Vermont Legislature: Proposed Bills 2015-2016
(HOUSE)
Gun Owners of Vermont
Analysis
Bill #Bill Title, Summary and SponsorsBill StatusAction Needed
H.R.11
BAD
House resolution relating to amending House Rules to allow municipal charter bills to be read three times without referral to committee

THIS RESOLUTION WAS INTRODUCED TO COINCIDE WITH THE BURLINGTON CHARTER CHANGES!
This resolution will allow the anti-gun legislators to slide the unconstitutional Burlington Charter Changes directly to the floor for a vote, WITHOUT going to Committee to hear testimony or receive public comment!!!
This resolution would eliminate the democratic process and allow anti-gun politicians to enact gun control in Vermont without recourse!!
H.R.11

Sponsors: Rep. Timothy Jerman (TOOK $1,700 of Gun$en$e Money!)
GUNSENSE/BLOOMBERG MONEY CANNOT ENACT THIS TYPE OF UNDERHANDED LEGISLATIVE PROCEDURE TO VIOLATE THE RIGHTS OF VERMONTERS!
Bill is DEAD for 2016. Committee will not take this bad bill up. There is a legal process that must be followed. No amount of Bloomberg money can buy Vermont.
H.5
GOOD
An act relating to hunting, fishing, and trapping

This bill legalized the use of suppressors in Vermont!

Sponsors:
Act 61 signed into law legalizing suppressors
H.90
BAD
An act relating to approval of an amendment to the charter of the City of Burlington regarding police confiscation or seizure of deadly or dangerous weapons

Violation of the Vermont Constitution
Violation of the Vermont Sportsmen's Bill of Rights
Violation of the Burlington Town Charter

Subject: Municipal government; municipal charters; City of Burlington; amendment; firearm, ammunition, or deadly or dangerous weapon; probable cause; domestic abuse; police confiscation or seizure

This bill proposes to approve an amendment to the charter of the City of Burlington that would allow police to confiscate or seize a deadly or dangerous weapon from an alleged abuser when a police officer has probable cause to believe that a person has been the victim of domestic abuse.

Sponsors: Rep. Johannah Leddy Donovan
Additional Sponsors: Rep. Joanna Cole, Rep. Jill Krowinski, Rep. Curt McCormack, Rep. Jean O'Sullivan, Rep. Christopher Pearson, Rep. Barbara Rachelson, Rep. Kesha K. Ram, Rep. Mary Sullivan
VICTORY!

SHOT DOWN IN FLAMES!

The ONLY person who voted YES (Joanna Cole), TOOK GUNSENSE MONEY!
H.91
BAD
An act relating to approval of an amendment to the charter of the City of Burlington requiring firearms to be locked in safe storage depositories or placed in locking devices

Violation of the Vermont Constitution
Violation of the Vermont Sportsmen's Bill of Rights
Violation of the Burlington Town Charter

Subject: Municipal government; municipal charters; City of Burlington; 9 amendment; firearms; safe storage depository; locking device Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to approve an amendment to the charter of the City of Burlington that would require that when a firearm is not in a person’s immediate possession or control, it must be locked in a safe storage depository or, by using a locking device, rendered incapable of being fired.
Upon probable cause that a person is in violation of this section, a law enforcement officer may seize the weapon involved in the violation.

Sponsors: Rep. Johannah Leddy Donovan
Additional Sponsors: Rep. Joanna Cole, Rep. Jill Krowinski, Rep. Curt McCormack, Rep. Jean O'Sullivan, Rep. Christopher Pearson, Rep. Barbara Rachelson, Rep. Kesha K. Ram, Rep. Mary Sullivan
VICTORY!

SHOT DOWN IN FLAMES!

The ONLY person who voted YES (Joanna Cole), TOOK GUNSENSE MONEY!
H.92
BAD
An act relating to approval of an amendment to the charter of the City of Burlington prohibiting firearms on properties of establishments licensed to serve alcohol on premises

Violation of the Vermont Constitution
Violation of the Vermont Sportsmen's Bill of Rights
Violation of the Burlington Town Charter

Subject: Municipal government; municipal charters; City of Burlington; amendment; firearms; prohibition; first class liquor license
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to approve an amendment to the charter of the City of Burlington that would prohibit a person from carrying or possessing a firearm on property owned or controlled by an establishment licensed to serve alcohol on premises.
Upon probable cause that a person is in violation of this section, a law enforcement officer may seize the weapon involved in the violation.

