Government Operations and Military Affairs Committee

The House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs considers matters relating to the structure, organization, and oversight of State, local, county, and regional government, and municipal corporations; the administration of public safety; compensation and retirement benefits for public officials and employees; elections and reapportionment; liquor and lottery; military affairs; public records and open meetings; and other similar policies.

H.67 (An act relating to legislative operations and government accountability) represents a collaborative effort between the legislature, the administration, and the state auditor’s office to create a panel of legislators to work in conjunction with committee chairs to regularly review enacted legislation based on the progress and effectiveness. The evaluation tools and scope of oversight will be determined by the members of the committee and will be set up as a two-year pilot. This is an important step to check that legislative intent and funding is being followed and implemented as originally intended.

A bill regarding Emergency Management and Disaster Relief strengthens Vermont’s disaster relief and emergency management by creating a micro-grant fund for fire departments, urban search and rescue, and emergency medical services to provide ongoing training and specialty equipment. This fund will be especially important this year as Vermont manages the aftermath of the floods in the Northeast Kingdom, which were recently denied FEMA assistance. Vermont experts from the communications working group, Enhanced 911, fire wardens, the Vermont Department of Public Safety, Vermont’s Chief Recovery Officer, and municipalities are all contributing to the development of this legislation. 

The legislature honored Major General Gregory Knight in a special ceremony, who is retiring after seven years as the Adjutant General of the Vermont National Guard.  Brigadier General Henry “Hank” Harder was elected as the next Adjutant General on 19 February 2026, and will take office on 1 March 2026. As the committee of jurisdiction, Government Operations and Military Affairs helped guide the legislature through the election process and will continue to support the Vermont National Guard through this transition. 

The committee is working on several potential pieces of legislation to support military members and their families. These include bills to allow any service member with a disabled veteran license plate to park in a metered spot without charge; defining what it means to be a Gold Star family in statute to ensure access to vital benefits, maximizing access to moneys and programs for all veterans; and improving access to open state government positions for spouses of service members.