House adopts HR 10 to shift second‑year bill‑drafting deadlines

The Vermont House on Jan. 7 adopted House Resolution 10, a rules change from the House Committee on Rules that alters several deadlines for bill drafting and approval in the second year of the biennium.

Representative Bartholomew of Heartland, speaking for the committee, said the resolution moves the bill drafting request deadline to a date certain in May, shifts the deadline for making changes to drafts to Jan. 15, and changes the deadline for approving bills for introduction to Jan. 31. The committee said the changes are limited to the second year of the biennium and do not affect first‑year deadlines.

Bartholomew told members the proposal came from Legislative Council to give attorneys more time for legal analysis and careful drafting and to reduce a year‑end rush that concentrates hundreds of drafting requests around the holidays. "A legislative council needs adequate time for legal analysis and for careful drafting with technical accuracy," Bartholomew said. He also noted the committee's goal of reducing burnout and turnover among attorney staff who are especially busy in December and January.

The rules committee reported the measure passed in committee by a 6‑0‑1 vote. The resolution was adopted by the House by voice vote; the chair announced that "the ayes do have it." No roll‑call vote was taken.

Supporters said the changes are intended to improve the quality of bill drafting and give members more time to secure cosponsors and finalize language; the committee emphasized the adjustments aim to balance member needs, staff capacity and the House's schedule for crossover. The resolution takes effect for the second year of the biennium as described on the floor.

The House completed its orders of the day and moved to other business after adopting the resolution.