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2019 Votes

Last session, as you can see below, I listed all the bills we voted on and how I voted..  This process became rather cumbersome. This session I would like to try something different.  Below is the link to all bills that passed out of the chamber.  Clicking on the bill number provided will take you to the bill's pertinent information as well as any roll call votes.  Also below is the link to my legislative page which provides all the bills and resolutions I sponsored and my voting record.  I"m happy to provide more information, just reach out!

legislature.vermont.gov/bill/passed/2020
legislature.vermont.gov/people/single/2020/27166
​

2018 VOTES
To see all bills introduced you can click legislature.vermont.gov/bill/released/2018
To see all bills passed you can click legislature.vermont.gov/bill/passed/2018

S.237   4/11/2018   An act relating to providing representation to needy persons concerning immigration matters.  Bill passed 97-40, I voted yes.  This was putting in law what is already occurring in practice.  

S.221   3/30/2018   An act relating to establishing extreme risk protection orders.  Roll call vote  136-0.  I was absent for the roll call, but voted yes on 3rd reading.  This law provides State's Attorney's the tool to restrict a person's ownership or possession of firearms if they pose a danger to oneself or others.  

H.923   3/28/2018  An act relating to capital construction and State bonding budget adjustment.  Roll call vote 136-0, I voted yes.  This bill provides the funding for capital budgets and this year also allocates $5m for school safety initiatives.

S.55   3/27/2018   An act relating to the disposition of unlawful and abandoned firearms.  Roll call vote 89-54, I voted yes.  Below is the explanation of my vote as recorded in the Hose Journal:
Rep. Houghton of Essex explained her vote as follows: “Madam Speaker: I know that this legislation alone will not keep Vermont safe, but it is a step toward that goal. This legislation may make purchasing a firearm a bit harder for some but it won’t prevent a law abiding citizen from purchasing or owning a firearm. This legislation may give school children a few precious seconds to live. This legislation may prevent a troubled youth from making a life altering decision. This legislation may allow our youth to focus on learning and not jump at every sound they hear. I vote yes for them. I vote yes for life.” 

H.897   3/22/2018   An act relating to enhancing the effectiveness, availability, and equity of services provided to students who require additional support. Bill passed 144-0, I voted yes.  This legislation changes the funding model from a reimbursement model to a census-based model which provides more flexibility in how funding can be used, is aligned with the State's policy priorities of service students who require additional support across the general and special education service-delivery system, and simplifies administration.  I believe this bill will allow our district to more effectively help students in need.

H.911   3/21/2018   An act relating to changes in Vermont's personal income tax and education financing system.  Bill passed vote 85-54, I voted no.  There was a lot of good in this bill - changing our income tax structure to move away from the federal system and the exemption of social security benefits.  However, I didn't agree with the creation of a School Income Tax Surcharge.  Specifically I feel that this bill is simply shifting pots of money while creating another tax and not including cost containment.  In the future a legislative body would now have two sources of revenue to raise - property tax and the school income tax surcharge.  I'm hopeful we will find a path forward to ensure at least the passage of the income tax and social security benefit changes.  

H.560   3/21/2018   An act relating to household products containing hazardous substances.  Bill passed 89-54, I voted yes.

H.639   3/15/2018   An act relating to banning cost-sharing for all breast imaging services. Bill passed 138-2, I voted yes.  Currently a person receiving a preventative mammogram does not pay for that procedure.  However, should the person notate a potential issue during that appointment or be called back due to inconclusive results, they are now charged.  This was not the intent of previous legislation and we heard testimony that many people are not getting the procedures they need to find breast cancer in early stages.

H.730   3/15/2018   An act relating to State response to waters in crisis.  Bill passed 118-16, I voted yes.

H.707   3/14/2018   An act relating to the prevention of sexual harassment.  Bill passed 131-2, I voted yes.

