 For devotions today, I have a poem by Laura Kelly Finucci. When this is over, may we never again take for granted a handshake with a stranger, full shelves at the store, conversations with neighbors, a crowded theater, Friday night out, the taste of communion, a routine checkup, the school rush each morning, coffee with a friend, the stadium roaring each deep breath, a boring Wednesday, life itself. When this ends, may we find that we have become more like the people we wanted to be, we were called to be, we hoped to be, and may we stay that way better for each other because of the worst. As we do not have a page, I will lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. We have a number of bills for introduction. S180, introduced by Senator Ash, please listen to the first reading of the bill. An act relating to the use and application of pesticides. To Agriculture and Forestry, S187, introduced by Senators Ash and Lyons, please listen to the first reading of the bill. An act relating to transient occupancy for healthcare treatment and recovery. To Human Services, S261, introduced by Senators Sears, Baruth and White, please listen to the first reading of the bill. An act relating to limiting the sentence of life without possibility of parole. To Judiciary, S316, introduced by Senators Ballant Hooker and Ingram, please listen to the first reading of the bill. An act relating to execution of wills during an emergency. To Judiciary, we have a number of resolutions for introduction today. HR16 is a House resolution declaring a state of emergency. Offered by Representative Johnson of South Euro, Kroinsky of Burlington, McCoy of Pultney, Leclerc of Berrytown, Long of Newfane, Bartholomew of Hartford and Donahue of Northfield. Please listen to the reading of the resolution. Whereas Governor Phillip B. Scott declared a state of emergency with regards to the COVID-19 pandemic until April 15, 2020. And whereas the Center for Disease Control, CDC, has issued guidelines for people to maintain a safe social distance of six feet and minimize gatherings to reduce the infection rates of COVID-19. And whereas the separation of powers between branches of government necessitates the Governor's declaration of emergency does not include the legislative branch. And whereas the House of Representatives must meet in order to address the needs of Vermonters and confront the threat of COVID-19 to the state of Vermont. And whereas the House must complete its business in the safest manner possible to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Now therefore be it resolved by the House of Representatives that based on the Governor's declared state of emergency, Center for Disease Control guidelines, and protecting the safety of Vermonters, the House of Representatives declares that there is a state of emergency until May 1, 2020 for its rules and procedures. You've heard the reading of the resolution. The question is, shall the House adopt the resolution? Member from Arlington, what is your point of order? Madam Speaker, do we have a quorum? At this point the House will stand in adjournment until 1.30. Will the House please come to order? So the question before the House is shall HR 16 declaring a state of emergency by the House of Representatives be adopted? Are you ready for that question? If so, all those in favor please signify by saying aye, those opposed nay. The ayes appear to have it. The ayes do have it and you have adopted HR 16. HR 17 is a House resolution allowing committee members to vote remotely during the currently declared emergency offered by Representative Johnson of South Hero, Lewinsky of Burlington, McCoy of Pultney, Leclerc of Berrytown, Long of Newfane, Bartholomew of Hartford, and Donahue of Northfield. Please listen to the reading of the resolution. Whereas Governor Phillip B. Scott declared a state of emergency with regards to the COVID-19 pandemic until April 15, 2020. And whereas the House of Representatives declared a state of emergency until May 1, 2020. And whereas the Center for Disease Control has issued guidelines for people to maintain a safe social distance of six feet and minimize gatherings to reduce infection rates of COVID-19. And whereas the standing committees of the House of Representatives must meet in order to confront the threat of COVID-19 to the state of Vermont. And whereas in recognition of the declared state of emergency and CDC guidelines, the House must complete its business in the safest manner possible to protect Vermonters. And whereas to allow access to the proceedings of the committees of the House of Representatives, members of the public and press shall have access to live streaming of these remote proceedings. And whereas committees are currently authorized to allow remote participation, therefore be it resolved by the House of Representatives that the House of Representatives amends the rules and orders of the House of Representatives by adding temporary rule 29A to read. The standing committees of the House of Representatives shall be permitted to vote remotely while the legislature's declaration of state of emergency is in effect. B. All other rules regarding quorum and other rules of the committees still remain in effect. C. This rule shall expire at the earlier of one, the convening of the 2021 biennial session, or two, the expiration of the House's declaration of emergency in response to COVID-19 and any extension of this declaration by a joint resolution or a House resolution. You've heard the reading of the resolution. The question is, shall the House adopt the resolution? Are you ready for that question? If so, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed, nay. The ayes appear to have it. The ayes do have it. And you have adopted