Committee votes to report out Department of Labor technical corrections (draft 2.1) after brief refinements

The Economic Development, Housing & General Affairs Committee voted to approve and report out draft 2.1 of bill 25‑0912, a Department of Labor technical corrections bill that makes a series of procedural amendments to rulemaking and unemployment insurance provisions.

Sophie Dudatnik of the Office of Legislative Council walked the committee through changes captured in the highlighted draft, noting edits to the expedited rulemaking language and clarifications that any Department of Labor rule that is more protective than a federal standard or that adds a new state standard would still require formal rulemaking. Dirk Anderson of the Department of Labor said the department supports the changes as they would assist in expediting necessary rulemaking.

The draft lowers the plant‑closure/WARN notice threshold from 50 employees under current law to 20 in this version, per the draft discussion. It also extends the date before a previously negotiated change to maximum weekly unemployment benefits would take effect; staff and department officials confirmed that the bill does not eliminate the additional benefit but delays the date when the system change becomes effective so the higher weekly maximum remains until the new system goes live.

David Mickenberg, representing Working Vermont, asked for clarification that the expedited rulemaking would bypass LCAR absent a request by 25 or more petitioners; staff confirmed that was the effect. The committee also discussed the three‑year sunset and review of the expedited rulemaking process included in the draft.

After brief final review and agreement on the drafting changes, a motion to approve the draft and report it out of committee was made and seconded. The chair called the roll; members present recorded votes in favor. The committee voted to report the bill out of committee for further consideration in the Legislature.