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 Michelle Bosch of Westminster.

[Representative Michelle Bos-Lun (Westminster)]: Thank you, madam speaker. Good morning, everyone. I picked a poem, a couple weeks ago that I wanted to read which is by Amanda Gorman and which is called New Day's Lyric. And I didn't know then that the day before the state house singers were going to sing a song that sounded like it was called new day. But apparently, we're all thinking about new beginnings, maybe that's because we're hoping that we're going to adjourn here one of these days. But in any case, when I found this poem, I thought, oh, this is perfect for the way I'm feeling about the world and the state of it right now. She must have written this pretty recently because a lot of it is reflecting on the past difficult year. But actually, she wrote it in 2021, and it was the hard times she was referring to in the poem were related to the difficulties that we all shared, during the pandemic with isolation and not feeling connected to our neighbors because we literally couldn't see them and all those kind of things. So anyway, whatever the timeline of the poem, it actually was written in 2021, but I'm going to share it today. And, I love Amanda Gorman. She was the poet who, recited at Joe Biden's inauguration with a lovely, poem called I think The Hill We Climb, but I'm going to share New Day's lyric today. May this be the day we come together. Morning, we come to mend. Withered, we come to weather. Torn, we come to tend. Battered, we come to better. Tethered by this year of yearning, we are learning That though we weren't ready for this, we have been readied by it. We steadily vow that no matter how we are weighed down, we must always pave a way forward. This hope is our door, our portal. Even if we never get back to normal, someday we can venture beyond it. To leave the known and take the first steps. So let us not return to what was normal, but reach toward what is next. What was cursed, we will cure. What was plagued, we will prove pure. Where we tend to argue, we will try to agree. Those fortunes we foreswore, now the future we foresee. Where we weren't aware, we're now awake. Those moments we missed are now these moments we make, the moments we meet, and our hearts are once altogether beaten, now altogether beat. Come look up with kindness yet, for even solace can be sourced from sorrow. We remember not just for the sake of yesterday, but to take on tomorrow. We heed this old spirit in a new day's lyric. In our hearts, we hear it for old Lang Syne, my dear.

[Representative Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: Members, we have two bills on the notice calendar that require referral to a money committee pursuant to house rule 35 a. Both of these bills impact the revenue of the state and therefore refer to the committee on ways and means. They are senate bill 198 which is an act relating to the regulation of tobacco products and tobacco substitutes and senate bill three twenty three which is an act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects. Also earlier today, the committee on transportation reported favorable with an amendment on senate bill three twenty six which is an act relating to miscellaneous amendments to laws relating to motor vehicles. Affecting the revenue of the state, the bill is referred to the committee on ways and means pursuant to house rule 35A pending its entry on the notice calendar. Members we have a house resolution to take up at this time. HR 18 is a house resolution supporting the preservation of the Julian Scott birthplace in Johnson offered by representative noise of and Bailey of High Park. Please listen to the reading of the resolution by title only.

[BetsyAnn Wrask (Clerk of the House)]: House resolution h r 18 supporting the preservation of the Julian Scott birthplace in Johnson. Now

[Representative Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: you've heard the reading of the resolution and the same is treated as a bill and referred to the committee on corrections and institutions pursuant to house rule 52. Members, we have received requests to read five house concurrent resolutions that the house and senate adopted pursuant to the consent calendar. The first is HCR two forty three which is a house concurrent resolution congratulating the 2026 Fairhaven high school Slaters bowling team on winning a second consecutive state championship. Please listen to the reading of the resolution.

[House Reading Clerk (name not specified)]: Whereas bowling requires strategizing to aim at the large bowl down the lane for the most comprehensive 10 pin impact. And whereas in 2025, the Slaters proved their bowling bona fides, winning the state championship. And in 2026, the Fairhaven bowlers were eager to resume tallying strikes or at least bears in every frame if possible. And whereas in this season's playoff competition, the number two seeded Slaters defeated number seven White River Valley and number three Saint Johnsbury Academy to secure a championship berth against the top seeded Randolph Galloping Ghosts. And whereas for the second consecutive year, the Slaters emerged triumphant on championship day with the 60 to 47 roll off victory, ensuring supporters escorted the team from Route 4 back to Fairhaven Union High School. And whereas the great twenty twenty six Slater Bowlers were Yuki Adam Silva, Amber Lynn have Haley, Reagan Stamp, Eli Donaldson, George Stamp, Inshik Adams Silva, Michael Towel, Dylan Benia, Aiden Goyette, Nathan Bissett, Madison Stamp, Wyatt Delance, Owen Beebe, Liam Beebe, and Cayman Adams Silva. And whereas head coach Joe Donaldson and assistant coach Ron Carrera were outstanding team mentors. Now therefore be it resolved by the senate and house of representatives that the general assembly congratulates the Fairhaven Union High School Slaters Bowling Team on winning winning a second consecutive state championship. And be it further resolved that the secretary of state be directed to send a copy of this resolution to Fairhaven Union High School.

