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House swears in new member, introduces 19 bills and reassigns bill H541 to Judiciary
Summary
The Vermont House swore in Representative Valerie Taylor of Mendon, suspended rules to introduce 19 bills by number, referred a petition on school security to the Education Committee, reassigned House Bill H541 to Judiciary, and adopted two joint adjournment resolutions before adjourning until Jan. 8, 2026.
The Vermont House opened its session and included ceremonial and procedural business on Jan. 7.
Speaker announced that Valerie Taylor of Mendon had been appointed by Governor Philip E. Scott to represent House District 11; the clerk read the governor's letter of appointment and the House confirmed that Representative Taylor had taken her oath and was escorted to Seat 119. The chair also appointed Representative Taylor to the House Committee on Health Care.
Shortly afterward, the House agreed by voice vote to suspend the rules to allow the clerk to introduce bills by number only. The clerk read first readings by number for 19 house bills (examples cited on the floor included H584–H602 and several bills in the H591–H597 range), and referred them to appropriate committees, including Ways and Means; Health Care; Judiciary; Energy and Digital Infrastructure; Human Services; and Environment.
The House received a petition regarding the security of schools and referred it to the Committee on Education pursuant to House Rule 32.
Member from Vergennes moved to relieve the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs of House Bill H541 (an act relating to interference with voters and election officials) and commit it to the Committee on Judiciary; the motion passed by voice vote.
The House also read JRH6 by title, placing the joint resolution authorizing the Green Mountain Boys State Educational Program to use State House facilities on June 25, 2026 on the calendar for action on the next legislative day. The House adopted two joint senate adjournment resolutions by voice concurrence (JRS 29 concerning adjournment on Jan. 9, 2026, and JRS 31 concerning town meeting adjournment dates and return no later than March 10, 2026).
Members used the floor to make several announcements: the Appropriations Committee will host budget workshops (first at noon Friday in Room 10); the Creative Sector Caucus will hold its inaugural meeting at 8 a.m. in Room 11; and the Climate Solutions Caucus will meet tomorrow at noon in Room 10 for an update on the climate action plan.
Near the end of the session, the House moved to adjourn until Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 at 3 p.m.; the motion carried by voice vote.
