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Committee gives nonbinding straw poll favoring amendment to S 45 after discussion of "good standing" language
Summary
A legislative committee reviewed amendment language to S 45 that alters "good standing" language, heard testimony context, and conducted a nonbinding straw poll that produced six yes votes, one no and one unrecorded vote; the amendment will be presented to the judiciary committee.
A legislative committee reviewing an amendment to S 45 conducted a nonbinding straw poll showing majority support after discussing edits to language about being in "good standing" with the state.
The committee chair (staff member) said the amendment text now incorporates the change the panel discussed previously to the "good standing" language and that the final order had been taken care of. "So the final order that's, been taken care of," the staff member said. Representative Burke said he had not reviewed the findings section and asked whether the findings would change; the staff member replied, "There are nothing's changed from yesterday," and said the next step was to present the amendment and related testimony to the judiciary committee.
Committee members emphasized context behind the findings. The staff member said testimony taken from a professor at Vermont Law School helped the committee understand key issues and that much of the findings dated back in time. "I can certainly speak to the conversations that we've had too," the staff member said, adding that presenting "how we got here" would be helpful for the judiciary committee.
The panel did not take a formal vote. Instead, it held a straw poll to report the group’s sense of support to the judiciary committee. The clerk called a nonbinding roll: Rep. Bosland, Rep. Berg, Rep. Lipsky, Rep. Morgan, Rep. Nelson and Rep. Durfee indicated "yes;" Rep. Supernaugh indicated "no;" Rep. Bridal was not present. The clerk summarized, "So we have 7 voters, and the role is 6 yes, 1 no, and 1 x." The staff member said the count would be held open pending a response from the representative for Brian.
Committee members noted the panel would not take possession of the bill or a formal vote at this meeting. The staff member said they planned to appear before the judiciary committee the next morning to present the amendment text and testimony, including the committee's straw poll results and the testimony previously heard.
Draft identification and next steps were clarified on the record. One member referenced the working document as "revision draft 3.1." The staff member said they would provide the judiciary committee both the amendment text and the summary of committee discussion when they present the item.
The amendment concerns only the language reflected in the committee's draft; no binding change to law was adopted at this meeting. The straw poll is an internal, advisory expression of support to be used at the judiciary committee review.
The committee paused for a break and planned to reconvene after lunch for other business.
