VTDigger is posting regular updates on the coronavirus in Vermont on this page. You can also subscribe here for regular email updates on the coronavirus. If you have any questions, thoughts or updates on how Vermont is responding to COVID-19, contact us at coronavirus@vtdigger.org
In its first ever remote vote, the Vermont Senate convened over Zoom Friday morning to pass a slew of legislation to provide relief during the Covid-19 crisis, including a bill establishing a temporary moratorium on evictions and foreclosures.
All 30 senators dialed into Friday’s session via video chat, two days after 16 upper chamber lawmakers returned to Montpelier to approve virtual voting proceedings.
After weeks of discussion, the Senate unanimously approved a measure to freeze evictions and foreclosures, sending the bill, S.333, to the House.
Vermont courts already largely halted evictions during the Covid-19 crisis. When the Vermont Supreme Court declared a judicial emergency on March 16, which suspended all non-emergency court proceedings, it effectively froze most eviction cases.
A handful of courts in the state, including the Chittenden County Superior Court went a step further to explicitly stop evictions and foreclosures.
But doesn’t protect tenants in cases where writs of possession — documents notifying tenants that they must leave their residence — had been granted before Vermont entered a state of emergency and could, in theory, still be served.
Vermont Legal Aid, told the Senate Economic Development Committee last week that there were 22 cases in the state involving active writs of possession.
Sen. Michael Sirotkin, D-Chittenden, the chair of the Senate Economic Development Committee, said that even if the moratorium only expands protections to a small group of renters, it’s still worth enacting.
“Even one more person homeless…is one too many for this crisis,” he said.
Sirotkin noted that the bill was not only backed by pro-tenant organizations, but also those representing landlords.
Gov. Phil Scott is supportive of the legislation. But he said Friday that he hasn’t acted to ban evictions with his executive authority because he hasn’t heard complaints from renters.
“We are still willing to do whatever is necessary to protect Vermonters,” Scott said during his press conference.
“We’ll continue to work with the Legislature and we haven’t seen the need at this point.”
The legislation does not prevent evictions altogether. Courts can still hold emergency eviction hearings in cases where tenants present a serious threat to the health and safety of other residents, including in situations involving drug use or violence.
It also does not change a tenant’s responsibility to pay rent to landlords.
The bill also prevents foreclosures, although banks had opposed this provision on the grounds that it is unnecessary. Chris D’Elia, the president of the Vermont Bankers Association, has said that banks he represents will not move forward with foreclosures during the crisis.
Another bill advanced by the Senate Friday, S.114, loosens requirements within the state’s judicial system to provide flexibility during the Covid-19 crisis.
The legislation allows deeds to be executed electronically, criminal defendants to appear in court remotely, and extends the statute of limitations for civil cases that would have expired during the state of emergency.
Another bill the Senate passed, S.182, crafted by the Senate Government Operations Committee, would loosen some regulations for emergency medical service providers, and other professionals.
It extends the validity of ambulance licenses from one year to three, and ensures the professional licenses for plumbers and electricians won’t expire during the state of emergency.
The legislation that advanced Friday still needs House approval before it is sent to the governor’s desk.
The House has yet to formally approve a remote voting process.
