TOWN MEETING DAY MARCH 3TH 2026
2026 LEGISLATIVE REPORT
WILMINGTON//WHITINGHAM//HALIFAX
Rep. Emily Carris Duncan: Commerce + Economic Development Committee
INTRODUCTION
The 2026 session is moving along at a busy pace. We remain focused on Vermont’s affordability challenges, working to better identify our cost drivers. Healthcare and Housing are on the top of the list. Both of these issues have wide ranging impacts that touch many of our systems including education. Our need for housing is inhibiting our grandlist growth, the list of homes paying property tax in our community, a direct contributor to our education fund. Escalating healthcare costs due to cuts for healthcare subsidies in the Big Beautiful Bill means that healthcare is a persistent cost driver. Not only for education but for our government and businesses too. We are working to shift these costs as we look at the implementation of Act 73.
Taking this holistic approach allows us to tackle both our direct and indirect costs in education. We are starting to see results with a $230,000,000 reduction in system wide healthcare costs due to reference based drug pricing. This will go a long way in helping us rebalance Vermont’s education costs. It also has the added effect of easing the pressure on our small businesses whose work contributes greatly to our grandlist growth and overall stability as a state. Below are some highlights from this session
HIGHLIGHTS
The Healthcare Committee is working on the implementation of referenced-based pricing.
The committee is considering H.577 would launch a card, Array RX, that enables Vermonters to pay about 20% of the cost of generic prescription drugs and 80% of trade drugs through a multi-state nonprofit consortium. The State Treasurer estimates that the card should save Vermonters millions.
The system saw a $230,000,000 reduction in costs to the system, mostly due to a reduction in what hospitals can charge for drugs given in an out-patient setting. This was implemented in FY26 and was a great beginning that helped to keep the increase in education health insurance to single digits.
This Housing Committee requested that the State Treasurer’s 10% in Vermont fund invest additional dollars to build more housing, and that the BAA dedicate additional funds to thwart the downward spiral in Housing and Urban Development housing vouchers. The committee continues to work on 2025’s CHIP implementation and additional housing financing opportunities.
The Education Committee continues to hear testimony in the implementation of Act 73. They are considering new school district boundaries, and the use of cooperative shared service areas as a means of cost savings for districts that simply don’t have enough scale to offer key services. The goals of Act 73 remain clear: fewer districts, minimum class sizes, and a streamlined educational system that benefits our students and bends the cost curve to slow down the rise in property taxes we all pay. I continue to have concerns about the effect of larger districts for small rural communities. Issues like transportation, special education, resource equity, the cost of maintenance and construction as well as expanding Vermont’s Career Technical Education and access to hands-on learning opportunities for students remain key issues in my thinking around education transformation. The committee on Commerce and Economic Development is also reviewing an Agency of Education proposal on CTE restructuring, 26-0768. The committee and the Agency of Education agree in the goal to expand Vermont’s hands-on learning CTE offerings in response to student demand. Our task is to develop a unified governance system that allows students to seamlessly engage in academic studies as well as in school cultural and academic experiences. I’m looking forward to seeing how we can creatively resolve these issues.
The Committee on Commerce and Economic Development continuing our work on consumer protection with
H.211 an update to Act 171 of 2018, the nation's first data-broker law. This bill limits data brokers’ ability to sell Vermonters’ data by updating enforcement and penalties that can be levied on brokers. It also calls for a study to create an opt-out and deletion mechanism for consumers, similar to the California Delete Act.
H.512 enhances consumer protection in the event-ticket reselling market by preventing predatory and deceptive practices, requiring ticket resellers to clearly identify themselves, capping the mark-up of resold tickets to 10% above the original ticket price (incl. taxes and fees), and prohibiting the sale of speculative tickets
The Rural Caucus is looking at the implementation of Act 181. The caucus introduced H 730 which proposes slowing down the timeline for enacting parts of Act 181 including the Road Rule and automatic Act 250 jurisdiction triggers, which will take effect before regional maps are finalized and approved. We want to ensure that rural communities are at the table and continue to have a say as these important changes take shape.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
The Federal government continues to be an unpredictable partner. The state received a $195 million Federal Rural Health Transformation Funding Grant. This will help us reestablish our primary care system and expand services to underserved parts of the state. But this does not balance out the cuts to the ACA, Medicare, and Medicaid that we are experiencing.
