House Speaker Jill Krowinski, House leadership and bill sponsors Tuesday March 26 provided an update on a few pieces of key legislation following crossover, a key mid-session deadline in the Vermont Legislature.

“Getting legislation to the floor requires a sustained and thoughtful group effort,” says Speaker Krowinski. “We can only get this hard work done if everyone’s at the table, ready to collaborate. Our legislative sessions are short, so we have to use every minute to find creative solutions to the big challenges facing our state. Our decisions impact the day-to-day lives of all Vermonters, and we take that responsibility very seriously.

“State government’s job is to ensure Vermonters can meet their basic needs and have the tools and resources they need to build a stable life for themselves and their families. We invest in government because when government functions well, everyone wins. We’re talking about housing and healthcare. Childcare, education and broadband. Supporting our businesses and building our workforce. Building a more flood- and climate-resilient state. Protecting our most vulnerable Vermonters. Public safety, mental health, roads, and bridges — or just making sure that when someone calls a state office, there’s someone to not only answer the call, but to help you solve a problem or get a service you need and deserve.

“This year, building a balanced and responsible budget requires tough choices. We believe in real fiscal responsibility, real long-term progress, and real affordability for every Vermonter in every community. Sometimes this goal requires reducing spending, and sometimes it requires making strategic investments that save everyone money down the road. That’s the approach we bring to every financial decision we make.

“As we work toward wrapping up the FY25 state budget, I look forward to sharing more details on the investments we’re making in top priorities like affordable housing, access to healthcare, public safety, and economic development.” 

Renewable Energy Standard (RES) – H.289

The House passed the updated Renewable Energy Standard Act (RES) on March 21^st by a convincing 99-39 roll-call vote. The legislation marks a significant milestone in Vermont’s progress towards a renewable energy future. If enacted, the legislation accelerates Vermont’s transition to 100% renewable energy by 2030 while supporting expanded in-state and regional renewables, ensuring price stability and affordability for utilities and ratepayers, and implementing safeguards against double-counting of renewable energy credits. The bill is a result of collaborative efforts with Vermonters, utilities, energy developers, environmentalists, housing advocates and legislators. After weeks of testimony, consensus was reached on the feasibility of this goal.

“In passing H.289, we affirm our state’s pivotal role in shaping impactful environmental policies that resonate far beyond our borders,” said Rep. Amy Sheldon, Chair of the House Committee on Environment and Energy. “While Vermont’s greenhouse gas emissions may seem modest on a global scale, our commitment to renewable energy serves as a beacon for others. This updated standard, tailored to meet the unique needs of our utilities, not only promotes affordability but fosters local energy production, enhancing community resilience. By championing this legislation, we signal our resolve to break free from fossil-fuel dependency, showcasing Vermont’s dedication to a sustainable future.” 

“H.289 updates the RES at a time of ongoing volatility in global fossil-fuel markets and increasingly frequent and severe impacts on the electric grid from our changing climate,” said Rep. Laura Sibilia, Vice Chair of the House Committee on Energy and Environment. “Vermonters want more renewables, and they deserve stable and predictable pricing. This bill delivers those goals, while offering flexibility for the different types of utilities that operate in Vermont. It’s a consensus proposal that’s supported by utilities, environmental advocates and industry, and it respects the priorities Vermonters have identified as important to our energy future: affordability, reliability, reducing carbon emissions and increasing renewables.”

Vermont Data Privacy Act – H.121

On March 22, the Vermont House of Representatives passed H.121 with a unanimous vote (139-0). The Vermont Data Privacy Act gives individuals the ability to access, delete and correct the information that businesses have about them, as well as to opt out of the use of personal data for targeted advertising, data sales, and significant automated profiling decisions. It adds affirmative opt-in consent requirements around the collection and processing of sensitive personal data — including information about health status, demographics, and precise geolocation. 

Under the leadership of Chair Rep. Michael Marcotte, the Vermont House Committee on Commerce & Economic Development heard a diverse range of perspectives from across stakeholder groups and sectors in order to draft a protective, but largely technology and industry-neutral proposal. “Consumer protection is of the utmost importance in the State of Vermont,” says Chair Marcotte. “With H.121, the committee continues its tradition of being a leader in consumer protection and safeguarding data privacy.” 

As the uses of big data and advanced analytics expand, and Vermonters’ personal information is increasingly commodified without explicit consent, it is crucial that we establish a set of rules that balance the needs of business operation with consumer protection. Rep. Monique Priestley, who reported the bill on the floor, said “By embracing this act, we have the opportunity to safeguard our personal freedoms, ensure equitable treatment in the digital landscape, and reclaim control over our digital footprints. It is crucial that we protect Vermonters in the face of unchecked technological expansion and to secure a future where data privacy is not just a privilege, but a fundamental right.”

Updating Vermont’s EMS System – H.622

In response to the critical needs of Vermont’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) sector, H.622 aims to address workforce issues, governance sustainability, and fair payment for services rendered by dedicated EMS providers. This bill also provides $300,000 annually to support EMS training, ensuring a reduction in the number of volunteers who have to cover their own training costs, thereby promoting equity and enhancing the quality of services provided.

“We all expect an ambulance to come when we call 9-1-1, but because current reimbursement rates don’t cover the full cost of service delivery, EMS services are struggling to keep pace with the needs of our communities,” said the main sponsor of the bill, Rep. Katherine Sims. “This bill takes a huge step forward to addressing these challenges and setting up a more sustainable EMS system for Vermont.”

“As a critical part of health care, EMS providers across the State strengthen our communities during times of crisis,” said bill reporter Rep. Lucy Boyden. “Vermont’s EMS system is a patchwork with unbalanced funding, which causes volunteer retention issues, gaps in services, and overlapping service areas. Support for H.622 provides significant resources to our EMS providers, their training, and best practices.”