[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6363961,"mediaKeyId","2165562-f399a8c93832d10d1df4df4e20deeb2c","parentId",2165562,"title","Votes at a glance: Vermont House actions, Jan. 29, 2025","audioSeconds",1283,"startMs",1023000,"endMs",2306000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165562-f399a8c93832d10d1df4df4e20deeb2c&start=1023&end=2306","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165562-f399a8c93832d10d1df4df4e20deeb2c/thumbnail_1023000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6363961/Vermont/Votes-at-a-glance-Vermont-House-actions-Jan-29-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6363961-01f7b3eaf2777ed2377f7bf5c82f019f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177555&Signature=N1Z6ct8t0HbUTdls9WTORgNJSqrCA-On4e9ldAKrxO05HOtOaIJA842X9Zbyo86iP5yemRNXcCm5FR0-H2Ctz8NZND~8IEsu9AKp3ehKLtFj6GOI6tWY0KgzNj7q8Zt1b82KSeYOJfR3hpcat6Nj8tgZRyYALkjdlPGRZj1pxIRhkfakBVpCeVmoIqIo9~QDyBkHCZsfjeZMJ-2udWd8nEEmkBHfDbK8k9ll6oPmg0MTawsPKtvhGRCQ2iAEEDMnPOwo-eV8TWW4klkE1eHrqiQGlL7zLAQ5NXUKCjA-AFbHitLzfUTW0QG~6d390IETkf0HEsK4YcMDduJPOe2BOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Vermont House of Representatives","date","2025-01-29T00:00:00Z","article","The Vermont House recorded several formal actions on Jan. 29, 2025, including passage of a local elections bill, adoption of time-sensitive schedule changes and the designation of Mental Health Advocacy Day at the State House. Several bills were introduced by first reading and referred to committees.

Key outcomes

- H.78 (use of the Australian ballot system in local elections): Passed on third reading. The body then voted to suspend the rules and message the action to the Senate “forthwith.” The motion to suspend rules to message the action was moved by the Member from Pulte and adopted by voice vote.

- J.R.S. 9 (weekend adjournment on Jan. 31, 2025): Read and adopted in concurrence; the resolution directs that when the two houses adjourn on Jan. 31 the houses shall meet again no later than Feb. 4, 2025.

- H.C.R. 8 (designating Jan. 29, 2025, as Mental Health Advocacy Day at the State House): Adopted. The concurrent resolution cites Vermont law recognizing parity in treatment for mental and physical health and directed the secretary of state to send a copy of the resolution to mental health advocacy organizations present that day; the House also recognized attendees including Laurie Emerson, executive director of NAMI Vermont.

- JRH1 (application for a convention of the states under Article V of the U.S. Constitution): Read by title and referred to the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs pursuant to House rule.

- H.115–H.123: Nine house bills were read for the first time and referred to committees. Titles and committee referrals recorded on the floor included bills on tax debt forgiveness for fraud victims (H.115, Ways and Means), limiting campaign contributions for state legislators (H.116, Government Operations and Military Affairs), general election candidates (H.117, Government Operations and Military Affairs), expanding hate-motivated crimes (H.118, Judiciary), beverage container redemption (H.119, Environment), long-term care trust fund study (H.120, Human Services), affordable broadband (H.121, Energy and Digital Infrastructure), sustainable realignment of school districts (H.122, Education), and driving while ability impaired (H.123, Judiciary).

Other procedural actions included routine introductions, readings and the House’s adjournment until Jan. 30, 2025 at 3 p.m.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Session: 2025-01-29-3:00 p.m.","oneSentenceSummary","A roundup of the House’s formal actions on Jan. 29, 2025, including passage of H.78 and adoption of multiple resolutions; several bills were read for the first time and referred to committees.","taxTitle","HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative , Vermont","taxId",29454,"location","Vermont","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6363966,"House orders third reading of bill to unmerge Vermont’s individual and small-group insurance markets",672,1578000,2250000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165562-f399a8c93832d10d1df4df4e20deeb2c&start=1578&end=2250","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165562-f399a8c93832d10d1df4df4e20deeb2c/thumbnail_1578000.jpg","/articles/6363966/Vermont/House-orders-third-reading-of-bill-to-unmerge-Vermonts-individual-and-small-group-insurance-markets","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6363966-c7aed74941432b51b91b0ca48f6be7ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177555&Signature=GGH-grFHtIbSpWjsHSoNpr-XikE-I-bjUg5J-X7~ruveDjOKZR705IOzlCCCcdTH4KLio0JPpx4jBV0yT4eJQ1W71JyvyW1~XRGg6E~Q0uQoxpEzIx8KnidiG2Bm8AaPghl7UKOMbqEEU6ozWEOoGyJ-RhnJWF3SRgnfOlvn74kKsiPBB1FNDTVkR3jJBQLF6A~aT1wXKjv1yLlY6OihvCjjmLMT-VgH7LMSM0v5rRieE4qgEeQYauzdJx9nrg7slaB62qqNRNkDokWX5abERT1Jc9l0HwM1~pXPENggBuq4d~kI0wRgu~MnfBBoy-zIrWpkIrI0MiM~oAY~tLv4NA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative DeMar of Enosburg reported to the House that H.35 would permanently unmerge Vermont’s individual and small-group health insurance markets, undoing a temporary merger in place since 2022, and require carriers to set premiums for the individual market separately from small-group plans.

