By Candice White, D-Waitsfield
The pace lightened up a bit last week and I joined my committee colleagues for a field trip to see some of the Agency of Transportation’s big projects. We viewed highway infrastructure projects at exits 16 and 17 on I-89, and visited the new, energy-efficient District 8 garage in Swanton. We also took a pleasant lunchtime ride on newly-upgraded rail track from Montpelier to Barre aboard the Champlain Valley Dinner Train.
Following is a brief look at some recent bill highlights:
Signed by the Governor:
H.80 – a bill to expand some of the oversights in the Office of the Health Care Advocate as they relate to health care regulatory activities, access to information, and providing assistance to Vermonters.
On the Governor’s Desk:
S.28 – An act relating to access to certain legally-protected health care services – including reproductive and gender-affirming care – which updates existing shield laws to enhance privacy protections and more.
Recently passed in the House:
S.18 - Creating a regulatory framework for the operation of free-standing birth centers in Vermont.
S.27 - Investing in a program to erase certain medical debt for low-income Vermonters.
HR.8 - A resolution strongly objecting to the manner and circumstances under which U.S. immigration authorities arrested and detained Mohsen Mahdawi, a Vermont resident in the final stage of his naturalization proceedings.
Coming soon to the House Floor:
I am particularly excited about the next bill – H.86, which moves us closer to establishing best practices for salt use on our roads and parking lots. While the Agency of Transportation has been following best practices for salt use, municipalities and private companies have not necessarily kept up. Municipalities are able to take advantage of best-practices training through the AOT, though it is unclear how many are doing this. Nothing to date has been offered for private management companies, which this bill addresses:
H.86 – a bill relating to the use of salt on privately-managed properties that would offer training and certification in efficient salt use, and protection from related liability claims, with the goals of decreasing excessive use of salt, decreasing cost of salt, and improving the health of Vermont waterways.
Proposal 3 (PR.3) – a proposed amendment to the Vermont Constitution aiming to enshrine the right of employees to organize and collectively bargain. Because this is a proposed Constitutional Amendment, the proposal must be approved in two legislative sessions, and will then be placed on the November 2026 ballot.
Department of Motor Vehicles Bill (S.123) – this is in my committee now, and we are working to understand and discuss the various sections.
I continue to remain focused on education reform, health care, housing, and general affordability. We expect to be in session through the end of May, with a potential veto session in mid-June.
Spring Coffee Hours:
Tuesday, May 13, 8:30 a.m., Black Cap Café, Waterbury.
