Gov. Scott veto of ‘safe injection sites’ and data-privacy also face override

By Guy Page

The Vermont Legislature will convene tomorrow to consider whether to override seven of the eight bills vetoed by Gov. Phil Scott this year. 

Both the House and the Senate will convene at 10 AM. The House will vote on the vetoes first, because all seven bills originated in the House. Only vetoes overridden by the House will then proceed to the Senate. Both houses need a ⅔ majority to override: 100 votes in the 150-member House, 20 votes in the 30-member Senate. 

The vetoed bills up for override are: 

H. 72, A harm-reduction criminal justice response to drug use. Also known as the ‘safe injections sites bill,’ it would prevent law enforcement from taking action against illegal drug possession or consumption on the premises. A pilot is planned for Burlington. 

H. 121, Enhancing consumer privacy and the age-appropriate design code. This bill purports to protect citizens’ data privacy rights, with special attention paid to use of data to target children with internet marketing. Critics say the explicit right to bring suit exposes not only ‘big tech’ but small Vermont businesses that use, or benefit from the use, of personal data. 

H. 289, The Renewable Energy Standard, mandates zero carbon emissions from electricity generation consumed in Vermont and 70% instate generation. It is considered a ‘win’ for the renewable power industry, which says Gov. Scott’s estimate of $1 billion added ratepayer costs over the next decade is unreasonably high. The bill also restricts local government from taking action to prevent installation of wind power facilities. 

H. 645, The expansion of approaches to restorative justice. This bill requires more non-punitive forms of justice, aimed at young offenders. Gov. Scott said it’s an unfunded mandate Vermonters can’t pay for at this time. 

H. 687, Community resilience and biodiversity protection through land use. This huge bill rewrites Act 250, the state land use and development law, to protect rural biodiversity and further limit rural housing. It relaxes Act 250 review of housing development in downtown areas, provided the local governments have stringent regulations required in the bill. 

H. 706, Banning the use of neonicotinoid pesticides. Supporters say the pesticide ban is needed to save the bees. Gov. Scott say the science is divided on whether the ban will help, but that it will definitely harm the endangered Vermont farmer. 

H. 887, Homestead property tax yields, nonhomestead rates, and policy changes to education finance and taxation. This bill, passed on the last day of the session after only a couple weeks of study, would reduce the estimated statewide property tax from about 20% to 13.8% by creating new taxes on short-term rentals and software. It does not reduce school spending. 

Not on the veto agenda is S.18, the Senate bill banning flavored tobacco products. Senate leaders apparently opted to not try to override.

Vermont Daily Chronicle will report live from the State House. We also will publish roll calls votes, when available, of all votes held tomorrow. To locate your legislator’s email – to encourage supporting the Governor’s veto on any of these bills – Click here

To leave a brief message for your legislator, call the Sergeant at Arms at 802-828-2228.

The Senate and House votes approving the bills, now vetoed, appear below as compiled by Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman: