Vermont Legislature SmartTranscripts:

[Lt. Governor David Zuckerman (President of the Senate)]: Will the senate please come to order?

[Senator Randy Brock (Franklin District)]: I'd like to be secure. Oh, boy.

[Lt. Governor David Zuckerman (President of the Senate)]: We'll take a moment of silence in lieu of a devotional. Thank you. Are there any announcements? Seeing none. We have oh, yes. That one. Senate Bill s two twenty three being on the calendar for notice and carrying an appropriation under rule 31 is referred to the committee on appropriations. Orders of the day. We have s two ten for third reading. S two ten is an act relating to access to autopsy reports. Please listen. Are there any amendments before third reading? Please listen to the third reading.

[John H. Bloomer Jr. (Secretary of the Senate)]: S two

[Lt. Governor David Zuckerman (President of the Senate)]: Senator from Windham you you could be recognized after the third reading to, share your piece.

[Senator Nader Hashim (Windham District)]: Thank you.

[John H. Bloomer Jr. (Secretary of the Senate)]: S two ten, an act relating to access to autopsy reports.

[Lt. Governor David Zuckerman (President of the Senate)]: To to be clear, you weren't the only one that was confused on that. Senator from Windham.

[Senator Nader Hashim (Windham District)]: Thank you, mister president. It's good to know I wasn't the only one that confused there. Senate judiciary was asked to take a look at two ten, which we did yesterday. We received a walk through, from alleged counsel and, received a general report about the, input from the various stakeholders who, which play a role in this bill. Senate judiciary didn't really have did not have anything to offer in terms of changes and we were supportive of the language that came through our committee.

[Lt. Governor David Zuckerman (President of the Senate)]: And the question is shall the bill pass? Are you ready for the question? If so, all in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed nay. The ayes have it and we have passed s two ten. We now have H516 for third reading H516 an act relating to approval of the amendments to the Charter of the Town of Essex. Are there any amendments prior to third reading? Seeing none listen to the third reading.

[John H. Bloomer Jr. (Secretary of the Senate)]: H five sixteen, an act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the town of Essex.

[Lt. Governor David Zuckerman (President of the Senate)]: The question is, shall the bill pass in concurrence? Are you ready with the question? If so, all in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed nay. The ayes have it, and we have passed in concurrence h five sixteen. Senator from Chittenden.

[Senator Philip Baruth (Chittenden Central District, President Pro Tempore)]: Thank you, mister president. I believe we'll be passing over s two fifty five today, but I would move that the senate suspend its rules, in order to take up j r s 42 pending entry of the calendar for notice, joint resolution condemning the Russian Federation's military and political actions in Ukraine.

[Lt. Governor David Zuckerman (President of the Senate)]: Senator from Chittenden Central has moved that the rules be suspended.

[Senator Randy Brock (Franklin District)]: And what's the number here?

[Lt. Governor David Zuckerman (President of the Senate)]: JRS42 pending entry on the calendar for notice to be taken up for immediate consideration. Are you ready for the question? So all in favor, say aye. Aye. All opposed, nay. The ayes have it.

[Senator Philip Baruth (Chittenden Central District, President Pro Tempore)]: Okay.

[Lt. Governor David Zuckerman (President of the Senate)]: So senators are being handed both the original version and the report of the committee, and that went to I have a script, but it's not filled in. What committee was it in? Oh, very nice. We have on the calendar for action JRS 42, and it will be treated as a bill and it was referred to the committee on economic development, which reports it is considered the resolution and recommends that the resolution be amended as it appears in the handout on your desk, and that when so amended, the resolution ought to be adopted. Listen to the second reading of the resolution. This one or this one?

[John H. Bloomer Jr. (Secretary of the Senate)]: JRS 42. Joint resolution condemning the Russian Federation's military and political actions in Ukraine and especially their impact on Ukrainian children.

[Lt. Governor David Zuckerman (President of the Senate)]: Recognize the senator from Franklin District for the report of the committee on economic development.

