Got your catalytic convertor?

2023-04-25

Dear friend,

Your Vermont House of Representatives votes three different ways.

--By default, most votes are voice votes. People say either "Aye" or "Nay." The Speaker listens for the louder group and either the "Ayes have it" or the "Nays have it."

Result: a bill or motion passes, or not. No count of votes.

--Occasionally, a roll-call vote is requested by one of the members. If others join them in the request, a roll-call vote is ordered. Each Rep's name is called and they say either "Yes" or "No." (See You have to vote for more on this process.)

Result: A specific number of votes, and you know who voted what.

--A member can also call for a vote to be taken by "Division." In these votes, members voting "Yes" stand up and are counted by the Clerk. Then those voting "No" are counted.

Result: A specific number of votes.

Go to the Bills Passed page on the Legislature's website and click on a bill to see how these votes are tallied.

Here's are House members being counted during a vote by Division last week:

Rep. Tristan Roberts and other members standing to be counted by Division.

In the third-to-last week of the legislative session, what is your House of Representatives up to?

Here are a few bills that have been flying somewhat under the radar:

--Catalytic converter theft prevention. S.83 aims to protect Vermonters from the rash of catalytic converter theft and black-market sales. The bill would require catalytic converters to be labeled with VIN numbers when they are being transported and sold. Among other additional measures in the bill, scrap metal processors and salvage yards would be required to maintain good records of the sale and purchase of these items.

--Affordable childcare. The purpose of S.56 is to enact various measures to increase access to and the quality of child care services and after-school and summer care programs throughout the State. It includes measures to increase equitable access to and quality of prekindergarten education for four-year-olds, and to address the gap in our State’s childcare workforce. S.56 would maintain a mixed-delivery system, opening up new opportunities for new in-home childcare businesses, and for new offerings at public schools.

--Housing. Several House committees are weighing in on S.100, a housing bill with multiple measures to alleviate our housing crisis. A key provision in the current bill include allows duplexes by right wherever single family homes are allowed. It supports more multi-unit dwellings, regulation supporting accessory dwelling units, appeals process changes, permit streamlining, a new master umbrella permit, and emergency shelter provisions. In addition, the bill proposes changes to the Act 250 trigger, increasing it to allow 25 units in 5 years in 5 miles (25 x 5 x 5) instead of the current 10 x 5 x 5 in designated areas.

--Health of firefighters. Add an increased risk for cancer to the dangers that we ask our firefighters to brave. Because of their regular exposure to toxic byproducts of combustion, scientists have classified the occupation of firefighting as carcinogenic. I am pleased that the House passed S.73 on a unanimous vote this week. This bill expands the types of cancer for which volunteer and professional firefighters can make workers compensation insurance claims.

What are your current challenges to accessing childcare and housing within your household's budget?

I would appreciate hearing from you on these or any other topics.