Senate Committee on Government Operations (Room 4)

The Senate Committee on Government Operations has jurisdiction over matters relating to the administration of government and justice; compensation of and retirement benefits for public officials and employees; suffrage; nominations and elections; municipal corporations; military affairs, including veterans and civil defense; public records and open meetings; and reapportionment.

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Friday, January 10, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

11:30 AM

Senate Floor

1:00 PM

Committee Discussion

• Quinn Houston, New Democracy Associate, VPIRG
  
• Emma Shouldice, Lobbyist, Vermont Municipal Clerks and Treasurers Association
  

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Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

9:30 AM

Senate Floor

10:00 AM

Senate Chamber

Sexual Harassment Prevention Training

1:00 PM

Committee Discussion

2:00 PM

Adjourn

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Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

1:00 PM

Senate Floor

1:30 PM

Committee Discussion

Briefing from Vermont State Employees Association

• Steve Howard, Executive Director, Vermont State Employees Association
  

3:00 PM

Committee Discussion

Introduction from VAPDA

• Charlie Baker, Executive Director, Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission
  
• Catherine Dimitruk, Chair, Vermont Association of Planning and Development Agencies
  
• Devon Neary, Executive Director, Rutland Regional Planning Commission
  

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Thursday, January 16, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

1:00 PM

Senate Floor

1:30 PM

Confirmation Hearing

Confirmation of Seth Shamp to the State Police Advisory Commission

• Seth Shamp
  

2:15 PM

Committee Discussion

Briefing from Vermont Department of State's Attorneys and Sheriffs

• Tim Lueders-Dumont, Executive Director, Vermont Department of State's Attorneys and Sheriffs
  
• Annie Noonan, Director of Labor Relations and Operations, Department of State's Attorneys and Sheriffs
  

2:45 PM

Committee Discussion

Briefing from Secretary of State's Office

• Lauren Hibbert, Deputy Secretary of State, Secretary of State's Office
  

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Friday, January 17, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

11:30 AM

Senate Floor

1:00 PM

Committee Discussion

Briefing from Vermont Retired State Employees Association

• Shelley Martin, President, Vermont Retired State Employees Association
  
• Jerry Schwarz, Vice President, Vermont Retired State Employees Association
  

2:15 PM

Confirmation Hearing

Allison Crowley, State Police Advisory Commission

• Allison Crowley, Lobbyist, Crowley Consultants, LLC
  

2:45 PM

Committee Discussion

Briefing from Vermont League of Cities and Towns

• Josh Hanford, Director, Intergovernmental Affairs, Vermont League of Cities and Towns
  
• Samantha Sheehan, Municipal Policy and Advocacy Specialist, Vermont League of Cities and Towns
  

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Tuesday, January 21, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

9:30 AM

Senate Floor

Followed by Senate Discrimination Prevention Training

1:00 PM

Committee Discussion

Introduction from Vermont Sheriff's Association

• Mark Anderson, President, Vermont Sheriffs' Association
  
• Tim Lueders-Dumont, Executive Director, Vermont Department of State's Attorneys and Sheriffs
  
• Roger Marcoux, Vice Chair, Vermont Sheriffs' Association
  

2:00 PM

Committee Discussion

Introduction from Vermont National Guard

• Hank Harder, Deputy Adjutant General, Office of the Adjutant General
  
• Gregory C. Knight, Adjutant General, Vermont National Guard
  

3:00 PM

Break

3:30 PM

Committee Discussion

Introduction from Vermont Emergency Management

• Eric Forand, Director, Vermont Emergency Management and Homeland Security
  

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Wednesday, January 22, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

1:00 PM

Senate Floor

1:30 PM

Committee Discussion

Introduction from Department of Human Resources

• Clarke Collins, Deputy Director of Benefits and Wellness, Vermont Department of Human Resources
  
• Beth Fastiggi, Commissioner, Department of Human Resources
  
• Harold Schwartz, Director of Operations, Department of Human Resources
  

2:00 PM

Vermont Arts Council

• Amy Cunningham, Deputy Director, Vermont Arts Council
  
• Susan Evans McClure, Executive Director, Vermont Arts Council
  

3:00 PM

Dispatch

• Jennifer Morrison, Commissioner, Department of Public Safety
  
• Barb Neal, Executive Director, Enhanced 9-1-1 Board
  

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Adjourn

3:45 PM

Legislative Briefing

House Chamber

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Thursday, January 23, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

