House orders third reading for bill to merge Brandon Fire Districts; lawmakers say no state revenue impact

The Vermont House on Friday moved House Bill 869 another step forward, ordering a third reading for a measure that would merge Brandon Fire District No. 1 and Brandon Fire District No. 2.

Member from South Burlington, speaking for the Government Operations and Military Affairs Committee, said Section 1 of the bill "approves the merger of Brandon Fire District 1 and Brandon Fire District 2 into fire district 1 and dissolves Brandon Fire District 2," and noted the districts approved the transfer by mutual agreement on Nov. 9, 2023. "This bill will ensure access to clean water and make efficient use of both natural and governmental resources for the town of Brandon by authorizing 2 fire districts to become 1," the member said.

Speaking for the House Ways and Means Committee, the member from Georgia told the chamber the committee had reviewed fiscal impacts and "we could find, no impact on the revenues of the state," and said the joint fiscal committee had been consulted. Committee testimony listed witnesses including the water superintendent/manager for Brandon Fire District 1, legislative council and the bill sponsor; the committee reported a favorable committee vote (the transcript records the committee vote text as "1101").

The question to read the bill a third time was put by voice vote; the presiding officer said, "The ayes do have it," and ordered the third reading. The bill text makes the act effective upon passage.

The House record did not include a roll-call tally on the floor vote; the third-reading order was made by voice vote. The bill will return to the House floor for its scheduled third reading.