S.59 (Act 51)

An act relating to amendments to Vermont’s Open Meeting Law

Sponsors: Sen. Ruth Hardy

Last Recorded Action: 6/13/2025 - Senate Message: Signed by Governor June 9, 2025

Committee Activity - Meeting Full List

Regular Session 2025-2026

Thursday, February 20, 2025

Committee(s):

Senate Committee on Government Operations

1:15 PM

S.59 - An act relating to amendments to Vermont’s Open Meeting Law

Sen. Ruth Hardy, Sponsor
Tucker Anderson, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

Wednesday, February 26, 2025

Committee(s):

Senate Committee on Government Operations

3:05 PM

S.59 - An act relating to amendments to Vermont’s Open Meeting Law

Maura Collins, Executive Director, Vermont Housing Finance Agency
John Potter, Town Manager, Brattleboro
Sen. Wendy Harrison, Sponsor, Windham District
Cassie Polhemus, Chief Executive Officer, Vermont Economic Development Authority
Samantha Sheehan, Municipal Policy and Advocacy Specialist, Vermont League of Cities and Towns

Tuesday, March 11, 2025

Committee(s):

Senate Committee on Government Operations

2:30 PM

S.59 - An act relating to amendments to Vermont’s Open Meeting Law

Thursday, March 13, 2025

Committee(s):

Senate Committee on Government Operations

2:55 PM

S.59 - An act relating to amendments to Vermont’s Open Meeting Law

Vote

Tucker Anderson, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Committee(s):

Senate Committee on Government Operations

2:30 PM

S.59 - An act relating to amendments to Vermont’s Open Meeting Law

Tucker Anderson, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Committee(s):

House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs

10:00 AM

S.59 - An act relating to amendments to Vermont’s Open Meeting Law

Introduction and walk-through

Sen. Larry Hart, Reporter, Senate Committee on Government Operations
Tucker Anderson, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Committee(s):

House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs

1:00 PM

S.59 - An act relating to amendments to Vermont’s Open Meeting Law

Testimony

Samantha Sheehan, Municipal Policy and Advocacy Specialist, Vermont League of Cities and Towns
Cassie Polhemus, Chief Executive Officer, Vermont Economic Development Authority
John Potter, Town Manager, Brattleboro
Jenny Prosser, General Counsel and Director, Municipal Services, Secretary of State's Office
Matt Cota, Director of Government Affairs, Meadow Hill Consulting, Vermont Communications Union Districts Association

Thursday, April 10, 2025

Committee(s):

House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs

9:30 AM

S.59 - An act relating to amendments to Vermont’s Open Meeting Law

Testimony

Maura Collins, Executive Director, Vermont Housing Finance Agency
Natalie Kanner, Member, Charlotte Selectboard
Mike Donoghue, Executive Director, Vermont Press Association
John Flowers, Former President, Vermont Press Association

Thursday, April 17, 2025

Committee(s):

House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs

9:30 AM

S.59 - An act relating to amendments to Vermont’s Open Meeting Law

Testimony

Charlie Baker, Executive Director, Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission
Catherine Dimitruk, Executive Director, Northwest Regional Planning Commission
Matt Cota, Director of Government Affairs, Meadow Hill Consulting, Vermont Communications Union Districts Association
Lauren-Glenn Davitian, Public Policy Director, CCTV Center for Media and Democracy

9:50 AM

S.59 - An act relating to amendments to Vermont’s Open Meeting Law

Overview of Open Meeting Law

Tucker Anderson, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

10:55 AM

S.59 - An act relating to amendments to Vermont’s Open Meeting Law

Overview of Open Meeting Law and witness language suggestions

Tucker Anderson, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Committee(s):

House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs

9:30 AM

S.59 - An act relating to amendments to Vermont’s Open Meeting Law

Walk-through of amendment requests

Tucker Anderson, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Samantha Sheehan, Municipal Policy and Advocacy Specialist, Vermont League of Cities and Towns

Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Committee(s):

House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs

1:00 PM

S.59 - An act relating to amendments to Vermont’s Open Meeting Law

Discussion and mark-up

Tucker Anderson, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

Thursday, May 1, 2025

Committee(s):

House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs

9:40 AM

S.59 - An act relating to amendments to Vermont’s Open Meeting Law

Testimony and discussion

Maura Collins, Executive Director, Vermont Housing Finance Agency
Matt Cota, Director of Government Affairs,, Meadow Hill Consulting
Christa Shute, Executive Director, NEK Broadband
Tucker Anderson, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

11:00 AM

S.59 - An act relating to amendments to Vermont’s Open Meeting Law

Testimony

Peter Gill, Executive Director, Land Use Review Board
Janet Hurley, Chair, Land Use Review Board
Tucker Anderson, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

Friday, May 2, 2025

Committee(s):

House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs

11:05 AM

S.59 - An act relating to amendments to Vermont’s Open Meeting Law

Testimony

Lisa Loomis, Board President, Vermont Press Association
Mike Donaghue, Exective Director, Vermont Press Association
Tucker Anderson, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Chris D'Elia, President, Vermont Bankers' Association

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Committee(s):

House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs

2:00 PM

S.59 - An act relating to amendments to Vermont’s Open Meeting Law

Testimony, mark-up, and discussion

Tucker Anderson, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Chad Simmons, Housing Policy and Engagement Specialist, Vermont Housing Finance Agency
David Fox, Sheriff, Rutland County
Sarah Buxton, Select Board Member, Mendon
Charlie Baker, Executive Director, Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission

Thursday, May 8, 2025

Committee(s):

House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs

9:30 AM

S.59 - An act relating to amendments to Vermont’s Open Meeting Law

Testimony and discussion

Jenny Prosser, General Counsel and Director, Municipal Services, Secretary of State's Office

9:45 AM

S.59 - An act relating to amendments to Vermont’s Open Meeting Law

Continued testimony

Cathi Feeley, Treasurer and Assistant Clerk, Town of Burke
Linda Hackett-Corey, Clerk and Assistant Treasurer, Town of Burke
Tucker Anderson, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Peter Gill, Executive Director, Land Use Review Board
Janet Hurley, Chair, Land Use Review Board

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Committee(s):

House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs

1:05 PM

S.59 - An act relating to amendments to Vermont’s Open Meeting Law

Testimony

Glen Traverse, Select Board Chair, Town of Fair Haven
Joseph Gunter, Town Manager, Town of Fair Haven
Jim Hokenburg, Selectboard Member, Town of Alburgh
Josie Henry, Town Administrator, Town of Alburgh
Tucker Anderson, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

Thursday, May 15, 2025

Committee(s):

House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs

11:30 AM

S.59 - An act relating to amendments to Vermont’s Open Meeting Law

Discussion and possible vote

Tucker Anderson, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

Tuesday, May 27, 2025

Committee(s):

Senate Committee on Government Operations

1:15 AM

S.59 - An act relating to amendments to Vermont’s Open Meeting Law

Tucker Anderson, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

Tuesday, May 27, 2025

Committee(s):

Senate Committee on Judiciary

2:45 PM

S.59 - An act relating to amendments to Vermont’s Open Meeting Law

Review

Tucker Anderson, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel