Now They’re Concerned About Money?

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November 12, 2024

Vermont Senate Committee Rejects Survivor Benefits for Law Enforcement and Corrections Amid Budget Concerns

On May 8, 2024, the Vermont Senate Committee on Government Operations, composed of:

Senator Ruth Hardy (D) Addison – Chair
Senator Tanya Vyhovsky (D/P) Chittenden-Central – Vice Chair
Senator Alison Clarkson (D) Windsor
Senator Becca White (D) Windsor
Senator Robert Norris (R) Franklin – Clerk
Senator Anne Watson (D/P) Washington

met to review a last-minute amendment to the Emergency Personnel Survivors Benefit Fund. Established in 2001, this fund provides financial support to families of firefighters and emergency medical personnel who die in the line of duty. Allegedly, there were initial questions about whether law enforcement officers should be included, though they were ultimately left out—a decision some now see as an oversight. This amendment sought to address that by adding law enforcement and correctional officers to the list of beneficiaries, acknowledging the risks these professionals also face while serving Vermont communities.

However, the amendment was met with little support or concern from committee members, who cited the fund’s financial limitations. The tone was often dismissive, with the following exchange capturing the committee’s stance:

Senator Robert Norris: “Fine. I’m fine with it. I believe I voted against the bill to begin with.”

Senator Ruth Hardy: “It would save money.”

Senator Becca White: “Yeahhh!”

(Seriously)

Ultimately, the committee voted down the amendment, opting to preserve resources for the fund’s original beneficiaries—firefighters and EMS personnel—at the cost of excluding other emergency responders.

Vermont Statutes Annotated, Title 20: Internal Security and Public Safety, Chapter 181: Benefits for the Survivors of Emergency Personnel

§ 3171. Definitions

As used in this chapter:

(1) “Board” means the Emergency Personnel Survivors Benefit Review Board.

(2) “Child” means a natural or legally adopted child, regardless of age.

(3) “Emergency personnel” means:

(A) firefighters as defined in subdivision 3151(3) of this title; and

(B) emergency medical personnel and volunteer personnel as defined in 24 V.S.A. § 2651.

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Supporters of the amendment intend to reintroduce it in the upcoming legislative session, hoping to finally extend survivor benefits to law enforcement and correctional officers and address what they consider to be an historical oversight.

Adding to this context, Senators Ruth Hardy, Becca White, and Robert Norris all won re-election in November 2024 and will be returning to Montpelier for the upcoming biennium. This latest legislative session underscores the continued challenges of expanding recognition and support for all emergency responders within Vermont’s current benefit frameworks, a matter likely to return to the table in the near future.

Dave Soulia | FYIVT

#fyivt #VTPolitics #FirstResponderBenefits #VermontLegislature

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