VTLEG#381518v.1
StateofVermont
SenateChamber
Montpelier,Vermont
SenateResolution
OfferedbyCommitteeonGovernmentOperations,
S.R.10.SenateresolutionrelatingtothedisapprovalofExecutiveOrder01-25.
Whereas,onJanuary15,2025,theGovernorsignedExecutiveOrder01-25providingforthecreationofan
AgencyofPublicSafetybyreorganizingtheDepartmentofPublicSafetyastheAgencyofPublicSafety,and
Whereas,accordingtotheExecutiveOrder,effectiveApril16,2025,“theexpansionofresponsibilitiesaccruingto
theDepartmentofPublicSafetyinservicetotheGovernor’sConstitutionaldutytofaithfullyexecutethelawsand
thepublichealthandsafetyneedsofVermontersstatewide,necessitatetheelevationoftheDepartmentofPublic
Safetytoacabinet-levelagency,”and
Whereas,inExecutiveOrder01-25,theGovernorliststheexpandingscopeofresponsibilitiesassignedtothe
Department,including“lawenforcementprovidedbytheVermontStatePolice”;“specialteamsfromboththe
VermontStatePoliceandtheDivisionofFireSafety”;thedualresponsibilitiesoftheDivisionofEmergency
Management(VEM),forbothdisasterreliefandthemanagementoftheStateEmergencyOperationsCenter,andthat
VEM’s“responsibilitieswillonlyincreaseasVermontfacesthedynamicimpactsofclimatechange”;the“[b]road
responsibilitiesoftheDivisionofFireSafety”;the“[n]umeroussupportservicesincludingRadioTechnologyand
CrimeInformation,aswellasmanagementofVermont’sonlyaccreditedforensiclab”;and“[a]nimalwelfare,”and
Whereas,theSenateCommitteeonGovernmentOperationshascarefullyreviewedanddiscussedthisExecutive
Order,and
Whereas,theSenaterecognizesthattheDepartmentofPublicSafety’sresponsibilitiesareincreasing,thattheyare
ofenormousimportanceforallVermonters,andshouldbedeliveredinthemosteffectivepossiblemanner,and
Whereas,theSenatealsowishestoensurethattheGovernor’sreorganizationachievesthisgoalwithoutleadingto
unintendedconsequences,and
Whereas,thebestmechanismtoexploreapossiblereorganizationoftheDepartmentofPublicSafetyintoanew
AgencyofPublicSafetyistousethestandingcommitteeprocess,withtheresultingopportunityforenhanced
research,analysis,andpublicparticipation,and
Whereas,aspartofthisprocess,theSenateCommitteeonGovernmentOperationslooksforwardtoreviewingand
takingtestimonyonallthedetailsofthisproposedreorganizationoftheDepartmentofPublicSafetyintotheAgency
ofPublicSafety,and
Whereas,theSenateisfullycommittedtoworkingcooperativelyandpromptlywiththeAdministrationtodevelop
thebestpossiblegovernmentalorganizationalarrangementforthedeliveryoftheessentialservicesnowunderthe
jurisdictionoftheDepartmentofPublicSafety,nowtherefore be it
ResolvedbytheSenate:
ThattheSenateoftheStateofVermont,pursuantto3V.S.A.§ 2002,disapprovesofExecutiveOrder01-25,and
beitfurther
Resolved:ThattheSenateoftheStateofVermontcommitstobringforwarddraftlegislationtomaximizethe
deliveryofpublicsafetyservicestoallVermonters,andbeitfurther
Resolved:ThattheSecretaryofSenatebedirectedtosendacopyofthisresolutiontoGovernorPhilipB.Scott.