We are still reeling from the actions of ICE in our communities in Vermont and around the nation. Tourism from our Canadian neighbors was down 30% in 2025. We are working with our Canadian partners to ensure a strong crossboarder relationship in spite of Federal actions. But unconstitutional foreign interventions like what we’re seeing in Iran threaten our stability here in America and around the world. The crisis of war has become a convenient political tool. Because of America’s experience of growth after World War II it has become a truism that war will lead to innovation, growth, and wealth. But what of the cost? The cost on our lives, the cost of our health, the cost on our morels, the cost on our morale, the cost on our hearts. We deserve better than this. I believe wholeheartedly that we can become the best of what we’re meant to be without harming the lives of others.
In spite of these headwinds, here in Vermont, we still have work to do. We have young people who need an education, people who need homes, healthcare, and jobs. We need our small businesses to flourish while preserving our beautiful landscape and natural resources.. We need to do this thoughtfully and affordably. We are focused on ensuring that we get this right. I remain humbled and grateful to serve you.
Yours in Service,
COMMITTEE WORK
Vermont House Legislative Committees are where the hands-on work of lawmaking happens. When a bill is introduced, it’s sent to a committee to dig into the details. Committee members listen to testimony from experts, community members, advocates, and state agencies and departments to better understand the issue from all sides. Committee members ask questions, look at data, and talk through how a proposal might work in real life. Constituents may weigh in by emailing or calling their representatives to express their position on a particular subject. From there, the committee works to shape practical, balanced legislation— whether by creating a new law or improving an existing one—before moving it forward to the full legislative body for consideration.
EDUCATION
The House Education Committee has listened to critical testimony from Vermont Superintendents, Vermont Principals, and many other education stakeholders as the committee works to move forward on Act 73. And as they move forward, they are also considering the important work of the Commission on the Future of Public Education, and the hours of public input given to the Redistricting Task Force.
In addition to considering new school district boundaries, the committee is also considering the use of cooperative shared service areas as a means of cost savings for districts that simply don’t have enough scale to offer key services.
Several factors up for debate include whether the new district map will include a combination of Supervisory Unions and School Districts, or be all one or the other. Each model has its own merits and drawbacks, which the committee continues to debate. However, the goals of Act 73 are clear: fewer districts, minimum class sizes, and a streamlined educational system that benefits our students and bends the cost curve to slow down the rise in property taxes we all pay. Vermont has seen a significant decline in enrollment in grades K-12 over the last several decades while spending continues to rise. The committee’s challenge, therefore, is significant.
COMMERCE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
H.211 (an update to Act 171 of 2018, the nation's first data-broker law) limits data brokers’ ability to sell Vermonters’ data by updating enforcement and penalties that can be levied on brokers. It also calls for a study to create an opt-out and deletion mechanism for consumers, similar to the California Delete Act.
H.385 prohibits coerced debt, and provides protections and remedies for its victims. Coerced debt is incurred due to deception, fraud, or manipulation by the debtor.
H.512 enhances consumer protection in the event-ticket reselling market by preventing predatory and deceptive practices, requiring ticket resellers to clearly identify themselves, capping the mark-up of resold tickets to 10% above the original ticket price (incl. taxes and fees), and prohibiting the sale of speculative tickets.
H.205 restricts the use of non-compete agreements at the end of employment, except in certain situations where high-level employees have access to a company’s proprietary information. This bill also balances the rights of employers and employees by defining and limiting exemptions for stay-or-pay provisions in employment contracts, which could include repayment for education, sign-on bonuses, or relocation expenses.
H .674 establishes a Sister State Program for Vermont, run by the Agency of Commerce and Community Development, which will enhance trade, educational opportunities and cultural exchange with chosen nations and sub-nations.
