[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_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":55,"_73":55},"mediaId",6221374,"mediaKeyId","3614325-894f37bff8ba53f0058464b00efa6f56","parentId",3614325,"title","Conference committee leaves SSI/SSDI license‑fee change open while exploring funding and timing","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",2952000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3614325-894f37bff8ba53f0058464b00efa6f56&start=2952&end=2952","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3614325-894f37bff8ba53f0058464b00efa6f56/thumbnail_2952000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6221374/Vermont/Conference-committee-leaves-SSISSDI-licensefee-change-open-while-exploring-funding-and-timing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6221374-2e3a2b2144d38551bb11d5db82590ec9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136266&Signature=ZkM9KG1mf7yiUtSJO9SSfdq6xqz2AoO0IUTUxmLpMDhrpxWKvltZpTdZ9J2WWS~2uPtzlUAD7RKr0uENqg3y~lx3XlJd0sPbEluotinuzg-G-mH1EKADbN20zNWxoRyyCD1hScqK3VqUo-YNWMOsp~G3eLK5jMD4V8aPOre0BWDzyAjj6ydlHWmSaoPAfaiWH~M7p0o4VUyHeKRMSmGMc6J3QuTj~fH1cdOYYcbKfofazhJLev~IYNIKT0pErMFSSGiK7zX1FVth~Lp5Tt7rgfoSMZ9DrsfuqBoj0mC9DloOSmDD4GJ3rC9NkxKZ4oJJcm5yc8yl-ylu~CorF67tSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-30T12:06:30Z","article","Negotiators discussed a House‑Senate difference over license‑fee reductions for individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). The Senate had proposed reduced license fees for those benefit recipients; the House removed that reduction from its draft.

Committee members noted the fiscal impact: staff estimated a $309,000 cost if the fee reduction were implemented in the current fiscal cycle. One member suggested moving the effective date out by a year to spread or mitigate the hit; counsel said the change could be drafted but that conference negotiators had a stated goal of protecting transportation funds from offsets.

Members indicated support for the policy objective of helping low‑income or disabled Vermonters but questioned whether transportation funding should absorb the cost. The item was left open in the conference draft for further discussion; members said they would bring the issue to their floor and consider alternative funding sources or an adjusted effective date rather than adopting the fee cuts immediately.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","S.123 - Committee of Conference - 2025-05-29 - 9:00AM","oneSentenceSummary","Senate language reducing license fees for SSI/SSDI recipients was removed in the House draft; committee discussed moving the effective date out a year to reduce a $309,000 fiscal impact and left the item open for further negotiation.","taxTitle","Senate Transportation, SENATE, Committees, Legislative , Vermont","taxId",51841,"location","Vermont","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":55,"_73":55},6221379,"Conference committee agrees to bicycle control‑signal language, holds broader 'Idaho stop' change for more review",1813,728000,2541000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3614325-894f37bff8ba53f0058464b00efa6f56&start=728&end=2541","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3614325-894f37bff8ba53f0058464b00efa6f56/thumbnail_728000.jpg","/articles/6221379/Vermont/Conference-committee-agrees-to-bicycle-controlsignal-language-holds-broader-Idaho-stop-change-for-more-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6221379-cb959448dc540b987105660cfb776184/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136266&Signature=cmvTfdoZqjrq1rtDQYJY8fFASxToS3VjAjq5ML6pJsMTEAKc0E5W3wlIxRrcU-4l-Cx~DyEiSJ5dTymNP3pzP2dJQuvvMQ~ghWUbCkbgi1WBn0XPkEKeaVOUMK9Kl1BBwoCMfPjgsECNPFZskdLn4r44sePcMtCcKeA0CUePw9MXgKOUXG6Q~j033zIhJX5z-84mSAyjYPMS~Y50A2LJqBxXpEogb7TZ-n9sG67DPsd8-aP6nFBsSdGvM79MJwtgGmFcPWsDt4vquYZ~KdB~7fw6B6NuR9kNAgoozdZ0Ydwn~LGyVYrxpgrhDHcRpTXl5UUIeascqjIDMf1NqzIqXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Conference negotiators resolved parts of the house’s bicycle package while deferring a more controversial riding rule for further study and outreach.