HR 17. JRS 48 is a joint resolution relating to the member from Arlington. What is your point of order? The House will stand in recess until 250, no, the House will be adjourned until 215. Will the House please come to order? We will now take up JRS 49, a joint resolution to postpone the joint assembly to vote on the retention of five superior judges and one environmental judge. Please listen to the reading of the resolution. Whereas the joint assembly to vote on the retention of superior judges and one environmental judge pursuant to JRS 47 is scheduled for Thursday, March 26, 2020. And whereas it is critical to take steps to control outbreaks of COVID-19 to minimize the risk to the public, maintain the health and safety of remonters, and limit the spread of infection in our community. And whereas the COVID-19 pandemic requires the General Assembly defer action on retention of judges to a subsequent joint assembly. Now therefore be it resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives that the two Houses postpone the joint assembly scheduled for Thursday, March 26, 2020. And that the two Houses meet and join assembly on Friday, April 24, 2020 at 10 o'clock and 30 minutes in the forenoon to vote on the retention of five superior judges and one environmental judge. In case the vote to retain said judges shall not be made on that day, the two Houses shall meet and join assembly at 10 o'clock and 30 minutes in the forenoon on each succeeding day, Saturdays and Sundays accepted, and proceed until the above is completed. You've heard the reading of the resolution. The question is, shall the House adopt the resolution in concurrence? Are you ready for that question? If so, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed, nay. The ayes appear to have it. The ayes do have it, and you have adopted the resolution. JRS 48 is a joint resolution introduced by Senator Ash relating to the adoption of an emergency temporary Joint Rule 22A. Please listen to the reading of the resolution. Whereas it is critical to take steps to control outbreaks of COVID-19 to minimize the risk to the public, maintain the health and safety of remonters and limit the spread of infection in our community. Whereas the governor of the state of Vermont issued a declaration of state of emergency in response to COVID-19 until April 15, 2020. Whereas to reduce the possible spread of COVID-19, on Friday, March 13, 2020, the legislature adopted JRS 46 relating to an interim adjournment until March 24, 2020. And whereas to confront and address the threat of COVID-19, joint committees of the legislature must continue to meet. And whereas the rules, tradition, and custom require that for a joint committee to formally meet a committee quorum, must be physically present in a single location, and only those physically present at the meeting location are permitted to vote. And whereas to appropriately address the needs of the state of Vermont, while limiting the threat of infection, the joint committees may need to meet and vote electronically. Now therefore, be it resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives that an emergency temporary joint rule to be designated Rule 22A be adopted by the Senate and House of Representatives to read as follows. Rule 22A, emergency rule regarding joint committee meetings. A, the joint rules committee is vested with the authority to permit any joint committees of the Vermont legislature, including itself and conference committees, to meet and vote electronically as the joint rules committee determines appropriate. B, this temporary Rule 22A shall expire on the convening of the 2021 biennial session. For the reading of the resolution, the question is, shall the House adopt the resolution in concurrence? Are you ready for the question? If so, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed, nay. The ayes appear to have it. The ayes do have it. And you have adopted JRS 48. JRS 18 is a House resolution allowing for remote participation during the current declared emergency offered by Representative Johnson, South Hero, Kroinski of Burlington, McCoy of Poltney, Leclerc of Berrytown, Long of New Fane, Bartholomew of Hart, and Donahue of Northfield. Please listen to the reading of the resolution. Point of order. Member from Arlington, what is your point of order? Madam Speaker, I would like to inquire as to whether we have a quorum. This House will stand at recess until 3.30. Member from Poltney, will you offer us the motion to suspend rules to allow members seated in the chamber to vote from somewhere other than their seats? Madam Speaker, I make a motion to suspend rules in order to allow members to vote in a place in the chamber other than their required seat. For the motion, are you ready for the question? If so, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed, nay. The ayes appear to have it. The ayes do have it. And you have suspended rules to allow people to vote from somewhere other than their seats. Just so people are aware, I will, let's see. I did send an all-house email in order to, so what I would like to see, people have instructions and thank you for helping to instill some of these instructions. I'm scheduled to be here around 4.30. Please spread out. Look at, I'm not going to read all the numbers right now, but look at your emails. Please spread out in the building and stay as stationary as possible to reduce contact among people. We can have some people in room 10, in room 11, in the glassed-in portion of the cafeteria, in the lounge, up to two people per committee room, and maybe 15 people in the chamber. And we would ask that you please just spread out and stay there as best as possible. When the bells, when the bells ring, when we come back in to