[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6563146,"mediaKeyId","3233709-5caeb120ef1d4f0d0fe5de78f7a905e6","parentId",3233709,"title","Votes at a glance: several bills advanced or ordered to third reading","audioSeconds",356,"startMs",384000,"endMs",740000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3233709-5caeb120ef1d4f0d0fe5de78f7a905e6&start=384&end=740","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3233709-5caeb120ef1d4f0d0fe5de78f7a905e6/thumbnail_384000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6563146/Vermont/Votes-at-a-glance-several-bills-advanced-or-ordered-to-third-reading","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6563146-4832569821541904b15a4ff4345158f2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771042113&Signature=WzjuswgplGRJrKCTkTL0pb78WrLNFCWt52Wxx8HI~Z6PmvrPuW3FQPIUTP1ljcA6j3Hl61TF7JvzTxeYw3AcV-S3Ex~UxgUtQ8J2C7wDkvKpAwxOcq7Dbi7ORsqg7HzumDCeWMLNxQi3Cpf91hqqdgXIUb7Bi3uEYf4Xeg5TnStvj4dASuAfj8aI3LgVirx-nhcuQyPowBF8IpLKmshXxxjrRhxkqrZxx1U-RNXMsi17scJUezqcKD3vk8dvC~FZN2exeupKeblnYCu2xp3UusEtiobxZOKJ7tqU6HVGFSznUnP50d5onT03Dq02oMToNbKPyi2xIcPItwzbC7nMoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Vermont Legislature","date","2025-05-08T16:58:38Z","article","The Vermont Senate on the floor took action by voice vote on multiple bills with relatively brief floor consideration.

- H.27: An act relating to the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Commission. The Senate passed H.27 in concurrence with a proposal of amendment by voice vote; the chair announced \"the ayes have it.\"

- H.3.39: An act to remove the repeal of 7 V.S.A. § 230 and make permanent off‑premise sales of mixed alcoholic drinks (\"cocktails to go\"). The Senate ordered third reading of H.3.39 after the committee on economic development reported favorably (committee vote 5‑0‑0); committee testimony included Tucker Anderson (Office of Legislative Counsel), Wendy Knight (Commissioner, Department of Liquor and Lottery), Amy Spear (president, Vermont Chamber of Commerce) and Representative Lucy Boyden.

- H.3.64: An act approving annexation of property by the village of Swanton (property at 124 First Street in the town of Swanton). The Senate ordered third reading of H.3.64 after the committee on government operations reported favorably; the committee vote was recorded as 5‑0‑0 on the floor.

Procedural notes: All three actions on the floor were taken by voice vote; the transcript records \"ayes have it\" or similar voice‑vote outcomes and does not record roll‑call tallies. Committee votes were reported on the record where noted.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Session - May 8, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate took voice votes to advance or order third reading on several bills: H.27 (domestic violence fatality review commission), H.3.39 (permanent off‑premise alcohol sales \"cocktails to go\"), and H.3.64 (annexation by the village of Swanton).","taxTitle","SENATE, Committees, Legislative , Vermont","taxId",29455,"location","Vermont","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6563149,"Senate backs Molly Beattie distinguished service award honoring Vermont conservation leader",508,743000,1251000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3233709-5caeb120ef1d4f0d0fe5de78f7a905e6&start=743&end=1251","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3233709-5caeb120ef1d4f0d0fe5de78f7a905e6/thumbnail_743000.jpg","/articles/6563149/Vermont/Senate-backs-Molly-Beattie-distinguished-service-award-honoring-Vermont-conservation-leader","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6563149-c3d355023f1e897596851aa79ebf2b60/orig.mp4?Expires=1771042113&Signature=iJd7WgOL45joTpRWN0iJ7N2F3TG3Sm9Y8TKwhjNQXVXEgN63xcu5aXHE8SMOyCavimpRoFXj5hRtOUv5dxBIH9exul27rpMVpJqR8OVvfdwUd4PPkW5~JEc99qchQeoTU4uKt4OPzF~blOKhnLwYR3vG8LMt2dA9AWVohSfSzRJ3pLtdhaTlO-oSbAEDMLoybs-pV0t1JfbHjiXOn6ZuTuCcJhByKahkeCo18JlxD7CDKOOLrut-vjeXOHRGb1U3EP9rBQ6EF3VqD0mKQtwHhPfgjnwwIiXvqqr-1MMJ2fV3Hjz5sBdEI-ie7HupF8EQmrzov4loiurOOFB9Z~YWoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Vermont Senate on the floor voted to propose to the House an amendment and ordered third reading of H.3.96, a bill establishing the Molly Beattie Distinguished Service Award within the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation.

Senator Bongarts (Bennington District), reporting for the Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee, summarized Beattie's career and said the award would recognize a current or former state employee or partner who \"honors the legacy of Molly Beattie in advancing conservation, accessibility, quality of recreational experience, or sustainability of Vermont's public lands.\" The reporter described Beattie as a pioneer who earned a master's in forestry from the University of Vermont, held senior state positions including commissioner of forests and parks and deputy secretary at the Agency of Natural Resources, served as executive director of the Snelling Center for Government, and in 1993 became director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (the transcript records that appointment and her national service). The reporter noted Beattie died in 1996 at a relatively young age.

