This is that time of the session when the major money bills have passed the House and are now in the Senate for further review or amendments before heading back to the House for reconsideration. The next few weeks will tell the story of what was or wasn’t accomplished this year.
These “money bills” — including the annual transportation plan, the biannual capitol construction plan and, of course, the state budget — are now under consideration in various Senate committees. The same is true of the education reform initiative and the annual yield bill, which sets the statewide property tax rate.
A potential sign that some of the session work is being wrapped up was the advancement of the annual transportation construction bill, which came out of committee on Friday. Additionally, it is expected that the FY26 budget bill, H.493, may be voted out of Senate Appropriations Committee later this week. That alone would signal we are in the final weeks of the session.
The caveat this year is the education reform efforts which have been given an exception to the normal legislative deadlines. The governor and legislative leaders agree that Vermont must begin the process of right sizing the state’s K-12 system. The pace of those changes and exactly what they look like, still needs to be agreed upon. Early indications are that the eventual Senate plan will garner more bipartisan support than the one crafted in the House.
Other issues of interest:
At a public event last week, Governor Scott signed into law H.154, which designates November as the Vermont Month of the Veteran.
The House gave final approval to S.27, which leverages $1 million of state funds to erase up to $100 million of medical debt for low- and middle-income Vermonters. It also removes medical debt from credit scores in the future, consistent with actions taken by several other states.
Legislation, S.44, to tighten restrictions when state agencies or law enforcement can enter agreements, has passed the Senate and now under review by the House Judiciary Committee.
The House gave final approval to a Senate bill, S.28, which expands the Vermont’s Shield Law, which is designed to protect Vermont medical providers when prescribing medicines and procedures for out-of-state patients. It also expands access for abortion prescriptions to telehealth options.
The House Energy & Digital Infrastructure Committee is continuing testimony on a Senate passed bill, S.50, to increase the size of solar net metering projects that qualify for expedited registration.
The Senate Government Operations Committee approved a proposed charter change for Burlington that would ban firearms in city bars on a 3-2 vote. Historically, the Legislature has been hesitant to allow different gun laws in each community.
While there is probably a month left in the 2025 session, there has been limited action on the governor’s proposed tax breaks by either the House or Senate. The proposal includes an exemption from Vermont income taxes for veteran pension benefits, similar to what most states currently offer.
In unrelated news, I concluded this basketball season’s State House March Madness competition as the self-appointed commissioner with a recent awards ceremony. The annual games lead to some good-natured ribbing and boasting along the way and help to connect us all as individuals, not just members of a political party. Everyone is fair game with my updates to participants, whether you are the House speaker, the attorney general or a member of the governor’s administration. This year’s supported charities included Jenna’s Promise and Prevent Child Abuse Vermont. And seeing that my finish was closer to the bottom than the top, let’s just say it wasn’t my year.
Jim Harrison is the state representative for Chittenden, Killington, Mendon, and Pittsfield. He can be reached at [email protected].