1:00 PM

Senate Floor

1:30 PM

Executive Order No. 01-25

• Tucker Anderson, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
  

2:15 PM

Committee Discussion

Introduction from Agency of Digital Services

• Denise Reilly-Hughes, Secretary, Agency of Digital Services
  

2:45 PM

Break

3:00 PM

Committee Discussion

Introduction from Vermont EMS Advisory Committee

• Drew Hazelton, Chair, Vermont EMS Advisory Committee
  

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Friday, January 24, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

11:30 AM

Senate Floor

1:00 PM

Joint Meeting with House Government Operations

Introductory meeting in Room 10, livestreamed at https://legislature.vermont.gov/committee/streaming/house-government-operations-and-military-affairs

2:00 PM

Vermont Access Network

• Lauren-Glenn Davitian, Executive Director, CCTV Center for Media and Democracy
  

2:30 PM

Committee Discussion

Introduction from Vermont Municipal Clerk Treasurer Association

• Tim Arsenault, Clerk, Vernon, VT
  
• Chelsea Magwire, Clerk, Orange, VT
  
• Emma Shouldice, Lobbyist, Vermont Municipal Clerk Treasurer Association
  

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Tuesday, January 28, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

9:30 AM

Senate Floor

1:00 PM

Governor's 2026 Budget Address

Joint assembly to receive budget address

2:45 PM

Vermont Racial Justice Alliance

Introductions

• Mark Hughes, Executive Director, Co-Chair, Vermont Racial Justice Alliance, Health Equity Advisory Commission
  

3:00 PM

Committee Discussion

Introductions

• Chris Bradely, President, Vermont Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs
  

3:30 PM

S.23 - An act relating to the use of synthetic media in elections

• Wendy Mays, Executive Director, Vermont Association of Broadcasters
  
• Rik Sehgal, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
  

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Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

1:00 PM

Senate Floor

1:30 PM

Committee Discussion

Introductions

• Big Hartman, Executive Director & General Counsel, Vermont Human Rights Commission
  

2:00 PM

Ballot Systems in Local Elections

• Tucker Anderson, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
  

2:30 PM

EO1 - Executive Order relating to the creation of the Agency of Public Safety

• Tucker Anderson, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
  
• Sarah Clark, Secretary of Administration, Agency of Administration
  
• Steve Howard, Executive Director, Vermont State Employees Association
  
• Jennifer Morrison, Commissioner, Department of Public Safety
  
• Jaye Pershing Johnson, Governor's Counsel, Governor's Office
  

3:30 PM

"Twende Shuleni" ("Let's Go to School")

Introductions

• Doug Farnham, Chief Recovery Officer, Agency of Administration
  

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Thursday, January 30, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

1:00 PM

Senate Floor

1:30 PM

Committee Discussion

Introductions

• Christina Sivret, Executive Director, Vermont State Ethics Commission
  

2:30 PM

Vermont Youth Council

Discussion of potential sunset

• Claire Zandstra, Youth Mental Health Subcommittee Chair, Vermont Youth Council
  
• Harmony Devoe, Chair, Vermont Youth Council
  
• Astrid Longstreth, Climate Change Subcommittee Chair, Vermont Youth Council
  
• Nicole Miller, Executive Director, Vermont Afterschool
  
• Aiden Otterman, Youth Voice Subcommittee Chair, Vermont Youth Council
  
• Amy Shollenberger, Lobbyist, Hunger Free Vermont
  
• Brianne Smith, Youth Engagement Coordinator, Vermont Afterschool
  

3:15 PM

Committee Discussion

Introductions

• Christopher Brickell, Deputy Director, Vermont Criminal Justice Council
  

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Friday, January 31, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

11:30 AM

Senate Floor

1:00 PM

Committee Discussion

Introduction from Agency of Administration

• Sarah Clark, Secretary of Administration, Agency of Administration
  

2:00 PM

State Police Advisory Council Appointments - Vote

2:30 PM

H.78 - An act relating to the use of the Australian ballot system in local elections

• Tucker Anderson, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
  
• Josh Hanford, Director, Intergovernmental Affairs, Vermont League of Cities and Towns
  
• Lauren Hibbert, Deputy Secretary of State, Secretary of State's Office
  
• Samantha Sheehan, Municipal Policy and Advocacy Specialist, Vermont League of Cities and Towns
  
