legislative calendar for bills of interest
This page will contain highlights of legislative committees and summaries of legislative activities that are of interest to the disability community. A link has been provided to the complete legislative committee calendar at the end of the committee schedules. Links and brief descriptions of legislation of interest that has been introduced is included, and links are provided to legislation being discussed in committees where possible.
Link to Vermont Legislative Committee Page: http://www.leg.state.vt.us/Schedule/MasterSchedule.cfm
Link to Vermont Calendars, Journals and Bills: http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/serviceMain.cfm
Link the Vermont’s Legislative Page: http://www.leg.state.vt.us/
For a summary of this week's calendar please visit our weekly summary page
Week of February 13, 2012
Monday, February 6
House Committees
House Appropriations
- 4:00 PM Governor's Proposed FY 2013 State Budget
Joint Public Hearing with Senate Committee on Appropriations
All Vermont Interactive Television sites 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
The hearing will be available to view via the Internet if your computer has Flash-based streaming capabilities. Go to www.vitlink.org/streamingmedia/vtcvitopen.php
Senate Committees
- There are no meetings scheduled by this committee for this date on bills relating to the VCDR platform
Tuesday, February 7
House Committees
House Appropriations
- 2:30 PM Governor's Proposed FY 2013 State Budget
Public Hearing - Advocates (time limit--prior reservation if possible)
Room: 10
Linda Ryan, Director, Samaritan House, Inc., St. Albans
Erhard Mahnke, Executive Director, Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition
Karen Schwartz, Executive Director, Developmental Disability Council
Karen Topper, Green Mountain Self Advocates
Ed Paquin, Director, Vermont Coalition for Disability Rights
Pam McCarthy, Vermont Family Network
David Kreindler, Vermont Workers' Center
Dale Hackett, Advocate, Barre
Mary Gerisch, The Kitchen Cupboard, Bennington
Kenn Sassorossi, Housing Vermont
Elise Annes, Vermont Land Trust
Melissa Riegel-Garrett, Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children
Peter Sterling, Executive Director, Vermont Campaign for Health Care Security
Roger Clapp, Executive Director, March of Dimes
Linda Johnson, Executive Director, Prevent Child Abuse-VT
Steve Ness, Family Support Programs Manager, Prevent Child Abuse-VT
Rachael Gartner, Prevent Child Abuse-VT
Robin Castle, Prevent Child Abuse-VT
House Corrections and Institutions
- 11:15 AM Mental health Needs of Corrections Population
Doug Racine, Secretary, Agency of Human Services
House Education
- After the floor 12-0747 - An act relating to encouraging multiple, flexible pathways leading to secondary school completion and career and college readiness
Susan Bartlett, Special Assistant to the Governor - 2:00 PM H. 440 - An act relating to creating an agency and secretary of education and amending the membership and purpose of the state board of education
Donna Russo-Savage, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/H-440.pdf
House General Housing and Military Affairs
- There are no meetings scheduled by this committee for this date on bills relating to the VCDR platform
House Health Care
- 9:30 AM H. 559 - An act relating to health care reform implementation
Scenarios in the Exchange.
This week overall: Markup of Sections 3, 32, 33-35, 41, and 42; plus issue of Bronze plans
Stephen Kimbell, Commissioner, Department of Banking, Insurance, Securities & Health Care Administration
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/H-559.pdf - 10:30 AM H. 559 - An act relating to health care reform implementation
Transition issues
Jennifer Carbee, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
Robin Lunge, Director of Health Care Reform, Agency of Administration - 2:30 PM H. 559 - An act relating to health care reform implementation
Sections 33-35 -- Medicaid waivers, etc. Markup and vote.
Jennifer Carbee, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
Robin Lunge, Director of Health Care Reform, Agency of Administration
Mark Larson, Commissioner, Department of Vermont Health Access (DVHA) - 3:30 PM H. 559 - An act relating to health care reform implementation
Sec. 41, Repeals. Markup and vote.