The committee is also reviewing an Agency of Education proposal on CTE restructuring, 26-0768.
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GENERAL & HOUSING
This committee requested that the State Treasurer’s 10% in Vermont fund invest additional dollars to build more housing, and that the BAA dedicate additional funds to thwart the downward spiral in Housing and Urban Development housing vouchers. We are also at work on two bills addressing manufactured housing, housing affordability, and landlord-tenant relationships.
H.757, an act specifically relating to manufactured-home housing and limited equity cooperatives, proposes to address inconsistencies and misconceptions regarding manufactured homes (formerly known as “mobile homes”) and resident-owned manufactured home cooperatives. The bill recognizes these homes as permanent structures affixed to the land, rather than movable personal property, allowing financial institutions to treat these homes as real property, thus reducing perceived lending risk and improving access to financing. The bill further ensures fair siting standards by allowing manufactured homes to be placed anywhere a residential home is permitted, reinforcing their status as legitimate forms of housing within residential zones. The bill improves affordability and financing by eliminating the sales tax at the time of purchase, and establishes a consistent process for issuing a Quitclaim Deed, enabling the home to be treated as real estate. These changes make manufactured homes more attractive to lenders, lower borrowing costs for buyers, and allow for more reasonable interest rates and loan terms.
H.772 works to equitably balance landlord and tenant rights relating to residential agreements and eviction procedures, and creates a pilot program for positive rental-payment credit reporting. This bill makes substantive amendments to residential rental agreements by creating an ejectment process for good-cause evictions; shortening the eviction process when it is the only course of action; making certain ejectment records confidential; enacting a pilot program for positive rental-payment credit reporting through the Office of the State Treasurer; and authorizing technical assistance for landlord-tenant conflicts through the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity.
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HEALTHCARE
The Health Care Committee continues its work to find ways to reduce the cost of health care in Vermont while maximizing access to quality health care. The system saw a $230,000,000 ****reduction in costs to the system, mostly due to a reduction in what hospitals can charge for drugs given in an out-patient setting. This was implemented in FY26 and was a great beginning that helped to keep the increase in education health insurance to single digits.
Several bills have passed out of committee unanimously:
H.577 would launch a card, Array RX, that enables Vermonters to pay about 20% of the cost of generic prescription drugs and 80% of trade drugs through a multi-state nonprofit consortium. The State Treasurer estimates that the card should save Vermonters millions. It is available to those with and without health insurance, and would count towards the deductible on health insurance plans. This bill would go into effect in July
H.270 is a bill that provides for confidential peer support for first responders. This was requested by the first responder community to make sure that a trained peer support specialist was available for consultation, and that it be confidential. This was described as an essential way to avoid PTSD and risk of suicide.
H.34 created a change in existing statute by adding language that allows telehealth appointments to be recorded if both the patient and the doctor/clinician agree. The committee heard testimony that this would enhance the telehealth session for both patient and provider.
H.558 changes the receipt of Federal reimbursement for school-based services under Medicaid from being administered by both the Agency of Education and the Agency for Human Services (AHS). Because AHS has the expertise to maximize benefits to Vermont students and schools, this bill makes AHS the sole administer of these services.
We heard testimony on the $195 million Federal Rural Health Transformation Funding grant. The Committee has a strong focus on enhancing access to primary care for Vermonters. There are strict limits on what the funds can be used for, and the allowable use is being implemented by the Agency of Human Services. We plan to take testimony on the subject of universal access to primary health care, and to make a robust inquiry regarding best approaches to accessible, affordable access to primary health care.
The committee continues taking testimony on cost drivers and potential cost savings in health care, including the implementation of referenced-based pricing. We are working to save money for Vermont seniors who are on Medicare and who utilize out-patient services related to critical access hospitals. There is active collaboration among Blue Cross and Blue Shield, the Department of Financial Regulation, The Green Mountain Care Board, the Vermont Hospitals (including UVM), and the Health Care Advocate towards reducing the cost of health care and lowering insurance premiums for Vermonters.
