H.708 - AN ACT RELATING TO THE APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF BURLINGTON
FAILED
in the State House of Representatives
on May 10, 2022, by a vote of
99-51
(needed 100 votes to override veto)
Purpose: The vote on was to override Gov. Scott's veto. The underlying bill would restrict the circumstances in which Burlington landlords can evict tenants. Burlington voters passed an eviction ballot item in March 2021 with similar language.
Vermont law currently gives landlords permission to not renew a tenant’s lease if they choose. H.708 removes this blanket permission, and lays out acceptable reasons the landlord may evict: nonpayment of rent, if they threaten the landlord, if the tenant damages the property or does something illegal on the property, or if the landlord chooses to remove the unit from the rental market. A tenant may not be evicted if the landlord imposes “unreasonable rent increases” that result in “de facto evictions or nonrenewals.” The acceptable reasons for eviction are meant to be more fleshed out further by Burlington’s City Council.
Analysis: Those voting YES believe Burlington tenants need better protection from eviction than they currently have.
Those voting NO believe contracts between landlord and tenant should lived up to on both sides, without more government interference. Burlington already gives the benefit of doubt to tenants when a dispute arises, and H.708 will put landlords at an even great disadvantage. The proposal could end up reducing Burlington’s housing supply if landlords are more cautious to put housing on the rental market.
As Recorded in the House Journal, for Tuesday, May 10, 2022: “Pursuant to Chapter II, Section 11, of the Vermont Constitution, the Clerk proceeded to call the roll and the question, Shall the bill pass, notwithstanding the Governor's refusal to approve the bill?, was decided in the negative. Yeas, 99. Nays, 51” (Read the Journal, p. 2092-93).
Watch the floor debate on Youtube.
.
How They Voted
(Click on your Rep’s name to send an email)
|
Sally Achey (R - Middletown Springs) – NO |
William Lippert (D – Hinesburg) – YES Curtis McCormack (D – Burlington) – YES Kirk White (P/D - Bethel) – YES Rebecca White (D – Hartford) – YES Dane Whitman (D - Bennington) – YES Terri Lynn Williams (R - Granby) – NO Theresa Wood (D – Waterbury) – YES David Yacovone (D – Morristown) – YES Michael Yantachka (D – Charlotte) – YES |
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