[Representative Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: Next is h c r two fifty seven, which is a house concurrent resolution congratulating the 2026 Hartford High School Hurricane Girls ice hockey team, winning a third consecutive division two championship. Please listen to the reading of the resolution.

[House Reading Clerk (name not specified)]: Whereas at the championship game, the defending two time division two champions in the second seeded Hartford Hurricanes skated confidently onto the ice at the University of Vermont's Gutterson Fieldhouse against the top seeded u thirty two raiders with a bonus contingent in the Hurricanes arsenal of several hockey proficient and talented eighth graders, including an impressive goalie who tallied 29 saves. And whereas Hartford, which always commanded the lead, opened the scoring with slightly over two minutes remaining in the first period. An offensive savvy eighth grader contributed a second point in the second period plus two in the third with a late game scoring score from a hurricane's teammate. The Soul Raider third period goal provide inconsequential to the hurricane's five one victory. And whereas the triumphant hurricanes to who joyously skated off the ice at the game's conclusion were Paisley Danahue, Jalen Haley, Aubrey Vale, Joanna Kissel, Chase Stockwell, Vivian Sunukas, Sophie Daniels, Alex Perkins, Marya Chaput, Zoe Zon Zanolone, Grace Roberts, Ali Morlock, Grace Hayes, and Flynn Moreno. And whereas head coach Jason Grambling, assistant coach Jay Zonelone, goalie coach Erin Stevens, and student managers Lily Pool's Sophie Temischenko and Madison Grambling were delighted. Now therefore be it resolved by the senate and house of representatives that the general assembly congratulates the 2026 Hartford High School Hurricanes girls ice hockey team on winning a third consecutive division two championship. And be it further resolved that the secretary of state be directed to send a copy of this resolution to Hartford High School.

[Representative Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: Next is HCR two fifty eight which is a house concurrent resolution congratulating the 2026 Hartford High School Hurricanes division two championship girls basketball team. Please listen to the reading of the resolution.

[House Reading Clerk (name not specified)]: Whereas after fourteen years of reft of a divisional title and with 2032 head coach Steve land Landon again at the team's helm, the second seeded Hurricanes were eager to play the top seeded Memorial Union High School Lancers for the division two championship. And whereas in a defensive centered contest at the Barrie Auditorium, the Hurricanes limited the Lancers to 10 points in each half. And in the third quarter, the Lemoyle when Lemoyle narrowed Hartford's lead lead to twenty seventeen, the Windsor County Team initiated a 17 to three scoring run to ensure that solid 37 to 20 victory, bringing home the twenty twenty six division two crown. And whereas the outstanding Hartford squad consisted of Lily Argyros, Ruby French, Lucy Crowley, Sylvia Johnson, Charlotte Jasmine, Natalie Clark, Hailey Vanas, Mackenzie Bennett, Sadie Mullen, and Riley Martin. And whereas head coach Steve London, assistant coaches Branson, London, Joey Gillum, Eva Thorburn, and Lacey Tancredi, and team staff member Ed Walsh were essential for this great hurricane's victory. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the senate and house of representatives that the general assembly congratulates the twenty twenty six Hartford High School Hurricanes division two championship girls basketball team. And be it further resolved that the secretary of state be directed to send a copy of this resolution to Hartford High School.

[Representative Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: Next is h c r two fifty nine, which is a house concurrent resolution congratulating Therese Black on being named the 2026 Vermont Mother of the Year. Please listen to the reading of the resolution.