• Sean Sheehan, Director of Elections and Campaign Finance, Secretary of State's Office
  
• Emma Shouldice, Lobbyist, Vermont Municipal Clerk Treasurer Association
  

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Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

9:30 AM

Senate Floor

1:15 PM

S.23 - An act relating to the use of synthetic media in elections

• Sen. Ruth Hardy, Sponsor
  

1:30 PM

County and Regional Governance

• Michael Gaughan, Executive Director, Vermont Bond Bank
  
• Sen. Ruth Hardy, Former Co-Chair, County and Regional Governance Study Committee
  

1:45 PM

Vermont Bond Bank

• Michael Gaughan, Executive Director, Vermont Bond Bank
  
• Nicole Lee, Senior Financial Analyst, Vermont Bond Bank
  

2:15 PM

H.78 - An act relating to the use of the Australian ballot system in local elections

Vote

2:30 PM

S.23 - An act relating to the use of synthetic media in elections

• Ilana Beller, Organizing Manager, Democracy Team, Public Citizen
  
• Wendy Mays, Executive Director, Vermont Association of Broadcasters
  
• Rik Sehgal, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
  
• Dylan Zwicky, Leonine Public Affairs, Partner
  

3:30 PM

Paid Administrative Leave

• Doug Hoffer, State Auditor, State Auditor's Office
  

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Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

1:00 PM

Senate Floor

1:30 PM

Paid Administrative Leave

Discussion with Department of Human Resources

• Beth Fastiggi, Commissioner, Department of Human Resources
  
• Nikki Fuller, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Human Resources
  
• Steve Howard, Executive Director, Vermont State Employees Association
  
• Tom Waldman, General Counsel, Department of Human Resources
  

2:30 PM

State Archivist

• Tanya Marshall, State Archivist and Chief Records Officer, Vermont State Archives and Records Administration
  

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Thursday, February 6, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

1:00 PM

Senate Floor

1:30 PM

3Squares VT Awareness Day

• Anore Horton, Executive Director, Hunger Free Vermont
  
• Suzanne Routhier, Director of Outreach Services, Northeast Kingdom Community Action
  
• Carrie Stahler, Government and Public Affairs Officer, Vermont Foodbank
  

2:00 PM

S.2 - An act relating to establishing the Office of Health Equity within the Department of Health

• Julie Arel, Deputy Commissioner, Vermont Department of Health
  

2:30 PM

S.23 - An act relating to the use of synthetic media in elections

• Sarah Copeland Hanzas, Secretary of State, Secretary of State's Office
  
• Lauren Hibbert, Deputy Secretary of State, Secretary of State's Office
  
• Sean Sheehan, Director of Elections and Campaign Finance, Secretary of State's Office
  

3:00 PM

Vermont Police Academy

Discussion of training and eligibility

• Christopher Brickell, Deputy Director, Vermont Criminal Justice Council
  
• Kenneth Hawkins, Director of Training, Vermont Criminal Justice Council
  

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Friday, February 7, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

11:30 AM

Senate Floor

1:00 PM

Agency of Administration

Budget Overview

• Sarah Clark, Secretary of Administration, Agency of Administration
  
• Nick Kramer, Chief Operating Officer, Agency of Administration
  

2:00 PM

Vermont Town and City Management Association

• Josh Hanford, Director, Intergovernmental Affairs, Vermont League of Cities and Towns
  
• Samantha Sheehan, Municipal Policy and Advocacy Specialist, Vermont League of Cities and Towns
  
• Erik Wells, Town Manager, Williston
  

2:30 PM

S.23 - An act relating to the use of synthetic media in elections

• Nick Sherman, Partner and President of Government Relations, Leonine Public Affairs, AT&T
  
• Dylan Zwicky, Leonine Public Affairs, Partner, New England Connectivity and Telecommunications Association
  

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Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

9:30 AM

Senate Floor

1:30 PM

Executive Order No. 01-25

• Tucker Anderson, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
  
• Steve Howard, Executive Director, Vermont State Employees Association
  

3:00 PM

Land Use Review Board

• Peter Gill, Executive Director, Land Use Review Board
  
• Janet Hurley, Chair, Land Use Review Board
  

3:30 PM

S.2 - An act relating to establishing the Office of Health Equity within the Department of Health

• Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
  

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Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

