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House refers five Senate bills, adopts resolutions and passes three House measures
Summary
On March 26, 2024 the Vermont House referred five Senate bills to committees, read two ceremonial resolutions for Robert Frost Day and National Medal of Honor Day, and passed H.622 (EMS) and H.655 (sealing criminal records); an amendment to H.702 was also adopted on the floor.
The House opened the afternoon session by reading and referring five Senate bills to committee: S.150 (automobile insurance) to Commerce and Economic Development; S.183 (reenvisioning the Agency of Human Services) to Human Services; S.213 (wetlands, river corridor development, and dam safety) and S.305 (Public Utility Commission changes) to Environment and Energy; and S.246 (amendments to the Vermont basic needs budget and livable wage) to General and Housing.
Members also read two house concurrent resolutions from the consent calendar: HCR 190 designating March 26, 2024 as Robert Frost Day in Vermont, and HCR 191 recognizing March 25, 2024 as National Medal of Honor Day in Vermont. The resolutions recalled biographical and historical details and directed the secretary of state to send copies to the appropriate institutions and contacts.
On the floor, H.622 (an act relating to emergency medical services) was taken up on third reading and passed by voice vote. H.655 (an act relating to qualifying offenses for sealing criminal history records) was also passed on third reading following a brief clarification from the Member from Essex Junction about how certain cultivation offenses would be treated under the new sealing criteria.
Representatives offered guest recognitions and announcements, including veterans and community organization visitors, Home Share Vermont representatives, student exchange guests, and a member-initiated 'cash mob' to support local businesses impacted by flood damage.
The House received a floor amendment to H.702 (legislative operations and government accountability) offered by Representatives Chiena (Burlington) and Donahue (Northfield). The amendment would add a sentence requiring the government accountability committee to consider issues referred to it by a resolution adopted by either chamber; supporters described it as a safeguard to ensure committee consideration of significant public concerns, while opponents warned it could invite low-value resolutions. The amendment was adopted by voice vote. The House recessed briefly for an Appropriations Committee vote on a subsequent amendment.