On the floor the senator from Chittenden asked whether the bill's use of the term \"partner\" was deliberately broad; the committee reporter said the wording was meant to allow the agency flexibility to recognize volunteers, fundraisers and other collaborators. The reporter also said the award carries no dedicated funding and is intended as an honorific recognition (likely a certificate or similar award).

Senators commended Beattie's legacy during floor remarks. Senator from Bennington closed by asking the Senate to propose the committee amendment to the House; the Senate then ordered third reading by voice vote.

Next steps: The Senate proposed the committee's recommended amendment to the House and ordered third reading. If enacted, the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation would administer the award to honor individuals whose work aligns with Beattie's conservation legacy.","The Senate proposed to the House to amend and ordered third reading of H.3.96, which would create the Molly Beattie Distinguished Service Award in the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation to honor a current or former state employee or partner for contributions to conservation and public‑land stewardship.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6563152,"Senate advances bill expanding reasons and covered family members under Vermont's unpaid leave law",492,1299000,1791000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3233709-5caeb120ef1d4f0d0fe5de78f7a905e6&start=1299&end=1791","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3233709-5caeb120ef1d4f0d0fe5de78f7a905e6/thumbnail_1299000.jpg","/articles/6563152/Vermont/Senate-advances-bill-expanding-reasons-and-covered-family-members-under-Vermonts-unpaid-leave-law","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6563152-d85aabc193ce63301178cf2f536fe050/orig.mp4?Expires=1771042113&Signature=A5boVQ8t~U9vN6s7b6iOYfqVf9KJMA0qOdQkkDwthA2zAfdtImaZq4SFI6uidTB9H92Y~do9lI~pgYTJgMksxc8GtD7yZ3f5COa~WP0nMDLTHLs3nv6~5arYncXqRtJMLnzggpIMDE1Likln9UitmIGSVV4GkZbZjVJBk-zE93YTEKDPEMEpibXzNfMwxwEgU3JZaELaI9DLi4EuFvV8O7UbdU0Wl4EUY6gzsOUUov6Vg27EZiURXZT4-VMJrQ7E4z0kNhDMroj8Xy2iMyrtKTUQblvdhvahwJiMpUwpu~rKs~9rAsiepy2gds-qRT9RRDrqHRpb7g34H0yIruA9uQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Vermont Senate on the floor ordered third reading of H.4.61 after committee reports that the bill expands the grounds and covered relationships under the Vermont Parental and Family Leave Act but does not increase the total 12 weeks of unpaid, job‑protected leave available to eligible employees.

Senator Chittenden (committee reporter) told the chamber the bill preserves the current 12‑week maximum but creates additional categories of leave: bereavement leave (with parameters, including a limit of up to two of the 12 weeks for bereavement, and no more than five consecutive workdays for a single bereavement use), \"safe leave\" for victims of domestic violence/sexual assault/stalking, and qualifying exigency leave related to a family member's active military duty. The bill also expands the statute's definition of \"family member\" to cover a wider range of relationships including domestic partners, grandparents, grandchildren and siblings of the employee and the employee's spouse or partner.

Chittenden said the measure extends coverage to airline flight crew employees who meet the federal Family and Medical Leave Act's special eligibility rules. The committee report listed testimony from labor and advocacy groups, employers and lawmakers; witnesses included Emmett Avery (Vermont Paid Family coalition), Carrie Brown (Vermont Commission on Women), JP Isabel (Vermont State Labor Council AFL‑CIO), Emily Krasnow (bill sponsor, Representative) and representatives of airline and business interests.

What the bill changes: it adds definitions for bereavement, domestic partner and domestic violence (by reference to existing statutory provisions), allows use of accrued paid leave or short‑term disability during unpaid leave without extending the leave length, and specifies types of documentation an employer may require to support safe leave, bereavement or qualifying exigency requests while protecting private medical information.

Appropriations and fiscal notes: the Appropriations Committee supported the bill, noting a likely de minimis fiscal effect on the state. The committee on economic development, housing and general affairs reported a 4‑1‑0 committee vote in favor. On the floor the Senate approved the committee's recommendation and ordered third reading by voice vote.

