Proposed taxes on software, short-term rentals
By Rep. Jim Harrison
Editor’s note: Rep. Harrison, a Republican from the Rutland County town of North Chittenden, sits on the House Appropriations Committee. The overseer of the annual State House March Madness friendly basketball competition AKA betting pool, Rep. Harrison is considered among the most fiscally-savvy lawmakers in either party. We publish excerpts from his weekly constituent report, covering many bills not addressed in other news coverage today.
The House Ways & Means Committee is considering extending the sales tax to online software and a new 10% surcharge on short term rentals as potential new revenue sources to mitigate a portion of the expected double-digit hike in education property taxes.
S.258, which changes the makeup of the Fish & Wildlife Board to give the legislature control of most appointees to the board and bans the hunting of coyotes with dogs, was advanced by the Senate Natural Resources and Appropriations Committees. The measure is opposed by many in the hunting and fishing community.
The full House will take up a major new renewable energy standard bill, H.289, which is expected to add between $150 million and $450 million in new costs to ratepayers over the next 10 years according to the legislature’s fiscal office. Meanwhile, the Public Service Department estimates $517 million to $853 million in additional costs to ratepayers, depending on whether you include the extra investments for transmission lines to accommodate additional local solar and wind generation needed in the legislation.
Legislation to appropriate over $150 million for housing related initiatives, H.829, is not likely to pass as proposed unless new taxes are raised to fund the measures.
A bill to ban most uses of neonicotinoid pesticides in Vermont agriculture is expected to advance to the full House for a vote this week. Neonicotinoids are widely used because they effectively control challenging soil pests, however, also are believed to negatively impact bees. The ban on the treated seeds would take effect in 2029, the same year as the NY ban is slated to go into effect. NY is the only other state with a ban, although neonic treated seeds are currently banned in neighboring Quebec.
A proposal by Treasurer Mike Pieciak to establish a new Baby Bond program for newborn children on Medicaid, was advanced by the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee, but reduced to a study on the source and amount of the funds that would be needed.
The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced S.58, which increases the penalties to persons providing illegal drugs with death resulting.
S.184, which allows the use of automated camera traffic safety enforcement systems, has been advanced to the full Senate, although initially restricted to highway work zones.
The House Health Care Committee approved H.233, which allows Vermont to regulate pharmacy benefit managers.
The House passed H.534, which allows prosecutors to combine retail thefts within a two-week period for the purpose of charging them as a felony if the total amount is over $900. Under current law, theft under $900 is a misdemeanor.An effort to establish a state mushroom as a project by students received preliminary approval last week by the House. The bill, H.664, would make the Bear’s Head Tooth, Hericium americanum, the official state mushroom.