By Paul Bean

As the Vermont State Legislature chugs right through its 2025-2026 biennial session, the Senate has a busy week ahead. 

The session is loosely scheduled to adjourn on May 9. However Gov. Phil Scott has said the session will not close without a revamp of education finance (and no, that is not an April fools joke). Lawmakers are now in the thick of addressing key legislative priorities. 

Sen. Terry Williams (R-Rutland) told me this morning by text that today is an “action packed morning on the floor and Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee.” Here’s a look at what’s on the Senate’s plate this week.

The Senate is expected to focus heavily on finalizing its stance on the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Adjustment Act (BAA), a contentious issue following Governor Phil Scott’s veto of an earlier version last week. The revised bill, H.489, aims to extend the state’s hotel/motel program for the homeless, which was originally set to transition on April 1. On Friday, Governor Scott issued an executive order extending the hotel/motel program for fewer clients – notably families with children and medically vulnerable individuals – through June 30.

Senate Democrats urged Governor Scott to extend this emergency housing support through June, while Senate Republicans, aligned with Gov. Scott, advocate for a shift to a congregate shelter system. Negotiations are ongoing on the budget and a vote could come as early as midweek, potentially setting the stage for further debate with the House.

The Senate is expected to vote this morning (after almost two weeks’ delay) on a soft’ repeal of the Clean Heat Standard. Two weeks ago, the Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee voted out S.65. Last week, discussion and voting on the bill was delayed while Sen. Vyhovsky was travelling to Europe on behalf of ‘international solidarity’ in support of Ukraine (her family is of Ukrainian descent). 

S.65 also would reorient Efficiency Vermont toward the goals toward reducing climate pollution whilst repealing the Clean Heat Standard. 

On the health care front, the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare will hold hearings on bills aimed at strengthening the Green Mountain Care Board’s oversight of hospital costs and governance. These discussions, scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, seek to address rising health care expenses and ensure financial transparency in Vermont’s struggling health care system.  

Health & Welfare discussions on bills will include:

•  H.13, Vermont bill H.13, a bill that aims to adjust Medicaid payment rates for home- and community-based service providers and designated and specialized service agencies, enhancing support for these critical health care services in the state. 
• H. 266 – An act relating to the 340B prescription drug pricing program, and 
• H. 96 – An act relating to increasing the monetary thresholds for certificates of need. 

Finally, the Senate plans to address S.71, a data privacy bill that passed unanimously last week after stripping a controversial provision allowing consumers to sue tech companies. This week, senators will consider feedback from stakeholders and prepare the bill for House review, emphasizing consumer protections like opting out of targeted advertising.

With the legislative clock ticking, this week’s activities underscore the Senate’s efforts to tackle housing, energy, health care, and privacy – all critical issues for Vermonters.