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TRANSPORTATION
As the House Committee on Transportation reviews the annual Transportation Bill, it remains focused on the declining revenue coming into the Agency of Transportation (AOT) due to slowing gas-tax revenues and soft purchase-and-use fees. As Vermont continues its commitment to decreasing greenhouse gas emissions through electric vehicle (EV) adoption, gas-tax revenues decline. Electric vehicles pay an additional registration fee (currently funding installation of EV charging stations), but the mileage-based user fee (proposed to charge EVs a fee commensurate with the gas tax) is still in development. Federal and state EV purchase incentives, which boosted car sales, were halted last year. The situation is further compounded by a 60% increase in construction costs since 2020, directly impacting the cost of road maintenance. At current transportation funding levels, the Agency projects that roughly 60 percent of state roads will be in poor condition by 2030.
The committee and the Governor are in agreement that the AOT’s annual contribution to the Education Fund through purchase-and-use fees (approx. $50 million in FY26) must begin to be eliminated in order to stabilize AOT resources. Beginning with FY 2027, AOT plans to begin reclaiming the 1/3 of purchase-and use-fees that have been going to the Education Fund. Additionally, AOT plans to cut over $30 million from its FY27 budget, including a reduction in labor of over 50 positions.
Amidst challenging finances, AOT plans to increase the miles of state highway maintenance projects in 2027 by maximizing available federal funds (to make up for a below-average paving year in 2026). Legislative action last session ensured that funds for town roads and structures increase— at a minimum—at the rate of inflation. However, these funds are insufficient to meet the needs of municipalities, and are already committed through 2035, meaning no new projects can be added to the list. And while AOT funds for local projects like sidewalks and bike lanes have brought great economic and social benefits to towns, funds for these projects remain severely limited. The committee continues to explore ways to shore up revenue and reduce costs while continuing to meet the state’s climate and resiliency goals.
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APPROPRIATIONS
The Appropriations Committee recently finished its work on the annual mid-year Budget Adjustment Act (BAA), which passed from committee with a unanimous, bipartisan vote. In the BAA, the current year’s budget is updated to better reflect updated income and expenditures. The BAA also allows the legislature to respond to emergent needs that arise between the passage of the current fiscal year and next year’s budgets. The most significant adjustment this year is the use of $5 million of state funds to protect the state’s reserve of Section 8 vouchers from further erosion, given anticipated program underfunding The state dollars are coming from funds set aside in the 2026 budget for the purpose of responding to disruptions to Federal funding. These funds will ensure that Vermonters remain in and have access to affordable housing.
As the House Appropriations Committee works toward drafting the FY27 state budget, the committee has been reviewing the Governor’s recommended budget, and budget requests from state agencies and departments, legislative policy committees, and Vermonters. There are many aspects of the state budget that are standard annual expenses: we must pay for our state employees and their benefits, maintain state buildings and offices, and keep our agencies and departments running. A much smaller portion of the budget goes to one-time, discretionary expenditures, which can include funding new initiatives, such as updating state computer systems or supporting programs.
Vermont faces a number of challenges this fiscal year. The state has seen reductions to some federal funds, and uncertainty remains for many aspects of the federal budget. There are many cost pressures on the budget, including rising healthcare costs for state employees. Also, a recent downgrade to the state’s economic forecast shows the state’s revenues are growing slower than costs are increasing.
In light of these pressures, the legislature is focused on funding top priorities. Basic needs, such as food, housing, and healthcare are top-of-mind for many in our state. There are also long-term investments to be considered, such as road paving, bridge projects, and support for school reconstruction. Amidst these challenges, the Appropriations Committee is working to craft a fiscally-responsible, balanced budget that will best serve the needs of Vermonters.
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AGRICULTURE, FOOD RESILIENCY, & AGRICULTURE
While the U.S. often lags behind other countries in regulating pesticides and chemicals, Vermont has been a leader in protecting our environment and food supply. The House is considering several bills designed to strengthen these protections:
To help newborn babies have a healthy start, it is critical to protect them from lead and other toxic chemicals. H.536 requires regular testing of baby food for heavy metals to ensure they do not exceed FDA limits, and sets up a process to make the testing results available to consumers. Several states have already enacted similar bipartisan legislation, though Vermont would lead the way by including infant formula.
