Community Media Public Benefit Bill: H.575 and S.181: Vermont Senate Floor - Discussion of S. 181 Community Media Public Benefit Bill

Description

Discussion of the Community Media Public Benefit Bill S.181 on the Senate Floor.

On Thursday, Sen. Chittenden presented S.181 on the Senate Floor for 2nd reading, the next-to-last step in passing the bill. Senate Finance and Senate Appropriations both urged the Senate to pass the bill. Senators asked questions about how much money would go to VAN; why it was going through the Secretary of State’s Office, since currently no General Fund dollars go there; how many people in Vermont are accessing public television; and what the shortfall is in AMO revenue. Senate President Pro Temp Baruth spoke about his deep appreciation for community access television and asked for the body’s support, and Sen. Kitchel spoke about the rationale for VAN’s funding flowing through the Secretary of State’s office as part of a broader effort around civic education and electoral participation. The Senate then ordered a 3rd reading of the bill on a unanimous voice vote.

S.181 Senate Finance version of the bill:
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2024/WorkGroups/Senate%20Appropriations/Bills/S.181/S.181~Kirby%20Keeton~As%20Recommended%20By%20the%20Senate%20Committee%20on%20Finance~3-20-2024.pdf