vote, there will be a quorum call and that quorum call can now happen with you in places other than your seats. I would like two empty seats in between people. Four people each in the Senate, eight people each on either side of the gallery, four members with the four press up in the balcony. I did not include window seats in any of that, but those are available. Just keep in mind if there's somebody right in front of you. So we have done our best on relatively short notice to put a safe plan in place, and we'd ask you to just be careful, use your heads, and figure that out. And make sure, as you see other people, that they're all familiar with this plan, and they know that that rule suspensions have been passed so that we do not need to be in seats for now. There are, the Sergeant at Arms, I think, has arranged for a spray bottle of cleaning supply. Where is it? Oh, it's right there where the doorkeeper usually stands. Spray bottle of cleaning supply and that if you want to clean everything, it cleans something off or you're sitting in a new space or something. So there's cleaning supplies there. And would ask people to keep your six foot distances, wash your hands frequently on your way in and out of the building and many times in between. And with that, the House will stand in recess. Unless there are any points of inquiry about that. The House will stand in recess until 4.20. Will the House please come to order? Members, sit down somewhere. We had in our session at 3.15, we introduced HR 18, allowing remote participation during floor proceedings. Before there was a point of order in our last floor time, asking if there was a quorum. So I will ask the clerk to assure the body that there is a quorum. And could members in the balcony please raise your hands as there are other non-members in the balcony. The clerk assures me there is a quorum. Would the clerk please read the resolution? Whereas Governor Phillip B. Scott declared a state of emergency with regards to the COVID-19 pandemic until April 15, 2020. And whereas the House of Representatives declared a state of emergency with regards to the COVID-19 pandemic until May 1, 2020. And whereas to reduce the spread of COVID-19 on March 13, 2020, the legislature adopted JRS 46, relating to an interim adjournment until March 24, 2020. And whereas the Center for Disease Control has issued guidelines for people to maintain a safe social distance of six feet and minimize gatherings to reduce the infection rates of COVID-19. And whereas the House of Representatives must meet in order to confront the threat of COVID-19 to the state of Vermont while maintaining CDC public health guidelines that are critical to limiting the spread of COVID-19 infections. And whereas in recognition of the declared state of emergency and CDC guidelines, the House must complete its business in the safest manner possible to protect Vermonters. And whereas the House of Representatives must conduct its business in an open and accessible manner. And whereas the Vermont Constitution in Chapter 2, Section 6 states, neither house during the session of the General Assembly shall, without the consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other place than that in which the two houses shall be sitting. And whereas to meet its constitutionally mandated duties, the House will conduct its business from the Chamber of the House of Representatives and will allow members to participate remotely. And whereas the Vermont Constitution in Chapter 2, Section 8 states, the doors of this house in which the General Assembly of this Commonwealth shall be open for the admission of all persons who behave decently except only when the welfare of the state may require them to be shut. And whereas the welfare of the state is at stake in accordance with the House's and the Governor's declaration of a state of emergency. And whereas to allow access to the proceedings of the House of Representatives, members of the public and press shall have access to live streaming of these remote proceedings. And whereas to properly conduct the business of the House of Representatives in an open and accessible manner, the House of Representatives amends the rules and orders of the House of Representatives to allow for remote participation during this declaration of a state of emergency. Now therefore be it resolved by the House of Representatives that while the state of Vermont is subject to the House declaration of a state of emergency, the House of Representatives amends the rules and orders of the House of Representatives by adding temporary rule 9A to read. 9A, the House of Representatives shall allow remote participation while the House's declaration of a state of emergency is in effect. Remote participation shall consist of members being permitted to vote remotely and engage in debate remotely. Members allowed to participate remotely shall validate they are the person connected remotely. Votes conducted remotely shall be compiled by the clerk of the House. A quorum will be calculated as those members present in the chamber of the House of Representatives and those members who are connected remotely and voting remotely. B, this rule shall expire at the earlier of the convening of the 2021 biennial session or to the expiration of the House's declaration of emergency in response to COVID-19 and any extension of this declaration by joint resolution or a House resolution. C, this rule shall take effect when it is ratified by a vote of three-quarters of the members voting. Question is, shall the House adopt the resolution? Are you ready for that question? If so, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed, nay. No. The ayes appear to have it. The ayes do have it. And you have adopted HR 18. Member