Sponsors: Rep. Johannah Leddy Donovan
Additional Sponsors: Rep. Joanna Cole, Rep. Jill Krowinski, Rep. Curt McCormack, Rep. Jean O'Sullivan, Rep. Christopher Pearson, Rep. Barbara Rachelson, Rep. Kesha K. Ram, Rep. Mary Sullivan
VICTORY!

SHOT DOWN IN FLAMES!

The ONLY person who voted YES (Joanna Cole), TOOK GUNSENSE MONEY!
H.150
GOOD
An act relating to gun silencers

Subject: Crimes; firearms; gun silencers
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to repeal the prohibition on the sale or use of gun silencers.

Sponsors: Representative Till of Jericho
H.210
GOOD
An act relating to prohibiting the use of a gun silencer while hunting

Subject: Crimes; firearms; gun silencers
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to repeal the prohibition on the manufacture, sale, use, or possession of gun silencers, and proposes to prohibit a person from using or possessing a suppressor while hunting. The bill defines a suppressor as a device attached to or part of the barrel of a firearm that reduces the amount of noise and visible muzzle flash generated by firing.

Sponsors: Brennan of Colchester, Beyor of Highgate, Bissonnette of Winooski, Devereux of Mount Holly, Fiske of Enosburgh, Hebert of Vernon, Morrissey of Bennington, and Myers of Essex
VICTORY!

Suppressors became part of H.5 and passed into law as of July 2, 2015 as Act 61!
H.250
BAD
An act relating to possession and transfer of firearms

Subject: Crimes and criminal procedures; firearms; criminal background checks; violent felons in possession; reporting to National Instant Criminal Background Check System

Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to:
(1) prohibit a person convicted of a violent crime from possessing a firearm;
(2) require that a criminal background check be conducted on the proposed purchaser before a firearm may be sold unless the sale is between immediate family members, by or to a law enforcement agency, or by or to a law enforcement officer or member of the U.S. Armed Forces acting within the course of his or her official duties; and require the Court Administrator to report to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System established by the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act of 1993 when a person is:
A) subject to a hospitalization order or nonhospitalization order after a determination by a court that the person is a danger to himself or herself or others; or
B) found not responsible for a crime by reason of insanity or incompetent to stand trial due to a mental illness and is committed to the department of Mental Health after a determination by a court that the person is a danger to himself or herself or others.

This is the House version of Universal Background Checks.

Sponsors: Rep. Alison H. Clarkson, Rep. George W. Till, Rep. James Masland, Rep. Michael Mrowicki, Rep. Christopher Pearson, Rep. Michael Yantachka
Additional Sponsors, Rep. Timothy Briglin, Rep. Joanna Cole, Rep. David L. Deen, Rep. Johannah Donovan, Rep. Mary S. Hooper, Rep. Thomas Stevens, Rep. Mary Sullivan
FAILED
H.296
BAD
An act relating to sport shooting ranges

This bill attempts to repeal the protections provided to Vermont sport shooting ranges by the Range Protection Act of 2006!

Subject: Conservation and development; municipal government; sport shooting ranges
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to amend provisions related to the operation of sport shooting ranges.
1. The bill would repeal the limitation that only an owner of property abutting a sport shooting range may bring a nuisance claim against the range (so ANYONE, ANYWHERE can bring claims!).
2. The bill would establish authorized hours of operation for sport shooting ranges in the State.
3. The bill would repeal the prohibition on municipal regulation of firearms discharge at an existing sport shooting range.

Sponsors: Rep. Alison H. Clarkson
Rep. David L. Deen (Gun$en$e money)
But we are told David Deen isn't anti-gun…
H.297
BAD
An act relating to the sale of ivory or rhinoceros horn

H.297 would restrict the ownership and sale of ivory and rhino horn objects already owned by Vermonters.
This will impact valuable collector firearms with ivory inlays or grips.