H.636   2/22/2018   An act relating to miscellaneous fish and wildlife subjects.  This bill makes some minor technical changes but also bans Coyote Contests.  I heard from many people in Essex who agreed with banning these contests.  The bill does not prohibit the hunting of coyotes.  Bill passed 95-44, I voted yes.

H.571   2/21/2018   An act relating to creating the Department of Liquor and Lottery and the Board of Liquor and Lottery​.  This bill merges the two departments and was developed through a study committee that met over the summer.  I voted yes.

H.892   2/21/2018   An act relating to regulation of short-term, limited-duration health insurance coverage and association health plans.  President Trump issued an Executive Order that would enhance the attractiveness and encourage the use of association health plans and limited duration health insurance coverage.  These plans have existed in the past throughout the country where quality and financial stability of the plans varied widely.  The plans often did not have to cover pre-existing conditions or essential health benefits; therefore, premiums were often much cheaper.  However, fraud was high and many times people found themselves without the coverage they believed they had or needed.  This bill will protect consumers and preserve the stability of the health insurance market by defining and regulating association health plans and short term limited duration plans.  I voted yes.

H.582   2/20/2018   An act relating to increased funding for the Connectivity Initiative.  This bill increases the Universal Service Charge (a phone bill charge) by 1/2 of 1 percent from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2022.  The money raised will go into the connectivity fund which provides infrastructure grants for connectivity into rural areas.  Bill passed 109-27, I voted yes.

H.764   2/16/2018   An act relating to data brokers and consumer protection.  I did not vote as my employer, LexisNexis, is considered a data broker under this legislation.  The bill passed.  

H.673   2/16/2018   An act relating to miscellaneous amendments to the Reach Up program.  I voted yes

H.624   2/16/2018   An act relating to the protection of information in the statewide voter checklist.  Bill passed 94-37, I voted yes.
Prohibits a public agency from knowingly disclosing any information pertaining to a registered voter that is maintained in the statewide voter checklist.  It's important we have protections in place for Vermonters’ sensitive and personal data contained in the statewide voter checklist and this bill provides that protection. 

H.294   2/16/2018   An act relating to inquiries about an applicant's salary history.  Bill passed 137-0, I voted yes.
Prevents employers from asking about an applicant’s salary history while still allowing an employer to inquire about a prospective
employee’s salary expectations and providing information about the wages, benefits, compensation or salary offered in relation to the position.  This is an important way to help close the pay gap in Vermont. Women in Vermont are paid 84 cents for every dollar paid to men, amounting to an annual wage gap of $7,787. The practice of having to disclose ones current salary only reinforces the pay gap by gender or race in our state. By eliminating this step, we can help level the playing field.

H.690   2/9/2018   An act relating to explanation of advance directives and treating clinicians who may sign a DNR/COLST.  Bill passed 135-0, I voted yes.

H.603    2/7/2018   An act relating to human trafficking. I voted yes.

H.562  2/6/2018   An act relating to parentage proceedings.  Bill passed 141-1, I voted yes.
​
H.691   1/26/2018   An act relating to highway safety.  Bill passed 133 - 7, I voted yes.
Fatalities and serious injuries from not wearing a seat belt are tragic losses for families, friends and our community.  Millions of dollars in medical costs, life insurance premiums, disability payments and lost wages could be avoided, not to mention the physical and mental stress placed on those injured and the family and friends around them.  At the same time racial profiling in traffic stops is a real thing that we must eliminate.  I voted yes for the highway safety bill knowing that in Vermont we are working hard to eliminate racial profiling.  We have Fair and Impartial Policing policies - police must track the race of everyone stopped.  That information is made public and reviewed by several committees of jurisdiction, as well as, police forces, community organizations and the public.  As one legislator stated, if we have a biased police officer, that person will find a way to make a traffic stop.  We must eliminate racial profiling while protecting the lives of all Vermonters. 

H.511 An act relating to eliminating penalties for possession of limited amounts of marijuana by adults 21 years of age or older. Bill passed 81-63.  Marijuana legalization continues to be a difficult decision for me, but I did vote in favor of this bill.  


