06/12/2026
Republicans like Rep. Michael Boutin for Barre City have been working hard all session. Now that the work is done he, and many other Republicans are stepping back and giving some great detailed updates about what they have been working on for their constituents
Continuing my review of bills I drafted or cosponsored during the biennium, today I want to talk about public safety.
Barre City has seen more than its fair share of criminal activity over the last several years. Whether the root cause is drugs, mental health, poverty, or some combination of all three, nobody should feel unsafe in their home, at work, or in their community.
I sponsored H.128 — an act relating to unlawful drug activity in a dwelling by a person who is not a legal tenant.
This bill came directly from concerns raised by constituents living at places like the Barre Manor and other apartment complexes. The issue is that people who are not tenants are using apartments for illegal activity, and landlords often have very limited ability to remove them quickly. A version of this proposal eventually made its way into H.772, but that bill ultimately died in the Senate.
I cosponsored H.754 — an act relating to repeat violent offenders, assaults against a protected professional, and victim input on plea agreements.
This bill would have increased the penalties for repeat violent offenders and for people who assault police officers, EMS personnel, firefighters, healthcare workers, DCF employees, and other protected professionals. It also would have strengthened victims' rights by requiring prosecutors to better inform and consult victims before plea agreements are finalized.
I cosponsored H.780 — an act relating to establishing mandatory minimum sentences of incarceration for retail theft and drug trafficking.
This bill would have created mandatory minimum jail sentences for certain repeat retail theft offenses and drug trafficking crimes. Vermonters are tired of seeing the same people repeatedly committing serious crimes with little accountability. This bill was aimed at addressing that problem.
I also cosponsored H.781 — an act relating to filing certain juvenile offenses in the Criminal Division.
This bill would have required certain serious crimes committed by older juveniles to begin in the adult criminal court system, while still allowing appropriate cases to be transferred back through existing youthful offender processes. Crimes such as felony firearm offenses, drug trafficking, aggravated stalking, and certain release violations are serious offenses with serious consequences for victims and communities.
Public safety matters.
People deserve to feel safe walking down the street, going to work, shopping downtown, or sleeping in their own home. While we may debate the best solutions, I believe accountability has to be part of the conversation. Compassion and consequences are not mutually exclusive. We can help people who are struggling while also protecting the law-abiding citizens who make up the vast majority of our communities.
