By BUTCH SHAW
The Vermont House of Representatives is finally settling into the routine of the daily work of committee hearings, caucus meetings, and ongoing training and informational meetings that are required at the start of a new biennial session. With so many new members, this training is invaluable to both the new and returning members! Some of the subject matter we have reviewed includes the House’s policies on preventing and reporting sexual harassment in the workplace, safety policies in the event of a fire or a medical emergency, and active shooter protocols (Yes, we have actual fire drills!). We have reviewed the “Rules of the House” and received extensive training on floor decorum and proper dress (business professional). We have discussed the rules of debate and an extensive “how to” conduct ourselves on the floor of the House. In this past week we received an interesting program and lecture on what is or is not an ethical practice financially or legislatively for a member of the General Assembly. I do appreciate the time we, as legislators, spend on these important subjects because after 14 years serving in the House our policies are constantly evolving with the times and I learn something new every day.
The beginning of a new biennium always brings a rush of introduction of new proposed legislation in the House and this year the pattern is no different. As of this writing, 124 bills have been introduced, surpassing the pace of the 2021-2022 biennium. Some of these bills are “re-runs” of bills that did not make it to the finish line in the last session; others are “clean up” bills which are typically for adjusting or correcting an error in legislation passed in a previous session. And most interesting to watch are bills introduced by new members of the Assembly as they try to fulfill promises made to their new constituents during the election season!
Of note is the introduction of a proposed amendment to the Vermont Constitution. It is required by that historical document that amendments may only be proposed by Senators and only in every other biennium. This proposal introduced in the Senate, now known as Proposition 1, would amend the Constitution in Section 50 of Chapter II and pertains to the election of Assistant Judges, Sheriffs, and State’s Attorneys. The proposed change would allow the General Assembly to establish, by law, qualifications for a person to be elected to the Office of Sheriff. This is an interesting concept because currently there are no qualifications for a person to hold this important county law enforcement office. This position is one of the very few elected positions in Vermont that have a four-year term and if an unqualified individual is elected, and as we have seen most recently, it is nearly impossible to remove a duly elected sheriff from their office. Should this proposal be affirmed in both the Senate and the House, it will begin the long, arduous process of five plus years to amend Section 50 of the Vermont Constitution!
The Governor has introduced his Fiscal Year 24 budget to the Legislature. With the addition of the recent amount of Federal Funding, this $8.4 billion proposal is, to quote Governor Scott, “The infusion of this new federal funding is the biggest deal since the 1930’s Federal Big Deal.” Stay tuned as the money dance has started in the money committees of Appropriations, Transportation, and Corrections and Institutions. A lot more to come as the year progresses.
I can be reached anytime by email at bshaw@leg.state.vt.us, by phone at 802-483-2398 or by mail at PO Box 197, Pittsford, VT 05763. I am always available to have a conversation with you concerning our Legislative District and your Vermont State Government.
Representative Butch Shaw
Pittsford-Proctor
Vice Chair-House Committee on Transportation
Chair-Rutland County Legislative Delegation
