Senate committee hears S.148 debate as advocates warn of grant, safety and legal risks

At an April 30 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, lawmakers and witnesses debated S.148, a bill that would limit how Vermont law enforcement and state agencies share information and use state facilities, equipment, money and personnel in matters involving federal immigration authorities.

Legislative counsel Beno Vergoski opened the committee’s discussion by summarizing the bill’s core limits and exceptions. “So for the committee today is s 1 48, which we, previously did a walk through of. But as a quick refresher, essentially, this outlines the limits of law enforcement, I guess, collaboration with federal immigration authorities. It places restrictions on information sharing, use of resources, money, facility, property, equipment, personnel, and further extending civil, criminal, federal immigration investigation or proceeding unless there is a, judicially issued warrant or an independent investigation unrelated to immigration enforcement,” Vergoski said.

Why it matters: supporters and immigrant‑legal advocates said the measure would reduce a chilling effect that they say is deterring people from seeking medical care, calling police or using other public services. Opponents — including the Department of Public Safety, a law‑enforcement representative from the state’s attorneys and sheriffs, and federal‑partner task‑force officials — warned the proposed statute risks conflict with federal law, could trigger federal litigation or grant losses and would impair law‑enforcement investigations and emergency response.

Immigration‑legal advocates described on‑the‑ground impacts they say the bill would address. Jill Martin Diaz, executive director…