S.181

Discussion of H.657 a bill meant to modernize Vermont's communications taxes and fees at the House Committee on Environment and Energy.

On Wednesday, the House Environment and Energy committee did an overview of Representative Stebbins amendment to H.657. The amendment changes some of the language around the state’s collection of the right away fee - including requiring an annual assessment and collection of the fee.H.657: Right of Way Proposed Amendment:

H.657: Right of Way Proposed Amendment:
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2024/WorkGroups/House%20Environment/Bills/H.657/Drafts,%20Amendments,%20Legal%20Documents/H.657~Gabrielle%20Stebbins~Right%20of%20Way%20Proposed%20Amendment~3-20-2024.pdf

Discussion of the Community Media Public Benefit Bill S.181 at the Senate Committee on Appropriations.

S.181 passed out of the Senate Appropriations Committee today with a 5-2 vote (Sears and Westman voted no). And they did talk about creating a line item in the Secretary of State’s budget, which is one of our goals – Senator Kitchel committed to doing that on the record. There will a base appropriation for VAN in the Senate version of the budget. The amount is still to be determined, and we likely won’t know the amount until late in the legislative session, but they understand clearly that we are aiming for a $3m/year appropriation. Senator Kitchel confirmed that there would be a line item in the Secretary of State’s office for VAN, but the appropriation will run separately in the budget bill. Senator Kitchel said she was not sure of the amount at this time because they have to consider it in the overall context of the budget, but she understands what the request is.

S.181 Senate Finance version of the bill:
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2024/WorkGroups/Senate%20Appropriations/Bills/S.181/S.181~Kirby%20Keeton~As%20Recommended%20By%20the%20Senate%20Committee%20on%20Finance~3-20-2024.pdf

Discussion of S.55 Update to Open Meeting Law on the Senate Floor.

On Tuesday, S.55 was on the Senate Floor for second reading. Senator Hardy reported for the Senate Government Operations & Military Affairs committee and did a walkthrough of the bill. While presenting the bill, Senator Hardy specifically named VAN as an example of a member of the working group. Senator Hardy offered a floor amendment requiring that members of the working group appointed by the VT League of Cities and Towns and Vermont clerks and treasurers shall represent municipalities of differing populations and geographically diverse areas - the amendment enables a broad swath of the state and small/big towns to be represented. The amendment passed unanimously (and it is linked below). Third reading of the bill was ordered.

S.55 as Passed by the Senate:
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2024/Docs/BILLS/S-0055/S-0055%20As%20Passed%20by%20the%20Senate%20Unofficial.pdf

Discussion of S.55 Update to Open Meeting Law at the Senate Committee on Appropriations.

On Thursday, the Appropriations Committee amended the bill to remove the $50k appropriation for per diems pending the finalization of the FY25 budget. This is standard procedure for the Appropriations Committee when considering bills that include appropriations, when the budget is not yet final. The Committee voted favorably on the bill with the amendment.

S.55, As Recommended:
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2024/WorkGroups/Senate%20Appropriations/Bills/S.55/Drafts,%20Amendments,%20and%20Legal%20Documents/S.55~Tucker%20Anderson~As%20Recommended%20By%20the%20Senate%20Committee%20on%20Government%20Operations%20~3-13-2024.pdf