Issue Updates from the State House

Week of March 23, 2026

A weekly snapshot of key legislative activity impacting Vermont’s business community.

Property Taxes: The House advanced H.949 on a vote of 78-61-9, a bill that would use half of the state’s $104.9 one-time funds to uniformly buy down rate increases to an average property tax increase of 7 percent. The bill would also preemptively allocate the other half of the one-time money for the education fund for buy downs in future years. This falls short of the Governor’s proposal to use the full one-time funds this year, and legislators have yet to create the structural change needed to reign in education spending.
Education Spending: The Senate advanced S.220, a bill that would redefine excess education spending and lower the excess education threshold from 118% to 112%, an approach intended to slow education cost growth and reduce the number of districts triggering the excess spending penalty. The bill now moves to the House Ways and Means Committee.
Act 250: After lengthy and highly contentious floor debate, the Senate advanced S.325, a bill that would make amendments to 2024’s Act 181 including moving interim exemptions to 2030, delaying the road rule until 2030, and delaying the implementation of tier 3 until July 208 and given the land use review additional guidance to change the current trajectory of the underlying bills implementation. The bill now moves to the House.
Housing Availability: The Senate advanced S.328, a bill that would expand the authority of the Vermont Economic Development Association to finance certain housing projects and study legal measures needed to require common interest communities to allow long term rentals, operation of family child care homes, and the building of accessory dwelling units on a homeowner’s property. The bill now moves to the House.
Economic Development: The Senate advanced S.327, a bill that establishes two new task forces to pursue a new culinary institute and improve Vermont-New York economic relations, and that would repeal the VEGI sunset. The Vermont Chamber is named in both task forces remaining, and the bill now moves to the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee.
Primary Care: The Senate advanced S.197, a bill aimed at increasing the use of primary care to reduce strain on hospital systems. This step toward long-term healthcare cost containment now moves to the House Health Care Committee.
Vocational Rehabilitation: The House Commerce and Economic Development Committee continued review of S.173, a bill proposing modifications to Vermont’s vocations rehabilitation program and hearing testimony on the need for independent pre-screening processes. Continuing these processes, enacting more cost-effective and coordinated rehabilitation plans, and improving outcome tracking to ensure meaningful program improvements remains vital.
Data Brokers: The House advanced H.211 a bill that attempts to tighten oversight of data brokers through new registration, reporting, and consumer protection requirements, but in doing so introduces a complex and expanding regulatory framework that has caused serious concern from industry leaders. The bill now moves to the Senate.
International Trade: The House Commerce and Economic Development and Senate Economic Development, Housing, and General Affairs Committees welcomed representatives from Japan and Taiwan, reinforcing Vermont’s international economic partnerships. Strengthening global relationships remains key to building a diverse, resilient, and competitive state economy.
Cannabis: The Senate advanced S.278, a bill that would establish cannabis event permits modeled after alcohol event permits, allow retailers to sell higher quantities, and repeal integrated license provisions. A floor amendment offered by the Senate Economic Development, Housing, and General Affairs committee added a provision allowing for future joining of interstate commercial cannabis compacts, providing an additional venue of sale for Vermont Cannabis retailers. The bill now moves to the House.
Building Energy Code: The House advanced H.718, a bill that would create structural updates to Vermont’s residential building standards framework for residences with fewer than three dwelling units. The bill now moves to the Senate.
Event Ticketing: The Senate Economic Development, Housing, and General Affairs Committee continued work on H.512, legislation aimed at curbing excessive resale of event tickets and strengthening consumer protections for venues using online ticketing platforms. The committee raised concerns about how price caps could impact safety and transparency in the resale market and will continue refining the bill to ensure it achieves its intended outcomes.
Sister State: The Senate Economic Development, Housing, and General Affairs Committee reviewed H.674, a bill passed by that House that creates a process for establishing additional Vermont Sister States in order to strengthen Vermont’s international engagement. In its review, the committee focused on standardizing international relationships and dug into the bill’s stringent rules around spending.