Next steps: With third reading ordered on the floor, the bill will proceed through the legislative process; the bill text includes sections with definitions, effective dates and administrative provisions for employers and employees.","The Senate ordered third reading of H.4.61 after committee reports that the bill would expand the Vermont Parental and Family Leave Act to add bereavement, safe leave, qualified exigency (military) leave, an expanded family‑member definition and coverage for certain airline flight crews without increasing the total unpaid weeks available.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6563156,"Senate advances stormwater bill extending 3‑acre compliance deadlines and directing funds for residential projects",2188,1792000,3980000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3233709-5caeb120ef1d4f0d0fe5de78f7a905e6&start=1792&end=3980","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3233709-5caeb120ef1d4f0d0fe5de78f7a905e6/thumbnail_1792000.jpg","/articles/6563156/Vermont/Senate-advances-stormwater-bill-extending-3acre-compliance-deadlines-and-directing-funds-for-residential-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6563156-108c23e138892c8e906508eb1ec11cbb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771042113&Signature=bfT2L1Uhp6XMrrQ0JCQyF0joPkFgaLKb2lloM3JVp-rWrvjAj0wHm6IdyDLEHmKV85otwyUYTdqQ7gDOYZKkif4h0duM1xwywyyQlo~XrFvYvZr7rgd2Sti1i4NJ1pVJFl5MI9L9TUs2usY2vBjfy3HlTGiehp5Vt-WttFOmrlrwH5P756KOp47x3ZbHIpZeTzmi5cUFjsIhAQ~Sy3J9FT-Ob53Y16PI8qTn-5HysVvySmoKEsHErfBueBOItc5AgAYgLxuVE-NxUZIgZ3rL-CRNcdU2V26OzPCEbuS2-XlpfdcxqwGC4Ec52rAdSaQ7kVkiVRB0ihN1nEkHV0d9Dw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Vermont Senate on the floor advanced H.4.81 to third reading after approving committee recommendations and a series of amendments aimed at easing compliance for properties subject to the state's \"3‑acre rule\" for stormwater management. Senator Watson (Washington District), reporting for the Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee, said the bill pushes certain deadlines and dedicates funding and studies to address compliance challenges.

The bill responds to federal and state phosphorus‑reduction obligations under the Clean Water Act and an existing Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for Lake Champlain and Lake Memphremagog. \"There are 674 total sites across the Lake Champlain and Lake Memphremagog watersheds that require a stormwater permit under the 3 acre rule that were supposed to have been permitted by 2023,\" Watson said, outlining the committee's findings that 204 of those sites have permits, about 300 are in process, and roughly 70 show little or no progress.

Why it matters: impervious surfaces (roofing, parking lots, roads) generate stormwater runoff that carries phosphorus to lakes and rivers; excess phosphorus contributes to harmful algal blooms and low‑oxygen \"dead zones.\" The 3‑acre rule requires developed parcels meeting the threshold to obtain stormwater permits and to install mitigation such as retention ponds or swales.

Key provisions and changes approved on the floor include: extending compliance deadlines (Watson described the principal change as pushing deadlines out by five years for affected watersheds, and providing a related compliance timeline for other areas); dedicating Clean Water Fund and municipal program dollars to residential stormwater projects; authorizing loans as well as grants from the developed lands implementation fund; and directing a study of regional stormwater utilities and permitting streamlining. The bill also requires improved notice to all property owners subject to a 3‑acre permit, which the reporter said addresses problems with \"orphan\" permits that were not properly transferred after subdivision or sale.

Funding details discussed in committee and on the floor included a senate amendment to dedicate $1,000,000 annually from the municipal stormwater implementation program toward 3‑acre compliance for a limited period and a committee recommendation that the Clean Water Board direct $5,000,000 from the Clean Water Fund to municipal programs for residential projects in fiscal 2027. The Appropriations Committee proposed and the Senate approved a regular review of the property transfer tax clean water surcharge beginning in 2028 to assess continued sufficiency.

Senators on both sides voiced concern about cost and fairness. Senators from Rutland and other rural counties emphasized the high engineering and construction costs and urged continued attention to the bill's economic impacts on homeowners and small municipalities. Supporters said the bill balances the federal requirements with additional resources and a study of long‑term municipal or regional approaches, including model bylaws and technical assistance for forming municipal stormwater utilities.

On the floor the Senate approved a friendly amendment from Senator Wyndham to add technical assistance for forming municipal stormwater utilities and to include a model bylaw in the public resource guide created by the bill. The body then voted by voice to propose the committee's amendment to the House and to order third reading of H.4.81.

What it does not do: the reporter said the bill does not exempt the residential sector from phosphorus reduction requirements, and it does not change the total amount of reductions Vermont must achieve under the federal TMDL. Those allocations would require renegotiation with the EPA, the reporter said.

Next steps: With third reading ordered on the floor, the Senate's action will be reflected to the House as the session proceeds. The bill includes multiple effective dates and sunset provisions for some targeted funding allocations; the transcript did not specify exact calendar dates for all sunsets.","The Vermont Senate advanced H.4.81 to third reading after adopting amendments that extend deadlines for the \"3‑acre rule,\" dedicate funds and study regional stormwater utilities to help homeowners and municipalities meet phosphorus-reduction requirements under the Clean Water Act.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: several bills advanced or ordered to third reading

Senate backs Molly Beattie distinguished service award honoring Vermont conservation leader

Senate advances bill expanding reasons and covered family members under Vermont's unpaid leave law

Senate advances stormwater bill extending 3‑acre compliance deadlines and directing funds for residential projects