Vermont State Representative Lisa Hango announced on April 3 that the Statehouse has passed both the annual budget and the biennial capital budget, following a quieter week after the legislative crossover deadline.
The update matters to constituents as it highlights recent legislative developments affecting education, rural communities, and land use regulations in Vermont.
Hango said that the House Education Committee approved what is being called the “Education Transformation Bill” (H.955), but she questioned its effectiveness. “The biggest news not worth celebrating is that the House Education Committee passed out the ‘Education Transformation Bill’ (H.955) on Thursday that isn’t a transformation at all,” Hango said. She added concerns about voluntary implementation deadlines being too far in the future to help taxpayers now and noted there are many unknowns about how districts would enact changes.
Other legislative activity included testimony beginning in several Senate bills: S.232 concerning public libraries, S.298 regarding voting rights, S.255 establishing a pilot Law Enforcement Governance Council in Windham County, and S.206 related to early childhood educator licensure.
The Rural Caucus held a listening session where they heard from 45 Vermonters either in person or online, with nearly 30 others submitting written testimony. More information about this group can be found at https://www.vtruralcaucus.com/.
Hango also explained provisions of Act 181 of 2024, which will require an Act 250 permit for certain road construction projects starting July 1, 2026—specifically when road lengths exceed set thresholds—with exceptions for some types of roads such as municipal or farm roads. The Land Use Review Board is working on guidance for these new rules and is accepting public comment through April 30 via email.
