The Vermont 2012

Legislative Summary

Agriculture Committee
Vermonts Working Landscapes Recognizing that Vermonts most reliable assets are its people and its natural resources, the Working Landscapes bill will stimulate economic development, encourage entrepreneurship and job creation in agriculture and in Vermonts forest products industry. The Agriculture Development Board established in 2010 will now set policy for the forest industry. A new group, the Working Landscapes Enterprise Board, will implement the policy, making determinations on funding and resources for those who want to start-up, expand, or branch-out in agriculture and forestry. The board will consider providing enterprise grants, infrastructure investments, capital for a business growth phase, and business planning and startup help, as well as wraparound services, technical assistance and financial packaging. Available funds may be leveraged through private funders and foundations. This is a transformational piece of legislation. If Vermont still has vibrant agricultural and forest activity in 20 years, it will be because of the work started this year. GMO Labeling Vermonters care about food and care about choice. Today eighty-percent of all packaged foods sold in this country are products of genetic engineering, yet it is difficult for Vermonters to make informed choices about these products because they are not labeled, or are mislabeled. This is a concern to many Vermonters and the impetus for the Vermont Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Labeling bill. Although no bill moved forward this year, the testimony taken lays out a defensible case for a statewide labeling requirement of foods produced through genetic engineering, as well as concern regarding the public health and environmental consequences of genetic engineering. Expect to see a bill taken up for reconsideration in the next biennium.

Appropriations Committee
This committee builds two major bills each year. Early in January the committee addressed the Budget Adjustment Act (BAA) to adjust current year spending and ensure we end the fiscal year with a balanced budget. In that bill, $15 million was appropriated for the Emergency Recovery Assistance Fund (ERAF) and provided disaster recovery initiatives for individuals and municipalities. Following the Governors budget address, the committee took up the FY 13 budget, known as the Big Bill. Building the budget is where your money intersects with the policy in other legislative committees. The money and policy committees depend on each other for guidance as programs link with money to implement our goals. Growing revenues from the slowly improving economy, past investments that saved us money, declining growth in Medicaid, and prudent use of disaster relief funds allowed us to make important investments. Rebuilding Vermont after Irene and spring flooding accounts for nearly half of the budget increase. Irene forced action on a decade long discussion to close the Vermont State Hospital replacing it with a stronger community based system and a smaller secure facility. $20 million in federal money is targeted for a complete revision of Vermonts mental health system. $100 million in additional transportation funding addresses storm damage at State and local levels. The Vermont Housing and Conservation Board and the Agency of Commerce and Community Development are directing resources

to help flood ravaged communities rebuild homes and infrastructure. Mobile homeowners will benefit from $650,000 to help them replace their homes damaged in the floods. To improve community safety, local law enforcement will have $150,000 to combat Vermonts growing gang presence. Weve added a prosecutor and two forensic investigators to stop people trafficking in internet-based child pornography. Additionally, for the first time in several years, the full contingent of the State Police ranks are funded and our courts will no longer have furlough days but will once again be open five days a week. Investments weve made in community agencies- such as VNAs and Area Agencies on Aging- will improve service to our elderly neighbors who choose their care in community settings for better quality of life at a lower cost. We were able to fund all of the increased case load of graduating students with developmental disabilities who finish school and need services in the community. Additionally, this budget funds a new model of addiction recovery services: $4.1 million was added to existing resources for model of medical addiction treatment called Hub and Spoke. This model does away with existing waiting lists for opiate addiction treatment, building capacity and better coordinating addiction services provided in the private arena. In addition, recovery centers in the state will establish and move towards standards to help address the daily living needs of those who are trying to shed their addiction. While this may seem dry to many, we are able to fund substantial improvement of the States technology infrastructure, some of which is over thirty years old. This long overdue modernization of our computer systems is critical for effective and timely delivery of services, transparency of how Vermonters money is spent, and collecting valid data with which to make informed decisions. To be good stewards of taxpayer money we have devised a prudent use of surpluses at the end of the year: Half of the surplus goes into the Education Fund to relieve property taxes. The other half will be split between a true rainy day fund for future difficulties and a fund to address federal cuts to the state. This provision begins at the end of FY 13. We ended the year with a balanced budget, which we do every year, despite the large gaps that we have had to close. It is a responsible budget that provides for the essential services of state government while saving money to address an uncertain future.