The house added two items the committee accepted for inclusion in conference: (1) a new definition and operating rules for bicycle control signals (traffic signals displaying a bicycle icon) providing green, yellow and red guidance and clarifying prohibited movements where bicycles would cross traffic lanes; and (2) an outreach requirement directing the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles and the Department of Public Safety to prepare educational materials in consultation with stakeholders by next April to explain bicycle intersection rules and safe passing distances for vulnerable road users.

A separate house provision that would explicitly allow bicyclists to cross an intersection when the pedestrian walk signal facing them turns on — and other permissive drafting sometimes described as an \"Idaho stop\" variant — drew more concern. Committee members said the panel had not taken sufficient testimony statewide, that some municipalities (for example, Burlington) permit similar practices while others (for example, Winooski) do not, and that motorists needed clear education before any change took effect. One member said the committee had discussed using outreach first and making the rule effective only after an educational campaign.

The committee agreed to accept the bicycle control‑signal language and the outreach language (house sections 41 and 42) into the conference draft, and to hold the more intensive operational change (house subsection c and related text, identified in the transcript as section 40) open pending additional testimony and a plan for public education. No formal vote occurred; staff were directed to provide information about municipal authority and outreach timing at the next meeting.","House additions creating bicycle control‑signal rules and outreach requirements were accepted for conferencing; a separate provision allowing bicyclists to cross intersections with a pedestrian walk signal (and related permissive changes) was held for additional testimony and timing concerns.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":55,"_73":55},6221382,"Conference committee shelves senate window‑tinting change amid enforcement and cost concerns",1877,643000,2520000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3614325-894f37bff8ba53f0058464b00efa6f56&start=643&end=2520","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3614325-894f37bff8ba53f0058464b00efa6f56/thumbnail_643000.jpg","/articles/6221382/Vermont/Conference-committee-shelves-senate-windowtinting-change-amid-enforcement-and-cost-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6221382-a05145bd9836c4eb616de41e8943e41f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136266&Signature=SoUfbhDUtqqUkjAcuvuDO85NAcxUQp55Eafhp5hZ0~jt~QcIyawvALITHYaUVgS7g4D~wFVNvxZqERBpQrTcqzBH4OPPgYtMRJaCG2tz9ZQErHvT8mFZpNVGSadWWl6vhlX32WCLflsVLivvGl-ORwLxEqzFuM68LCwrorMVdLTcR7ro~YMcjBZ3GyRVXULp9KG7KvrLPVBydYLfDT6-uRiTp~lH1ajY18zLRWz3C3SObxXPFwkocV23hV8byGsuO0i~eTlhJbDRpDZVuEDPydmeburIL4azR71LMA~EaFjQpJ6~RdBaIVD3JcMcxAed61S0yhvuolU4kPqe5STXRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Conference negotiators discussed whether to adopt the Senate’s change setting a 70% visible-light-transmission (VLT) standard for front windshield and front‑seat windows and instead agreed to leave the house deletion of that standard in place while they pursue more information.

The committee heard several practical concerns: current statute and the inspection manual treat windshield coverings and applied coatings differently; enforcement resources are limited; and the machines that measure VLT were estimated in testimony to cost roughly $100–$400 per unit. Committee members said requiring measurement equipment at inspection stations and for some law‑enforcement uses could impose heavy costs across hundreds of inspection sites and police units.

Members also noted conflicting enforcement practices: the manual currently treats applied coatings over windshields as a fail, but coatings on driver and passenger side windows are advisory at inspection and remain ticketable by law enforcement. That inconsistency, committee members said, could leave motorists confused and inspection mechanics placed in an enforcement role. One member summarized that \"by you've taken that out, and then... you just stick with what's there currently,\" meaning the bill would keep current law and inspection practice if the Senate VLT language is not agreed to.