Jennifer Carbee, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
House Human Services
- 9:00 AM H. 559 - An act relating to health care reform implementation
Jennifer Carbee, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
Robin Lunge, Director of Health Care Reform, Agency of Administration
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/H-559.pdf - 9:00 AM Committee Memo to House Health Care Committee
Jennifer Carbee, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council - 11:45 AM FY2013 Governor's Recommended Budget
DAIL
Bill Ashe, Upper Valley Services - 2:30 PM FY2013 Governor's Recommended Budget
Tobacco
Stephen Morabito, Administrator, Tobacco Evaluation and Review Board
Rebecca Ryan, Director, American Lung Association of Vermont
Tina Zuk, Coordinator, American Heart Association
Kelly Stoddard, Director of Government Relations and Advocacy, American Cancer Society
House Ways and Means
- There are no meetings scheduled by this committee for this date on bills relating to the VCDR platform
House Judiciary
- 10:00 AM House Convenes
after floor Committee Bill - Secure Residential Recovery Committee Discussion
Erik FitzPatrick, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
Senate Committees
Senate Appropriations
- 3:30 PM FY2013 Governor's Recommended Budget
Agency of Human Services--Overview
Doug Racine, Secretary, Agency of Human Services
Jim Giffin, Chief Fiscal Officer, Agency of Human Services
Senate Education
- There are no meetings scheduled by this committee for this date on bills relating to the VCDR platform
Senate Health and Welfare
- 8:00 AM H. 630 - An act relating to reforming Vermont’s mental health system
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/House/H-630.pdf - 12:00 PM Lunch with Governor Shumlin
Senate Institutions
- 2:30 PM Vermont Housing & Conservation Board: Review of Current Conservation Initiatives
Gus Seelig, Executive Director, Vermont Housing and Conservation Board - 3:15 PM Committee Discussion
Senate Judiciary
- There are no meetings scheduled by this committee for this date on bills relating to the VCDR platform
Wednesday, February 8
House Committees
House Appropriations
- 9:30 AM Governor's Proposed FY 2013 State Budget
Public Hearing - Advocates (time limit - prior reservation if possible)
Room 10
Eric Avildson, Vermont Legal Aid
Hal Cohen, Director, Central Vermont Community Action Council
Jim White, Central Vermont Community Action Council
Karen Lafayette, Vermont Low Income Advocacy Council
Sue Chase, Vermont Association for Adult Day Services
Bill Young, Director, Maple Leaf Farm
Karina Ware, Vermont Coalition of Teen Centers/Washington County Youth Service
Liz Schlegel, Central Vermont Community Action Council
Rebecca Ryan, Director, American Lung Association of Vermont
House Corrections and Institutions
- There are no meetings scheduled by this committee for this date on bills relating to the VCDR platform
House Education
- 3:00 PM Community High School of Vermont Special education program
George Cross, Board Member, Community High School of Vermont
Alice Farrell, Special Education Administrator, Department of Education
House General Housing and Military Affairs
- 3:00 PM H. 216 - An act relating to preserving federally assisted affordable housing
Sarah Carpenter, Director, VT. Housing Finance Agency
Rep. Heidi Scheuermann, Town of Stowe (4:00 PM)
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/H-216.pdf
House Health Care
- 9:15 AM H. 559 - An act relating to health care reform implementation
Dental coverage. Markup and vote.
Robin Lunge, Director of Health Care Reform, Agency of Administration - 9:30 AM H. 559 - An act relating to health care reform implementation
Sec. 32, Specialty Tier drugs. Markup and vote.
Clifford Peterson, General Counsel, Department of Banking, Insurance, Securities & Health Care Administration - 10:30 AM H. 559 - An act relating to health care reform implementation
Safety Net; funding for Ombudsman's Office, bronze plans. Markup and vote.
Stephen Kimbell, Commissioner, Department of Banking, Insurance, Securities & Health Care Administration - 11:30 AM H. 559 - An act relating to health care reform implementation
Collective bargaining agreements; Medicare Supplements. Markup and vote.
Michael Sirotkin, Lobbyist, Coalition of Vermont Elders (COVE)
Robin Lunge, Director of Health Care Reform, Agency of Administration - 1:00 PM Meet with Governor
[Committee meets with Governor Shumlin] - 2:00 PM H. 559 - An act relating to health care reform implementation
Rules, Sec. 40. Markup and vote.
Georgia Maheras, Executive Director, Green Mountain Care Board
Jennifer Carbee, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council - 3:00 PM H. 559 - An act relating to health care reform implementation
Act 129 Task Force (mental health). Markup and vote.
Georgia Maheras, Executive Director, Green Mountain Care Board - 3:30 PM H. 559 - An act relating to health care reform implementation
Effective dates, Sec. 42. Markup and vote.
