. We heard testimony from a number of witnesses. I have the witness list here. President executive director of Vermont Federation of Sportsman Clubs, senior litigation attorney and second amendment issues manager, Giffords Law Center, president gun owners of Vermont, legislative counsel, senior firearms analyst, every time for gun safety, state director of the NRA, volunteer and gun violence survivor, moms demand action, legislative policy and records attorney at the Department of States, Trades, and Sheriffs, solicitor general, attorney general's office, policy counsel, every time for gun safety, and the defender general. The bill passed out of your house judiciary committee on a vote of six five zero, and we encourage members to vote yes in favor of common sense public safety measures.

[Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: Member from South Burlington.

[Representative Bridget Burkhardt]: Madam Speaker, I move that we divide the question on H six zero six that we first take up section three and then altogether take the rest of the sections one, two, four and five separately. Not separately but together those other four.

[Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: Bill is divisible and so the first vote will be on section three. Members at this time, like I said earlier after conferring with house leadership, we will now break for caucus. The democrats will be in Room 11. The republicans will be in Room 10 and we will be back here on the floor at 02:25. The house will stand in recess.