Representative Dobrovich’s Weekly Newsletter

Week of March 11, 2025 - March 14, 2025

Dear Constituents,

As we conclude Crossover Week at the State House, I'm pleased to share updates on our legislative activities. Crossover week in the Vermont Legislature refers to a critical period, typically occurring in mid-March during the legislative session, when bills must pass out of their chamber of origin (either the House or Senate) to remain viable for consideration in the opposite chamber that year. It’s the last chance for policy bills to "cross over" before a set deadline, this year it was March 14th.  Bills that miss this deadline are effectively stalled for the session unless they qualify for exceptions (like money bills, etc.) or are revived in the second year of the two-year biennium. This week was a flurry of activity as committees finalized and vote on legislation, shaping the session’s priorities.

To identify bills voted out of committees in the Vermont Legislature, such as those advancing by the crossover deadline of March 14, 2025, start by visiting the official legislative website at legislature.vermont.gov. Navigate to the “Bills and Resolutions” section, where you can access the “Bills In/Out of Committee” page. This tool allows you to select a specific committee (e.g., House Education or Senate Finance) and view bills reported out, including their status and dates of action, updated regularly during the session. For real-time progress, check the “Committee Meetings” schedule for agendas and minutes, which often note votes (e.g., the House Education Committee’s March 14, 2025, votes on H.209 and H.480). The “House Calendars” and “Senate Calendars” provide daily updates, while the “Bills Passed” section lists those that have cleared their chamber. For video confirmation, explore the House and Senate YouTube channels, where livestreams and recordings capture committee votes and discussions—search by date (e.g., March 11–14, 2025) and cross-reference with bill numbers.

 

Weekly Recap

House Education Committee

• H.454 - An act relating to transforming Vermont’s education governance, quality, and finance systems: The committee held multiple sessions (Tuesday at 1:15 PM and 2:50 PM, Thursday at 10:25 AM and 2:25 PM, Friday at 1:00 PM and 2:30 PM) to discuss systemic education reform. Key takeaways include insights from Sue Ceglowski (Vermont School Boards Association) on governance models and collaboration with Rep. Emilie Kornheiser (House Ways and Means) on finance implications, signaling a push for structural and funding overhaul.

As a minority party member on the Vermont House Education Committee, I’ve found our discussions on H.454—aiming to overhaul education governance, quality, and finance through five consolidated districts and a revised funding formula—both productive and contentious. During our March 11–14 sessions, we examined the bill’s evidence-based foundation, informed by the 2024 study. However, I continue to see some majority party members stalling, even in prior weeks. Their hesitation seems driven by backlash over potential school closures, reduced local control, strong opposition to school choice, and resistance to the Administration’s proposal from groups like the Vermont School Boards Association, the Vermont Superintendents Association, and unions such as the Vermont NEA.

This slow-walking has been frustrating. I see the bill’s potential to promote equality of opportunity for all students while improving operational efficiency, despite my own concerns about implementation, governance, and the challenges local communities may face. Since crossover week began on March 10, however, discussions have shifted slightly toward more constructive dialogue. This signals the potential for compromise, giving me cautious optimism despite ongoing tensions.

• H.209 - An act relating to intranasal epinephrine in schools: Discussed on Thursday at 9:00 AM (mark-up) and Friday at 2:00 PM (vote), this bill expands epinephrine options in schools. Katie McLinn (Legislative Counsel) guided the mark-up and vote, with key takeaways focusing on enhancing emergency allergy response through intranasal epinephrine availability and training protocols.

• H.480 - An act relating to miscellaneous amendments to education law: Addressed on Wednesday at 9:30 AM (discussion and mark-up) and Friday at 9:00 AM (testimony) and 11:05 AM (walk-through and vote), this bill saw input from Beth St. James (Legislative Counsel), Tim Duggan (Vermont Retirement Systems), and others. Key takeaways include refinements to education laws, with new language proposed on retirement systems and principals’ roles, culminating in a committee vote.

• Additional Topics: 

H.247 - Cardiac emergency response plans: Wednesday at 9:00 AM featured testimony from Courtney O’Brien and Sunni Eriksen (Agency of Education) on school cardiac safety plans, emphasizing preparedness. 

Education Finance: Special Education: A joint hearing with House Ways and Means on Wednesday at 10:30 AM explored funding, with Nate Levenson (New Solutions K-12) and Agency officials highlighting cost management strategies. 

Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deaf-Blind Council Report: Will Pendlebury and Sharon Henry presented education recommendations, focusing on accessibility. 

Impacts of Federal Changes: A joint Senate Education hearing with Anne Bordonaro and Chelsea Myers addressed federal policy shifts, stressing adaptability in school districts.