​2017 House Bills Passed and My Vote


Once a bill is voted favorably out of a committee it is sent to the House floor where it is read 3 times, normally on subsequent days, with votes each time,  The 3rd reading is the final up or down vote.  During each reading amendments may be made on the floor and we vote for each amendment.  All votes are voice votes, unless a roll call is asked for.  

​I will provide specific yea/nay totals if a roll call vote was used.  Otherwise I will simply say if the vote passed or failed.  

You can view all bills that have been introduced here.

If you have any questions on the bills themselves or why I voted the way I did, please reach out.
Those bills that have become law are highlighted in red.
​​
Picture


.  .  Week 17:
  • S.95  An act relating to sexual assault nurse examiners
  • S.131  An act relating to State's Attorneys and sheriffs.  This bill passed with a roll call vote of 144-2.
  • S.100  An act relating to promoting affordable and sustainable housing.  This bill passed with a roll call vote of 139-8
  • S.103  An act relating to the regulation of toxic substances and hazardous materials.  This bill passed with a roll call vote of 93-52
  • H.233  An act relating to protecting working forests and habitat.  This bill passed with a roll call vote of 85-58.
  • S.135 An act relating to promoting economic development.  This bill passed with a roll call vote of 142-2.
  • S.34  An act relating to cross-promoting development incentives and State policy goals
  • H.170  An act relating to possession and cultivation of marijuana by a person 21 years of age or older.  This bill passed with a roll call vote of 75-71
  • H.196  An act relating to paid family leave.  This bill passed with a roll call vote of 88 - 58
  • S.33  An act relating to the Rozo McLaughlin Farm-to-School Program
  • S.8  An act relating to establishing the State Ethics Commission and standards of governmental ethical conduct.  This bill passed with a roll call vote of 144-1
  • S.16  An act relating to expanding patient access to the Medical Marijuana Registry.  This bill passed with a roll call vote of 130-16.
  • S.112  An act relating to creating the Spousal Support and Maintenance Task Force
  • S.136  An act relating to miscellaneous consumer protection provisions
  • S.134  An act relating to court diversion and pretrial services
  • S.61  An act relating to offenders with mental illness
  • H.522  An act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the City of Burlington
  • H.154 An act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the City of Burlington and to charter amendment procedure
  • H.241 An act relating to the charter of the Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District
  • I voted yes on all the above bills except H509 and one amendment on S103.  

Week 16:
  • S.4  An act relating to publicly accessible meetings of an accountable care organization's governing body
  • S.133  An act relating to examining mental health care and care coordination.  This bill passed with a roll call vote of 134-0.
  • S.3  An act relating to mental health professionals' duty to warn.  
  • H.529  An act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the City of Barre
  • H.534  An act relating to approval of the adoption and codification of the charter of the Town of Calais
  • S.9  An act relating to the preparation of poultry products
  • H.524  An act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the Town of Hartford
  • S.10  An act relating to liability for the contamination of potable water supplies.  This bill passed with a roll call vote of 140-2.
  • H.527  An act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the Town of East Montpelier and to the merger of the Town and the East Montpelier Fire District No. 1
  • S.130  An act relating to miscellaneous changes to education laws
  • S.52  An act relating to the Public Service Board and its proceedings.  This bill passed with a roll call vote of 144-0. 
  • S.127  An act relating to miscellaneous changes to laws related to vehicles and vessels.  There was an amendment offered to pass a primary seat belt law, meaning a person driving without a seat belt could be pulled over for that infraction on it's own.  Today we have a secondary seat belt law, meaning you must be pulled over for something else before being ticketed for not wearing a seatbelt.  This amendment failed on a roll call vote of 36-105.  I did vote for this amendment.  The overall bill did pass without this amendment
  • H.333  An act relating to identification of gender-free restrooms in public buildings and places of public accommodation.   This bill passed with a roll call vote of 123-19. 
  • I voted yes on all the above bills except for those voted on 4/28/2017 as I was out of the statehouse at a healthcare conference.

