Vermont Legislature SmartTranscripts:

[Speaker Jill Krowinski]: Will the house please come to order and members kindly take their seats? Good afternoon. Members, we have four bills that we will be taking up, during our last, session for the day. They are house bill four nope. House bill eight forty one, House Bill nine thirty eight, House Bill nine forty one, House Bill nine fifty seven. I hope I said that first one. I'm going to do this one more time. Bill eight forty one, House Bill nine thirty eight, House Bill nine forty one and House Bill nine fifty seven. Members earlier today, the senate messaged to us a senate proposal of amendment on house bill eight forty one which is an act relating to miscellaneous animal welfare procedures. The clerk emailed you that senate proposal of amendment at 02:33PM today and it is also posted on the house overview webpage and paper copies are available at the main table. Member from Pultely, can you please offer us a motion to suspend rules to take up House Bill eight forty one for immediate consideration pending its entry on the notice calendar?

[Representative Michael Mrowicki]: Am I on? Okay. Madam Speaker, I make a motion to suspend rules in order to take up H? 41. Eight forty one. Thank you. H eight forty one for immediate consideration pending entry on the notice calendar.

[Speaker Jill Krowinski]: The member from Pultely moves that we suspend our rules to take up House Bill eight forty one for immediate consideration pending its entry on the notice calendar. 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 suspended rules to take up house bill eight forty one for immediate consideration. Members, I just noticed the reporter's not here so the House will stand in recess for two minutes. Members House Bill eight forty one is an act relating to miscellaneous animal welfare procedures. The bill passed the Senate in concurrence with the proposal of amendment. Member from Charlotte.

[Representative Chea Waters Evans]: Okay. Your house government operations and military affairs committee voted to concur with the senate's proposal of amendment to age eight forty one today with a nine zero two vote. The senate's proposal of amendment does the following. So first, we had you might remember in the first in the bill when it came out, we had a certified rabies vaccinator program that we were giving the animal wealth director of animal welfare the authority to create and to develop a plan to make that program. But it turns out they were already doing that with fish and wildlife and other portions of state government, so she is no longer going to have to do that because it's already being done somewhere else. So that's good news. So they removed that portion of the bell. The second is just a minor thing. It's changing adding the word pet dealers instead of some other instances of language, whereas, like pet shops or or things like that just to make it consistent through the whole thing. The third instance of amendment is you might remember that we had said that you could have 35 breeding dogs That was done based on testimony that was making sure that people who wanted to have hunting dog kennels could do so, but also not so many dogs allowed that you could have a puppy mill. But somewhere along the way, the senate decided that it might be better to study this further, to ask the director of animal welfare to talk with a bunch of interested parties and maybe come up with a more comprehensive system for how many breeding animals or breeding dogs that you're allowed to have. So they have removed that part out with the specific number and then added in a section where she just has to deliver a report on that topic. The fourth instance is that, right, we had asked that rescue organizations supply data about the animals that they take in and give them to the director of animal welfare. And the division of animal welfare at the moment consists of one person who is the director of animal welfare. And in the interest of not giving that person a job that they cannot do because they don't have the time or capacity, that part of receiving that data and organizing it and keeping it has been taken out of the bill just, you know, hopefully, you know, when in further years when we're setting up the department where that can be added, and that's coming out too. And then the last part was that we asked advertisements to include certain information from the advertiser, and senate gov gov ops and the director of animal welfare wanted to wait until there's a more comprehensive approach to licensing, which is, you know, part of her charge to develop over the next couple years. So they pulled that out just to give her time to develop a bigger program. It was language that was kind of left over from an earlier, like, bigger directive that we had given her, but then pared down. So, that was that, and we concurred, nine zero two to find this favorable, and we asked the body to do the same.

[Speaker Jill Krowinski]: So the question is, shall the house concur in the senate proposal of amendment? Are you ready for the question? If so Yes. 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 concurred in the senate proposal of amendment. Members earlier today, the senate message to us a senate proposal of amendment on house bill nine thirty eight which is an act relating to establishing the Vermont homelessness response continuum. The clerk emailed you that senate proposal of amendment at 02:35 today. It is also posted on the house overview webpage and paper copies are available at the main table. With that, member from Pulte, can you please offer us a motion to suspend our rules to take up house bill nine thirty eight for immediate consideration pending its entry on the notice calendar.

[Representative Michael Mrowicki]: Madam speaker, I make a motion to suspend rules in order to take up h nine thirty eight for immediate consideration pending entry on the notice calendar.