1:00 PM

Senate Floor

1:30 PM

Vermont Association of County Judges

• Joyce McKeeman, President, Vermont Association of County Judges
  

2:00 PM

State Librarian

• Catherine Delneo, Commissioner and State Librarian, Vermont Department of Libraries
  
• Thomas McMurdo, Assistant State Librarian, Vermont Department of Libraries
  

3:00 PM

UVM Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships

Discussion of potential research

• Patricia Coates, Director, University of Vermont Office of Engagement and the Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships
  

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Thursday, February 13, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

1:00 PM

Senate Floor

1:30 PM

S.23 - An act relating to the use of synthetic media in elections

• Paul Burns, Executive Director, Vermont Public Interest Research Group
  
• Chris Gilrein, Executive Director, Massachusetts and Northeast TechNet
  
• Rik Sehgal, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
  
• Dylan Zwicky, Leonine Public Affairs, Partner, New England Connectivity and Telecommunications Association
  

2:45 PM

Federal Delegation

Introductions

• Ryan McLaren, Outreach Representative, Sen. Peter Welch
  
• David Scherr, State Director, Office of Congresswoman Becca Balint
  
• Kathryn Becker Van Haste, State Director, Office of Senator Bernie Sanders
  

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Friday, February 14, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

11:30 AM

Senate Floor

1:00 PM

School District Governance Models

This is a joint hearing with House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs, held in Room 10.
The meeting will be livestreamed at https://legislature.vermont.gov/committee/streaming/house-government-operations-and-military-affairs

• Lauren Hibbert, Deputy Secretary of State, Secretary of State's Office
  
• Sean Sheehan, Director of Elections and Campaign Finance, Secretary of State's Office
  

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Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

9:30 AM

Senate Floor

1:30 PM

EO1 - Executive Order relating to the creation of the Agency of Public Safety

• Jeanette White, Former Senator, Windham County
  

2:30 PM

Break

2:40 PM

Office of Risk Management

• Rebecca White, Risk Management Director of Operations, Agency of Administration
  

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Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

1:00 PM

Senate Floor

1:30 PM

Vermont Youth Council

Discussion of Funding

• Ilisa Stalberg, Family and Child Health Director, Vermont Department of Health
  

2:30 PM

S.53 - An act relating to certification of community-based perinatal doulas and Medicaid coverage for doula services

• Jennifer Carbee, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
  
• Nolan Langweil, Principal Fiscal Analyst, Joint Fiscal Office
  
• Martine Larocque Gulick, Sponsor
  
• Maria Rossi, Social Worker, Doula, Advocate, Washington County Mental Health Services
  

3:30 PM

Vermont Educational and Health Buildings Financing Agency

Changes to board structure

• Michael Gaughan, Executive Director, Vermont Educational and Health Buildings Financing Agency
  

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Thursday, February 20, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

10:30 AM

Joint Assembly

Election of Sergeant at Arms and UVM Trustees

1:15 PM

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

• Tucker Anderson, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
  
• Ruth Hardy, Sponsor
  

2:00 PM

S.58 - An act relating to requirements for the pay plans of certain law enforcement officers and firefighters employed by the State

• Sen. Patrick "Pat" Brennan, Sponsor
  
• Sophie Zdatny, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
  

3:00 PM

S.64 - An act relating to amendments to the scope of practice for optometrists

• Dean Barcelow, President, Vermont Optometric Association
  
• Jennifer Carbee, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
  
• Lauren Hibbert, Deputy Secretary of State, Secretary of State's Office
  
• Sen. Rebecca "Becca" White, Sponsor
  

4:00 PM

S.53 - An act relating to certification of community-based perinatal doulas and Medicaid coverage for doula services

• Lauren Hibbert, Deputy Secretary of State, Secretary of State's Office
  

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Friday, February 21, 2025

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Meeting Record

1:00 PM

School District Governance

Joint hearing with House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs and the Senate Committee on Education, held in Room 11. The meeting will be livestreamed at https://legislature.vermont.gov/committee/streaming/house-government-operations-and-military-affairs

• Sarah Copeland Hanzas, Secretary of State, Secretary of State's Office
  
• Lauren Hibbert, Deputy Secretary of State, Secretary of State's Office
  
• Thomas Little, Chair, Legislative Apportionment Board
  

3:00 PM

S.53 - An act relating to certification of community-based perinatal doulas and Medicaid coverage for doula services

Vote

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