By Guy Page

The committees of the Vermont Legislature this week will tackle issues ranging from agriculture to education to substance abuse. 

Click here for all committee meeting agendas. Search bill numbers here. 

The House Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry is slated to discuss S. 60, a bill that would establish a Farm Security Special Fund to provide grants for farm losses due to weather conditions. The committee will also be considering H. 326, which relates to the regulation of rodenticides.

A major focus remains on education, with H. 454, an act concerning Vermont’s education governance, quality, and finance systems, being a central point of discussion. This bill is moving through multiple committees, including House Appropriations, Education, and Ways and Means.

In the realm of commerce and technology, the House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development is examining S. 69, a bill concerning an age-appropriate design code for online services. Discussions involve various stakeholders from the tech industry and advocacy groups.

Housing continues to be a critical priority. S. 127, on housing and housing development, is scheduled for discussion in the House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development and the House Committee on General and Housing, as well as the Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs.

Several bills related to corrections and public safety are also on the agenda. The House Committee on Corrections and Institutions will be considering H. 32 regarding opioid use disorder treatment in correctional facilities, H. 294 concerning commissary and telecommunications prices, and H. 379 related to second look sentencing.

Environmental concerns are being addressed in the House Committee on Environment, with discussions planned for H. 230 on fish and wildlife management and H. 86 concerning the establishment of a Chloride Contamination Reduction Program. These bills will also be reviewed by the House Committee on Judiciary.

The House Committee on General and Housing is considering a series of bills introduced by Representative Kate Logan (D-Burlington), addressing various aspects of employment law, including collective bargaining for agricultural workers (H. 333), enhanced enforcement of employment laws (H. 336), and the creation of a good cause standard for termination of employment (H. 344). The committee will also discuss H. 334, which relates to limiting employer restrictions on individuals separating from employment. In the Senate, the Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs will take up H. 479, regarding housing appeals.

The creation of an Office of New Americans is under consideration in the House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs through S. 56, while the same committee will also discuss S. 23 concerning the use of synthetic media in elections.

Healthcare remains a key focus, with the House Committee on Health Care reviewing S. 126 regarding health care payment and delivery system reform and S. 28 concerning access to certain legally protected health care services. The latter bill would penalize advertising about health care information deemed misleading by the Vermont Attorney General. 

The House Committee on Human Services is set to discuss H. 92 relating to Human Services Board fair hearing proceedings and S. 36 concerning the Medicaid payment model for residential substance use disorder treatment services.

The House Committee on Judiciary will consider J.R.S. 15, a joint resolution supporting Vermont’s transgender and non-binary community, and S. 45 concerning protection from nuisance suits for agricultural activities.

In the energy sector, the House Committee on Energy and Digital Infrastructure will continue its work on S. 50, a bill aimed at increasing the size of solar net metering projects that qualify for expedited registration.

The Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy will be actively discussing H. 481, an act relating to stormwater management. Transportation matters are also on the Senate’s agenda, with the Committee on Transportation reviewing H. 488, the fiscal year 2026 Transportation Program.

Finally, the Senate Committee on Appropriations will be focusing on H. 493, an act relating to making appropriations for the support of the government, while the Senate Committee on Institutions will discuss H. 494 concerning capital construction and state bonding. 

This article was prepared with assistance of LMNotebook.