H. 739 would prohibit the use of paraquat, a highly toxic herbicide that has been linked to Parkinson’s Disease. Paraquat is banned in much of the world, including the E.U. and China, but is widely used in the U.S. (including Vermont) to suppress weed growth in orchards and other crops. The legislature will consider a wide variety of expert testimony on the risks to human health and the impact a ban would have on Vermont agriculture as it determines how to proceed.
Agriculture has traditionally been the backbone of Vermont’s economy and culture, and farmers have historically been able to grow crops and raise livestock without being subject to the same local regulations that other businesses might need to comply with. The House is working on legislation, H.537, that would clarify when municipal governments can apply bylaws and ordinances to farmers who make their living off the land, as well as to everyday Vermonters who just want to be able to garden or raise small amounts of food.
ENVIRONMENT
The House Committee on Environment heard testimony on potential impacts of federal administration actions; the modernization of Act 250; producer responsibility for products including tires, hazardous waste, and bottles; and wildlands conservation.
Vermont has over 1,000 dams across the state, some of which are regulated by the state and some regulated by the federal government. High-hazard dams are those that pose risk to human lives if they were to fail; this classification does not take into account the current condition of the dam, and does not mean that they are at high risk of failure. We have 77 high-hazard, state-regulated dams in Vermont. The committee passed H.778, an act relating to dam safety, that would ensure Vermont’s Division of Emergency Management provides needed support to municipalities downstream of high-hazard dams to develop emergency operations plans so that emergency responders and municipal and state officials have a coordinated communication, evacuation and response plan in the highly unlikely but very dangerous scenario of a dam failure or emergency release from a dam.
There is a renewed effort to pass a bill to modernize Vermont’s bottle redemption system, which would create a producer responsibility organization (PRO) —a common tool for ensuring producer responsibility for the life cycle of certain products. This PRO would ensure more convenient and efficient bottle redemption options for Vermonters, including a minimum of three bottle redemption centers per county and one per municipality (over 7,000 people); modernize the equipment utilized for redemption collection and sorting; and reduce manual sorting at redemption centers. A portion of the escheats (unclaimed bottle deposits) would be utilized to fund the needed investments in equipment and technology. This bill does not expand the kinds of bottles that would be redeemable, nor does it increase the five cent deposit.
The Environment committee is considering changes to land posting laws after guidance issued by the Department of Fish & Wildlife this past fall would have required land posting on January 1st each year. This guidance was promptly rescinded, but legislative action has been requested to clarify that land can be posted at more reasonable times of year, and to address onerous issues that hinder some landowners from effectively posting their land. Currently, for land to be closed to hunting and fishing, or to allow hunting and fishing by permission only, a landowner must post signs— dated annually— every 400 feet along all property lines, and at each corner and entry point. If any sign is damaged, missing, or incorrectly dated, it may be considered to not meet the law, and thus not be off-limits. In addition, the land posting must be registered with the town clerk, annually, for a $5 fee. This can be difficult for landowners who have mobility or health limitations, as not only do the signs need to be posted or dated annually, but also monitored regularly to ensure effectiveness. H.723 addresses these challenges and reduces conflicts between landowners and hunters by eliminating dates on postings, allowing purple paint to be used in addition to signs, continuing to require annual registration with the town clerk, and recognizing posted land despite minor imperfections such as an occasional missing or damaged sign.
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ENERGY & DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE
Vermont’s investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy over the past decades has helped to reduce climate pollution and reliably keep our electric rates among the lowest in New England. But cost pressures from federal policy rollbacks, multi-state transmission upgrades, and growing power needs for artificial intelligence threaten affordability and climate progress. Heating and transportation still depend primarily on fossil fuels, which consume three-quarters of Vermont’s energy spending, fluctuate wildly in price, and destabilize our climate and economy. An excellent overview of Vermont’s energy picture is Energy Action Network's annual report. The key takeaway: household by household, when we invest in energy efficiency, from weatherizing homes to driving electric vehicles, we help Vermonters achieve measurable and durable savings over time.
