LEGISLATIVE STRATEGY
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LEGISLATIVE STRATEGY
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2008 LEGISLATIVE SESSION--VEHICLE IDLING LEGISLATION The 2008 Vermont legislative session ended May 3. While a great stride in idling legislation was taken in 2007 with passage and enactment of Act 48-the Idling of Motor Vehicle Engines on School Property, there was no action, and virtually no lobbying effort, of the more comprehensive idling bills in committee. There was talk of the possibility of attaching language on vehicle idling to an energy conservation/global warming bill (such as S.350: ENERGY INDEPENDENCE AND ECONOMIC PROSPERITY), but a concern was that adding too much to a more encompassing bill could weaken its passage. Indeed, a bill was introduced in this session by a contingent of House members from Franklin and Rutland counties to repeal Act 48 (details below). Here is the final status of idling bills in the legislature: H.0724 THE REPEAL OF RESTRICTIONS ON THE IDLING OF SCHOOL BUS ENGINES AND OF VOLUNTARY PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE IDLING OF OTHER MOTOR VEHICLE ENGINES, sponsored by Rep. Albert Perry (D-Franklin), Avis Gervais (D-Franklin), Kathleen Keenan (D-Franklin), Carolyn Whitney Branagan (R-Franklin), Norman McAllister (R-Franklin), William Canfield (R-Rutland) and James McNeil (R-Rutland). Introduced January 29, 2008 in House Education. Sought to repeal last year's enacted Act 48: the Idling of Motor Vehicle Engines on School Property. First reading on January 29, 2008. No further action. H.0069 THE IDLING OF MOTOR VEHICLES (in excess of 10,000 pounds; mainly diesel), sponsored by Rep. Carol Hosford (D-Wash.) remained in the House Natural Resources and Energy Committee from last year. Committee Chair Rep. Robert Dostis (D-Wash.), was a key person to influence to get this bill addressed. It was expected that it would be a huge effort to get it through. No action taken. H.0143 THE IDLING OF MOTOR VEHICLES (all motor vehicles), sponsored by Rep. David Sharpe (D-Addison) had the same status, with even longer odds of action. No action taken. As to Senate idling bills, there were none submitted. Sen. Claire Ayer (D-Addison) sponsor of last year's school bus idling bill that combined with Rep. Carol Hosford's school bus idling bill to become Act 48, remained sympathic to more comprehensive idling legislation. She discussed the possibility of idling language that could be incorporated in a new 2008 energy bill, such as S.350. But, as stated above, adding more language to this bill could have jeopardized its passage. Due to the lack of idling legislation this session, petitions from the Online Idle-Free VT Petition Drive are being held until the 2009 legislative session. For more details, see the PETITION DRIVE page. 2007 LEGISLATIVE SESSION--VEHICLE IDLING LEGISLATION
The 2007 Vermont legislative session saw remarkable success for advocates of reduced idling with the passing a school bus idling bill that Governor Jim Douglas signed into law on May 25. The law, known as ACT 48--An Act Relating to the Idling of Motor Vehicle Engines on School Property, is in effect for the new school year. Here is the text of the law. More comprehensive idling bills are expected to be introduced in the 2008 session, beginning next January. Idle-Free VT expects to be active in lobbying for passage of these bills. Idling bills introduced in 2007 and their final status: SENATE: S.0025 THE IDLING OF MOTOR VEHICLES (in excess of 10,000 pounds; mainly diesel). HOUSE: H.0069 THE IDLING OF MOTOR VEHICLES (in excess of 10,000 pounds; mainly diesel). H.0143 THE IDLING OF MOTOR VEHICLES.
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