Back in Session
We’re back at the statehouse and moving full steam ahead on a number of key issues including housing, flood recovery and climate resiliency, and affordability. Already, in the first two weeks, we’ve had several bills come to the House floor for votes, powerful testimony on bills under consideration in committee, and many events by advocacy groups to discuss priorities for 2024.
Bills in Motion
The first bill to pass this year, H.27 will help judges grant abuse prevention orders to Vermonters whose intimate partners are inflicting emotional and mental abuse on their partners, before the abuse becomes physically violent.
Here’s a full list of bills we’ve passed so far →
My New Bill Introductions
During the off session I worked with a variety of stakeholders and legislators to draft a number of bi-partisan bills. Here’s a bit more about a few of those bills:
H.719 Housing Bill
Vermont faces a housing crisis affecting families of all sizes, income levels and service needs. Building on the work from last session and the recent recommendations from several housing related reports, this bill proposes to make changes to Act 250, updates to municipal zoning laws, and provide strategic investments to quickly create more housing opportunities in communities, and for families, who need them most.
H.622 Emergency Medical Services
We all expect an ambulance to come when we call 911, but because current reimbursement rates do not cover the full cost of service delivery, EMS services are struggling to keep pace with the needs of our communities. In order to reverse the current inadequate condition of the EMS system in this State and ensure that we have an equitable, sustainable structure to support these services, this bill proposes to make changes in EMS funding, system coordination and workforce development.
H.624 Forest Economy
Timber harvesting and hauling are distinct and impactful components of Vermont’s rural economy. Occupations from this industry are inextricably linked to the health and long-term management of Vermont’s forests, which cover 75% of the state. Yet, the warmer and wetter weather is making it harder and harder to harvest and haul timber. This bill would create a Forest Management and Climate Resilience Grant Program to financial assistance to logging contractors to ensure implementation of effective water quality protection and climate adaptation practices on harvest sites.
H.627 Climate Resilience
As we saw this summer with the July flood, climate change is a fundamental threat to Vermont’s economy, environment, and way of life. Our state is becoming both warmer and wetter. The costs of cleaning up after a disaster are significant with the cost of the July flood expected to exceed $120 million. This bill proposes multiple provisions related to State emergency response and emergency preparedness, including establishing the Resilient Communities Fund to provide financial assistance to municipalities in the State to plan for and respond to disasters.
H.611 Revenue Sharing
The last few years have punctuated the fact that communities that have more capacity and are more adequately resourced are the most successful in responding to not only the ordinary needs of their residents but also the emergencies of the moment. The effect is a growing divide between the municipal haves and have-nots, leaving many small Vermont towns behind. This bill proposes to create a study 10 committee to determine how Vermont could have uniform local share of sales and use tax revenue for all municipalities. The committee will also examine other ways that State revenues can be shared between municipalities.
See a list of all the bills I sponsored →
In the News
“We all expect an ambulance to come if we call 911 — it’s a critical part of our health care delivery system,” said the bill’s lead sponsor, Rep. Katherine Sims, D-Craftsbury. “We need to ensure it’s more coordinated, more efficient and more effective, as well as has adequate oversight and accountability.”
Read the full story here
Rep. Sims says, “If we want more housing in the right places, rehabbing existing buildings and building new infill development in our walkable downtowns and villages that are served by water and sewer, we need a balanced approach to land use regulation.”
Read the full story here
NEK Day @ Statehouse
NEK Day is Friday, January 26th, 9-10:30am. Every January, the NEK Collaborative brings residents together with our region’s Senators and Representatives to ensure your voices are heard loud & clear. NEK Day @ the Statehouse (virtual this year) is your opportunity to share our region’s successes and advocate the support we need most. Learn more & RSVP →
Stay Connected
I want you to know what I'm working on, how I'm voting and why. For those who like to keep of track of things in real time:
Follow along: Watch the House of Representatives live (or recorded) daily deliberations here
My bills and votes: Visit my Legislative Page for bills I’ve co-sponsored and roll call votes
Office hours: Join me for monthly virtual office hours, find the schedule and RSVP here.
If you need assistance or want to discuss your priorities or needs, please reach out anytime. I look forward to connecting with you.