Vermont State Representative Lisa Hango released a legislative update on May 15, outlining recent activities and developments at the Statehouse.
Hango said the week began with an attempt to bring bill H.70, which concerns the inclusion of use value appraisal land in the conserved land inventory, to a vote under Vermont House Rule 51. She explained that despite advocacy from Rural Caucus members and previous efforts earlier in the year, “that motion failed 80-58, and H.70 did not get consideration by the full House.” Hango added that supporters “passionately defended Vermonters who are engaged in working lands professions – farmers and those in the wood products industries.” She thanked rural Vermonters for their support.
The update also described several votes on Senate proposals of amendment to bills previously passed by the House. These included S.189 regarding hospital services, H.739 prohibiting paraquat herbicide use and sale, Proposition 4 about equality of rights, S.212 on water supply systems, S.208 setting law enforcement identification standards, H.648 addressing cryptocurrency fraud protections in banking and insurance sectors, and S.243 concerning funds for the VT Language Justice Project.
Hango reported ongoing work within committees as well: “In the House Government Operations & Military Affairs Committee, we continued taking detailed and lengthy testimony on S.64 (amendments to scope of practice for optometrists); S.278 (cannabis); H.588 (professions regulated by Office of Professional Regulation); and H.957 (Williston charter change).”
She also noted activity around conference committees waiting to make recommendations on several major bills such as S.325 (the ‘Act 181 repeal’ bill), as well as budgetary measures including H.951 (Budget), H.933 (Miscellaneous Tax Bills), H.949 (Yield Bill), and H.952 (Capital Bill).
The update concluded with mention of a successful diaper and baby wipes drive held at the Statehouse on May 13 by The VT Chamber together with partners from National Guard organizations: “The drive was a huge success gathering over 2500 diapers… It is an honor to serve in Montpelier.”
