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Committee re-authorizes special committee to review Capital Complex flood recovery; asks BGS to keep Montpelier and flood commission informed
Summary
Committee reaffirmed structure for a special legislative committee to review and, if needed, approve plans for Capital Complex flood recovery and asked that Buildings and General Services keep the City of Montpelier and the Montpelier Flood Commission informed as FEMA work proceeds.
The House Corrections and Institutions Committee reviewed language to govern state responses to potential FEMA actions affecting the State Capitol complex and agreed to retain a special committee structure to handle urgent recovery decisions over the summer and fall.
The draft language would (as in last year’s capital bill) establish a special Capital Complex Flood Recovery Committee composed of the joint fiscal committee chairs together with the chairs of the House and Senate Institutions committees. That special committee would meet at the call of the joint fiscal committee chair (or designee) to review and recommend alterations to proposals and plans for Capital Complex flood recovery and may, if necessary, grant approvals for particular proposals. The committee would receive quarterly updates on planning from the commissioner of Buildings and General Services and members would be entitled to per diem and expenses when meeting.
Committee members asked that the administration and BGS keep the City of Montpelier and the Montpelier Flood Commission informed as FEMA and state planning proceed because changes stemming from repairs or mitigation could directly affect adjacent properties and local flood plans. Members asked staff to include language or an explicit statement of intent that BGS would keep Montpelier and the local flood commission “in the loop,” and to place that language in this bill so it remains in the record and available to future committees.
Committee counsel said that similar special-committee language exists in last year’s capital bill; staff suggested incorporating a fresh copy of that language in this year’s draft so it will be more visible to committee members and local partners while FEMA and federal planning continue.
Staff will draft the updated language for inclusion in draft 2.1 and will consider the committee’s requested explicit coordination language with Montpelier and the Montpelier Flood Commission.