Commerce and Economic Development Committee

Genuine Progress Indicator This legislation created a collaboration of state government and the Gund Institute at the University of Vermont. Gund will develop indicators and data points to measure and track the states economic, social, and environmental progress over time. This data will be used to supplement the traditional measure of gross state product that tracks the financial value of the goods and services produced in the state. By following additional indicators--some that add to societal costs and some that reduce these costs--better information will be available to policy makers. By measuring a broad range of indicators, Vermonters can assess the impact of their policy decisions. Mutual Benefit Enterprise When a group of producers who operate cooperatively such as farmers, artisans crafters, or cheese makers want to build a production facility so they can add value to their products, they need capital. If the producers dont have enough of their own capital, they can now seek investors who are not producers themselves.

Vermonts new Mutual Benefit Enterprise structure allows producers, value-adders, and investors to come together for their mutual benefit in an enterprise that is protected from provisions of antitrust legislation. This business form will allow Vermonters to capture more of the value from their farm and forest land and will help these enterprises get the resources they need to grow their sales and their employment.

Education Committee
Green Cleaning Protecting the health and safety of Vermonts children remains a top priority for all of us. In recent years, the number of children suffering from illnesses triggered by toxins in our environment has risen dramatically. In response, the Legislature worked with school administrators, custodians, and health officials to craft a law that would make schools healthier for all occupants. Young children are especially vulnerable to environmental toxins because of their small lungs and more frequent contact with floors and surfaces that harbor residue from toxic cleaning substances. S.92 requires that distributors and manufacturers sell only environmentally preferable cleaning products and air fresheners to schools, school districts, supervisory unions, or procurement consortiums. It does not limit the sale, use or distribution of anti-microbial pesticides (e.g. disinfectants and sanitizers). The bill is sensitive to the burdens schools face on a daily basis and carefully balances our interest in protecting kids with the efficient operation of school buildings. By supporting the use of green cleaning products in schools, our commitment to protecting our natural resources and keeping Vermonters safe is demonstrated. Educational Leadership Vermont spends $1.5 billion each year on education. Relative to our investment, we have successful outcomes compared to other states. But we can do better. With a Secretary of Education in the governors cabinet, he or she can convey a unified vision to deliver effective outcomes that improve the quality of education in our state. Every two years, the electorate can hold the governor accountable for Vermont students education metrics and the cost of delivering them. Furthermore, our new education governance model will help us reduce the achievement gap, which costs our state in so many ways. The Legislature passed a law this session enabling the governor to appoint a Secretary of Education beginning January 1, 2013. This bill elevates the Commissioner of Education to a cabinet level position and gives the governor authority to select a secretary from a pool of three candidates advanced by the Vermont Board of Education. Permitting the state board to select candidates also provides a buffer against the politicization of education at the state level. This legislation significantly increases transparency and accountability at the state level. It will help Vermont administer statewide education policies more efficiently and allow decisions related to education to be made in the context of broader state priorities. Greater transparency and accountability will elevate the importance of education policy and put it on par with other vital services administered by state and local government. More on Merging Encouraging our school districts to share programs and personnel is one way to reduce costs, improve efficiency and share talent. H.753 increases incentives and opportunities to schools, districts and supervisory unions (SU) planning to merge or share services with additional incentives for those merging within the year. The state will conduct a study to recommend merging SUs and interstate

SUs with our neighboring states.

