House introduces education and consumer bills; several measures referred to committees

Clerk announcements at the opening of the session listed bills read for first reading and referred to committees.

House Bill 851 (an act relating to creating a department and commissioner of education) and House Bill 852 (an act to create a statewide vision for the future of education in Vermont), both introduced by Representative Brady of Williston, were read for first time and referred to the Committee on Education. House Bill 853 (permitting dogs in retail stores), introduced by Representative Carroll of Bennington, was read for first time and referred to the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development. Senate Bill 180 (investment of state funds in credit unions), introduced by Senator Cummings, was read for first time and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. House Bill 297 (workers' compensation coverage for PTSD for certain state employees, carrying an appropriation) was listed on the notice calendar and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.

These introductions set committee work in motion; no floor debate on the measures themselves was recorded at the time of introduction in the transcript.