House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs

 

AGENDA

 

Room M106 and Zoom

January 27, 2026 - January 30, 2026

Last Updated 1/23/2026 3:07 PM

 

Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are livestreamed at

https://legislature.vermont.gov/committee/streaming/house-government-operations-and-military-affairs.

Tuesday, January 27, 2026

10:00 AM                   House Floor

Followed by Caucuses

 

12:00 PM                   Lunch

 

1:00 PM                   S. 23 - An act relating to the use of synthetic media in elections

Committee Discussion

Rik Sehgal, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

 

1:45 PM                   Vermont Veterans' Home

Update

Melissa Jackson, Chief Executive Officer, Vermont Veterans' Home - Zoom

Steve McClafferty, Finance Director, Vermont Veterans' Home - Zoom

 

2:15 PM                   H. 531 - An act relating to creating a preference for military spouses in hiring into State employment

Witness testimony

Melissa Willette, New England Region Liaison, Defense-State Liason Office, Department of War

Michelle Richart, Military Family Advocate, Department of War

 

2:45 PM                   H. 555 - An act relating to permitting disabled veterans to park in metered spaces without charge

Witness testimony

Melissa Willette, New England Region Liaison, Defense-State Liason Office, Department of War

Michelle Richart, Military Family Advocate, Department of War

Bob Burke, Director, Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs

 

Wednesday, January 28, 2026

9:00 AM                   H. 647 - An act relating to vinous beverage manufacturers and fourth-class licenses

Witness testimony

David Keck, Owner, Vermont Grape & Wine Council

Kendra Knapik, President, Vermont Grape & Wine Council

Deidre Heekin, Vice President, Vermont Grape & Wine Council

 

10:00 AM                   H. 655 - An act relating to alcoholic beverages and the Board of Liquor and Lottery

Witness testimony

Wendy Knight, Commissioner, Department of Liquor and Lottery

 

10:30 AM                   H. 672 - An act relating to distribution of malt beverages by licensed manufacturers

Witness testimony

Jesse Cronin, Member, Vermont Brewers Association

Daren Orr, Member, Vermont Brewers Association

Emma Arian, Executive Director, Vermont Brewers Association

 

11:00 AM                   Alcohol Bill

Witness testimony

Chris Kesler, Vice President, Distilled Spirits Council of Vermont

Mimi Buttenheim, President, Distilled Spirits Council of Vermont

 

12:00 PM                   Lunch

 

1:00 PM                   Vermont Retired State Employees Association (VRSEA)

Language change request

 

Shelley Martin, President, Vermont Retired State Employees Association

 

1:30 PM                   H. 588 - An act relating to professions and occupations regulated by the Office of Professional Regulation

Witness testimony

Lila Rees, Tattoo Artist, Rock City Tattoo

Gail Zatz, Advocate, Massage Therapy Association

Henri Bynx, Ishtar Collective

 

2:30 PM                   Budget Buddies

Committee discussion

 

3:30 PM                   House Floor

 

Thursday, January 29, 2026

9:00 AM                   Retirement Omnibus Bill

Witness testimony

Witnesses TBD, Vermont League of Cities and Towns

Witnesses TBD, Department of State's Attorneys and Sheriffs

Witnesses TBD, Vermont State Employees Association

Witnesses TBD, Vermont State Employees Retirement System Board

Witnesses TBD, Vermont State Teachers Retirement System Board

Witnesses TBD, Vermont Municipal Employees' Retirement System

Sean Brown, Deputy Secretary, Agency of Administration

 

12:00 PM                   Lunch

 

1:00 PM                   H. 679 - An act relating to emergency management in flood-prone municipalities

Witness testimony

Witnesses TBD, Northeast Kingdom

 

2:00 PM                   H. 762 - An act relating to the County and Regional Governance Study Committee

Introduction and walk-through

Rep. Matthew Birong, Sponsor, House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs

Tim Devlin, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

 

3:30 PM                   House Floor

 

3:00 PM                   H. 686 - An act relating to expanding identification of certain lobbying advertisements

Introduction and walk-through

Rep. Laura Sibilia, Sponsor, Windham-2

Tim Devlin, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

 

Friday, January 30, 2026

9:30 AM                   House Floor

 

After Floor                         Report and Discussion

Lisa Milot, Director of Animal Welfare, Department of Public Safety

 

12:00 PM                   Lunch

 

1:00 PM                   Animal Welfare Bill

Introduction and walk-through

Rep. Chea Waters Evans, Sponsor, Chittenden-5

Erik FitzPatrick, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

 

2:00 PM                   TBD

 

Please note that witnesses may not be called in the order in which they are listed.

 

 

If you have any questions or comments, please contact

 Nick Adams at Nick.Adams@vtleg.gov