Fish Wildlife and Water Resources Committee

Prohibition on Fracking GoverningMagazine identified enhanced extraction of natural gas, called hydraulic fracturing or fracking, as one of the issues to watch in 2012. Although Vermont does not appear to have a good source of recoverable natural gas, there are some shale deposits in the northwest corner of the state that could be of interest for extraction in the future. Nearby Quebec has found some commercially viable sites. Hydraulic fracturing (differentiated from benign hydro-fracturing for well water) involves horizontal drilling at considerable depths and injecting millions of gallons of water mixed with sand and chemicals. Over the past 10 years, the use of fracking has grown about 3000% and many questions remain unanswered as to the effect on air and water quality and seismic activity. This spring the legislature passed a bill making Vermont the first state in the nation to place a prohibition on fracking. Over the next three years, the Agency of Natural Resources will be reviewing upcoming studies and putting rules in place to make sure our air and water are protected should the prohibition ever be lifted. Preparing for future flood disasters For many of us, the danger posed by the flooding events of 2011 has passed and normalcy has resumed. This doesnt mean, however, that there are not important lessons to learn to reduce the emotional and financial costs of destroyed property and disrupted lives if and when we experience the terror of another flood-related disaster in the future. The Legislature passed measures to protect Vermonters from future flood damage. This legislation overcomes obstacles to Vermonters ability to get flood insurance and sets up a process to protect property from erosion damage. The major policy goals in both provisions are to provide assistance to flood victims and prevent future damage from occurring. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) makes flood insurance available to Vermonters not accessible in the free market. To maintain eligibility for this flood insurance, communities must regulate all development in the flood plain. Most towns and cities in Vermont have local flood hazard area zoning regulations and participate in the NFIP, though agriculture has traditionally been exempted. To comply with the NFIP and ensure access to affordable flood insurance, the Legislature passed S. 202, which regulates exempt land uses, including agriculture, in flood hazard areas. This legislation also takes steps to address flood-related erosion. Legislators established a framework for mapping rivers and streams prone to erosion. We also gave municipalities the tools and authority to develop voluntary erosion hazard zoning regulations. Rivers and Lakes 2011 flooding events not only changed our physical landscape, they also brought a paradigm shift in how we manage our water resources and help or hurt floodway resiliency. Legislation passed this year will help us co-exist with our rivers and better coordinate with FEMA and federal assistance in the following ways: Expands state assistance to communities and governmental units to comply with National Flood

Insurance Program (NFIP) requirements. Supports communities by providing model bylaws and ordinances to regulate development in waterways and floodways. Assists municipalities with mapping to help identify flood hazard areas, river protection zones and areas sensitive to erosion. Clarifies authority and activity in rivers and streams under emergency conditions. Creates education and outreach to help emergency workers prepare and recover from flooding. Simple changes in the type of activity in a river can have a profound effect on a rivers ability to stabilize, decrease future flooding and protect water quality and habitat. A broad and comprehensive report is due next to identify the structure and funding of a regional/statewide effort to improve water quality of our lakes. This may take the form of a clean water utility. It will also address lakeshore protection and restoration, agricultural impacts, urban water quality and a strategic implementation plan.

General Housing and Military Affairs Committee

Supporting Growing Industries Vermonts beer, wine, and liquor manufactures are part of an exciting, burgeoning new industry. To support them, while also maintaining important protections, the Legislature made a number of small though valuable adjustments to state liquor laws. Restaurants that cater events will no longer need to seek out a separate catering license to serve alcohol; caterers who do not have a restaurant can apply for a license to sell wine and beer at their events. These changes simplify the regulations for businesses and those planning events alike. The Legislature also enabled vintners to deliver more of their own product to retailers and restaurants. Finally, this years legislation expands the Liquor Control Board from three to five members in response to a growing desire to have wider representation of regions and interests on the board. Growing and Preserving Affordable Housing Irene devastated mobile homes across Vermont. Since September, state agents have been working to find a way to increase affordable housing and access to new mobile homes. S.99 addresses these needs and provides the governors administration with the tools it needs to aid in the redevelopment of mobile home parks and alternative housing. S.99 also gives municipalities a new option in disposing of abandoned mobile homes and provides landlords with a definitive timeframe when disposing of unclaimed property after an eviction. Additionally, legislation was also passed this session that prohibits discrimination against affordable housing units in land use decisions, ensures homeowner safety in licensing of electricians, and creates a specialty license for renewable energy installers. Military Affairs This year the Legislature was able to correct a longstanding wrong. The property tax exemption benefit has only applied to those veterans disabled while serving in a war or overseas. Soldiers who are 50% disabled as a result of service incurred stateside or during peacetime will now be eligible for the property tax exemption benefit. Additionally, Health care became an issue for several Guard members. This resulted in a clarification that any Guard member called up for less than thirty days can keep their pre-existing insurance coverage. Once thirty days has passed, the State can start paying the employers share of healthcare costs, thus keeping seamless coverage for the entire family.