[BetsyAnn Wrask (Clerk of the House)]: Whereas for approximately nine decades, the American Mothers Incorporated organization has annually honored a mother in each state and territory who embodies traits highly regarded in mothers and displays the ability to strengthen family relationships through maternal energy. And whereas the 2026 Vermont Mother of the Year is Therese Black, the mother of two children and a bonus stepchild. And whereas Therese Black has been described as a gifted mother, generous to people from all walks of life, and a loving friend to many in the community, and whereas her professional career has centered on helping others improve their lives, and for eighteen years, she was a teacher in elementary, junior high, and high school classrooms in Iowa, Chicago and Vermont. And whereas, the career of Therese Black moved in a new direction when she started a sixteen year tenure as the director of Rutland Dismus House, a residential organization that reconciles former prisoners with society and society with former prisoners. An important transitional process that assists the residents in rebuilding their lives and among other current volunteer roles, she now chairs the governing council and whereas the other community groups with which she has been associated are the Mentor Connector, mentoring a youth for five years, Veggie Van Gogh, the former Companions in Wholeness, and Bridge to Rutland, hosting a female asylum seeker for ten months, and whereas for Therese Black, her Catholic faith has been paramount, and for many years, she has been associated in various ways with the sisters of the presentation in Dubuque, Iowa, is a member of the Sofia Sisters Prayer Group in Rutland and Concerned Catholics of Vermont, has served on the council at Christ the King Parish in Rutland, and plays the guitar with a folk group at Saint Alphonsus Liguria in Pittsburgh, and whereas for all these exemplary roles, Therese Black is an ideal Vermont mother of the year. Now therefore be it resolved by the senate and house of representatives that the general assembly congratulates Therese Black on being named the 2026 Vermont mother of the year and be it further resolved that the secretary of state be directed to send a copy of this resolution to Therese Black.

[Representative Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: And finally, HCR two seventy five is a house concurrent resolution congratulating the twenty twenty five Mount Mansfield Union High School Cougars on winning a third consecutive division two girls tennis championship. Please listen to the reading of the resolution.

[BetsyAnn Wrask (Clerk of the House)]: Whereas girls tennis at Mount Mansfield Union High School, MMU, has earned the admiration of the sports fans as the cougars embarked on the 2025 season as the two time defending Division two champions, and whereas in 2025, with many of the prior season's players, now seniors, they're hoping to conclude their high school tennis careers as the still reigning champions, and whereas MMU securing the top seed for the 2025 postseason play was indicative of the team's caliber and potential for achieving the Cougars aspirations. And whereas after emerging victorious in each of the tournament's pre championship rounds, the Cougars faced the second ranked Burr and Burt and Academy Bulldogs for the 2025 honors. And whereas the Cougars superiority on the netted court was brilliantly displayed in their overwhelming five two championship match victory. And whereas Cougars, Eva Pullman, B. Molson, Blake Loeffler, Estelle First, Juniper Galvani, Leila Bissett, Liliana Carrick, Maddie Clark, Molly Fitzpatrick, Nefaly Bitu, Nients Svetsonka, Phoebe Farr, Piper Kroll, Raffy Arapishian Floyd, Rosa Rickettsson, and Sarah Butler played in unison to meet their common objective and whereas, head coach Maggie Fitzgerald and assistant coaches Michael Granning and Edie Granning inspired the Cougars to maximize their efforts. Now therefore be it resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives the General Assembly congratulates the 2025 Mount Mansfield Union High School Cougars on winning a third consecutive Division II Girls Tennis Championship, and be it further resolved that the Secretary of State be directed to send a copy of this resolution to Mount Mansfield Union High School.

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

[Representative from Jericho (unidentified)]: Thank you, madam speaker. You just heard a resolution honoring the Mount Mansfield girls tennis team. It sounds like they are a perennial powerhouse winning three times in a row. However, before that first victory, they had made it to the championship game only once, made it to the playoffs only three times in their fifty year history, and so this team is incredibly special. These are players who learned how to play in high school along with some players who played a little bit when they were growing up and players of one who played their whole life. So this is the power of our schools in Vermont that we can give our our girls specifically, but also our boys that opportunity to really find their power and find who they are and figure out how to use that power in a way that is constructive and bring them together and work together as a team. Tennis is an individual sport, and yet we play it as a team. And these women who are here today, because we have only our seniors who graduated, just a few that are here today, really showed us how you can be individual and come together and support each other and really create an amazing team atmosphere and do some amazing things. Also with the team is the assistant one of the other assistant coaches who is my better half. My husband is here today. It's his second time in the state house. And so with us today, we have, Bea Mollie who is also the individual state champion, Estelle First, and Eva Pullman representing the Mount Mansfield girls team.