from Pultney, will you offer us a motion to suspend rules to take up for immediate consideration H742, an act relating to grants for emergency medical personnel training? Madam Speaker, I make a motion to suspend rules to take up off the notice calendar for immediate consideration H742. For the motion, are you ready for the question? If so, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed, nay. The ayes appear to have it. The ayes do have it. And you have suspended rules to take up for immediate consideration H742. H742, an act relating to grants for emergency medical personnel training, has passed the Senate with proposals of amendment, which you will find in today's House calendar. The question is, shall the House concur in the Senate proposals of amendment? Are you ready for the question? If so, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed, nay. The ayes appear to have it. The ayes do have it. And you have passed House Bill 742. House Bill 681 is an act relating to employer registration for unemployment insurance and amendments to the unemployment laws to address the COVID-19 outbreak. The question is, oh, and about that bill, Member from Poland, will you offer us a motion to suspend rules to take up for immediate consideration H681? Madam Speaker, I make a motion to suspend rules to take up off the notice calendar for immediate consideration H681. You've heard the motion. Are you ready for the question? If so, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed, nay. The ayes appear to have it. The ayes do have it. And you have suspended rules to take up for immediate consideration H681. It is an act relating to employer registration for unemployment insurance and amendments to the unemployment laws to address the COVID-19 outbreak. The question is, shall the House concur with the Senate proposals of amendment? Are you ready for the question? If so, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed, nay. The ayes appear to have it. The ayes do have it. And you have concurred with the Senate proposal of amendment for H681. That ends the list of bills that your leadership has agreed to work on for today. I want to first thank Governor Scott for the work that he has done and the steps that he has taken to keep Vermonters safe and informed in this time. I want to express my appreciation to Senator Ash and our Senate counterparts for their partnership, for working with across the chambers between chairs and committees to make sure that this critical bill can move forward to begin helping Vermonters. I very much very deeply want to thank all members of House leadership and the Rules Committee, the member from Burlington Representative Kroinsky, the member from Poltny, Representative McCoy, the member from Middletown Springs, Representative Chestnut Tangerman, the member from London Dairy, Representative Payala, the member from Northfield Representative Donahue, and the member from Heartland Representative Bartholomew for all of the work that you have done to get us to a place and the member from Berrytown, another member of the Rules Committee, my apologies, the member from Berrytown Representative Leclerc and the member from Newfane Representative Long. You have all done tremendous work and put in more hours than most people will know to communicate and to get us to a place where we can govern together in a participatory manner that protects Vermonters. I am very sorry that we all had to put public health at risk to come here today and I want to thank every member of this body here and at home listening who has communicated with your leadership, communicated with other members to make sure that your concerns are heard and that we could make sure that every step that we were taking, we are taking together in this unprecedented time and you have my gratitude. And with that, member from Poltny, will you offer us a motion to message our actions to the Senate and the Governor on age 681 and age 742? Madam Speaker, I make a motion to suspend rules to message our actions on age 742 and age 681 to the Senate and Governor forthwith. You've heard the motion. Are you ready for the question? If so, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed, nay. The ayes be heard. The ayes do have it and you've suspended rules to message actions. Member from Poltny, will you offer us a motion to suspend rules to message action on the two joint resolutions that we passed earlier, JRH 48 and JRH 49? Madam Speaker, I make a motion to suspend rules to message our action on JRH 48 and JRH 49 to the Senate forthwith. You've heard the motion. Are you ready for the question? If so, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed, nay. The ayes appear to have it. The ayes do have it and you have suspended action on those, or you have suspended rules to message actions. Member from Poltny, will you offer us a motion to adjourn this body until Friday at 9.30? Madam Speaker, I make a motion to stop the standing adjournment until Friday, March 27, 2020, at 9.30 a.m. We fully anticipate that to be a token session. The pro tem and I spoke about adjournment resolutions and at this point because we are not sure what we may need to act on quickly because this situation is unfolding very quickly. We will be tokening three days at a time so that we have the option to come back if necessary. You will get plenty of notice if there is some reason for us to be here. I realize the irony of staying that statement today. So you have heard the motion to adjourn until Friday at 9.30. Are you ready for that question? If so, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed, nay. The ayes appear to have it. The ayes do have it and this body stands in adjournment until Friday at 9.30. Be safe, please.