The Guards deployment during Irene was a great success; however this was the time soldiers had been deployed for more than 30 days and some glitches emerged. National Guard members from out-of-state that helped received housing allowances while our Vermont National Guard members did not. Legislation passed this year will ensure that the next time our soldiers are called up under state service, they will receive the same housing allowance received when they are called up to provide federal service. The housing allowance recognizes that the soldier is foregoing civilian pay need to pay rent or mortgage back home.

Government Operations Committee

Search and Rescue Levi Duclos was a 2010 graduate of Mount Abraham High School in Bristol where he helped found the Environmental Club. He spent a year hiking in the western U.S. and in Nepal, where he also taught English in a small mountain town. Last fall he entered Reed College in Portland, OR; over winter break, he came home to visit his mother, brother and friends. Levi went for a hike with his dog on January 9th. He brought along his cell phone and let his family know where he was going and when he expected to return. When he hadnt returned by early evening, his mother called for help. His body was recovered the next day from the ridge up above Ripton and Lincoln. He had died of hypothermia during the night. His death was a tragedy that has echoed across the state. H. 794, our search and rescue bill, establishes interim protocols for search and rescue which will stay in place until further legislative action. Under the interim protocols, local search and rescue operations will: Use the incident command system; Respond immediately to every call, in consultation with the state police search and rescue team; Attempt the earliest possible rescue or recovery of every person in need of help; Call upon the individuals and organizations capable of helping listed in the search and rescue database Receive more training from the Criminal Justice Training Council. In addition, a search and rescue strategic plan committee will convene leaders from all participating agencies to further examine our current approach, suggest improvements, and report back to the Legislature by Dec. 15, 2012.

Embezzlement: prevention & detection in our municipalities Vermont has earned the dubious distinction of being first in the nation for being at high risk for embezzlement according to a 2012 report. Something needed to be done to protect taxpayers money in municipalities. Legislation passed in S.106 authorizes the State Auditor to create an internal controls checklist and provide education to county, municipalities and school district personnel who receive or disburse funds. The document is designed to determine that financial controls are in place to assure proper use of all public funds. The legislative bodies of these organizations must receive and review the checklist and insure sound systems of internal financial controls are in place. Treasurers must file quarterly reports with the select board or school board regarding his or her actions. The best deterrent to prevent fraud is to create the perception that people are being watched. Good working internal controls can be very effective in creating an atmosphere in which it is difficult to cre-

ate this crime. Redistricting This process began with six public hearings conducted across the different regions of the state followed up by extensive testimony within the State House. The Legislature set a goal to honor the overwhelming sentiment from the public to make as few changes to districts as were necessary and avoid splitting towns and villages. By constitutional mandate and state statute, reapportionment must maintain equality of representation as nearly as is practicable based on the 2010 census numbers. Difficult decisions were made to balance these goals. Because population has shifted northward, Burlington was given an additional seat, eliminating one from an area of the state with population decline. Fifty districts had absolutely no change, except perhaps for district name.