[Speaker Jill Krowinski]: The member from Pulte moves that we suspend our rules to take up house bill nine thirty eight for immediate consideration pending its entry on the notice calendar. 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 suspended rules to take up House Bill nine thirty eight for immediate consideration. House Bill nine thirty eight is an act relating to establishing the Vermont homelessness response continuum. The bill passed the senate in concurrence with the proposal of amendment. Member from Waterbury.

[Representative Theresa Wood]: Thank you, madam speaker. On March 31, the house passed H. Nine thirty eight, and the Senate is returning to us much the same bill that we sent over to them with very few changes. I'll just review the changes with you briefly. The in Section 2,202, there's a that identifies that all funding opportunities available under the program are open to any entity or community partner, including those that did not previously receive funding. There was a reorder of the different levels of the program that moved permanent supportive housing to not being a level per se, but just being an option. There were changes that identified the opportunity that these that these supports and services would be offered to individuals. And under other emergency housing services, members might recall that this bill allows for municipalities to receive some funding, to assist in their efforts to house individuals during extreme cold weather events. So there was, language added that authorized an eligible municipality to submit a grant application to the office of economic opportunity containing the estimated cost of that municipality's proposal and any other identified funding sources. There was additional clarification of what the house had already put into the bill around how eligibility for emergency assistance is calculated during a twelve month period. And we had in our language seventy days per rolling twelve month period. And the Senate added clarification that that is calculated from the date of the eligible households application through the same day of the month, twelve months later. The other amendment was in section 22.15, and there was quite a lengthy section on appeals and right to fair hearing. Really none of those rights for a fair hearing are being deleted, but rather than having the specific language, we are saying the senate is saying that fair hearings will be held under this section must be conducted in accordance with three VSA sections 3,090 through 3,091. And that is the part of the statutes that deal with fair hearings by the Human Services Board. There were additional there was additional language that authorizes the department to have rule make emergency rule making happen by 09/01/2026 instead of July 1 and says that during July and August of this year, that DCF shall administer the program by applying the emergency housing rules that were approved by Elcar on 03/13/2025 for the administration of the services under this act in that interim period of time. During the LCAR process and prior to filing a permanent rule, it instructs that DCF must work in collaboration with stakeholders to develop the rule, including at least five stakeholder meetings throughout the state. And they will also submit draft rules, which is a little unusual to the committees of jurisdiction for consideration of committee comments on those draft rules. In section 11, that deals with the Vermont Rental Assistance Bridge Program that would be operated by Vermont State Housing Authority, and it directs the agency of human services to collaborate with the housing authority to develop a framework for establishing a unified housing voucher program that consolidates any existing voucher programs that are currently provided by other AHS departments. It also specifies in this section that all recipients of services for other AHS departments are eligible for this rental assistance. However, people who are homeless receive priority. There were some changes to the dates for a couple of the reports. And then finally in the section 14 on expenditures, the expenditures for emergency hotels and motels was reduced by $500,000 and those resources are being directed towards a day shelter in Burlington that has been in existence since the COVID nineteen pandemic and is serving hundreds of individuals each day. The other thing that was added by the senate is requiring quarterly reports from the office of economic opportunity describing how the funds have been utilized to date, and that will be, each quarter. So those are the, basic amendments made by the senate. The structure of the bill remains intact as the house sent it. And on a straw poll of eight one two, our committee votes to concur with the senate on their proposal of amendment. And madam speaker, I would like just for a moment to, if I could receive permission to quote from a recently deceased individual who was a staunch advocate for the homelessness.

[Speaker Jill Krowinski]: You may.

[Representative Theresa Wood]: This is a a poem by Morgan Brown who died not that long ago, and he was a very staunch advocate for people who experience homelessness in this state. It's called in lieu of flowers, remember and care for the living. For those living unhoused, abandoned to the streets, left to live in the woods, underneath bridges, sleep in dumpsters and the like, it is far too late to think of them, remember fondly, send flowers, or otherwise honor and memorialize them after they have languished and died from lying wet, frozen, alone, and forgotten due to deliberate indifference as well as from a lack of sufficient caring and empathy by their fellow human beings. As for Morgan Brown. Madam Speaker, we have had a long journey with this bill and with this topic and trying to provide some rational basis for assisting individuals who are homeless in this state, and I appreciate all of the work of my committee and for all of those who have been involved in this struggle over the last many years. And I hope that the body will join us in concurring with the senate proposal of amendment.

