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House overrides veto on overdose prevention centers pilot bill
Summary
The House overrode the governor's veto of H.72, a bill to allow overdose prevention centers and harm‑reduction measures, with a 104‑41 roll call; proponents cited evidence and settlement funding, opponents raised evidence and operational concerns.
The Vermont House voted to override the governor's veto of House Bill 72, a measure relating to harm reduction and the establishment of overdose prevention centers.
During floor debate the member from Winooski urged colleagues to consider harm reduction as a core missing component of the state's response to overdose deaths, citing historical tracking and a peak of 269 overdose deaths in 2022. The member pointed to international examples and U.S. pilot sites, noted that funding for the Burlington pilot would come from opioid settlement proceeds and said the state's Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee ranked overdose prevention centers as a top priority.
Opponents, including the member from Rutland City and others, argued that the state lacks a full continuum of care and the operational plans and local leadership necessary to safely implement consumption sites, and they questioned the approval and endorsement by certain federal agencies. Those members said investments should instead prioritize prevention, treatment and recovery services.
The clerk recorded 145 members present for the roll call. The override vote was 104 in favor and 41 opposed, exceeding the two‑thirds threshold; Madam Speaker announced the governor's veto had been overridden for H.72.
Next steps: the House will message its action to the Senate and the pilot and implementation details will be subject to subsequent rulemaking and funding decisions.
