House introduces bills, refers several to committee; lawmakers note events and observances
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Summary
During the Feb. 19 floor session lawmakers introduced multiple bills and referred them to committees, and members announced upcoming events including an earth vigil, an education reform meeting, a rare disease ice-cream social, and a legislators-only mental health first aid class.
Members used the floor to introduce bills and forward them to standing committees, and to announce constituent events and observances. Key referrals and notices recorded in the transcript include:
- House Bill 910 ("an act relating to supporting business growth and development") was introduced by Representative Burke Duke of Burlington, read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development.
- Senate Bill 218 ("an act relating to reducing chloride contamination in state waters") received its first reading and was referred to the Committee on Environment.
- House Bill 567 (relating to unclaimed property, state retirement systems, and capital debt) was referred to Appropriations under House Rule 35A because it carries an appropriation.
- House Bill 588 (relating to professions and occupations regulated by the Office of Professional Regulation and affecting state revenue) was referred to Ways and Means.
- The Committee on Ways and Means voted favorably on House Bill 578 (penalties and procedures for animal cruelty offenses) and the bill was referred to Appropriations pending placement on the notice calendar.
On nonlegislative items, members recognized representatives from Vermont Interfaith Action and Vermont Interfaith Power & Light and publicized an earth vigil at 4:30 p.m. on the State House steps. Member from Wolcott highlighted Rare Disease Day (Feb. 28), noted that rare diseases together affect "1 in 10 Americans," and invited members to an informal ice cream social from 4 to 6 p.m. in the cafeteria hosted by Vermont advocates and the National Organization for Rare Disorders. Member from Waitsfield announced an education reform meeting in Room 44 from 4 to 5:30 p.m.; Member from Winooski reminded colleagues about a legislators-only mental health first aid class on Monday, March 16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
These items were presented as procedural floor business; no final legislative actions on these bills were recorded in the transcript from this session.