Lawmakers will be sequestered in committee for much of this week, listening to testimony, discussing policy questions and hammering out legislation.
The biggest bill to reach the floor of the House, probably on Tuesday or Wednesday, will be a “net metering” proposal that would allow an expedited registration process for residential solar systems for up to 10kW.
Redistricting and the Vermont State Hospital replacement plan will be on the front burner as lawmakers in House Government Operations and House Human Services, respectively, attempt to push bills out of committee this week.
Mental health
House Human Services will propose new legislation that addresses the mental health care system crisis on Tuesday, shortly before the committee holds a joint public hearing with Senate Health and Human Services that evening. The legislation was originally based on Shumlin’s proposal and was included in the Budget Adjustment Act before House Human Services asked to have it put forward as a separate bill. The legislation is on a fast track for passage.
The bill could be voted out as early as Friday, according to Rep. Ann Pugh, chair of the committee. “We need to act quickly … but we’ve been doing this for 10 years,” she said, in reference to the ongoing battle over the replacement of the Vermont State Hospital long before the facility was heavily damaged by floodwaters from Tropical Storm Irene.
The big issue: Whether or not to build a small residential facility of 16 beds, or a larger structure that could house 25 patients.
Pugh says her committee hasn’t come to consensus on the size question yet.
“It’s a big question, but it’s not the only question,” Pugh said. “It’s a huge and central part (of the decision). I would argue (a facility) is an element of a comprehensive mental health system.”
Redistricting
Rep. Donna Sweaney, D-Windsor, and members of her committee, Gov Opps are trying to pick their way through the redistricting minefield. Though Sweaney said she hoped to keep the districts as close to the existing lines as possible, some change will be inevitable.
“For the most part, we’re trying to see what we can cobble together easily,” Sweaney said. “We’ve contacted every legislator affected talking about it.”
The trouble areas are Burlington and Lamoille County where population has grown, she said. Two weeks ago, her committee voted against a proposal to add a seat to the Burlington area, which would have brought the total number of representatives to 10. Now that plan is back on the table, she said. In addition, some Lamoille County towns may have to continue to be combined with towns in Washington County.
The objective, House Speaker Shap Smith says, is to get both pieces of legislation on the floor of the House next week and ready for the Senate to take up before Town Meeting Day. (Gov. Peter Shumlin has said he wants the state hospital bill on his desk by Feb. 17, Smith said he’d love to meet that “stated goal, but that may be an aggressive timeline.”
Budget bills, health care, agriculture
House Appropriations will continue to take testimony from Shumlin administration commissioners and secretaries on the governor’s budget proposal. Last week the committee went through general government; this week they’re likely to review the “protections” section of the budget, which includes the Vermont State Police and the Attorney General’s office. The committee will examine the Agency of Human Services proposals the first week of February, according to vice chair Mitzi Johnson.
Meanwhile, Senate Appropriations plans to pass out the budget adjustment plan before the end of the week. The House “messaged” the bill over to the Senate on Friday, which means the committee can get to work on the legislation right away. The Shumlin administration is pushing for quick passage of the bill.
Mike Fisher, chair of House Health Care, says his committee will hear testimony in response to H.559, the insurance exchange bill, from insurers, hospitals and consumer groups. The committee will also look at a provision that delineates the responsibilities of the Green Mountain Care Board and the Department of Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Administration. The two entities, which are co-located, will work in tandem on certain issues in the near future. The department, for example, will review insurance rates, while the board will approve or deny rate proposals.
Senate Appropriations will take testimony on S.246, the working landscape bill, which would create a fund for farmers who need financing for entrepreneurial projects.
