Vermont Legislature SmartTranscripts:

[Rep. Matthew Birong (Chair)]: On Tuesday, March 26, we are picking up work on we are hearing an amendment, proposal of amendment on h 67, and that relating to legislative operations and government accountability. It was presented on the floor yesterday for second reading. And so we have representative Seville with us. Please join representative presenting a proposal of amendment for potential third reading. How are you?

[Rep. Laura Sibilia]: Thank you for having me in. We have a small little simple little amendment here. That is, for age 67. You heard my question yesterday. Are you all looking at a copy of the amendment? Yes.

[Rep. Matthew Birong (Chair)]: Great.

[Rep. Laura Sibilia]: So it just simply removes, and the leaders of the major political parties in both the house and senate from from the committee that is, advising on what projects to be taken up. And that, I think, is a more inclusive language, speaking on behalf of your fellow unaffiliated members. And that's it.

[Rep. Matthew Birong (Chair)]: Okay.

[Rep. Laura Sibilia]: So that would leave it to the speaker and the pro tem who are elected by all members, and who presumably will solicit input from all members.

[Rep. Matthew Birong (Chair)]: Striking comment and Siri and Aliens.

[Sophie Sedatney (Office of Legislative Counsel)]: The bill is passed by

[Rep. Matthew Birong (Chair)]: I'm trying to figure out who's

[Unidentified Committee Member]: sent it. Today's what page? Cool.

[Rep. Matthew Birong (Chair)]: All right, any questions for the member? As the vote on the bill?

[Unidentified Committee Member]: No, I don't have any questions.

[Rep. Laura Sibilia]: I feel like your question on the floor yesterday was

[Unidentified Committee Member]: indicative of where you were going with this. And I think this is good. The more it was not intended to be non inclusive and the more people who are giving input, the better. And if this is something that improves access for people to get their voices heard,

[Rep. Laura Sibilia]: then I'm awful. And I should have said, Mr. Chair, I heard from multiple members of your committee that there was discussion about how to make sure and include as many people as possible. So I I know that this was not yeah. I don't remember the specific answer to your question if we had addressed that so specifically. We retired yesterday. I don't wanna tell them.

[Unidentified Committee Member]: Yeah.

[Rep. Matthew Birong (Chair)]: Alright. I guess that's that for you. Thank you, representative. Yes. Yeah. And now we'll just

[Rep. Laura Sibilia]: Will you be voting on it soon, mister chair? Shall I stay?

[Rep. Matthew Birong (Chair)]: If you would like, yes. We are definitely taking a position on this position. Okay. Counsel. Good

[Sophie Sedatney (Office of Legislative Counsel)]: morning. Sophie Sedatney from the Office of Legislative Counsel. Go ahead and share my screen. There was a missing and,

[Unidentified Committee Member]: so so you know, it's made

[Rep. Laura Sibilia]: it a little different than

[Sophie Sedatney (Office of Legislative Counsel)]: the original one. So, yes, essentially, this now streamlines who would be weighing in on the issues to be reviewed by the accountability project, and now it will be the Speaker of the House and the Senate pro tem. And so by taking out the and the leaders of the major parties in both house and senate, we just needed to add an and in between speaker and the senate pro tem. So I can show you what that looks like on

[Rep. Laura Sibilia]: the bill.

[Sophie Sedatney (Office of Legislative Counsel)]: So now this would essentially be selection of project issues before the committee. The Chief Fiscal Officer of the Joint Fiscal Office in consultation with the Speaker of the House and the President pro tem will select issues for the committee's consideration and refer these to the Joint Fiscal Committee on or before 08/01/2026.

[Rep. Matthew Birong (Chair)]: Okay. Be simple and understandable. Any questions for council committee?

[Unidentified Committee Member]: Thank you for doing that.

[Rep. Matthew Birong (Chair)]: Okay. Thank you. So, it seems those of us who are present at the table are finding this proposal of amendment to be amenable. Support of thumbs is 36802. For your notes. Need to hold favorable.

[Unidentified Committee Member]: Writing it sticky.

[Rep. Matthew Birong (Chair)]: Thank You are welcome. You

[Rep. Laura Sibilia]: are welcome, member. Alright. Happy birthday.

[Rep. Matthew Birong (Chair)]: And with that, we are off live. That is our agenda for the day.