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Votes at a glance: Senate advances budget and adopts several bills including Taiwan resolution
Summary
During a lengthy floor session the Vermont Senate recorded several actions: unanimous passage of SR 12 (Taiwan resolution), H.493 passed in concurrence (20–10), and the Senate advanced H.219, H.41 and H.137 to third reading or ordered third reading. Multiple first readings and referrals were also recorded.
The Vermont Senate recorded a set of bills and procedural actions during the floor session, including a unanimous resolution on Taiwan and final action on the appropriations bill. Key actions and outcomes:
- SR 12 (Senate resolution reaffirming the friendship between the state of Vermont and Taiwan): The Economic Development Committee reported favorably (5–0) and the Senate ordered third reading after a roll‑call vote, ayes 27, nays 0. Senator Weeks reported committee consideration and described trade ties and the Taiwan Relations Act.
- H.493 (appropriations bill): Passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment on roll call, ayes 20, nays 10. (See separate coverage for extended floor debate and procedural votes.)
- H.219 (establishing the Department of Corrections family support program): The Institutions Committee recommended passage; the Appropriations Committee described the fiscal impact as de minimis. The Senate ordered third reading by voice vote ("ayes have it"). Committee witnesses included representatives from Lund and Department of Corrections; the committee vote was 5–0.
- H.41 (an act relating to abuse of a dead body): The Judiciary Committee recommended the Senate propose amendments and the Senate ordered third reading by voice vote. Committee testimony included representatives from the Vermont Medical Society, Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, and hospital systems; committee vote was 5–0.
- H.137 (housekeeping changes to insurance law): The Finance Committee reported the bill with amendments and the Senate ordered third reading by voice vote. The bill contains multiple provisions ranging from confidentiality standards for DFR, captive insurance housekeeping, changes to money‑transmission exemptions for small payroll providers, virtual‑currency kiosk rules, and other DFR/insurance technical changes. The committee vote was 7–0.
Introductions and referrals (first readings): - S.153 (creation of an Extreme Temperature Worker Protection Act) received its first reading and was referred to Economic Development. Senators Rahm, Hinsdale and Clarkson were listed as sponsors during introduction. - H.364 (approval of annexation by the village of Swanton) received first reading and was referred to the Rules Committee. - H.461 (expanding employee access to unpaid leave) was referred under Rule 31 to the Appropriations Committee.
Other: H.98 (confirmatory adoptions) was passed over at the request of the Judiciary reporter due to time constraints.
Ending: Several bills will move to conference with the House or to committee rulemaking as indicated by committee reports and the Senate’s message to the House.
