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Senate Institutions Committee reports S.71 with S.93 strike‑all substitution after brief debate
Summary
The Senate Institutions Committee voted Friday to report S.71 — a consumer data privacy and online surveillance bill — favorably with a strike‑all amendment substituting the text of S.93. Committee members said the vote advances privacy legislation but urged further review in the House and possible future committee work.
The Senate Institutions Committee on Friday, March 14, voted to report S.71 — an act related to consumer data privacy and online surveillance — favorably to the Senate with a strike‑all amendment substituting the language of S.93.
The committee’s chair said the committee was “back in Senate Institutions” and framed the vote as part of an ongoing process: “I see this action today … if it does get to the House, that it's the start, not the end for data privacy for Vermonters.”
Committee members and counsel debated the short timetable for review and whether the substitute language reflected the best path forward. Committee counsel told members the subject is complex and that she “do[es] think this bill deserves more time,” and she placed that concern on the record. Another member summarized testimony the committee had received, saying that S.93 appeared “substantially more palatable” than S.71.
A motion was made to move S.71 with a strike‑all substitution of S.93’s language and to report the bill favorably; the motion was seconded and the chair called the roll. The transcript records Senate Plunkett voting “yes.” The committee reported the bill favorably with the strike‑all amendment; the transcript does not provide a full roll call tally in the meeting excerpt.
Members emphasized that additional review would follow if the House takes up the measure and that the committee could see the bill again. The chair noted that the committee would have more time in future meetings to prepare and to consider related items, including possible House bills and the capital bill.
The committee’s action substitutes the entire text of S.71 with the language of S.93 (a “strike‑all” amendment) and forwards the resulting document as a favorable committee report. Committee members repeatedly urged clearer regulations and public guidance so that Vermonters and covered entities understand their obligations under any adopted privacy law.
The committee did not adopt further amendments during the vote recorded in the transcript excerpt. Several speakers said they wished for more time to educate members on differences between competing privacy bills; one member said the “10% difference is critical” between the two pieces of legislation. The committee chair and other members said the process is ongoing and that additional review will occur in later committee sessions or as the bill moves through the Legislature.
Votes at a glance
- Motion: Report S.71 favorably with a strike‑all amendment substituting the language of S.93. Moved and seconded; recorded outcome: favorable report (strike‑all attached). Vote tally: full roll call not provided in transcript excerpt; Senate Plunkett recorded as “yes.”
Next steps
If the House takes up the bill, committee members said they expect further amendments and possible return to the Senate Institutions Committee for additional review. The committee also noted it will resume work on other items in upcoming meetings, including preparation for the capital bill.
