Republican from Orange County thought the bill was to stop human trafficking

By Guy Page

A new Republican senator did NOT co-sponsor a bill to legalize prostitution.

At least he didn’t mean to. And now it’s official – Sen. Larry Hart (R-Orange) is no longer a co-sponsor of S.54, “An act relating to voluntary engagement in sex work.” 

When the bill was introduced February 6, the sponsors were four left-of-center Democrat-and/or Progressive women – and one, new, male, Republican. Hart was elected to his first term last November by beating longtime incumbent Democrat Mark MacDonald. 

VDC ran into Hart a couple days later and asked him why he had co-sponsored the bill. No judgement. Just wondering.

As it turns out, so had quite a few of his constituents. The whole thing was a mistake, Hart – retired Marine, businessman, one-time licensed, ordained minister – explained: he had signed a sponsor sheet for what he thought was an anti-human trafficking bill. When (after the bill had been introduced) he learned it also legalizes prostitution, he immediately went to Senate Secretary of State John Bloomer, asking that his name be removed. Discussion and review of Senate rules ensued. The Senate record of S.54 shows “Senator Hart name as co-sponsor of bill withdrawn” on February 26.

Navigating State House rules, regulations and legislative processes can be head-spinning for all new legislators, and especially for senators, who are assigned to two committees. (House members have only one committee assignment.) 

Lesson learned…..

Three State House rallies this week – The Clean Heat Standard rally at noon Wednesday, March 12 isn’t the only grassroots gathering at the State House this week.

The Detransitioners and Desisters Day will be held 1-3 PM Wednesday, March 12 in Room 11 (cafeteria as back-up site) will feature a video about Chloe Cole, a young woman who has become an outspoken advocate for detranstioning following her unsuccessful ‘transition’ to a male identity, which included both drugs and surgery.

A pro-trans group has promised a counter-demonstration. 

Supporters of federal term limits and other restrictions on federal power will hold a Convention of States rally at the Vermont State House Friday, March 14 at 9 AM. 

Lead sponsor Rep. Mark Higley (R-Lowell) and eight other legislators on January 29 introduced the Convention of States Article V Resolution (Joint House Resolution 1), which seeks to “impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and limit the terms of office for its officials and for members of Congress.”

Crossover Friday – Tuesday will kick-off a busy period in Montpelier as “Crossover” occurs Friday.

A “crossover” deadline is the last day for a bill to pass out of the chamber in which it was introduced and move forward for consideration in the opposite chamber, Rep. Ashley Bartley (R-Fairfax) explained to her constituents Monday. 

‘Money’ bills, like the budget and the Transportation bill, are exempt from the Friday deadline. 

Bill raises hospital spending threshhold – The House this week will consider a bill raising significantly the cost threshold for hospital projects requiring a Certificate of Need from state regulators. 

H.96 raises the threshold from $1.5 million to $10 million, diagnostic and therapeutic equipment from $1 million to $5 million, and an operating expense from $500,000 to $3 million.

The bill was approved by the House Health Care and Ways and Means committees without a single no vote, indicating bipartisan approval.

Stand Your Ground bill introduced – H.457, introduced Tuesday by Rep. Deborah Dolgin (R-St. Johnsbury) proposes to establish a “stand your ground law” so that a person who is in their home or vehicle is not required to retreat before using deadly force in the defense of the person’s own life or the life of any other person.

The law also would cover a person who reasonably believes that he/she, or any other person, is in imminent peril and that it is necessary to repel that peril with deadly force in the forceful or violent suppression of a  person attempting to commit murder, sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, burglary, or larceny from the person.

Constitutional right to collectively bargain? – The Senate this week will consider amending the state Constitution to provide citizens the right to collectively bargain. This proposed constitutional change has already passed one biennium, and will need to pass both House and Senate before going to voters for ratification in November, 2026.