Senate committee advances bill changing travel-disclosure rules for certain executive officers

The Senate Committee on Government Operations voted to report Senate Bill 291 (draft 4.2) favorably to the floor after a brief presentation and discussion on March 13, 2026. The measure revises travel-disclosure requirements for legislators and creates a limited disclosure pathway for executive officers who serve under the governor.

Tim Dublin, identified on the record as “Tim Dublin, state council,” walked committee members through text changes in the draft, telling the panel the bill makes the travel-disclosure provision in 3 V.S.A. §1214 a general requirement for legislators while adding a distinct subsection, cited in committee discussion as §1215, to address executive officers who serve under the governor. Dublin read the key exception aloud: “Notwithstanding the requirements of subsection 1214A of this title, an executive officer serving under the governor is not required to disclose any expenses or reimbursements for travel” provided three conditions are met: (1) the travel is approved, reported and disclosed according to an agency rule or bulletin; (2) that rule or bulletin conforms with the requirements of §1214; and (3) copies of disclosures made under the bulletin are posted on the Agency of Administration’s website.

Dublin emphasized that if an agency rule or bulletin differs from the bill’s statutory requirements, the statute will set the floor and the bulletin may require additional disclosures. He also noted the Agency of Administration may adopt its own disclosure forms for executive officers so long as the forms conform to the statute’s subsections.

Committee members were told Secretary Clark had emailed committee staff shortly before the meeting to indicate that the draft aligned with the executive branch’s understanding of existing processes. After discussion, a committee member moved to accept draft 4.2 and report the bill favorably. The clerk conducted a roll call; the transcript records affirmative responses and a roll-call shorthand noted as “5 Z.” The committee proceeded to report the bill to the floor as recorded by the clerk.

The bill was described in committee as a “strike-all” draft intended to go directly to the floor. Committee members noted there is an appropriation component mentioned in the text, but committee staff stated the bill did not require a separate money committee referral. The committee recessed after concluding business on S.291 to await presenters for S.275.

What happens next: S.291 will be reported from the Senate Committee on Government Operations to the Senate floor for further consideration and any subsequent floor action.