Week 15:  
  • S.20 An act relating to permanent licenses for persons 66 years of age or older
  • S.72 An act relating to requiring telemarketers to provide accurate caller identification information.  I did not vote on this bill due to a conflict of interest policy with LexisNexis - my employer.
  • H.526 An act relating to regulating notaries public
  • H.536 An act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the Town of Colchester
  • S.96 An act relating to a news media privilege.  This bill passed with a roll call vote of 140-2. 
  • S.75 An act relating to aquatic nuisance species control.  This bill passed with a roll call vote of 138-1. 
  • S.12 An act relating to increasing the maximum prison sentence for first, second, and subsequent offenses of aggravated animal cruelty
  • S.50 An act relating to insurance coverage for telemedicine services delivered in or outside a health care facility
  • H.150 An act relating to parole eligibility
  • S.23 An act relating to juvenile jurisdiction
  • I voted yes on all the above bills

Week 14:
  • ​H.197 An act relating to mental health parity for workers' compensation
  • H.520 An act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the Town of Stowe
  • S.22 An act relating to increased penalties for possession, sale, and dispensation of fentanyl
  • S.56 An act relating to life insurance policies and the Vermont Uniform Securities Act
  • H.492 An act relating to the Racial Justice Oversight Board.  This bill passed with a roll call vote of 120-25. 
  • H.523 An act relating to fair and impartial policing.  This bill passed with a roll call vote of 124-21.
  • H.327 An act relating to the charter of the Northeast Kingdom Solid Waste Management District
  • H.356 An act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the Town of Berlin
  • S.14 An act relating to expanding the Vermont Practitioner Recovery Network
  • Unfortunately I was out sick for all the above votes.  However, I was very much in support of H492, H523 and H197 as well as the others.

Week 13:
  • S.7  An act relating to deferred sentences and the sex offender registry.  This bill passed and is now Act 15
  • S.39  An act relating to the repeal of the crime of obtaining maps and plans while at war.  This bill passed and is now Act 16.
  • S.5  An act relating to plea agreements.  This bill passed and is now Act 14
  • S.60  An act relating to the repeal of 21 V.S.A. § 6.  This bill passed and is now Act 17.
  • H.368  An act relating to creating two temporary, part-time cold case investigator positions
  • S.69 An act relating to an employer's compliance with an income withholding order from another state.  This bill passed and is now Act 18.
  • H.519 An act relating to capital construction and State bonding. This bill passed with a roll call vote of 140-0. 
  • I voted yes on all the above bills.

Week 12:
  • H.516     An act relating to miscellaneous tax changes.  This is our tax bill that this year did not raise new taxes or fees.  This bill passed with a roll call vote of 138-0.
  • H.518     An act relating to making appropriations for the support of government.  This is our budget bill.  This bill passed with a roll call vote of 143-1. 
  • H.111      An act relating to vital records
  • H.386    An act relating to home health agency provider taxes
  • H.216     An act relating to Lifeline benefits
  • H.508    An act relating to building resilience for individuals experiencing adverse childhood experiences
  • H.509    An act relating to calculating statewide education tax rates.  This bill passed with a roll call vote of 114-25.
  • H.510     An act relating to the cost share for State agricultural water quality financial assistance grants
  • H.511     An act relating to highway safety.  An amendment was offered and passed prohibiting passengers from smoking marijuana.  The bill passed with the amendment.  I voted yes for the amendment and the final bill.
  • H.512     An act relating to the procedure for conducting recounts
  • H.513     An act relating to making miscellaneous changes to education law
  • H.514     An act relating to elections corrections
  • H.515     An act relating to Executive Branch and Judiciary fees
  • H.424     An act relating to the Commission on Act 250: the Next 50 Years
  • H.85       An act relating to captive insurance companies.  This bill passed and is now Act 12.
  • H.130     An act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the Town of Hartford
  • H.326     An act relating to eligibility and calculation of grant or subsidy amount for Reach Up, Reach Ahead, and the Child Care Services Program.  This bill passed and is now Act 29.
  • H.308    An act relating to a committee to reorganize and reclassify Vermont's criminal statutes
  • ​I voted yes on all the above bills.