Jennifer Carbee, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
House Human Services
- 9:00 AM H. 673 - An act relating to surrogate decision-making
Harry Chen MD, Commissioner, Department of Health
Cindy Bruzzese, Director, Vermont Ethics Network
Dr. Robert Macauley, Clinical Ethicist, Fletcher Allen Healthcare
Janet Dermody, Deputy Director, Vermont Coalition for Disability Rights
Angel Means, Director, VNA - End of Life Care Program
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/H-673.pdf - 10:45 AM H. 673 - An act relating to surrogate decision-making
Avril Cochran, Quality Specialist, VPQHC
Ken Gordon, Executive Director, Area Agencies on Aging
Jackie Majoros, Long Care Ombudsman, Vermont Legal Aid
Jill Olson, VP Policy and Operations, Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems
Madeleine Mongan, Vice-President, Vermont Medical Society - 15 Min. after adj. H. 745 - An act relating to the Vermont prescription monitoring system
Walk-thru
Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/H-745.pdf - 15 Min. after Adj. H. 627 - An act relating to an opiate addiction treatment system
Walk-thru
Jennifer Carbee, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/H-627.pdf - 4:15 PM H. 673 - An act relating to surrogate decision-making
Committee Discussion
House Judiciary
- There are no meetings scheduled by this committee for this date on bills relating to the VCDR platform
Senate Committees
Senate Appropriations
- There are no meetings scheduled by this committee for this date on bills relating to the VCDR platform
Senate Education
- There are no meetings scheduled by this committee for this date on bills relating to the VCDR platform
Senate Government Operations
- There are no meetings scheduled by this committee for this date on bills relating to the VCDR platform
Senate Health and Welfare
- 8:00 AM H. 630 - An act relating to reforming Vermont’s mental health system
- 10:00 AM H. 630 - An act relating to reforming Vermont’s mental health system
Jeffrey Geller, MD, UMASS Medical School, Department of Psychiatry
Senate Institutions
- 1:30 PM H. 630 - An act relating to reforming Vermont’s mental health system
Michael Obuchowski, Commissioner, Department of Buildings & General Services
Patrick Flood, Commissioner, Department of Mental Health
Wanda Minoli, Principal Assistant to the Commissioner, Department of Buildings & General Services
Bill Duchac, Manager of Insurance, Department of Buildings & General Services
Tim Brunette, FEMA
Thursday, February 9
House Committees
House Appropriations
- There are no meetings scheduled by this committee for this date on bills relating to the VCDR platform
House Corrections and Institutions
- There are no meetings scheduled by this committee for this date on bills relating to the VCDR platform
House Education
- There are no meetings scheduled by this committee for this date on bills relating to the VCDR platform
House General Housing and Military Affairs
- There are no meetings scheduled by this committee for this date on bills relating to the VCDR platform
House Health Care
- There are no meetings scheduled by this committee for this date on bills relating to the VCDR platform
House Human Services
- There are no meetings scheduled by this committee for this date on bills relating to the VCDR platform
House Judiciary
- There are no meetings scheduled by this committee for this date on bills relating to the VCDR platform
House Transportation
- There are no meetings scheduled by this committee for this date on bills relating to the VCDR platform
House Ways and Means
- There are no meetings scheduled by this committee for this date on bills relating to the VCDR platform
Senate Committees
Senate Appropriations
- There are no meetings scheduled by this committee for this date on bills relating to the VCDR platform
Senate Economic Development and Housing and General Affairs
- There are no meetings scheduled by this committee for this date on bills relating to the VCDR platform
Senate Education
- There are no meetings scheduled by this committee for this date on bills relating to the VCDR platform
Senate Health and Welfare
- 8:00 AM H. 630 - An act relating to reforming Vermont’s mental health system
- 10:00 AM Joint Assembly - Election of Trustees - Vermont State Colleges Corporation
- 1:00 PM Health Benefits Exchange
BISHCA 3rd Floor Large conference room
Senate Transportation
- 9:00 AM 12-0730 - An act relating to the state’s transportation program
Overview of T-Bill
Brian Searles, Secretary, Agency of Transportation
Chris Cole, Director of Policy, Planning and Intermodal Development, Agency of Transportation
Leonard LeBlanc, Deputy Director, Agency of Transportation
Helena Gardner, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
Friday, February 10
House Committees
House Appropriations
- There are no meetings scheduled by this committee for this date on bills relating to the VCDR platform
House Commerce and Economic Development
- There are no meetings scheduled by this committee for this date on bills relating to the VCDR platform
House General Housing and Military Affairs
- There are no meetings scheduled by this committee for this date on bills relating to the VCDR platform
House Health Care
- There are no meetings scheduled by this committee for this date on bills relating to the VCDR platform
House Human Services
- There are no meetings scheduled by this committee for this date on bills relating to the VCDR platform
House Judiciary
- There are no meetings scheduled by this committee for this date on bills relating to the VCDR platform
Senate Committees
Senate Appropriations
- There are no meetings scheduled by this committee for this date on bills relating to the VCDR platform
Senate Health and Welfare
- 8:00 AM H. 630 - An act relating to reforming Vermont’s mental health system
Senate Government Operations
- 1:30 PM Vital Records
Senate Institutions
- There are no meetings scheduled by this committee for this date on bills relating to the VCDR platform
Senate Judiciary
- There are no meetings scheduled by this committee for this date on bills relating to the VCDR platform
Contact VCDR
To Contact VCDR by mail:
VCDR
11 East State St., Suite 2
Montpelier, VT 05602
VCDR can be contacted by phone via VCIL at:
Phone: 1-800-639-1522