[Senator Randy Brock (Franklin District)]: Thank you, mister president. The committee took out, this resolution, and examined it in detail and listened to information provided by the presenter and sent or the introducer, sponsor of the original resolution, who took on a informed charge to indeed do some additional research to make sure that those things that we mentioned in this particular resolution are backed up by detail, by facts, by evidence, and by the kind of information that we rarely go to the length of validating, verifying, examining in-depth. And in this case, the committee did do that. And what we found was, I think, very, very important. I think it's a a kind of significance that we rarely find the resolutions that we present the body as a whole and ask to be passed. This particular resolution, then I'll go over it at least at a at a high level at this point. We recognize the fact that Russia invaded the Ukraine not just in '9 in 2022, which we generally think of as the beginning of the conflict there, but actually going back more than ten years before with its takeover of Crimea, its movement into the Donbas region in 2014, and later took a large scale invasion that occurred in 2022. And this body dealt with a resolution that we passed in 2023 or '24. I don't remember which, but it was based on the February in which we condemned that and made sure that our voices were heard regarding our belief of what happened to Ukraine. The kinds of things that we found in doing the in-depth research was that these these invasions did in fact appear to violate article two four of the United Nations Charter, which provides all members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state or in any other manner inconsistent with the purposes of The United States. We added as part of our our research which are the where ask of clauses that you will see in this, that we looked at what the Brookings Institution said when it said that these Russian actions violate the agreement among the post Soviet states in 1991 to accept the existing republic borders. The 1994 Budapest Memorandum on Security, insurances for Ukraine. The 1997 Ukraine Russian Treaty, a friendship, cooperation, and partnership. We found a number of other things that I will not read in detail, but one of the things that stands out is the concern about people, the Ukrainians, and particularly Ukrainian children, millions of whom now live without regular heat and power for months during Ukraine's harsh winter, which has been especially harsh this year. We looked at some of the things that have been widely reported and there is evidence to support them that Russians have relocated thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian children. Remove them from their families and have placed them under adoption to Russian families. We examined the substantial basis for violations of the 1949 Geneva Convention the 1977 additional protocol from Rome's statute of the International Court that amounts to war crimes and crimes against humanity. We note the number of all newborns, in the Kherson region of Ukraine have now been granted Russian citizenship, and that orphans will also be registered as Russian citizens beginning in 2022. The Ukrainian military casualties now exceed three hundred and ninety thousand wounded and fifty five thousand dead. We found that information from multiple sources that generally corroborate that kind of information. We now find that between 80,090 Ukrainian soldiers are missing. The vast majority are presumed dead. And The United Nations reports of verifiable civilian casualties exceeding forty one thousand wounded and fifteen thousand dead in communities the Russians did not occupy quickly in 2022. And so this resolution, first resolved by the senate and the house, general assembly condemns the Russian Federation's illegal invasion of sovereign and internationally recognized Ukrainian territory. Further resolved, the general assembly condemns the Russian Federation's abduction and forcible transfer of Ukrainian children. The large network of camps and centers that facilitate the cultural and linguistic reeducation of Ukrainian children and the corresponding impact on the future of Ukraine's cultural, linguistic, and national identity, and the involuntary adoption and military induction of seized Ukrainian children. As part of this research, the original presenter, the original introducer of this resolution. Senator from Chittenden spent most of last night up talking to people in Ukraine and talking with sources of information from Ukrainian government, establishments to reinforce, to double check, and to create backup information for the numbers and the statistics and the actions that were taken. And for this, I believe the senator is to be commended for the additional work that she did to convince all of us that this is an issue that needs to be spoken of. And so as a result, the general assembly condemns the Russian Federation's abduction and forcible transfer of Ukrainian children. The large network of camps and centers that facilitate the cultural and linguistic reeducation of Ukrainian children and the corresponding impact on the future of Ukraine. We strongly urge the general assembly, strongly urge as the government of the Russian Federation to cease immediately its bombardment of Ukrainian infrastructure, withdraw its forces from Ukraine's internationally recognized territory, and return Ukraine to all turn to Ukraine, all children, whom it is forcibly removed. And it's resolved that the secretary of state, secretary of the senate be directed to send a copy of the resolution to the Russian Federation and Ukraine ambassadors to The United States, president Donald j Trump, and the Vermont congressional delegation. Thank you, mister president.

[Lt. Governor David Zuckerman (President of the Senate)]: The question is shall the resolution be amended as recommended by the Committee on Economic Development. Are you ready for the question? Senator from Chittenden Central.