Week 11:
  • H.506    An act relating to professions and occupations regulated by the Office of Professional Regulation.  I voted yes and the bill passed
  • H.507    An act relating to Next Generation Medicaid ACO pilot project reporting requirements.  I voted yes,  This bill passed and is now Act 25
  • H.462    An act relating to social media privacy for employees.  I voted yes and the bill passed.
  • H.411     An act relating to Vermont's energy efficiency standards for appliances and equipment.  I voted yes and the bill passed.
  • H.312     An act relating to retirement and pensions.  I voted yes and the bill passed.
  • H.230   An act relating to consent by minors for mental health treatment related to sexual orientation and gender identity.  This bill passed with a roll call vote of 125-12.  I voted yes.
  • H.290   An act relating to clarifying ambiguities relating to real estate titles and conveyances.  I voted yes.  This bill passed and is now Act 24.
  • H.502   An act relating to modernizing Vermont's parentage laws.  I voted yes. This bill passed and is now Act 31
  • H.503   An act relating to bail.  I voted yes and the bill passed.
  • H.145   An act relating to establishing the Mental Health Crisis Response Commission.  I voted yes and the billed passed.
  • H.152   An act relating to the Vermont Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act.  I voted yes and the bill passed.  This bill passed and is now Act 13.
  • H.167   An act relating to alternative approaches to addressing low-level illicit drug use.  I voted yes and the bill passed.
  • H.29     An act relating to permitting Medicare supplemental plans to offer expense discounts.  I voted yes and the bill passed.
  • H.22     An act relating to the professional regulation of law enforcement officers by the Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council.  I voted yes and the bill passed.
  • H.136   An act relating to accommodations for pregnant employees.  The bill passed with a roll call vote of 96-44.  I voted yes.  This bill passed and is now Act 21.
  • H.347   An act relating to the State Telecommunications Plan.  I voted yes and the bill passed.
  • H.422   An act relating to removal of firearms from a person arrested or cited for domestic assault.  This bill passed with a roll call vote of 78-60.  I voted yes.
  • S.13      An act relating to fees and costs allowed at a tax sale.  I voted yes and the bill passed and is now Act 7

​Week 10:​
  • H.376    An act relating to occupational safety and workers' compensation.  I voted yes. The bill passed.
  • H.184    An act relating to evaluation of suicide profiles.  I voted yes.  The bill passed.
  • H.59      An act relating to technical corrections.  I voted yes.  The bill passed.
  • S.38      An act relating to the Government Accountability Committee and the State Outcomes Report.  I voted yes.  The bill passed and is now Act 6.
  • S.79      An act relating to freedom from compulsory collection of personal information.  Bill was passed with a roll call vote of 110-24.  I voted yes. This bill is now Act 5
  • H.494     An act relating to the Transportation Program and miscellaneous changes to transportation-related law.  I voted yes.  The bill passed.
  • H.218    An act relating to the adequate shelter of dogs and cats.  There was quite a bit of debate; amendments were offered and passed with a roll call vote of 134-4.   I voted yes.  The bill passed as amended.
  • H.219    An act relating to the Vermont spaying and neutering program.  I voted yes.  The bill passed.
  • H.265    An act relating to the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman.  I voted yes.  The bill passed and is now Act 23.
  • H.42      An act relating to appointing municipal clerks and treasurers and to municipal audit penalties.  I voted yes.  The bill passed and is now Act 27
  • H.379   An act relating to providing an extension for the repeal of the Search and Rescue Council.  I voted yes.  The bill passed and is now Act 10.