[Speaker Jill Krowinski]: The question is, shall the house concur in the senate proposal of amendment? Are you ready for the question, member from Georgia?

[Unknown (Member from Georgia)]: Thanks, madam speaker. So I'm I'm looking at the most up to date fiscal note that I can find madam speaker. It's dated May 14. And and on that sheet, I can see a total cost for next year of 82 and a half million. It's 82,634,000. So is may may I inquire of the reporter of the bill regarding that figure? The

[Speaker Jill Krowinski]: member from Waterbury is interrogated.

[Unknown (Member from Georgia)]: I'm wondering if the member knows if that is if that is money that is already incoming, you know, not new money. New money would be to would have to be invented by the Ways and Means Committee and I don't recall doing that for $82,000,000 Where does that money come from?

[Representative Theresa Wood]: Thank you, Madam Speaker for the I'm

[Unknown (Member from Georgia)]: going sit down and listen to the response, Madam Speaker, if that's okay.

[Representative Theresa Wood]: Yes. Thank you for the question. Member, This is the exact same dollar amount that was included in the governor's budget for services for people who are homeless. The only change that was made in the senate was to reduce one line item and add another of the exact same dollar amount. So that total that the member quoted is the exact same number that it went to the senate with and the exact same number that is in the governor's budget as as budgeted and as, included in the house and and and senate versions of the budget.

[Speaker Jill Krowinski]: So the question is, shall the house concur in the senate 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 concurred in the senate proposal of amendment. Next we will take up nine fifty seven and then we'll go to nine forty one. Member from Pulton East on our notice calendar house bill nine fifty seven which is an act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the town of Williston. Can you please offer us a motion to suspend rules to take up House Bill nine fifty seven off the notice calendar for immediate consideration?

[Representative Michael Mrowicki]: Madam Speaker, I make a motion to suspend rules in order to take up off the notice calendar for immediate consideration, h nine five seven.

[Speaker Jill Krowinski]: The member from Pultely moves that we suspend our rules to take up House Bill nine fifty seven off the notice calendar for immediate consideration. 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 suspended rules to take up House Bill nine fifty seven up for immediate consideration. House bill nine fifty seven is an act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of Williston. The bill was referred to the committee on government operations and military affairs, which recommends that the bill ought to pass. The member from Cavendish, Coffin will speak for the committee. Please listen to the second reading of the bill.

[BetsyAnn Wrask (Clerk of the Vermont House)]: H nine fifty seven. An act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the town of Williston.

[Speaker Jill Krowinski]: Member from Cavendish.

[Representative VL Coffin IV]: Thank you, madam speaker. As we've heard, h nine fifty seven is an act relating to the approval of the amendments of the town of Williston. This charter change is pretty simple. Several changes to the amendment changes to the, charter. Section one is the standard amendment approval, which reads, the general assembly approves the amendments town of Williston, set forth in the act in this act. This was approved by the proposals amendment on 03/03/2026 by the town at a vote of 1,560 to 727. Now we'll get into the meat of the bill. It amends chapter one seventy one twenty four VSA chapter one seventy one town of Williston. Section 14, local elected officials is repealing listers so that they can hire outside without having to have elected officials. The next instance of amendment is in part c of that same section. It removes the references to listers and their duties and responsibilities in part c, d, and e. In sub subsection 15, under appointed non administrative officials. It removes the line plus the listers unless the town votes to eliminate the office of listers, which they did in that vote I told you about in the count. In section c of that, it also removes mention of the town listers, again stating that unless the town eliminates to a vote vote to eliminate the office. It inserts the conjunction and in between civil authority and town treasurer. In subsection 21, the assessment of property. The town shall employ and contract one or more professional qualified assessors. They will perform the same duties as the listers used to do and follow the director of property valuation review under 32 VSA 14 52. In part b of that section, the assessors will have the same powers as the listers as in the provisions of title 32. Subsection 21. Section three, the transitionary provision and this is where the town was careful. The term in the office of any lister of the town of Williston shall expire forty five days after the passage of this act or upon the date in which an assessor is employed or contracted with accordance with 24 VSA chapter one seventy one subsection 21. Section four, the last change. This act shall take effect on passage. We heard from the bill sponsor, the office of legislative council, and the town manager. Madam speaker, your house committee on government operations military affairs kindly asks that the body find this motion favorable. We voted it out on account of nine zero two. Thank you.

