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Senate Government Operations opens session, introduces new members and staff and sets this week’s schedule
Summary
The committee welcomed new Senator John Morley and assistant Emery Mathias, outlined upcoming guest appearances (VSEA, secretary of state, state treasurer Mike Pieciak) and explained clerical procedures for handling bills; members planned a separate priorities discussion and scheduled the Act 57 follow-up on Friday.
The Senate Committee on Government Operations opened its first meeting of the second year of the biennium and used the session to introduce incoming members, new staff and to confirm appearances and logistics for the coming days.
Chair opened the meeting and noted the committee will hear the Vermont State Employees Association and the Secretary of State at roughly 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. in upcoming hearings. The chair also listed additional guests this week: the Department of State's Attorneys and Sheriffs on Thursday at 2:00 p.m., State Treasurer Mike Pieciak at 3:00 p.m. the same day (transcript spelled the name differently), and a Friday "Retirement 101" briefing with Tim Duggan, director of the Vermont Retirement Systems.
The chair announced that Senator Hart is no longer on the committee and introduced two new senators: Senator John Morley and John Benson. Senator John Morley gave a short biography, describing decades of municipal management experience including oversight of local electric, water and wastewater utilities and prior legislative service.
The committee also introduced Emery Mathias as its new committee assistant. Mathias said he moved to Randolph in 2019, served a term as town clerk and treasurer, and previously worked in legislative operations; he will assist members with matters such as expense reporting and administrative logistics.
On procedure, the chair explained the clerk role: when a bill is referred to the committee, staff (Melissa was named in the discussion) will deliver the bill and the clerk helps ensure the paperwork is routed correctly to the senate clerk. Members reviewed decorum and practical details for committee operations and agreed to meet with staff (including a staffer named Tucker) to set the following week's agenda.
The committee paused for a short break and planned to reconvene to hear VSEA and other witnesses.