Any excuse to attack firearms ownership from EVERY direction at once!
The attack for this bill was lead by the NATIONAL Humane Society of America.
The original bill was an all-encompassing ban including "ivory from any animal, including an elephant, hippopotamus, mammoth, narwhal, walrus, or whale", weight limit of 7 ounces, etc, etc.
The FINAL version ONLY includes elephant and rhinocerous horn, ALLOWS the sale of existing elephant ivory and rhino horn with notarized photos to be kept by the individual (NOT the state)!GoVT fought hard for these changes and achieved positive changes to protect the citizens of Vermont from yet another assault on our liberties from out-of-state!

Sponsors: Rep. Kurt Wright (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Joan G. Lenes (Gun$en$e money)
Additional Sponsors: Rep. John L. Bartholomew (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Lynn Batchelor
Rep. Scott Beck
Rep. Cynthia Browning
Rep. Rachael Fields
Rep. Emily Long (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Terence Macaig (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Ann Manwaring
Rep. Linda K. Myers
Rep. Charles Shaw
Rep. Tristan Toleno (Gun$en$e money)
Defeated
H.460
BAD
An act relating to prohibiting the use of lead ammunition for the taking of wildlife

Subject: Fish and wildlife; hunting; ammunition; prohibition of lead

Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to prohibit the use of lead ammunition during the taking of wildlife.

Here we go again!
The anti-gun Rep Jewett is filling in for Rep Deen and attacking firearms in every way possible!
Next year they will try to ban "non-lead" ammo as "armor-piercing"!
It will NEVER end until ALL these anti-gunners are OUT OF OFFICE!

Sponsors: Willem Jewett of Ripton (Gun$en$e money)
Jewett is no longer in office, expect David Deen to pick this up again in 2017.
H.514
BAD
An act relating to a Wildlife Management and Conservation Stamp for the taking of fish or wildlife

Subject: Fish and wildlife; hunting; fishing; wildlife management and conservation stamp

Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to establish a Wildlife Management and Conservation Stamp. Annual purchase of a Wildlife Management and Conservation Stamp would be required to hunt and fish in the State. Receipts from the sale of the Stamp would be deposited into a special fund for wildlife management, water quality programs, and invasive species management.
THIS FEE IS AN ADDITIONAL $20.00
Right now it is $26 for a standalone fishing or hunting license. A combination license is $41. So it is effectively doubling the cost. New Hampshire has a habitat Improvement fee, but it is only $2.50.
Rumor has it that with this additional fee a Vermont Resident license will cost more than a Maine Non-Resident license!
Thats not right. David Deen is again making sportsmen foot the bill for his pet projects.

Sponsors: Rep. David L. Deen (Gun$en$e money)
David Deen attacking hunters again…
H.533
BAD
An act relating to victim notification

The Senate proposed, revised, and passed 8 pages of legislation within the last 4 days of the session, in secret (no public input) in order to PASS SOMETHING that gives power to outside groups over Vermont laws and policies.
The text of the ORIGINAL bill by Maxine Grad (original bill sponsor) that was hijacked by the SENATE JUDICIARY on 5/3/16 to introduce this previously UNSEEN anti-hunting bill (H.512) is omitted for clarity.
This Senate amendment was updated further by the House Committee of Conference was directly designed to instill power to radical out-of-state lobbying groups and radical anti-hunting groups into the Vermont Legislative, Judicial and Law-Enforcement branches, and to PAY per diem compensation and reimbursement of expenses to those members chosen to represent them!
H.533: Hijacked Victim Notification bill included Animal Cruelty Panel

Sponsors: Maxine Grad (original bill sponsor) hijacked by the SENATE JUDICIARY
This bill PASSED in the last week of the session in closed door sessions, nothing was warned on the state website.
H.566
BAD
An act relating to approval of an amendment to the charter of the City of Burlington requiring firearms to be locked in safe storage depositories or placed in locking devices

Subject: Municipal government; municipal charters; City of Burlington; amendment; firearms; safe storage depository; locking device

Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to approve an amendment to the charter of the City of Burlington that would require that when a firearm is not in a person’s immediate possession or control, it must be locked in a safe storage depository or, by using a locking device, rendered incapable of being fired.

