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House advances language-access funding, infant-formula safety changes, paraquat phase-out and sends capital bill to conference
Summary
Beyond Prop 4, the House amended and advanced S243 (Vermont Language Justice Project), concurred in Senate amendments on H536 (baby-food heavy metals) and H739 (paraquat phase-out), postponed H648 and H639, and appointed a conference committee for H952 (capital construction).
The Vermont House used floor time to move a cluster of bills and administrative actions: it amended and proposed S243 to the Senate to continue funding pathways for the Vermont Language Justice Project, concurred with Senate changes to H536 (toxic heavy metals in baby food) and H739 (prohibiting paraquat), postponed action on H648 and H639 for one legislative day, and refused to concur on H952 (capital construction), instead appointing a committee of conference.
On S243, the member from Essex explained that the Vermont Language Justice Project — founded in 2020 to produce multilingual public-health materials during the COVID-19 pandemic — has grown to a statewide network producing materials in more than 22 languages and has distributed videos and outreach through schools, health providers and community groups. The House adopted an amendment to leverage existing funds in the Office of Racial Equity and to create a contracting pathway so the project may be accessed by state agencies; the bill was proposed to the Senate as amended and third reading was ordered.
The House concurred with the Senate proposal of amendment on H536 after the member from Derby reported on federal safety reviews and Senate committee refinements that add supply-safety provisions and clarify preemption with federal law. The House also concurred in Senate amendments to H739, a phase-out and ban on paraquat with a final effective date in late 2030, with committee reports noting technical edits, study assignments and limited permitting exceptions for certain growers.
On H952, the House refused to concur in Senate changes to the capital bill (which moved funds and altered corrections and storm-water language), requested a committee of conference, and appointed three House members to serve on it; the House then suspended rules to message its action to the Senate.
Additional floor actions included the first reading and referral of S329 (criminal procedures involving firearms) to Judiciary, adoption of a joint resolution on a weekend adjournment, and recognition of former Senate Majority Leader John F. Campbell via HCR 284 on the consent calendar.
Next steps: S243 will be messaged to the Senate as amended; conference committee members will meet on H952; H648 and H639 will return to the floor after one legislative day.