Health Care Committee

Vaccinations The Legislature passed a bill that calls for outreach and continued communication between parents and their school nurses with a goal to increase vaccination rates around Vermont. The Legislature was particularly concerned with making sure adequate protections are in place both for children who cannot be vaccinated and also for children with special health needs. Parents wishing to exempt their child from a vaccine will now need to sign off annually with their school nurse. The Department of Health will increase outreach into communities with lower vaccination rates and will collect more complete data about the use of exemptions. Health Care Exchange The Legislature took an important step forward in moving toward a health care system that provides the best care possible for all Vermonters. The combination of the Federal Affordable Care Act and the new state law passed will give many of us access to better insurance plans at more affordable prices. The Health Benefit Exchange is due to be in full operation starting in 2014. This new marketplace will be good for our families because we will be able to compare health insurance products and define the type of health care coverage that best fits our familys health care and financial needs. The Federal Affordable Care Act also provides for significant tax breaks for most Vermonters who purchase insurance here. These tax breaks will make good coverage more affordable. The exchange marketplace will also be good for Vermont businesses. After 2014, small businesses in our communities will have new choices available to them to make sure that their employees have good access to care. Many businesses will have a new choice to free themselves from the burden of managing employee health benefits and be able to focus their energy on what they do best: grow their businesses and provide the best Vermont-made products and services.

Human Resources Committee

Vermonts Mental Health System of Care Vermonters who have mental health conditions deserve to have high quality services and care available to them in both community settings and, when needed, in inpatient hospital settings. H.630 strengthens Vermonts existing mental health care system. The enhanced continuum of community and peer services, and the range of acute inpatient beds throughout the state, will ensure that Ver-

monters with mental health needs are better served. Specifically, the bill requires: developing a clinical resource management system; integrating the treatment for mental health, substance abuse, and physical health; contracting for new peer services and expanding existing programs; enhancing existing community services at the designated agencies by using mobile emergency support teams, allowing for case management for more individuals, increasing adult outpatient services, and establishing additional short-term crisis beds; developing a five-bed residence for individuals seeking treatment with minimal use of psychotropic medications; providing housing subsidies to individuals recovering from mental illness; developing new intensive residential recovery facilities and replacing the services provided at the Vermont State Hospital with: o 14-bed unit within the Brattleboro Retreat o a six-bed unit within Rutland Regional Medical Center o temporarily contracting for seven to twelve inpatient beds at Fletcher Allen Health Care o inpatient services at a temporary location in Morrisville o a new 25-bed acute care inpatient hospital in central Vermont o a secure five-bed residential facility Hemp The House passed a measure that would move Vermont one step closer to legalizing industrial hemp farming. Hemp is a diverse crop that can be used to make clothes, paper, fuel, and can be used in construction. In 2008, the House passed a measure to allow the Agency of Agriculture to set up the rules and procedures for hemp farming licensing when the federal government legalizes it. This year, the House requested the Agency of Agriculture to start setting up the rules and procedures now for hemp farming in Vermont so when the federal government legalizes it, we will be ready to move forward. Youth Smoking Prevention The Youth Smoking Prevention bill passed this year creates and implements several strategies to curb smoking rates. 14% of all high school boys smoke cigarettes and 18% smoke cigars, cigarillos, and little cigars. This is a cost not only to our childrens health, but also to our community in general. The bill bans the sale of electronic cigarettes, a tobacco product, to children under the age of 18. Ecigarettes have tested positive for cancer-causing toxins by the FDA and are a gateway for children to start using tobacco products. This bill requires little cigars, which are similar in size to cigarettes, to be packaged in packs of 20 and brings their tax rate closer to cigarettes. It also increases their cost, thus less accessible to children. The bill also bans commercial rolling machines in the state and creates better signage about cessation programs where tobacco products are sold. These strategies, combined with critical cessation programs, will help to eliminate smoking in our state. Smoking Prevention Since addiction to tobacco is one of the hardest addictions to overcome, we continue to work to keep young people from ever becoming addicted to it. H.747 makes it illegal to sell not only tobacco products, but also tobacco substitutes such as electronic cigarettes, and tobacco paraphernalia to minors. (Minors can still buy tobacco cessation aids.) Tobacco substitutes must join tobacco products in only being available when accessed by a store employee, and you will soon see greatly simplified warning signs stating that the sale of tobacco products, substitutes, and paraphernalia to minors is prohibited. The sign may also include information about the health effects of tobacco and tobacco cessation ser-