The House passed H.527, a bill to extend a streamlined process for sighting telecom facilities, primarily cell phone and radio towers. Especially in rural areas, poor cell coverage presents a safety issue for residents and travelers, an economic issue for communities, and an equity issue for folks who rely on cellphone connectivity to access services. Determining the best locations for towers is a complex process that’s too difficult for towns and community members to engage in. This bill, now in the Senate, requires the Public Utilities Commission to recommend ways to make it easier for towns and the public to meaningfully participate in local siting decisions.
The House passed H.710, now in the Senate, which updates the rules on expansions at existing electric-generation facilities. By requiring separate infrastructure — like access roads and utility poles — Vermont law currently makes it hard to build solar arrays next to one another. This bill makes it easier to build new renewables on already-developed sites. It’s a “solar smart-growth” approach that lowers the cost of renewable power, eliminates the need for more roads and poles, and promotes better land-use decisions.
As the race to power artificial intelligence heats up around the country, House legislators are working to ensure that any proposed data centers in Vermont are built responsibly, given their enormous power and water needs. Although there are no large data centers proposed in Vermont yet. H.727 strengthens regulation of large-load facilities by considering the environmental and cost impacts
H.727 strengthens regulation of large-load facilities by considering the environmental and cost impacts.
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HUMAN SERVICES
The Vermont House of Representatives passed H.545, a bill that authorizes the Vermont Department of Health to recommend immunization schedules that may vary from those reported by the current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Vermont Commissioner of Health will receive recommendations from the Vermont Immunization Advisory Council.
Immunizations are a personal and family matter, and this bill does nothing to alter that. It doesn’t require anyone to be vaccinated—or not vaccinated. It does allow the state of Vermont to create those schedules on its own, rather than relying solely on the federal government. Additionally, with this legislation, Vermonters will continue to have access to immunizations on the recommended schedule at no cost.
The committee continues to monitor and respond carefully to changes in federal policy, always keeping in mind the health and safety of Vermonters.
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GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & MILITARY AFFAIRS
H.67 represents a collaborative effort between the legislature, the administration, and the state auditor’s office to create a panel of legislators to work in conjunction with committee chairs to regularly review legislation on the progress and effectiveness of laws passed. The evaluation tools and scope of oversight will be determined by the members of the committee, and will be set up as a two-year pilot. This is an important step to check that legislative intent and funding is being followed and implemented as originally intended.
A bill regarding Emergency Management and Disaster Relief strengthens Vermont’s disaster relief and emergency management by creating a microgrant fund for fire departments, urban search and rescue, and emergency medical services to provide ongoing training and specialty equipment. This fund will be especially important this year as Vermont manages the aftermath of the floods in the Northeast Kingdom, which were recently denied FEMA assistance. Vermont experts from the Communications working group, Enhanced 9-1-1, fire wardens, the Vermont Department of Public Safety, Vermont’s Chief Recovery Officer, and municipalities are all contributing to the development of this legislation.
As a committee of jurisdiction, Government Operations and Military Affairs helped guide the Adjutant General election process and will continue to support the Guard through this transition. In addition, the committee is working to support members and their families through several potential pieces of legislation, including bills allowing any service member with a disabled veteran plate to park in a metered spot without charge; defining what it means to be a Gold Star family in statute to ensure access to vital benefits, maximizing access to moneys and programs for all veterans; and improving access to open state government positions for spouses of service members.
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WAYS & MEANS
The Ways and Means committee is focused on reckoning with the Trump Administration’s giveaways to corporations and the wealthiest few, continuing work on property-tax reform and fair education spending, and ensuring we have the best revenue structure to support our policy work with the goal of increasing accountability and affordability for taxpayers.
Tax Credits and Free Filing Assistance
Last year, lawmakers expanded Vermont's Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit. If you work a low-wage job and don't have children, you may be able to get up to $400 more a year in refundable credits as cash back when you file your taxes. If you have a child under seven, you may be able to get up to $1,000 back per child.
