Sen. Ruth Hardy widens S.122 to support Vermont film community, trims proposed Ireland trade commission; amendment accepted

Sen. Ruth Hardy (Addison) presented an amendment to S.122 that broadens the bill’s film and creative‑media provisions and changes how the proposed trade commission would be structured, and the committee accepted the amendment by voice/scroll poll.

Hardy told the committee the amendment expands the bill’s focus beyond a narrow commercial film industry to support Vermont’s broader creative‑media economy — short films, documentaries, festivals, academic and exhibition resources and ancillary businesses — and would add a searchable database and a part‑time point of contact at the Vermont Arts Council. "For the record, I'm Senator Ruth Hardy from the Addison District. And I have an amendment," she said when introducing the changes.

Why it matters: supporters said the change recognizes Vermont’s existing niche of smaller film and media projects, local festivals and creators, and aims to centralize information about local professionals and resources. Hardy said the…