vices. Treatment for Opioid Addiction Opioid addiction is a serious problem for both the individual who is addicted and for society at large. This problem is evident in all age groups and all socio-economic levels of society. Providing adequate and appropriate treatment is imperative. H. 627 authorizes the Department of Health to establish a regional system of opioid addiction treatment sometimes referred to as the Hub and Spoke Initiative. In this initiative, an individual will receive appropriate, comprehensive assessment to determine whether pharmacological treatment, which may include methadone, buprenorphine, and other federally approved medications, is medically appropriate. If it is available, then the individual will receive that treatment, if that person agrees to abide by certain rules of conduct. Helping a person overcome or legally manage an addiction is in the best interest of all of us. Sixteen Year Olds May Donate Blood Getting a blood transfusion can literally save an individuals life. We often hear that the blood supply is dangerously low. By increasing the pool of possible donors, H.760 will help maintain the needed supply of blood. This bill allows sixteen year olds to donate blood if they meet the criteria of the organization conducting the blood drive. High schools often host blood drives and by allowing more high school students to start giving blood during those years, it not only increases the blood supply then, but may also increase the likelihood that those students form a lifelong habit of giving blood. Protecting Adults from Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation Older Vermonters and Vermonters who have disabilities are sometimes vulnerable to abuse, neglect and exploitation. Adult Protective Services (APS), in the Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living (DAIL), investigates complaints about these issues. Advocates have been concerned that APS has not been adequately protecting these Vermonters. To address this, the Legislature passed a bill to ensure these problems are thoroughly addressed. H.290 requires DAIL to collect and provide some very specific data to the Legislature to see how Vermonters are truly being protected. It also calls for an independent evaluation of Adult Protective Services.

Institutions and Corrections Committee

The Capital Bill This years Capital Bill is designed to invest in our recovery from Irene. Funds are allocated to the creation of a new system of mental health care to replace the Vermont State Hospital. Funds are dedicated to the restoration and re-use of part of the Waterbury State Office Complex. Together these investments will improve the future delivery of services to Vermonters and the effective fulfillment of government functions on their behalf. Together we will be able to use these facilities to care for Vermonters who need help, to keep our communities safe, and to ensure the efficient operation of state government.

Judiciary Committee
Protecting civil liberties is a continuing priority for the legislature. This year, we clarified and strengthened a number of statutes. Vermont is nearly unique in the way we prohibit discrimination (by connecting our public accommodations statutes to our education statutes) and it is our expectation that

our schools will be free of harassment, hazing and bullying. Students cannot fully access educational opportunities when the school climate is hostile. We have made it clear that we want school authorities to take reasonable action to prevent continuing hostility in the school when behavior is either pervasive or severe, or both. At the other end of the age spectrum, we have worked further to protect vulnerable adults. The Attorney Generals office can now file a civil cause of action in cases where vulnerable adults have been neglected or abused. This additional tool will allow Vermont to pursue fines and demand corrective action where warranted without closing group homes and adult care facilities. Vermont has been a leader when it comes to enforcing civil rights under the state constitutions common benefits clause. We were first to allow same-sex civil unions and a decade later, we were the first state legislature to pass a marriage equality law. But same-sex couples who came to Vermont to legally solemnize their partnership, who later wanted to dissolve that union, have not been able to do so if their home state does not recognize same-sex unions. Our new marriage dissolution statute eliminates the 6- month residency requirement to dissolve a marriage or civil union in cases where couples are unable to dissolve their legal union in their home state. Vermonts racial minorities are overrepresented in our prisons by a factor of seven. A new study will examine the legal and non-legal factors that may lead to arrest and also examine disparities in sentencing. The Vermont State Police as well as the Burlington, South Burlington and Winooski police departments have shown strong leadership in examining racial bias by collecting data on roadside police stops and arrests; this new statute requires all Vermonts law enforcement agencies to adopt bias-free policing policies by January 2013. People deserve a second chance. As of July 1, 2012, if someone was convicted of a non-violent misdemeanor, have gone at least ten years without new charges and paid any restitution owed, they can apply to have their record expunged or sealed. If the court agrees to expunge or seal records, you may lawfully claim not to have a criminal record. We believe this will help those people who have turned their lives around since a youthful indiscretion. Vermonters who inherit an estate or who receive some type of legal settlement may have it structured in such a way that the payout is made over time or deferred to a future date. There are a few companies that buy out these structured settlements, often for pennies on the dollar. There are times when someone may have a legitimate and immediate need to cash out for a much-diminished return, but our judges have seen some questionable deals and been powerless to protect Vermonters from exploitation. The settlement buyouts will continue under our new statute, but the company must completely disclose how much money the individual would lose in the deal and also provide findings to the court on why the original terms of the settlement should be altered. The most common non-violent misdemeanor charge in Vermont is driving without a license. Nearly 38,000 licenses are suspended and about 60% (23,000) of these suspensions are for failure to pay fines and for accumulation of points, resulting in situations hard for many people to extricate themselves from. After July 1, the department of motor vehicles, diversion boards and the judicial bureau will begin notifying people of their eligibility to enter in to a diversion contract in order to clear their driving records. This should take some pressure off the courts and save tax dollars. The diversion program for DLS will also get people back on track with our legal system.

