MONTPELIER — Rep. Amy Sheldon, D-Middlebury, began the 2018 legislative session last week with a new committee assignment. Democrat House leaders transferred her from the Agriculture & Forestry Committee to the Commerce & Economic Development Committee.
Sheldon, beginning her fourth year in the House, said party officials believe she can help House Commerce make progress on a key issue this session: How independent contractors could be better defined as part of the state’s workforce.
Sheldon runs her own home-based business called Landslide Natural Resource Planning. As such, she often serves as an independent contractor for the town of Middlebury, the Addison County Regional Planning Commission, and other entities needing help with natural resources planning.
The House Commerce & Economic Development Committee last year began crafting a bill to clarify the roles of independent contractors, as opposed to those more accurately classified as working for distinct companies. Settling such employment ambiguities will help the state better determine companies’ and individuals’ respective workers’ compensation, health care, unemployment insurance and tax liabilities.
Sheldon said she is fine with the transfer. She served her first term on the House Fish, Wildlife and Water Resources Committee before her switch to Agriculture & Forestry to begin the 2017 session.
Addison County will maintain a strong presence on the House Agriculture & Forestry Committee. Rep. Harvey Smith, R-New Haven, and Rep. Terry Norris, I-Shoreham, continue to serve on that panel.
Reporter John Flowers is at [email protected].