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Bill

H 450

An act relating to prohibiting the appointment of interested parties to a recount committee

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Alice Emmons and 1 co-sponsor

Prohibits appointing individuals with a material interest in an election’s outcome from serving on the recount committee to ensure neutrality and integrity.

Read first time and referred to the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs
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Bill Summary · H 450

Bill overview

H.450 (Session 2025-2026, Vermont) is titled An act relating to prohibiting the appointment of interested parties to a recount committee. The bill was read in the House for the first time and referred to the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs on February 28, 2025. Co-sponsors include Representatives Alice Emmons and Kristi Morris.

Purpose and intent

  • Establishes a prohibition on appointing individuals who have a material interest in the outcome of an election recount to serve on the recount committee.
  • Aims to safeguard the neutrality and integrity of recount proceedings by preventing potential conflicts of interest or the appearance of bias.

Key provisions and changes

  • Prohibition on appointments: The bill would bar appointing parties who have a direct or substantial interest in the results of the recount from serving on the recount committee.
  • Definition of “interested party”: Although the exact statutory wording is not provided here, the bill likely defines who qualifies as an “interested party” (e.g., candidates, campaign committees, supporters with a financial stake, or entities with a legal or financial interest in the recount outcome).
  • Scope of the prohibition: The restriction presumably applies to individuals appointed to the official recount committee for a given race or recount proceeding.
  • Compliance and procedures: The bill would set forth mechanisms to ensure that appointments are made from a pool of neutral or disinterested individuals, potentially including requirements for appointment procedures, screening, or recusals if a conflict arises during a recount.
  • Enforcement and consequences: The bill may include penalties or corrective actions if an appointment violates the prohibition, such as removal and replacement of an appointed member or other remedies to preserve the integrity of the process.

Affected parties and impact

  • Election officials and state/local election administrators: Must ensure appointment processes comply with the prohibition.
  • Candidates, campaigns, and political committees: Reduced risk of perceived or actual bias in recounts since involved parties cannot serve on the recount committee.
  • Members of recount committees: Subject to stricter eligibility criteria; may experience changes in eligibility determination and appointment workflows.
  • General public: Potentially greater confidence in the neutrality of recount procedures and outcomes.

Procedural and timeline considerations

  • Current status: Read first time and referred to the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs (as of 2025-02-28). No final passage date provided in the available information.
  • Next steps: Committee deliberations, potential amendments, and eventual floor votes in the House. If reported out favorably, bill would proceed to further readings and potential enactment.
  • Effective date: Not specified in the available details; typical enactment would occur upon passage and signing, with a possible effective date to align with upcoming elections or recount cycles.

Notes

  • Specific definitions (e.g., what constitutes an “interested party”) and precise application details (e.g., whether the prohibition covers only official recounts or also preliminary review stages) would be clarified in the bill’s text and any accompanying fiscal impact statements or committee notes.
  • The bill reflects a broader principle of maintaining impartial governance in election administration by minimizing conflicts of interest in recount processes.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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