[Representative Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: Will the family and the guests, the member from Jericho, please rise and be recognized. Member from Georgia.

[Representative Rob North (Georgia)]: Thanks, madam speaker. Lots of guests here today with us this this morning. Madam speaker, it's my great honor to welcome to the chamber missus Therese Black from Broughtland. She's Vermont's newest state mother of the year. This is quite an honor. This is a designation created by a national organization called American Mothers. We have a plaque representing all of Vermont's state mothers out in the in the hallway where you open up where the door opens up from the elevator on the 2nd Floor right directly in front of you. You can see the plaque, honoring, many mothers over decades who were honored right here from the state of Vermont. Therese is from Rutland County. She is described, you may have caught that in her resolution as a gifted mother, generous to people of all walks of life and a loving friend. Since 1935, American Mothers Incorporated has been committed to honoring mothers through recognition, service, and education. And as the official sponsor of Mother's Day here in The United States and the giver of this Mother of the Year award, the organization serves a valuable as a valuable network and a voice for the 85,000,000 women in our country who are mothers. So, madam speaker, it is indeed a joy for me to have her here, and I hope you will help me welcome her to the chamber.

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

[Representative William Canfield (Fair Haven)]: Madam speaker, on behalf of the member from Castleton and the member from Hubbardton, I am pleased and privileged to introduce to you and through you to this body, the 2,026 Vermont State Bowling Champions, the Fair Haven Slaters. This is the second consecutive championship for the Slaters, and we are happy to welcome them here to the people's house. We would like to single out one student, Aiden Goyatt. He rolled a 300, a perfect game during league competition this season. This is a great accomplishment and deserves mention. They are here today and are accompanied by their coaches, Joe Donaldson and assistant coach Ron Carrara. They are seated in the balcony. Please give them a warm state house welcome.

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

[Representative Kevin "Coach" Christie (Hartford)]: Madam speaker, we just heard a resolution congratulating the Hartford girls hockey team on their dominant state championship victory. With this win, the team took home the championship not once, not twice, madam speaker, but thrice in consecutive years. These remarkable student athletes show us the best of young Vermont. They are smart, skilled, tough, and determined, and they work together towards their goal. They are the pride of Hartford and the nightmare of opposing teams throughout the state. Madam speaker, please help me welcome the 2026 division two champion Hartford girls hockey team and their coaches.

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

[Representative Esme Cole (Hartford)]: Alright, madam speaker. Here we go. I know that this chamber takes March Madness pretty seriously, but I was unable to participate this year because I had already placed all of my bets on Hartford High School women's basketball. This team has achieved something remarkable and secured their first state championship in fourteen years. Behind the scenes of this milestone, I think it's important to recognize many of the players have worked over several seasons to improve their great game to get to this point. Their grit, tenacity, and support of one another has paid off and deserves recognition. A huge congratulations to the girls and their coaches, and I hope the body will help me welcome them to the State House today.

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

[Representative from Wolcott (unidentified)]: Thank you, madam speaker. I would like to ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ren Tetrault, an intern I have had the pleasure of working with this session. She has brought energy, curiosity, and genuine dedication to her work at the state house here. She'll be graduating from UVM next week. Please join me in wishing her all the best.

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

[Representative Theresa Wood (Waterbury)]: Thank you, madam speaker. In a few moments, we're gonna hear a report on, house resolution 17 that deals with communication, and we have with us today a member of the Vermont Communication Task Force and a former member of the Howard Center staff. His name is Pascal Chang, and he's seated in the gallery. And I'm not sure if Christopher Medina was able to make it here yet. So if he's oh, okay. There we go. And, Christopher Medina, also, an individual with lived experience who testified in our committee on this, and so I would also like to recognize him and, his support person, Shasta. So they're, in the gallery. Thank you.

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

[Representative Leslie Goldman (Rockingham)]: Madam speaker, I'm honored to introduce along with the member from Westminster, our constituents from Rockingham, John and Andrew Dunbar. John works with homes for all program, which provides small scale development training to people looking to become developers in their community, and he'll be testifying in general and housing this morning. Please welcome them to the people's house.

