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Votes at a glance: House actions Feb. 14, 2024 — H 563, H 649, H 850 and committee moves
Summary
The House recorded voice‑vote passage of several bills (H 563, H 649), ordered third reading for others (H 247, H 801), introduced five bills (H 854–H 858), and adopted a Senate concurrence resolution (JRS 45).
The Vermont House’s Feb. 14, 2024 session included multiple procedural and final actions:
- JRS 45 (weekend adjournment): The House concurred with the Senate resolution requesting adjournment on Feb. 16, 2024, and reconvening by Feb. 20, 2024; adopted by voice vote.
- Introductions and referrals (first readings): House Bills H 854 (statewide electronic medical record system), H 855 (health care modifications), H 856 (medical leave for serious injury), H 857 (restrict advertising for state‑run gambling), and H 858 (collective bargaining for assistant attorneys general) were given first reading and referred to committees as announced.
- H 247 (occupational therapy licensure compact): Committee reports from Health Care, Ways & Means and Appropriations were presented on the floor; the House adopted recommended amendments and ordered third reading. Committees reported votes in committee (health care 10‑1; ways and means 10‑1; appropriations 12‑0). Committee testimony included representatives of the Vermont Occupational Therapy Association, OPR, and health‑care providers. Reported fiscal items included a biannual fee loss estimate of about $19,080 reduced to $13,780 by a $50 fee and an OPR software modification cost of about $10,000.
- H 563 (attempted auto theft): Called for third reading and passed by voice vote.
- H 649 (Vermont Truth and Reconciliation Commission): Called for third reading and passed by voice vote.
- H 801 (adoption of the Town of Waterbury charter): Committee reports were delivered, the committee amendments were adopted and third reading was ordered; committee testimony and municipal vote totals (town vote 162–75 on charter) were noted.
- H 850 (education financing transition): See separate story for full coverage — the House suspended rules to take up H 850 immediately, adopted committee amendments including a $500,000 appropriation to offset election costs for re‑warning districts, ordered third reading, passed H 850, and immediately messaged the bill to the Senate.
Procedural notes: Most floor actions were taken by voice vote ("ayes do have it"), with committee votes recorded in committee reports when provided. Where the transcript records voice votes only, no roll‑call tallies are available in the provided text.
Next steps: Bills passed by the House will be transmitted to the Senate where further action is required; bills referred to committee will proceed through respective committees.
