Vermont House Commerce & Economic Development organizes for biennium, reappoints committee clerk by voice vote

The Vermont House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development convened Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, to organize for the new biennium, confirm its committee clerk by voice vote and review its jurisdiction and upcoming schedule.

Rep. Mike Marcotte of Coventry, chair of the committee, opened the meeting and urged members to focus on substantive work. "I ask you all to leave your letters at the door and come in here and work for Vermonters," Marcotte said, introducing the committee's portfolio and procedures.

The committee heard a summary of its jurisdiction from Marcotte, who said the panel oversees the Department of Financial Regulation, which handles securities, banking and all insurance except health insurance, and noted Vermont's role in captive insurance. "It brings in all 25, $30,000,000 a year, and we are the number 1 domicile in the world for captive insurance," Marcotte said. He told members that officials from the Department of Financial Regulation and representatives of captive insurers will appear before the committee later in the month to suggest statutory changes and "housekeeping" amendments.

Marcotte also flagged other areas the committee will cover this session: unemployment insurance and workers' compensation under the Department of Labor (excluding labor law), workforce development interests that intersect with housing, and work with the Agency of Commerce and Community Development and the Agency of Education on career and technical education and higher education workforce issues. He said a previously debated data-privacy bill that "almost made it through" last year will likely return this session and that staff members would lead that work.

The committee confirmed its clerk by voice vote after a nomination and second. The motion was approved on a voice vote; the transcript does not clearly record the full name of the person appointed in the roll of clerk. The committee also selected procedure and scheduling norms: members were told regular meeting times (mornings often beginning at 9 a.m.; Fridays to end around 3 p.m. when possible), how to signal absences or late arrivals, and that the committee assistant will circulate schedules and manage witness sign-ups. "Anna Grace is gonna have our schedule," Marcotte said; Anna Grace introduced herself as the new committee assistant and said she would manage Zoom, YouTube posting and witness scheduling.

Several members introduced themselves and their backgrounds during the meeting, including committee officers: Rep. Edie Granning introduced herself as the vice chair and Rep. Kurt White identified himself as the committee's ranking member. Members traded procedural reminders about expense reporting, room logistics and floor bells for votes. The chair said the panel will meet again 10 minutes after floor business resumes on the following day and that the joint fiscal office and IT staff are scheduled to appear in upcoming sessions to discuss tax increment financing, budget items related to the agency, micro-business lending and technology support.

The meeting closed after housekeeping items and confirmation of the clerk; the chair reiterated that members should monitor legislative email and the committee web page for daily schedule changes.