[Speaker Jill Krowinski]: 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. Member from Pultely, can you please offer us a motion to suspend rules to place house bill nine fifty seven in all remaining stages of passage?

[Representative Michael Mrowicki]: Madam speaker, I make a motion to suspend rules in order to place h nine fifty seven in all remaining stages of passage.

[Speaker Jill Krowinski]: The member from Pultely moves that we suspend our rules to place House Bill nine fifty seven in all remaining stages of passage. Are you ready for the question? If so, all those in favor, please say aye. All those opposed, please say nay. The ayes appear to have it. The ayes do have it. And you have suspended rules to place house bill nine fifty seven in all remaining stages of passage. Please listen to the third reading of the bill.

[BetsyAnn Wrask (Clerk of the Vermont House)]: H nine fifty seven, an act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the town of Williston.

[Speaker Jill Krowinski]: 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. The ayes appear to have it. The ayes do have it and you have passed the bill. Member from Pultely, can you please offer us a motion to suspend our rules to message our action on house bill nine fifty seven to the senate forthwith?

[Representative Michael Mrowicki]: Madam speaker, I make a motion to suspend rules in order to message our action on h nine fifty seven to the senate forthwith.

[Speaker Jill Krowinski]: The member from Pulte moves that we suspend our rules to message our action on house bill nine fifty seven to the senate forthwith. 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 suspended our rules to message our action on house bill nine fifty seven to the senate forthwith. Members earlier today, the senate message to us a senate proposal of amendment to house proposal of amendment to, senate proposal of amendment on house bill nine forty one which is an act relating to municipal regulation of agriculture. The clerk emailed you that senate proposal of amendment at 02:26 today and is also posted on the house overview webpage and paper copies are available at the main table. Member, you please offer us a motion to suspend rules to take up House Bill nine forty one for immediate consideration pending its entry on the notice calendar?

[Representative Michael Mrowicki]: Madam Speaker, I make a motion to suspend rules to take up H941 for immediate consideration pending entry on the notice calendar.

[Speaker Jill Krowinski]: The member from Hultney moves that we suspend our rules to take up House Bill nine forty one for immediate consideration pending its entry on the notice calendar. 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 suspended rules to take up House Bill nine forty one for immediate consideration. House Bill nine forty one is an act relating to municipal regulation of agriculture. The senate concurred in the house proposal of amendment to the senate proposal of amendment with a further proposal of amendment there too. Member from Shaftsbury.

[Representative David Durfee]: Madam speaker, this bill has been back and forth between chambers several times and I'm pleased to report that your house committee on agriculture, food resiliency and forestry voted to concur with the Senate's proposal of amendment on a vote of seven zero one. The Senate's proposal is very short. If you pulled it up, can see that all it does is remove one section, section five from our from our previous amendment proposal. Section five would have set up a study committee to continue the conversations that have been taking place between municipalities, farmer groups, and other interested parties. The Senate has in its proposal struck this language so that there would be no study group. The house felt that the study groups served a useful purpose and that's why we had included it in our amendment. But we understand that we, A, we're coming to a point in the session where we want to make sure that the underlying bill moves forward. It has very important provisions. We also hope that the stakeholders will continue to meet on their own accord. We understand that they have an interest in doing so. So again, the House Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency and Forestry on a straw poll of seven zero one supports concurring with the Senate amendment.

[Speaker Jill Krowinski]: So the question is, shall the House concur in the Senate proposal of amendment to the House proposal of amendment to the Senate 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. The ayes appear to have it. The ayes do have it and you have concurred in the senate proposal of amendment. Members, that completes the orders of the day. Members earlier today the committee on government operations and military affairs reported favorably on senate bill 64 which is an act relating to amendments to the scope of practice for optometrists 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. Also earlier today, the committee on education reported reported favorable with amendment on senate bill three thirteen, which is an act relating to transforming Vermont's career technical education system. Caring an appropriation, the bill is referred to the committee on appropriations pursuant to house rule 35 a pending its entry on the notice calendar. Are there any announcements? Seeing none, member from Pultely, can you please offer us a motion to adjourn until Friday, May 22 at 10AM?

[Representative Michael Mrowicki]: Madam speaker, I make a motion to adjourn until I was gonna say suspend rules. To adjourn until Friday, 05/22/2026 at 10AM.

[Speaker Jill Krowinski]: The member from Pulte moves that we adjourn until Friday, May 22 at 10AM. 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 a German