Vermont House introduces seven bills, refers measures to committees and passes felony penalty for abuse of a corpse

The Vermont House of Representatives on Feb. 13 read seven new House bills, referred them to standing committees and completed votes on several resolutions and one bill on the calendar.

Among the day's formal actions, members passed House Bill 41, an act "relating to creating a felony penalty for abuse of a corpse," by voice vote; postponed action on House Bill 98, an act relating to confirmatory adoptions, until Feb. 18; and adopted a concurrent resolution designating Feb. 13, 2025, as Youth Mentoring Day at the State House. The chamber also adopted two joint Senate resolutions concerning the General Assembly's conduct of elections for University of Vermont trustees and related positions.

The House took first readings and referred these seven introduced bills to committee: H.214, "an act relating to establishing the Safe Harbor Award program for expenses related to reproductive and gender affirming health care services," introduced by Representative Bloomley of Burlington and referred to the Committee on Health Care; H.215, "an act relating to the compensation of members of the General Assembly and the governor," introduced by Representative Nugent of South Burlington and referred to the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs; H.216, "an act relating to authorizing the clean heat standard rules," introduced by Representative Morwicki of Putney and referred to the Committee on Energy and Digital Infrastructure; H.217, "an act relating to prohibiting geoengineering," introduced by a representative of Cabot and others and referred to the Committee on Environment; H.218, "an act relating to fiscal year 2026 appropriations from the opioid abatement special fund," introduced by Representative Wood of Waterbury and referred to the Committee on Human Services; H.219, "an act relating to creating a family support pilot program for incarcerated parents and guardians," introduced by Representative Hedrick of Burlington and others and referred to the Committee on Corrections and Institutions; and H.220, "an act relating to establishing a task force to update Vermont's Chins laws," introduced by Representatives Christie of Hartford and Malone of South Burlington and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

A Senate bill was also referred: S.30, "an act relating to updating and reorganizing the health insurance statutes in 8 V.S.A. chapter 107," introduced by Senators Lyons and Cummings and referred to the Committee on Health Care.

On the action calendar, the House gave final consideration to H.41. After the third reading, the presiding officer called for the question by voice vote; the speaker announced, "The ayes do have it, and you have passed the bill." The transcript records a voice vote only; no roll-call tally was provided.

Representative (member) from South Burlington moved to postpone action on H.98 "2 legislative days to Tuesday, February 18." The chamber approved the postponement by voice vote.

The House adopted Joint Senate Resolution 12, providing for the election of a sergeant at arms and three trustees of the University of Vermont and State Agricultural College, by concurrence, and later adopted Joint Senate Resolution 13, establishing procedures for the General Assembly's 2025 election of trustees by joint ballot, also by concurrence. Both adoptions were made by voice vote as recorded in the journal.

During announcements, the member from Bristol noted the House had designated Feb. 13 as Youth Mentoring Day and read the concurrent resolution's text, citing results included in the resolution: "96% of mentored youth agree or strongly agree that my mentor makes me feel like I matter" and that "the most recent youth behavioral risk survey released in November of last year found that 46 percent of Vermont high school and middle aged students report that they do not feel like they matter to their community." The member urged colleagues to learn about local mentoring programs. House members also welcomed representatives from Vermont's 14 natural resource conservation districts, and a member reminded colleagues of a tax workshop on education finance scheduled for the following day.

The House adjourned to reconvene Friday, Feb. 14, at 9:30 a.m., after approving a motion to stand adjourned until that time.