Sponsors: Rep. Joanna Cole (LOTS of Gun$en$e money)
Additional Sponsors
Rep. Clement Bissonnette (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Johannah Donovan (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Diana Gonzalez (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Jill Krowinski
Rep. Curt McCormack (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Jean O'Sullivan (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Christopher Pearson (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Barbara Rachelson (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Kesha K. Ram (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Mary Sullivan (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Kurt Wright (Gun$en$e money)
NEW Sponsors 1/27/16:
Rep. Steven Berry (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Mollie S. Burke (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Alison H. Clarkson
Rep. Rachael Fields
Rep. William Frank (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Patsy French
Rep. Warren F. Kitzmiller
Rep. Gabrielle Lucke
Rep. James McCullough (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Alice Miller (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Michael Mrowicki (Gun$en$e money) GunSense MEMBER!
Rep. Marjorie Ryerson
Rep. Thomas Stevens (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. George W. Till
Rep. Tommy Walz (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Michael Yantachka (Gun$en$e money)
Gun Sense money is buying the overthrow of the Vermont Constitution and the violation of The Sportsmen's Bill of Rights!
The Burlington Charter Changes are DEAD in the House Committee on Government Operations!
These unconstitutional and illegal bills will NOT pass in Vermont!
YOUR VOICE HAS BEEN HEARD!
H.567
BAD
An act relating to approval of an amendment to the charter of the City of Burlington regarding police confiscation of deadly or dangerous weapons

Subject: Municipal government; municipal charters; City of Burlington; amendment; firearm, ammunition, or deadly or dangerous weapon; probable cause; domestic assault; police confiscation

Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to approve an amendment to the charter of the City of Burlington that would allow a police officer to confiscate temporarily a deadly or dangerous weapon from a person whom the officer has probable cause to believe has committed domestic assault.

Sponsors: Rep. Joanna Cole (LOTS of Gun$en$e money)
Additional Sponsors
Rep. Clement Bissonnette (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Johannah Donovan (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Diana Gonzalez (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Jill Krowinski
Rep. Curt McCormack (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Jean O'Sullivan (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Christopher Pearson (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Barbara Rachelson (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Kesha K. Ram (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Mary Sullivan (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Kurt Wright (Gun$en$e money)
NEW Sponsors 1/27/16:
Rep. Steven Berry (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Mollie S. Burke (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Alison H. Clarkson
Rep. Rachael Fields
Rep. William Frank (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Patsy French
Rep. Warren F. Kitzmiller
Rep. Gabrielle Lucke
Rep. James McCullough (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Alice Miller (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Michael Mrowicki (Gun$en$e money) GunSense MEMBER!
Rep. Marjorie Ryerson
Rep. Thomas Stevens (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. George W. Till
Rep. Tommy Walz (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Michael Yantachka (Gun$en$e money)
Gun Sense money is buying the overthrow of the Vermont Constitution and the violation of The Sportsmen's Bill of Rights!
The Burlington Charter Changes are DEAD in the House Committee on Government Operations!
These unconstitutional and illegal bills will NOT pass in Vermont!
YOUR VOICE HAS BEEN HEARD!
H.568
BAD
An act relating to approval of an amendment to the charter of the City of Burlington prohibiting possession of firearms on premises where alcohol is licensed to be served

Subject: Municipal government; municipal charters; City of Burlington; amendment; premises where alcohol served; firearms possession prohibited

Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to approve an amendment to the charter of the City of Burlington that would prohibit a person from possessing a firearm on premises where alcohol is licensed to be served.

