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 database should list assets, professionals and events so creators can find editors, actors and exhibition venues without relying on ad hoc personal networks.

Key provisions and details - Broadened film/media language: The amendment expands the bill’s definition of the sector to include academic, educational, creative, commercial and exhibition resources and to recognize film festivals across Vermont (Hardy cited festivals in Burlington and Middlebury and an "International Film Festival"). - Database and liaison position: The amendment would include a searchable database of professionals, resources and events and envisioned a part‑time staff position at the Vermont Arts Council to serve as a point of contact for creators. Hardy noted appropriations removed the funding that had originally been in the bill, and said the position was in the bill as introduced but had been cut in committee action. - Trade commission changes: Hardy said she reduced the proposed size of the Vermont–Ireland trade commission from 10 to 7 and limited legislators on the commission to no more than two members. The amendment also would expand the existing commission on international trade’s role so it could be consulted before the General Assembly establishes a new trade office or commission and could make recommendations on whether to proceed.

Discussion and concerns Hardy and other senators debated whether the bill should prioritize Ireland or focus on closer partners such as Canada. Hardy said Vermont already has an office and consultancy in Canada and questioned why Ireland would be the first out‑of‑region choice. Several senators emphasized transparency around travel and outside funding for delegations and called for clear accounting of who pays for trips; one senator said an established commission could make those expenditures more transparent.

Votes and outcome - The committee accepted Hardy’s amendment on the floor by voice/scroll poll; a vote tally was not specified in the transcript.

What remained unresolved Hardy acknowledged the appropriation that originally funded the arts liaison role was removed in later committee action, meaning the position would not receive funding unless appropriations are restored. She also said she trimmed the commission’s membership and limited legislators’ participation because she worried the commission might otherwise become primarily an opportunity for legislative travel.

Formatting/wording edits noted during debate Committee members asked to replace an awkward phrasing in the bill (Hardy suggested changing "exhibitionists" to "exhibitioners" or similar) and to fix minor typos before the amendment was finalized.

Context and next steps Hardy framed the amendment as an attempt to make S.122 more useful to Vermont creators even as she signaled broader reservations about parts of the bill. Committee members accepted the amendment and moved the bill forward on the day’s agenda.