House Committee on Energy and Digital Infrastructure organizes procedures, elects clerk

Representative Kathleen James, chair of the reconstituted House Committee on Energy and Digital Infrastructure, opened the committee—s first meeting and outlined jurisdiction, meeting norms and expectations for the upcoming biennium. "I am, Kathleen James, representative Kathleen James. Very honored to be the chair," she said as the panel met in the Vermont State House.

The committee will cover energy and digital infrastructure and will coordinate with other panels when bills overlap a jurisdiction, James said. She described the committee—s bulletin-board process for referred bills — "the wall" — and said many more bills may be referred to the committee than the panel will be able to take up or vote out.

"As bills are referred to our committee by the clerk and the speaker, they come in. They're posted, on our bulletin board as in the committee," James said. She told members she values unanimous committee votes when possible and encouraged members to seek testimony and input on bills important to them.

The committee discussed procedural matters including how testimony is taken, different bill types (regular, committee, omnibus combinations), and expectations for preparing for meetings. Jack Lacher, the committee assistant, will post reports and resources to the committee web page and coordinate printing of materials for members who prefer hard copies.

Committee members asked about remote participation rules. Maria Bridal of Legislative Counsel confirmed that a rule carried over from the prior session provides limited flexibility for committee remote participation; chair and staff said they will confirm specifics and share the formal rule with members. The chair said committee-only remote participation and limited remote voting have previously been allowed in certain circumstances and that she would have staff circulate the precise rule.

During the meeting the committee elected a clerk to record and forward committee votes. The chair moved to elect "Representative Tory" as committee clerk; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The chair said formal committee votes on bills will be recorded according to House rules, and that straw polls or non-possession committee feedback may be taken informally when the committee does not have possession of a bill.

James also described near-term calendar items: the committee will schedule introductory "101" briefings with key agencies and utilities, the Department of Public Service is scheduled to introduce itself and its staff, and the committee will follow the broader budget process (house budget review, ways & means, and crossover deadlines).

The chair asked members to identify topics they want to follow in more depth and invited volunteers to help draft committee guiding principles; Representative Derek Torrey volunteered to lead a small group working on those principles. James closed the live portion of the meeting, thanking members for serving and reminding them the committee would reconvene at 1 p.m. for Department of Public Service testimony.

Ending: The committee left procedural items open for follow-up: staff will circulate the formal remote-participation rule, Jack Lacher will maintain a live agenda and post resources, and members who want hard copies or have schedule conflicts were asked to notify the committee assistant.