The chair and members emphasized the broader question of what the state is trying to accomplish with vehicle inspections — safety, affordability, or enforcement — and whether a large capital outlay for testing equipment is practical while enforcement levels are low. The committee did not vote; tinting language was listed as open for further negotiation and will be revisited after additional information on equipment costs, enforcement feasibility, and inspection‑process goals is provided.","Senate-proposed window‑tint standard (70% visible light transmission) was removed from the house draft; committee members raised enforcement, equipment-cost, and inspection-capacity concerns and left the item open for further work.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":55,"_73":55},6221387,"Conference panel agrees to clarify DMV language on Real ID and operator's-privilege cards",179,2675000,2854000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3614325-894f37bff8ba53f0058464b00efa6f56&start=2675&end=2854","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3614325-894f37bff8ba53f0058464b00efa6f56/thumbnail_2675000.jpg","/articles/6221387/Vermont/Conference-panel-agrees-to-clarify-DMV-language-on-Real-ID-and-operators-privilege-cards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6221387-599676ff5b8496f15499939439dd011a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136266&Signature=T7hWSEN~ifEDqUrCRA08MIKey97b3Wgmxx4JkK7d2bHlEcc2uB7yPQBPsVXTX0wFcT4SFMZtGPRtad4ibkXgJoRp~0GF43UxbZscCPGhOtnYMUq1zno7aDOwd37w96Su3woug1SPTey79hGfvF3DV1nnUIqPYrvBqeM3HqSCz-BYSg8l7J8ZfEl3gj7perYenWNplRDrTDoIjbhSewA1Q7l1iOWII8KwqpSeAwSlsj~gozM2kvcn2r4X~rBWWmWshMUgGZZFKnLjGLdJGAhS~hMyWNfHnJDeSkGmeGCSApkW5ciGt76a82uwp9gDWEC1jv9INaGXkZ-wZAuSGrWXhw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Legislative counsel presented revised language clarifying how the Department of Motor Vehicles should inform applicants who cannot or will not comply with the federal Real ID Act about alternatives such as an operator’s-privilege card or a non‑driver ID.

The clarification matters because the DMV told the committee it has encountered instances where federal checks flagged fraudulent documents or individuals without legal immigration status. Those cases, the DMV said, require careful coordination with federal law. \"So this is not changing anything that we're doing. This is actually solidifying what we're currently doing,\" said Aaron Volley, DMV staff, during the meeting.

The draft the counsel displayed would add the phrase \"to the extent permitted by federal law\" and change wording such as \"shall\" to less rigid terms and \"obtaining\" to \"applying for.\" The language as read into the record said it would make clear that \"it is the intent of the General Assembly that the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, to the extent permitted by federal law, ensures that any individual who is unable to or does not wish to comply with the requirements of the Real ID Act continues to be informed of the option of applying for an operator's privilege card pursuant to the provisions of 23 V.S.A. §603(f) or a non‑driver identification card pursuant to the provisions of 23 V.S.A. §115.\" (Text read by legislative counsel.)

Committee members asked for the exact drafting to be put in the next conference draft and said they were comfortable with the DMV’s clarification that the change codifies current practice rather than creating a new procedural duty. Legislative counsel said he would draft two alternatives — one that adds a limiting phrase and one that removes the potentially duplicative maintenance authority from the definition elsewhere in the bill — and circulate them for the next meeting.

No formal vote was taken during the session. Staff were directed to include the DMV’s proposed language in the next conference draft and to circulate the alternative wordings for committee review before reconvening.","Legislative counsel presented DMV-drafted language clarifying that informing applicants about operator's-privilege cards is subject to federal law; DMV staff said the change codifies current practice. Committees asked for drafting alternatives and agreed to add the language to the next draft.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Conference committee leaves SSI/SSDI license‑fee change open while exploring funding and timing

Conference committee agrees to bicycle control‑signal language, holds broader 'Idaho stop' change for more review

Conference committee shelves senate window‑tinting change amid enforcement and cost concerns

Conference panel agrees to clarify DMV language on Real ID and operator's-privilege cards