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

[Representative Martin LaLonde (South Burlington)]: Thank you, madam speaker. I rise on this most momentous of days to recognize the birthday of the junior member from South Burlington. For those with a good memory in this body, you may recall that approximately three hundred sixty five days ago, I made a very similar announcement and it was brought to my attention after that that there was a case of mistaken identity. There are five of us from South Burlington, one of whom happens to sit next to me who is a lovely seat mate, but there are two problems. It's not her birthday and she does not crave extra attention, so I apologize for that. The person whose birthday it is does crave that extra attention so I'd like to make sure it's pointed in the correct direction. And for those who don't know and I don't know how that's possible after she's told everybody under this dome several times this week, I'm going give you a mnemonic which is today is the May 8, the '58. She sits in Seat 58. So if you need to direct your attention the correct way, that's where you find her. If you can't find her here, you can find her today in Room 31 in her committee if you want to observe with the celebrants herself. And if you do somehow forget, you don't have time, whatever, three hundred and sixty four shopping days until the next May 8 when you can atone by observing her birthday at that time. So madam speaker, why don't you join me in please celebrating the junior member of South Burlington on her birthday?

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

[Representative from Winooski (unidentified)]: Madam speaker, I have a student from Middlebury shadowing me today. May Murphy is a sophomore. She's from Fayiston, Vermont, and May is studying psychology. She's here because she's interested in advancing mental health policy for our state, and I would like the body to welcome her.

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

[Representative from Cabot (unidentified)]: Thank you, madam speaker. I just want to give a warm welcome to another person who's here today in the gallery who's an advocate for those who have not been given the opportunity to communicate the way that we wish they could. And he is also the former executive director of thirty six Group Homes in New Jersey and now resides in Vermont and becoming a great friend of mine. So I wanna welcome Donahue Karvonski to the to the body today. Thank you.

[Representative Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: Will the guest, the member from Cabot please rise and be recognized. Are there any further announcements? Seeing none, orders of the day. Members we have a slight change in order of bills for this morning. We will start with House Resolution 17 and then we will go back to the top in order with two zero nine, 189 down. So we'll start with the resolution and then continue from the top of the calendar. With that, house resolution 17 is a house resolution affirming that all Vermonters are presumed to be competent to communicate and must be provided effective communication resources of their choice. The resolution was introduced by the committee on human services. It was read yesterday and the text appears in yesterday's journal. Member from Waterbury.

[Representative Theresa Wood (Waterbury)]: Thank you, madam speaker. I am able to speak. Although sometimes I'm sure my committee members or members of the body may wish that wasn't so. But nonetheless, my physical characteristics enable me to utilize speech as a method of communication. Merriam Webster defines communication as the act or process of using words, sounds, signs, or behavior to express or exchange information or to express thoughts, feelings, etcetera to another person. Individuals with autism spectrum disorder, apraxia of speech or other disabilities, or individuals who have experienced a physical change as a result of a stroke, aging or accident may have an impaired ability to use speech to communicate. But let me be clear, that is not the same thing as having nothing to say. Speech is a natural ability for the majority of people. But imagine if you were unable to use this method of communication to convey your thoughts, your wishes, needs and desires. Imagine if those thoughts, wishes, needs and desires were trapped in your body without a way to share them with others. Luckily, there are professionals who live and breathe to help people with these issues. And at a national level, many of them are represented by the American Speech Language Hearing Association, otherwise known as ASHA. On March 19, JRH nine was committed to the House Human Services Committee. And JRH nine at its core asked ASHA to reconsider its opposition to a method of communicating known as rapid prompting method of communication for individuals with apraxia of speech or autism. It became abundantly clear through testimony that ASHA would not be swayed to reconsider its position on certain alternative methods of communication. Namely, the rapid prompting method as well as facilitated communication, which is sometimes also known as assisted typing. As is customary in the House Human Services Committee, we seek out individuals with lived experience to provide testimony. Our committee heard from an individual who utilizes facilitated communication to share his thoughts. We were also provided with scientific research backing the use of such alternative methods of communication. Additionally, we took testimony from a member of the communication task force affiliated with the Department of Disabilities Aging and Independent Living to further our understanding of