[Senator Tanya Vyhovsky (Chittenden Central District)]: Thank you Mr. President. I would like to rise and thank the committee for their quick work on this and I am tired but I and I appreciate the recognition of the work that I did and I think more importantly I'd like to rise to recognize the work that the Ukrainians did because I reached out to them at about three in the morning their time and they got up and they contacted the mayor of Mary's Poll. They contacted the president's office. They contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Internal Affairs to make sure that I had the data that I needed. And I think that that speaks to the incredible resolve and the incredible willingness to do the work of the Ukrainian people. And even more so, think it speaks to the incredible value that our solidarity has for them. To be willing to get up at 03:00 in the morning to track down these numbers from multiple different government entities while air raid sirens went off overhead speaks to how important it is to the Ukrainians that we are standing with them even in the small state of Vermont. So I I thank the committee, and and I hopefully thank the senate for for standing in solidarity with Ukraine.

[Senator Nader Hashim (Windham District)]: Thank you

[Senator Tanya Vyhovsky (Chittenden Central District)]: and I apologize for my exhaustion.

[Lt. Governor David Zuckerman (President of the Senate)]: Senator from Chittenden Central.

[Senator Philip Baruth (Chittenden Central District, President Pro Tempore)]: Thank you, Mr. President. Thank the committee and my colleague from Chittenden Central, for her work on this issue. I believe there's one dramatic lyric which hopefully we can treat as a scribner's error. This is on the second page, second line. It now reads, and they increase, and I believe it should be and they include.

[Lt. Governor David Zuckerman (President of the Senate)]: We can treat that as a Scribner's error. Thank you to the English professor once again.

[Senator Philip Baruth (Chittenden Central District, President Pro Tempore)]: Thank you, mister president.

[Lt. Governor David Zuckerman (President of the Senate)]: The question is, shall the resolution be amended as recommended by the committee on economic development? Senator from Franklin.

[Senator Randy Brock (Franklin District)]: Thank you, mister president. I would also add that the vote of the committee was five zero zero. Thank you.

[Lt. Governor David Zuckerman (President of the Senate)]: Are you ready for the question?

[Senator Randy Brock (Franklin District)]: Roll call.

[Lt. Governor David Zuckerman (President of the Senate)]: Roll call has been requested, and when the vote is taken, it shall be by roll. Are you ready for the question? If so, the secretary shall call the roll. Point has been made. Do we want a roll call on the amendment, or do we want to rate wait until it has been amended? Just double checking.

[Senator Randy Brock (Franklin District)]: Let's wait till it's been amended.

[Lt. Governor David Zuckerman (President of the Senate)]: I couldn't hear that. You withdrew the Yes. Request. Thank you. So the question is, shall the resolution be amended as recommended by the committee on economic development? All in favor, say aye. Aye. All in favor, nay. The ayes have it. And what are we? Now the question is, shall the resolution be read a third time?

[Senator Randy Brock (Franklin District)]: Roll call.

[Lt. Governor David Zuckerman (President of the Senate)]: Roll call has been requested. Are you ready for the question? If so, the secretary shall call the roll.

[John H. Bloomer Jr. (Secretary of the Senate)]: Senator Baruth? Yes. Senator Pat? Yes. Senator Benson? Yes. Senator Bongartz? Yes. Senator Pershing. Yes. Senator Pumpkin. Senator Ron Hinsdale. Yes. Senator Pahovsky. Yes. Senator Watson. Yes. Senator Weeks. Yes. Senator Westman. Yes.

[Senator Rebecca “Becca” White (Windsor District)]: Senator White. Yes.

[John H. Bloomer Jr. (Secretary of the Senate)]: Senator Williams. Yes. Senator Harrison. Senator Plunkett. The

[Lt. Governor David Zuckerman (President of the Senate)]: ayes voting 28, the nays voting zero, and the ayes have it. You've ordered third reading of JRS 42. Senator from Chittenden?

[Senator Philip Baruth (Chittenden Central District, President Pro Tempore)]: If I might ask a point of information of the senate secretary, does this need a third reading? And if so, can we expedite?

[Lt. Governor David Zuckerman (President of the Senate)]: Yes. It needs a third reading, and you can suspend the rules to make that happen.

[Senator Philip Baruth (Chittenden Central District, President Pro Tempore)]: Thank you very much. In that case, I would ask that the senate suspend its rules in order to move JRS 42 through all remaining stages of passage.