Representative DeMar described multiple statutory edits in Title 33 referenced by the bill: updates to definitions of “qualified employer” and “small employer,” repeals of outdated implementation language for the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange, clarifications about what individual information the exchange must provide to the U.S. Department of the Treasury for advanced premium tax credit determinations, and new requirements for agents and broker procedures. He said the act would take effect Jan. 1, 2026.

A member from Northfield, speaking on the floor, framed the change as a policy shift with financial implications. The Member from Northfield said the original merged market had “helped stabilize and reduce the amount of increases that the individual market could have otherwise seen” by spreading risk across a larger pool, and warned that if federal subsidies are not extended, people in the individual market—especially those not eligible for subsidies—could face higher costs. The member added, “I do support the bill, and I encourage members' support.”

Representative DeMar said witnesses who testified in committee included the deputy commissioner (agency not specified in transcript), legislative counsel, the chief health care advocate and industry representatives; the transcript records the committee’s reported vote as “1100 all in favor.” On the floor the House asked if the bill should be read a third time; the ayes were called and third reading was ordered. The bill will return for further floor action.","House Bill 35, reported by the House Health Care Committee, would permanently unmerge the individual and small-group markets, require separate premium-setting and take effect Jan. 1, 2026; a member warned of risks if federal subsidies lapse, and the House ordered third reading.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6363970,"House advances bill expanding scope and membership of Domestic Violence Fatality Review Commission",424,1134000,1558000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165562-f399a8c93832d10d1df4df4e20deeb2c&start=1134&end=1558","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165562-f399a8c93832d10d1df4df4e20deeb2c/thumbnail_1134000.jpg","/articles/6363970/Vermont/House-advances-bill-expanding-scope-and-membership-of-Domestic-Violence-Fatality-Review-Commission","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6363970-8483bb77d94c103ab55ff1bcb29bfe23/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177555&Signature=hVXSKoVKuHW59YS1vpX~MLxZnqfn~hAZ9QE0My0raznnJ9z4hegYHQsKdTPS-ExWZn4pJo5YAJzZGmYqEK5wDsPGzcX5YA-XSjd8c8fuMLNE30ru-DcKU-JGqMPE9XF7fTcxLWv44s552zkrWKUHZ17~kqAP-4MvWUOO9IJB2~ouGRoWqBHkYMOVCGYidduuQ6d7hJ0eGsziGTEtgjNGkjjZPQwp~9S6n7Um3XFRynVYHzljiUGxmIYH8hEo0gbvCSmj93jksc2mNEZET8J1kdmU2C-SeAlEZOF4CFTeJ18d5Uw6stBfGQwdEVISgOFlBcj25gNVCOoBzyI3MAkVsQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Rachelson of Burlington, reporting for the House Judiciary Committee, told the House that H.27 would expand the Vermont Domestic Violence Fatality Review Commission’s work to include near-fatal instances of domestic violence, add several new member positions and direct appointing authorities to consider diversity when making appointments.

The change to let the commission examine near-fatal incidents was described as central to improving prevention. Representative Rachelson said the commission “was created by statute in 2002” and that from 1994 to 2023 “there were 432 homicides in Vermont. 190, or 44%, of them were determined to be related to domestic violence.” She said examining near-fatal cases and, when possible, survivor interviews, can reveal actions and warning signs that fatalities reviews otherwise would miss.

The bill, as described on the floor, proposes adding a sheriff appointed by the Vermont Sheriffs Association, a restorative-justice practitioner appointed by the attorney general, the director of victim services for the state police (or designee), a state attorney victim advocate, and the director of victim services for the Department of Corrections (or designee). The committee amendment added the executive director of the Vermont Center for Crime Victim Services (or designee) and modified who appoints the state attorney victim advocate, changing that appointment to be made by the executive director of the State Attorneys and Sheriffs Association, as reflected in the committee’s printed amendment.

Representative Rachelson said the commission is required to report findings and recommendations to the governor, the General Assembly, the chief justice of the Vermont Supreme Court and the Vermont Council on Domestic Violence in January of the first year of the biennial session, and that past recommendations have led to legislative and system changes.

On the floor the House asked, “Shall the bill be amended as recommended by the Committee on Judiciary?” The ayes were called and the amendment was adopted by voice vote; the House then ordered third reading. The bill was reported to the chamber with written and in-person testimony from multiple stakeholders, including the commission’s members and the executive director of the Vermont Center for Crime Victim Services (written testimony).","The Vermont House amended and advanced House Bill 27 to let the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Commission examine near-fatal incidents, add members and direct appointing authorities to consider diversity; the amendment passed by voice vote and third reading was ordered.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Vermont House actions, Jan. 29, 2025

House orders third reading of bill to unmerge Vermont’s individual and small-group insurance markets

House advances bill expanding scope and membership of Domestic Violence Fatality Review Commission