Concord
Election law includes bills related to voting rights, which are poised to be a major issue of debate in the upcoming session.
Republicans have said they want to eliminate same day voter registration and enact a residency requirement for voting eligibility.
Senators will vote on a set of rules for the upcoming session, including committees, when the Legislature convenes Wednesday for “organization day.”
The Republican-controlled Senate proposes creating a Committee on Election Law and Internal Affairs. In past session, many election law related bills have started in the Senate Judiciary Committee. The House already has a specific election law committee.
Montpelier
Vermont Public Radio reported that the legal aid group has taken up the case of a Vermont woman who was denied Hepatitis C treatment under the program because her liver isn’t yet damaged enough.
VPR did not use the woman’s name. Vermont Legal Aid is helping the woman appeal her coverage denial.
Vermont’s Medicaid program requires people to be in the late stages of liver damage before they qualify for treatment.
Vermont state officials say offering the treatment to more patients could cost taxpayers up to $25 million over two years. An estimated 8,000 Vermonters have Hepatitis C.
Concord
An online petition started by New Hampshire hiker Rachel Lewis has more than 2,700 signatures. Another asks hikers to contact the Coos County Planning Board to share their concerns.
The owners of the cog railway that runs up the mountain want to build the hotel. The Coos County Planning Board meets Thursday for a “preliminary consultation” with the railway owners. Chairman John Scarinza said the meeting’s purpose is to start a conversation about the project. No decisions will be made because an application hasn’t been submitted. There won’t be a public comment period Thursday, but Scarinza said public input will be important
— Wire reports
Maple producers launch syrup making contest for students
Eds: APNewsNow.
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — The New Hampshire Maple Producers Association is encouraging students to learn about maple production by offering a $2,000 prize for the best tasting maple syrup.
WMUR-TV reports (http://bit.ly/2gPJUXg) the group is starting the contest so students can learn about the science and process of making maple syrup. Students up to age 18 in teams of four can submit applications to compete by Feb. 1.
Selected teams will be paired with a mentor who will monitor the production process. Each group will submit one quart of syrup by April to be judged at the association’s July meeting. The winners will receive a $2,000 prize.
Vermont State Police undergoing assessment
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WATERBURY, Vt. (AP) — Vermont State Police employees and the public are invited to offer assessments of the agency as it undergoes an accreditation process.
An on-site assessment of the agency is scheduled for this coming week.
A public information session will be held Monday evening for employees and members of the public to offer comments. The meeting takes place at 5:30 p.m. at in the Sally Fox conference room at the Waterbury State Office Complex.
State police employees and members of the community may also offer comments by calling 802-241-5341 between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Monday.
The accreditation program is administered by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies and requires agencies to comply with state-of-the-art standards in four basic areas: policy and procedures, administration, operations, and support services.