Final Legislative Update: 2023-2024 Legislative Session Ends - July 26, 2024 Windham Independent
Final Legislative Update: 2023-2024 Legislative Session Ends
As you know, I am running for re-election as your State Representative. When the registration period ended, the Republican primaries for both Windham districts remained uncontested, which allowed me to take a few weeks off from writing letters to the editor.
It’s time to catch up, and unfortunately, we got plenty of bad news during our last session day. Republicans have a very narrow margin in the House, with attendance determining who has more votes on any given session day, while the Senate has a solid 14-10 Republican majority. That majority made it possible for every bill the House passed to become law if the Senate adopted the House bills without amending them, sending them to the Governor for his signature.
House bills amended in the Senate return to the House for a second vote. If a bill is amended again by the House, a Committee of Conference may be created, potentially leading to a third vote. Any bill that fails to pass on the second or third attempt in the House or Senate is dead.
Unfortunately, a lot of hard fought House bills suffered that fate this year. Among the ones lost on June 13 (our last session day this term) were:
HB1633, Marijuana legalization passed the House in April with a 239-136 vote, then was amended beyond recognition by the Senate, and died with a final 168-189 House vote.
HB1616, a Parental Consent bill was adopted by the House in March with 190-187 vote, then amended by the Senate, then died after a 173-179 House vote.
HB1665, expanding Education Freedom Account eligibility from 350% to 500% of the federal poverty guidelines was adopted by the House in February by one vote (190-189), was amended by the Senate to only move to 400%, then died after a 173-179 House vote, leaving us to 350%.
We have a two chamber legislative system for a reason, and I respect the right of the Senate to make the choices they believe are right - I just wish that this session, they would have shown some willingness to compromise to pass those good bills instead of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory by amending them so that they could die on the second or third House vote instead.
It is what it is - the session is over except for the veto override day, and it’s time to look forward to the next session.
This session, I was able to pass a bill that was requested by a constituent (more about that next week). If you feel that something needs to be fixed in our laws, this is the time to reach out to me or your other legislators with thoughts and suggestions.
I am looking forward to hearing from you at (617) 755 2590 (text or call) or by email at dpmwindham@gmail.com (please text or call me after you send an email to tell me to look for it so I don’t miss it).
Daniel Popovici-Muller
Clerk, Finance II House Committee,
2025-2026 Republican State Representative Candidate