By Guy Page
Today is Day Three of Crossover Week, when bills must be voted out of their original committee in order to proceed through the Vermont legislative sausage-grinder and become law. A few quick hits:
House Environment has pulled the controversial proposal to enforceably post land against hunting and fishing by painting trees with purple paint. Critics found the measure too permanent for a process that is meant to be renewed, or not, annually or semi-annually.
Senate votes unanimously for Prop 4, with one walkout – Prop 4, the proposed amendment that adds gender identity and nation of origin, and other categories to the list of protected civil rights in the Vermont Constitution, was approved unanimously by the Vermont Senate Wednesday, March 11. Only Sen. Steve Heffernan (R-Addison) didn’t vote yes. He did so by walking out of the Senate chamber shortly after Senate Pro Tem Phil Baruth announced the vote.
Corrections supervisory fees eliminated – H.635, eliminating fees to parolees of the Vermont Department of Corrections, passed the House and now moves on to the Senate.
In the House today – Today, the House is expected to vote on final approval of new penalties and procedures for animal cruelty offenses (H.578), requiring lobbyists to be identified in legislative advocacy advertising, and H.744, procedures for arrest without a warrant.
Coming up for a vote today, Thursday March 12, in the Senate –
S212 – public water supplies. There’s concern this bill could reduce fishing derby access to reservoirs.
S298 – creation of a Vermont Voting Rights report. The proposed VVR would prohibit gerrymandering and enhance voting access to minorities speaking a foreign language.
S227 – protecting illegal immigrants in Vermont schools.
S.211 – motor vehicle inspections required every two years, not annually as required now.