[Representative Esme Cole (Hartford)]: these

[Representative Theresa Wood (Waterbury)]: issues. While it became clear that we were not going to have an impact on ASHA, the committee felt strongly enough about the right of individuals to communicate in the method that they choose and that we should all presume competence regardless of ability to speak, that we offer a substitute resolution, HR 17, which as the speaker said, can be found in yesterday's house journal. I am going to take a moment because this is a little bit of a different procedure to actually read the resolution for you because I think it's important that we all pay attention to it. This is a house resolution offered by your committee on human services, affirming that all Vermonters are presumed to be competent to communicate and must be provided effective communication resources of their choice. Whereas in the early nineteen nineties, facilitated communication was introduced in Vermont, and in 1994, practice and validation guidelines to enhance the FC's integrity were implemented. And whereas in 2000, an important step in serving those Vermonters for whom alternative communication methods are essential occurred with the establishment of the Vermont Communication Task Force, a statewide communication network that works in coordination with the Department of Disabilities Aging and Independent Living's Developmental Disability Service Division. And whereas the fundamental tenant of the task force is that, quote, that all persons are competent, can communicate, and must receive the support, training, and technology needed to actively participate in all aspects of life, end quote. And whereas the task force with the support of two regional communication specialists offer guidance, policy recommendations, research monitoring, and training on the individual provider and state levels in the context of developmental disability services. And whereas this operational structure is intended to ensure Vermonters receive the necessary support to communicate through the method of their choice. And whereas it is of the utmost importance that individuals communication challenges not be viewed as indicative of a limitation of their intellectual competence. And whereas the rapid prompting method of communication assistance may be a beneficial option for assisting individuals to to communicate. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the House of Representatives that this legislative body affirms that all Vermonters are presumed to be competent to communicate and must be provided effective communication resources of their choice. And further be it resolved that the clerk of the house be directed to send a copy of this resolution to the Vermont Communication Task Force. Madam speaker, in in drafting this resolution, we heard from a member of the Vermont Communication Task Force, legislative council from the Office of Legislative Council, a direct support professional, a parent advocate, a person with lived experience, the director of clinical services in speech and language pathology from the American Speech Language Hearing Association, and written testimony from the deputy director of the Medical Society. We voted in favor of this resolution by a vote of nine zero two. And madam speaker, the house human services committee asked for the body support to recognize each individual's competency and the right to communicate in the method of their choice. Thank you.

[Representative Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: So the question is, shall the house adopt the resolution? 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. Now we'll take up senate bill two zero nine which is an act relating to prohibiting civil arrest in sensitive locations. Please listen to the third reading of the bill.

[BetsyAnn Wrask (Clerk of the House)]: S two zero nine, an act relating to prohibiting civil arrest in sensitive locations.

[Representative Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: The question is shall the bill pass in concurrence with proposal of amendment? 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 in concurrence with proposal of amendment. Next is Senate Bill 189 which is an act relating to establishing a process for reducing or eliminating hospital services. The bill was referred to the committee on healthcare which recommends that the house propose to the senate to amend the bill as printed in today's calendar. The member from Ennisburg, representative Demar will speak for the committee. Please listen to the second reading of the bill.

[BetsyAnn Wrask (Clerk of the House)]: S one eighty nine, an act relating to establishing a process for reducing or eliminating hospital services.