 

Week in Review

Bills Passed Out of House Education Committee:

DR 25-0959, draft 6.1 "An act relating to miscellaneous amendments to education law," which was voted out of the Vermont Education Committee on March 14, 2025:

This legislation proposes several updates to Vermont’s education laws, addressing a range of issues from school safety to postsecondary planning. Key provisions include:

1.       School Safety Amendments: Adjusts 2023 Acts and Resolves No. 29 by refining data collection guidelines for behavioral threat assessment teams, requiring compliance starting in the 2023-2024 school year, and shifting effective dates for related statutes to July 1, 2025, and July 1, 2027.

2.       Postsecondary School Accreditation: Updates the list of accredited postsecondary institutions exempt from certain regulatory requirements (e.g., Bennington College, Middlebury College, Norwich University), ensuring compliance with federal financial aid rules without altering existing charters.

3.       Nutrition Contracts Exemption: Amends 16 V.S.A. § 559 to exclude school nutrition contracts from public bidding requirements when awarded via federal law-compliant methods, simplifying procurement from nonprofit school food services accounts.

4.       Virtual Learning Pathway: Codifies virtual learning as part of the Flexible Pathways Initiative under 16 V.S.A. chapter 10, requiring the Agency of Education to oversee a virtual learning provider. Students can enroll if it aligns with their personalized learning plans, supervised by licensed educators, with enrollment counting toward a district’s average daily membership.

5.       BOCES Grant Program: Modifies the Boards of Cooperative Education Services (BOCES) Start-up Grant Program, offering a single $10,000 grant per supervisory union group exploring BOCES formation, funded by a $70,000 appropriation in FY 2025, with unspent funds carrying forward.

6.       Military-Related Career Options: Mandates that school districts include military-related postsecondary opportunities (e.g., admissions processes) in career development resources for students in grades 7–12 under the Flexible Pathways Initiative.

7.       Secretary of Education Search: Revises the appointment process, requiring the State Board of Education to start a national search within 60 days of a resignation announcement, with funding support from the Agency of Education.

These changes aim to enhance school safety, streamline administrative processes, expand educational pathways, and improve career planning for Vermont students.

 

House Bill No. 209 (Draft No. 2.1), "An act relating to intranasal epinephrine in schools," voted out of the Vermont House Committee on Education on March 6, 2025:

This bill amends 16 V.S.A. § 1388 to expand the use of epinephrine in Vermont schools by including intranasal epinephrine alongside epinephrine auto-injectors. It allows schools to maintain a stock supply of both, prescribed by health care professionals (e.g., physicians, nurses, or physician assistants) in the school’s name, for emergency use. School nurses or designated personnel (trained employees or volunteers) can administer either form to students or individuals experiencing anaphylaxis, even without a prior prescription, following a standing order protocol. The bill also permits students to self-administer according to individualized allergy management plans. It provides immunity from civil or criminal liability for those involved, barring intentional misconduct, and mandates State Board policies by January 1, 2014, for allergy management, training, and prevention.

Eyes Up: Looking Ahead

Next week, the House Education Committee has a comprehensive agenda:

• H. 454 - An act relating to transforming Vermont’s education governance, quality, and finance systems: Multiple sessions are scheduled across the week.  What to expect: ongoing committee discussions to overhaul Vermont’s education system, focusing on governance restructuring, quality improvements, and sustainable funding models. Key points include potential debates on district sizes, centralizing authority, enhancing educational outcomes, and addressing fiscal challenges.

• Process for Achieving Scale: Expect testimony from Chelsea Myers, Executive Director of the Vermont Superintendents Association. What to expect: insights into scaling educational initiatives statewide, with discussions on practical implementation strategies and superintendent perspectives on governance and resource allocation.

• Outright Vermont Youth Leadership Day: This session will feature testimony from Vermont youth. What to expect: a unique opportunity to hear student voices on education priorities, perspectives on quality, equity, and governance.

These sessions aim to deepen our understanding and guide our legislative actions to enhance Vermont's educational landscape, tackling systemic transformation and amplifying diverse voices in the process.

Stay Engaged

For more detailed information about all things happening in the legislature, please refer to the official Vermont General Assembly website. Here are some helpful links:

Home | Vermont General Assembly | Vermont Legislature

House Calendar

House Committee List

Senate Calendar

Senate Committee List


Your input is invaluable. Please feel free to reach out with your questions, concerns, or suggestions. Together, we can work towards a better future for our community and state.

Warm regards,

Joshua Dobrovich

jdobrovich@leg.state.vt.us

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