Week 9:
  • H.182     An act relating to certain businesses regulated by the Department of Financial Regulation.  I voted yes. The bill passed and is now Act 22.
  • H.4         An act relating to calculating time periods in court proceedings.  I voted yes.  This bill passed and is now Act 11
  • H.493    An act relating to relief from abuse orders.  I voted yes.  The bill passed.
  • H.495    An act relating to miscellaneous agriculture subjects.  I voted yes.  The bill passed.
  • H.497    An act relating to health requirements for animals used in agriculture.  I voted yes.  The bill passed and is now Act 30.
  • H.5        An act relating to investment of town cemetery funds.  I voted yes.  The bill passed and is now Act 26.
  • H.50      An act relating to extending the current expiration date of the telecommunications siting law.  I voted yes.  The bill passed.
  • H.9        An act relating to deferred sentences  I voted yes. The bill passed.
  • H.297    An act relating to miscellaneous court operations procedures.  I voted yes. The bill passed and is now Act 28.
  • H.144    An act relating to the membership of the Nuclear Decommissioning Citizens Advisory Panel.  I voted yes.  The bill passed.
  • H.171     An act relating to expungement.  This act would shorten the time limits someone convicted of a nonviolent crime could seek expungement as well as include larceny and burglary of an unoccupied dwelling to the list of nonviolent crimes.  There was much debate with two amendments offered. I voted no on both amendments and both did fail on roll call votes of  55 to 86 and 61 to 81.  I voted yes for the bill as presented which passed with a roll call vote of 88 to 51.

​Week 8:​
  • H.201   An act relating to length of stay at designated shelters.   I voted yes.  The bill passed and is now Act 9.
  • H.3       An act relating to burial depth in cemeteries.   I voted yes.  The billed passed and is now Act 19.

​Week 7:
  • H.35     An act relating to adopting the Uniform Voidable Transactions Act.  I voted yes. The billed passed and is now Act 20. ​
  • H.74      An act relating to nonconsensual sexual conduct.  I voted yes.  The billed passed.
  • H.25      An act relating to sexual assault survivors' rights.  I voted yes.  The billed passed.
  • H.27      An act relating to eliminating the statute of limitations on prosecutions for sexual assault. I voted yes.  The bill passed.
  • H.238    An act relating to modernizing and reorganizing Title 7. I voted no on an amendment to allow the malt beverages or vinous beverages, or both, at a temporarily reduced price for a period of not more than two hours in duration.  I voted no because the amendment was injecting a policy decision into a technical bill that was simply cleaning up out of date language.  The amendment failed with Yeas, 49 and Nays, 69.  The original bill was read, I voted yes and the bill passed.   
  • H.55      An act relating to appointing public defenders for accused persons 25 years of age or less. I voted yes.  The bill passed.
  • H.75      An act relating to the Government Accountability Committee and the State Outcomes Report.  I voted yes.  The bill passed.

​Week 6:
  • H.143    An act relating to automobile insurance requirements and transportation network companies.  I voted yes.  The bill passed.
  • H.14      An act relating to automated external defibrillators.  I voted yes.  The billed passed and is now Act 8
  • S.2        An act relating to information sharing by the Commissioner of Financial Regulation.  I voted yes.  The bill passed and is now Act 1.

Week 5:  I was not in session Wednesday through Friday of this week due to attending funerals in Washington D.C.  I notated where I was absent.
  • S.1  An act relating to the determination of average daily membership for the 2016-2017 school year and equalized pupil count for fiscal year 2018.  Absent. The bill passed and is now Act 2.
  • H.38  An act relating to the membership of the Clean Water Fund Board.  Absent.  The bill passed.
  • H.58  An act relating to awarding hunting and fishing licenses at no cost to persons 65 years of age or older.  Absent.  The bill passed.
  • H.53  An act relating to permitting planting projects in flood hazard areas.  Absent.  The bill passed and is now Act 4.
​​

Week 4: 
  • H.125   An act relating to fiscal year 2017 budget adjustments.  I voted yes. Roll call vote; Yeas, 141. Nays, 0.  This bill is now Act 3.

No bills voted on weeks 1 - 3








































































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