Legislative Update No.2

In the State House we continue to work on the FY 27 budget. We have many needs as a state with a cashflow that doesn’t quite meet our needs. This is inviting us to ask deep questions to understand how our investments are doing. What programs and initiatives are working, what is adding to our state resources and what needs to be reconfigured. There are tough decisions but my hope is that our limitations becomes the strength that allow us to work together to grow this beautiful state. I will be holding a Community Zoom on February 23rd at 5pm. You can register here. https://www.ecarrisduncan.com/events/community-zoom-1 Looking forward to seeing you.

Committee on Education

Chair Conlon shared his “conversation-starter” new district map with the committee last week https://legislature.vermont.gov/committee/document/2026/10/Witness/Peter Conlon#documents-section. This week superintendents candidly spoke to us about their response. They noted that change is necessary. While they were generally positive, praising the “…attention to scale and a clearer focus on creating school district structures that are operationally effective and efficient in the context of Vermont,” there were concerns. For one, that this implementation would take a very concerted effort, and significant buy-in from all stakeholders. The actual timeline for change this monumental and cannot happen overnight.

Most superintendents agree that operationally it is better to have school districts, however there were some positive things to say about supervisory unions. Specifically, they urged “…the Legislature to explore alternatives to the supervisory union structure that respect the role of the historic academies within the broader education delivery system.” Additionally, the committee was briefed about the foundation formula by the JFO and how modeling for that could go forward once new districts were approved.

I am please that the committee is continuing to work on finding ways stabilize our taxes while laying the groundwork to provide comprehensive education throughout our system. I still have concerns regarding transportation, construction + maintenance costs, and healthcare costs that are driving our present situation. I look forward to seeing how the committee resolves these concerns.

Committee on Commerce and Economic Development also heard from the Agency of Education about CTE. They have presented us with a proposal regarding CTE governance and the distribution of CTE services. They expressed a desire to see hands on, experiential learning practiced throughout the education system. We still have work to do determine how to accomplish this equitably. We are continuing to hear testimony on CTE

The committee is continuing to take testimony to set priorities for the FY 27 budget. We’re hearing from state agencies and non profits like whose programs are needed for the stability we’re working toward as a state.

We are focused on consumer protection in two areas: educational technology products and franchisor/franchisee agreements. The committee is working to develop a framework that would register and vet educational technology products to ensure that they are safe for student learning, and that they do not collect, store, or track sensitive student data. The committee is also focused on regulating franchisor/franchisee agreements to ensure that these agreements are not predatory. The committee continues to take testimony on these subjects.

Energy and Digital Infrastructure

We passed Bill H. 898 https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/H-0898/H-0898 As Introduced.pdf out of the house. The bill from is proposes to establish consumer protections related to a legacy telephone company’s transition from a copper-based network to a fiber-based network and, in addition, to establish reporting requirements designed to inform State policy to ensure all telephone customers have continuous and reliable access to emergency services.

The committee is also gathering testimony on H.727 https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/H-0727/H-0727 As Introduced.pdf, regulating development of data centers in Vermont, whose electric loads and water needs are enormous and H.753 https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/H-0753/H-0753 As Introduced.pdf, strengthening protections from electric disconnections during periods of high heat or while under medical care, and requiring the PUC to develop metrics to drive down instances of disconnection.

Federal Updates

We are pushing forward with our priorities to help Vermonters. We are working on education, transportation, healthcare, and economic growth to stabilize our economy which is critical as we get ever-more-concerning news about the federal government. We are are waiting on two bills S208 and S209 that passed the Senate Judiciary on a vote of 5-0.

S208 https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/S-0208/S-0208 As Passed by the Senate Unofficial.pdf ****is an act relating to standards for law enforcement identification, which is also sometimes referred to as the No Secret Police Act, is a bill that sets parameters for law enforcement and the way they should identify themselves. Specifically, this bill would require that all local, state, and federal law enforcement officers clearly identify themselves by name or badge number. It also prohibits masks or personal disguises, with exemptions for certain hazardous situations and deployments.

S209 https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/S-0209/S-0209 As Passed by the Senate Unofficial.pdf is an act relating to prohibiting civil arrest in sensitive locations. Laws already prevent civil arrest at certain sensitive locations. S209 adds state, county, or municipal government buildings, schools, shelters, and health care facilities to the list

We will continue to work within our authority to continue protecting Vermonters

Yours in Service,

Rep Carris Duncan