Summary of bills passed by the assembly that Michel
and the Commerce Committee worked on:
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/database/status/summary.cfm?Bill=H2E0433&Session=2008
(H. 248)
Vermont Telecommunications Authority; Broadband; Wireless
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/database/status/summary.cfm?Bill=H%2E0248&Session=2008
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/legdoc.cfm?URL=/docs/2008/acts/ACT079.HTM
This act establishes legislative goals for the availability of broadband and mobile telecommunications services throughout the state. It provides “that all residences and businesses in all regions of the state have access to affordable broadband services not later than the end of the year 2010”; and that mobile telecommunications services, including voice and high-speed data, be available throughout the state by the end of the year 2010.
To accomplish these goals, the act establishes a “Vermont Telecommunications Authority” of 11 members, including state officials, public members appointed by the leaders of the General Assembly, and a chair and vice chair appointed by the legislative leaders and the governor.
(H.433)
ACT NO. 46
Workforce Development; Scholarships; Internships; Grants
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/legdoc.cfm?URL=/docs/2008/acts/ACT046.HTM
This act makes vast changes to workforce development to coordinate with contemporary and future economies to meet the needs of employers and to assure that successful training or education will result in good employment.
This act broadens the Workforce Education Training Program to permit grants to be made to employers in the fields of information technology, telecommunications, health care and environmental technologies, as well as manufacturing.
(H.775)
AN ACT RELATING TO LOW-PROFIT LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANIES.
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/legdoc.cfm?URL=/docs/2008/acts/ACT208.HTM
The purpose of the L3C is to create an entity in which foundations can invest and still retain their tax-exempt status. The L3C would be required to promote a charitable or socially beneficial purpose, but it would also be allowed to make a profit.
Currently, foundations can invest in for-profit entities. However, such investments typically are made only after the foundation obtains a private letter ruling from the IRS authorizing the investment. Such private letter rulings are expensive and time-consuming, and as a result, few foundations make them. The purpose of the L3C is to bypass this process and create a vehicle for investments by foundations in for-profit, socially-beneficial companies.
(S.345)
AN ACT RELATING TO LOWERING THE COST OF WORKER’S COMPENSATION INSURANCE
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/legdoc.cfm?URL=/docs/2008/acts/ACT182.HTM
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
This bill represents a compromise with some cuts, areas for further studies and some new ideas to give Vermont employers more insurances choices and potentially not have their experience rating ( base for premium calculation) skewed by minor injuries happening at the workplace.
This bill includes:
- Some changes in benefits calculation.
- Studies on safety, with one specific to farm safety
- Market place choices for business
- Policies deductible of $ 500.00
- First aid only medical claim of $750.00
(H.885)
NO. 182. AN ACT RELATING TO ECONOMOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
The general assembly has a responsibility for the promotion of economic development in Vermont that builds on the unique strengths and challenges of doing business in Vermont. The general assembly is interested in what criteria it should use to evaluate the effectiveness of economic development efforts. Many states have structures and methods for measuring the effectiveness of economic development efforts.
The commission on the future of economic development is charged with benchmarking and measuring economic development.
Therefore, it is the intent of the general assembly in adopting this act to establish a logical structure and coherent and uniform set of benchmarks for economic development in this state.
(H.290)
NO. 145. AN ACT RELATING TO THE VERMONT DIG SAFE PROGRAM AND THE FEDERAL GAS PIPELINE SAFETY PROGRAM.
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/legdoc.cfm?URL=/docs/2008/acts/ACT145.HTM
Commerce and Trade; Consumer Fraud; Representations of Vermont Origin; Use of Vermont Address
This act: (1) requires the attorney general to amend the Representations of Vermont Origin Rule CF 120.07 regarding the use of a Vermont address; and (2) amends the prohibition on the sale of mercury-added products to apply to products manufactured on or after July 1, 2007.
(H.563)
NO. 99. AN ACT RELATING TO THE UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/legdoc.cfm?URL=/docs/2008/acts/ACT099.HTM
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
Sec. 1. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND PURPOSE
(a) The general assembly finds that Vermont’s Uniform Commercial Code has been of great value to the people and economy of this state since its enactment in 1966. With the provisions of a uniform body of commercial law, generally consistent with the laws of other states, Vermont has benefited by including itself within the mainstream of national economic activity.
(b) The general assembly further finds that the benefits to Vermont of the Uniform Commercial Code have eroded over time, because technology and business practices have changed, and Vermont’s code does not reflect these changes. The Vermont code must be updated with the periodic national revisions to remain uniform and prevent the erection of unnecessary barriers for Vermont businesses which engage in interstate commerce.
(S.244)
NO. 183. AN ACT RELATING TO SELF-STORAGE FACILITIES
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/legdoc.cfm?URL=/docs/2008/acts/ACT183.HTM
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
Sec. 1. SHORT TITLE
This act shall be known as the “Vermont Self-Storage Facility Act.”
(H.575)
NO. 95. AN ACT RELATING TO SMALL ELIGIBL TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIERS
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/legdoc.cfm?URL=/docs/2008/acts/ACT095.HTM
(H.306)
NO. 134. AN ACT RELATING TO TELEMARKETING
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/legdoc.cfm?URL=/docs/2008/acts/ACT134.HTM
Title 9 V.S.A. section 2464, which is part of the Consumer Fraud Act, was enacted in 1997 in response to complaints about certain telemarketing practices. Specifically, a fraudulent telemarketer, often based in another country, would charge a Vermonter’s bank account. The only piece of information needed to do this was the code number at the bottom of the consumer’s check, known as a “MICR” code. Armed with that information, the telemarketer would hire a U.S.-based third-party processor to (a) print up unsigned checks, called “demand drafts,” to deposit into the telemarketer’s own bank account; or (b) electronically withdraw funds from the consumer’s account, using an “automated clearing house” or “ACH” debit.
(H.588)
NO. 127. AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY LOANED TO MUSEUMS
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/legdoc.cfm?URL=/docs/2008/acts/ACT127.HTM
Some bills that Michel worked on that did not pass:
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/legdoc.cfm?URL=/docs/2008/bills/passed/S-373.HTM
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/legdoc.cfm?URL=/docs/2008/bills/senate/S-369.HTM
AN ACT RELATING TO RECOGNITION OF TRIBES AND BANDS OF NATIVE AMERICANS BY THE VERMONT COMMISSION ON NATIVE AMERICAN AFFAIRS
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/database/status/summary.cfm?Bill=S%2E0216&Session=2008
AN ACT DESIGNATING SNOWBOARDING AS THE VERMONT STATE SPORT
(Michel intends to support this bill in the next session.)
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/database/status/summary.cfm?Bill=H%2E0418&Session=2008
Statement of purpose: This bill proposes to designate snowboarding as the state sport of Vermont.
Subject: General Provisions; State Sport; Snowboarding
Subject: Crimes and criminal procedure; sex offenders
AN ACT RELATING TO MANDATORY MINIMUM SENTENCES FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES AGAINST A CHILD AND RESIDENCE RESTRICTIONS FOR CERTAIN SEX OFFENDERS
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/legdoc.cfm?URL=/docs/2008/bills/intro/H-824.HTM
(Michel intends to support this bill in the next session, and was a co-sponsor in 2008.)
AN ACT RELATING TO DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED AND TO FORFEITURE AND REGISTRATION OF MOTOR VEHICLES
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
Sec. 1. SHORT TITLE
This act shall be known as NICK’S LAW.