[Lt. Governor David Zuckerman (President of the Senate)]: Senator from Chittenden Central has moved that the senate suspend its rules and that JRS 42 be placed in all remaining stages of passage. Are you ready for the question? If so, all in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed nay. The eyes have it and we have placed it in all remaining stages of passage. Are there any amendments prior to third reading? I supposed to read the title or I can just let you. Please listen to the third reading.

[John H. Bloomer Jr. (Secretary of the Senate)]: JRS 42 joint resolution condemning the Russian Federation's military and political actions in Ukraine and especially their impact on Ukrainian children.

[Lt. Governor David Zuckerman (President of the Senate)]: The question is, shall the resolution be adopted? Are you ready for the question? Senator from Essex.

[Senator Russ Ingalls (Essex District)]: Thank you, mister president. I can remember, four long years, when, this event happened, and I, we were on Zoom at that time. And I had a question that was, and I still bothers me today, the question, which was that how can one nation attack another nation, so brutally in the way that they have and think it's okay. And, I support this resolution 100%. Thank you, mister president.

[Lt. Governor David Zuckerman (President of the Senate)]: Are you ready for the question? If so, all in favor, aye. Aye. All opposed, nay. Ayes have it, and we've adopted the resolution. Senator from Chittenden Central.

[Senator Randy Brock (Franklin District)]: I would ask at

[Senator Philip Baruth (Chittenden Central District, President Pro Tempore)]: this time, mister president, that the senate suspend its rules and message the actions just taken on JRS 42 to the house fourth win.

[Lt. Governor David Zuckerman (President of the Senate)]: Senator from Chittenden Central has moved that the rules be suspended and that the resolution be messaged to the house forthwith. Are you ready for the question? If so, all in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed nay. The ayes have it, and we will message our actions on the resolution to the house forthwith. That completes the orders of the day. Senator from Chittenden Central.

[Senator Philip Baruth (Chittenden Central District, President Pro Tempore)]: Petting announcements, I move that the senate stand in adjournment until 1PM, Thursday, 02/26/2026.

[Lt. Governor David Zuckerman (President of the Senate)]: Are there any announcements? Senator from Washington.

[Senator Ann Cummings (Washington District)]: Thank you, mister president. I seem to be the lead chief in this herd. Senate finance will meet at 01:30.

[Lt. Governor David Zuckerman (President of the Senate)]: Senator from Washington. Thank you,

[Senator Randy Brock (Franklin District)]: mister president. Senator appropriations will also meet at 01:30.

[Lt. Governor David Zuckerman (President of the Senate)]: Senator from Rutland.

[Senator Brian Collamore (Rutland District)]: Thank you, mister president, as well as senate government operations.

[Lt. Governor David Zuckerman (President of the Senate)]: Are there further announcements? Senator from Windsor.

[Senator Alison Clarkson (Windsor District)]: Thank you. Tonight, you have we have a really splendid, farmers night concert. It's Capital City Concerts. It's gonna be presenting, Maine's Grammy nominated, Palaver Springs, along with Vermont's Grammy nominated flautist Karen Kevra. And together, they're gonna have a chorus conducted by Richard Riley. It should be really spectacular. The program is built around the Estonian composer Sisask and his piece, Tadam, Opus 20 37 for chorus, string, orchestra, and flute, as well as colorful other pieces, which will be from The Middle East and Scandinavia. So I encourage you to come and take an hour for this glorious music, 07:30 to 08:30 tonight in the house chamber.

[Lt. Governor David Zuckerman (President of the Senate)]: There is a lot going on tonight. Senator from Grand Isle, do you have any announcements? I guess I do. Tonight the Federation of Sportsman in Vermont will host a mixer in the cafeteria starting four, 04:30, going till about 06:30 and it's held in conjunction with the legislative sports with Scott Beck. So all are welcome whether you're a member or not. Are there any further announcements senator from Windsor?

[Senator Alison Clarkson (Windsor District)]: As competing against my further announcement and the senator's announcement the council of state governments the eastern regional Conference is having their legislative reception at Hugo's from six to eight.

[Lt. Governor David Zuckerman (President of the Senate)]: As I said, a busy evening this evening. Are there any further announcements? Seeing none, the senator from Chittenden Central has moved that the senate stand on adjournment until 1PM, Thursday, 02/26/2026. Are you ready for the question? If so, all in favor, say aye. Aye. All opposed, nay. The ayes have it. You'll stand in adjournment until 1PM, Thursday, 02/26/2026.