Sponsors: Rep. Joanna Cole (LOTS of Gun$en$e money)
Additional Sponsors
Rep. Clement Bissonnette (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Johannah Donovan (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Diana Gonzalez (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Jill Krowinski
Rep. Curt McCormack (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Jean O'Sullivan (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Christopher Pearson (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Barbara Rachelson (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Kesha K. Ram (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Mary Sullivan (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Kurt Wright (Gun$en$e money)
NEW Sponsors 1/27/16:
Rep. Steven Berry (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Mollie S. Burke (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Alison H. Clarkson
Rep. Rachael Fields
Rep. William Frank (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Patsy French
Rep. Warren F. Kitzmiller
Rep. Gabrielle Lucke
Rep. James McCullough (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Alice Miller (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Michael Mrowicki (Gun$en$e money) GunSense MEMBER!
Rep. Marjorie Ryerson
Rep. Thomas Stevens (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. George W. Till
Rep. Tommy Walz (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Michael Yantachka (Gun$en$e money)
Gun Sense money is buying the overthrow of the Vermont Constitution and the violation of The Sportsmen's Bill of Rights!
The Burlington Charter Changes are DEAD in the House Committee on Government Operations!
These unconstitutional and illegal bills will NOT pass in Vermont!
YOUR VOICE HAS BEEN HEARD!
H.631
GOOD
An act relating to use of firearm suppressors at sport shooting ranges

Subject: Conservation and development; natural resources; land use; Act 250; sport shooting ranges

Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to exempt from Act 250 changes to existing sport shooting ranges that are for the purpose of safety, abating noise, or mitigating environmental impacts. The bill would also prohibit a municipal bylaw from requiring a permit for changes to existing sport shooting ranges that are for the purpose of safety, abating noise, or mitigating environmental impacts.

Sponsors: Rep. Patrick Brennan
Read First Time and Referred to the Committee on Fish, Wildlife & Water Resources
H.709
BAD
An act relating to homeowner's insurance and gun possession

Subject: Insurance; homeowner’s insurance; disclosure; guns

Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require an insurer that writes homeowner’s insurance policies to require a policyholder to disclose to the company whether the homeowner or member of his or her household possesses a gun that is stored on the insured property.

Sponsors: Rep. Thomas Stevens (Gun$en$e money)
Additional Sponsors: Rep. George W. Till
FAILED to get through committee.
H.775
BAD
An act relating to possession and transfer of firearms

Subject: Crimes and criminal procedures; firearms; criminal background checks

Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require that a criminal background check be conducted on the proposed purchaser before a firearm may be sold unless the sale is between immediate family members, by or to a law enforcement agency, or by or to a law enforcement officer or member of the U.S. Armed Forces acting within the course of his or her official duties.

Sponsors: Rep. George W. Till
Additional Sponsors:
Rep. Janet Ancel (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Clement Bissonnette (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Alison H. Clarkson
Rep. Joanna Cole (LOTS of Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Leigh Dakin
Rep. Johannah Donovan (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Adam Greshin
Rep. Joan G. Lenes (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. James Masland (LOTS of Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Curt McCormack (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. James McCullough (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Ruqaiyah Morris
Rep. Michael Mrowicki (Gun$en$e money) GunSense MEMBER!
Rep. Jean O'Sullivan (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Avram Patt (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Barbara Rachelson (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Marjorie Ryerson
Rep. Thomas Stevens (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Valerie A. Stuart (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Mary Sullivan (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Maida Townsend (Gun$en$e money)
Rep. Michael Yantachka (Gun$en$e money)
FAILED to get through committee.
H.781
GOOD
An act relating to the use of gun suppressors for hunting

Subject: Fish and wildlife; game; hunting; gun suppressors

Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to authorize a person to possess, carry, or use a gun suppressor while taking game with a gun.

Sponsors: Rep. Patrick Brennan
Additional Sponsors
Rep. George W. Till
Read First Time and Referred to the Committee on Fish, Wildlife & Water Resources
H.871
BAD
An act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the City of Montpelier

Subject: Municipal law; municipal charters; City of Montpelier; amendment
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to approve amendments to the charter of the City of Montpelier.
This bill proposes "§ 709. REGULATION OF PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY AND SOURCES
The City shall have the authority to regulate its public water supply and public water sources in order to protect the water supply and sources from corruption. The City’s water supply sources include Berlin Pond in the Town of Berlin."
This charter change was in response to restricting hunting and fishing in Berlin Pond, which is NOT owned by Montpelier.

Sponsors: Rep. Mary S. Hooper
Rep. Warren F. Kitzmiller
FAILED to get through committee.

Here is an alphabetical listing of all RepresentativesSearch for your Representative(s) here.

Copyright 2016 Gun Owners of Vermont
Last Updated: 11/11/2016
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