You might also be eligible for a credit on your property taxes when you file your homestead declaration.
Remember, you likely don't need to pay to file, Vermont has volunteer tax preparers all over the state, ready to help you. Go to TaxCreditsVT.org for more information about Vermont's anti-poverty tax credits and how to file for them.
The Committee on Ways and Means is still working to set the annual “yield” (education property tax) bill while we await school budget votes to understand the full sum we need to raise. These are unstable times, and property taxes will likely stay challenging while we are still implementing/debating education transformation. Know that we are committed to doing everything we can to stabilize and lower Vermonters’ property tax bills this year while maintaining essential public services and quality, public-education opportunities for our kids.
As part of our work to make Vermont’s property tax system fairer, we continue work started last year on the creation of regional assessment districts (RAD) and the design of a tax on second homes. RADs will allow towns in a region to work together to ensure that we have a consistent appraisal cycle. This ensures that property taxes are spread fairly across the state and that there are fewer swings in individual taxpayers’ bills from year to year. A different (and higher) property tax rate on second homes will support our public schools while reducing property taxes on homesteads, businesses, apartments, and seasonal camps.
The Reconciliation Act (H.R.1), passed by the federal government last summer, made many changes to corporate and personal income tax laws. By tradition, Vermont links up many definitions of personal and corporate taxable income to the federal definitions each year. If we choose to do that this year, many of the changes made in the Reconciliation Act would have an impact on Vermont’s state tax revenue. We are making careful decisions about where Vermont might be better off decoupling from Trump administration policies so we have enough revenue to continue to provide the services Vermonters expect.
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JUDICIARY
The House passedH.541, an act relating to interference with voters and election officials, which was drafted in coordination with the Vermont Secretary of State to protect the integrity of our elections and the safety of election workers and volunteers. The bill creates a new criminal statute aimed at targeting those who would interfere with voters, election officials, or the electoral process in Vermont. In these uncertain times, we must take proactive steps to protect our institutions of democracy.
The House Judiciary committee passed H.578, a bill relating to penalties and procedures for animal cruelty offenses. The law and infrastructure related to animal cruelty and the seizure of animals who have been abused is antiquated and under-supported in Vermont. This bill aims to update the criminal statute to expand the scope of what is considered animal cruelty and develop criminal penalties that better address the harms being done to animals in our state. The bill also reworks the civil animal forfeiture laws to expedite and streamline the process to better protect at-risk animals and alleviate some of the financial burden taken on by shelters and volunteers who step in to help the state protect abused animals.
H.566 is a bill that relates to a larger effort to shift from expunging to sealing eligible criminal records in Vermont. Last year, the legislature passed expansive legislation that updated the sealing and expungement laws, and moved most eligible criminal convictions to be sealable, not expungeable. H.566 targets a subset of criminal records that went to diversion post-charge, i.e. moved out of the formal court process to a restorative alternative some point after arraignment. It is still important that the records of those cases going to diversion are not destroyed in the expungement process—H.566 ensures those records are sealable and not lost.
In current practice, the public's ability to access publicly available criminal-case records is limited to either going to the court house where the records are stored and copying the records, or emailing a court clerk to have a specific record emailed to them. This process is even required of the news media. It’s an antiquated system that impacts the ability of the public and the media to understand what is happening in our criminal justice system. H.572 will provide a way for the Vermont public to access criminal case records online. This change will help with transparency in our court processes and help to address misconceptions in the criminal justice system by allowing individuals to more readily access the facts of any given criminal proceeding. This bill is anticipated to pass later in the session.
A recent Vermont Supreme Court case involving two young Vermont women who were filmed in a changing room without their consent illustrated gaps in Vermont's voyeurism statute. H.626 updates our voyeurism laws to better reflect the realities of how image-based abuse plays out in the digital era. The bill also creates a criminal statute prohibiting sexual extortion (sextortion), a form of image-based abuse often committed through social media and disproportionately affecting young Vermonters. Both provisions provide increased accountability and a clearer pathway for victims to seek justice.
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