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

[Representative Allen "Penny" Demar (Enosburg)]: Thank you. Thank you, madam speaker. S one eighty nine is about making sure our communities are informed and included before hospital eliminates important health care services. Across Vermont, hospitals are facing serious financial and workforce challenges. Some hospitals have reduced or considered reducing services like maternity care, mental health care, substance use treatments, emergency services, and pediatric care. These decisions affect patients and families, especially in our rural areas where there not be another provider nearby. This bill does not stop hospitals from making difficult decisions. Instead, it creates a clear process so there's transparency, communications, and community input before essential services are eliminated. I'll walk you through the bill. Section one, eighteen VSA 9,405 D. Hospital service eliminations. This says the section requires a hospital to provide a preliminary notice of intent to the agency of human services, Green Mountain Care Board, and Office of the Healthcare Advocate if the hospital is considering eliminating any of the following services. Emergency department services, primary care services, obstetrics, perennial care, inpatient psychiatric services, treatment for substance use disorders, dialysis and inpatient pediatric services. The notice must include the rationale for proposed elimination, the financial impact of keeping the service and or eliminating the service, and all alternatives that the hospital considered and the reasons they were not pursued. The Agency of Human Services will evaluate the information provided, the financial impacts of elimination on the healthcare system, and the impact on access to healthcare services in the region. This section allows the agency and the board to consult with the hospital to explore ways to keep the service or otherwise address the issues that led to the proposed elimination. A hospital that is considering eliminating a service not listed in the bill can also choose to initiate consultation process with the agency and the board. The agency and the board must keep all information and materials about preliminary process and consultations confidential. If a hospital chooses to go ahead with eliminating one of the service listed in the bill after the consultation process, then it must provide a notice of intent to the agency the agency, the board, the healthcare advocate, and the members of the general assembly who represent the hospital service areas, explaining the rationale for the proposed elimination and timeline and transition plan. The notice also must be posted on the hospital's website and published in the local newspapers. The bill requires the hospital to conduct a public engagement process that includes at least one public hearing, as well as soliciting and responding to public comments. If the hospital chooses to go ahead with eliminating one of the services listed in the bill after the public engagement process, the hospital must notify the agency to inform its healthcare transformation work and board so it can review the impact of the hospital's budget. Section two, section two eighteen VSA 9456, the budget review. This section repeals the notice of hospital service reduction process enacted last year in act 68, that is replaced by the process established in our section one of this bill. This section also directs the Green Mountain Care Board after being notified that a hospital is going forward eliminating one of the services listed in section one of the bill. To review the impact to the hospital's approved budget and make adjustments as necessary, which may include directing any savings from the elimination to be reflected in the health insurance premiums, or reinvested in primary care prevention and other community based services. The effective date this act would take effect on passage. This amendment would also change the title of the bill to an act relating to establishing a process for the elimination of certain hospital services. The Health Committee on Healthcare heard from the executive director of the Green Mountain Care Board, deputy chief counsel from the Office of Legislative Counsel, the chief health care advocate of Vermont Legal Aid, the senior vice president of policy and strategies from the Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems, a board member from the Green Mountain Care Board, the Medicaid and Health System Director of Agency of Human Services, and two pediatricians from Rutland Regional Medical Center. Our committee vote was ten zero one, and we ask for your support. I thank you.

[Representative Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: The question is, shall the house propose to the senate to amend the bill as recommended by the committee on health care? 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 proposed to the senate to amend the bill. Now 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 ayes appear to have it. The ayes do have it and third reading is ordered. Up next is senate bill 64 which is an act relating to amendments to the scope of practice for optometrists, member from Barrytown.

[Representative Francis McFaun (Barre Town)]: Thank you, madam speaker. I move that we commit senate bill 64 to the committee on government operations and military affairs.

[Representative Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: The member from Barrytown moves that bill be committed to the committee on government operations and military affairs. 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 bill is committed to the committee on government operations and military affairs. Members, the final item on our action calendar today is house bill six forty eight which is an act relating to banking, insurance, and securities. Member from Starksboro.

[Representative from Starksboro (unidentified)]: Thank you, madam speaker. I'm I move that we delay action on age six forty eight, two legislative days.

[Representative Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: The member from Starksboro moves that we postpone action on house bill six forty eight for two legislative days. 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 postponed action on senate bill six forty eight for two legislative days. Members, that completes the orders of the day. Are there any announcements? Member from Swanton.

[Representative Wayne Laroche (Swanton/Franklin District)]: Good morning, madam speaker. Yes. We passed the miscellaneous motor vehicle bill out of transportation today, and it just is a great reminder of the incredible, depth of experience and skills. And one particular member celebrates a birthday today. And as a rookie in the committee, he certainly doesn't lack for a vast years of experience. And there is no truth like other great transportation days that he witnessed the driving of that golden spike at the promontory point of the transcontinental railroad. And he was not on a neighboring bluff when the Wright brothers had their first flight. He may, however, have been a witness to president Eisenhower signing the interstate highway act. Among many other long standing achievements. That wisdom and experience and the amount of age is still up for debate. Would you please join me in wishing a happy birthday to the member from Rutland City?

[Representative Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: Happy birthday, member. Are there any further announcements? Member from Derby.

[Representative from Derby (unidentified)]: Thank you, madam speaker. Sunday is a day that's very important to me, not only for my mother, but for my stepmother who had to put up in me from age 13 to still today. So I'd like to take time to wish all the mothers and stepmothers in the body a very happy Mother's Day.

[Representative Jill Krowinski (Speaker of the House)]: Happy birthday, moms. Are there any further announcements? Seeing none. Member from Pultely, can you please offer us a motion to adjourn until Tuesday, May 12 at 10AM?

[Representative Michael "Mike" Tagliavia (Poultney)]: Madam speaker, I make a motion this body stand in adjournment until Tuesday, 05/12/2026 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 aye. Aye. All those opposed, please say nay. The ayes appear to have it. The ayes do have it, and this body stands in adjournment until next