Natural Resource and Energy Committee

Universal Recycling and Solid Waste Vermont has only two landfills and may have just one in the near future. It is imperative to reduce the quantity of waste currently going to landfills. H. 485 takes the first step to achieving universal recycling in Vermont, which not only diverts waste from our limited landfill space, but also provides significant economic development opportunities. Specifically, H.485 sets a schedule to ban recyclable material from landfills statewide, and then phases in recycling of yard waste and other organic materials such as food scraps. There are tiered implementation dates from July 2014 to July 2020. Solid waste facilities, trash haulers, and individuals have compliance target dates that allow for education and smooth transition. Investing in Renewable Energy This year, the Legislature has kept Vermont on the path of reducing greenhouse gases while growing our green economy. We did this by setting long-term renewable energy goals and expanding our standard offer program, which provides for long-term, stably priced contracts for small renewable projects. The deliberate pace of this rollout will minimize rate impact and take advantage of the steadily decreasing cost of renewable technologies. We also set a fair, uniform capacity-based tax for solar projects at $4 per kW. Prior to this, with no agreed-upon way to tax solar arrays, developers suffered under a cloud of uncertainty. Residential-sized solar (under 10 kW in size), however, is exempt from taxation.

Transportation Committee
Investing in Our State Infrastructure Vermonts budget invests in a safe, efficient, and fully integrated transportation system. Transportation investments strengthen our economy and improve quality of life. The administration has proposed one of the largest transportation budgets in history - $658 million in 2013 - that seriously addresses neglected infrastructure needs as well as challenges presented by Irene. Here are some additional highlights from this years transportation budget: The $104 million proposed for paving in 2012 will continue to increase the rating of state road conditions. The 2012 budget for bridges is at record high of $123 million with the Champlain Bridge already completed. From 2010 to now, the number of structurally deficient bridges has come down from 16% to 9% - moving Vermont up from 42nd place ranking to 29th among states. The purchase of Vermont Strong license plates goes to the Vermont Disaster Relief Fund and Vermont Foodbank. There are now over 25,000 in circulation. Honoring Our Fallen Soldiers Next of Kin license plates A few years ago, a Vermont family tragically lost their son in a military training accident and learned they were not eligible for a Gold Star license plate because he was not killed in combat. The Legislature sought to bestow similar dignity and respect upon this family and others who have lost family members in non-combat situations. This year, we passed legislation issuing a special Next of Kin license plate to family members who have lost soldiers serving honorably in non-combat active duty. Vermont joins 30 other states in honoring these Next of Kin families.

Ways and Means Committee

Mobile home financing and weatherization

Housing thats affordable for modest income households consists mainly of older, energy-inefficient homes and mobile homes; neither is an adequate answer for housing. The financing of mobile homes has been especially difficult since the meltdown of the investment banks and subsequent federal banking regulations. The 2011 flooding in Vermont only made things worse. The Legislature stepped in to help. As a result, homeowners across the state will have access to new funding for weatherization, and mobile home owners will be eligible for tax incentives and financing help totaling $1.1 million, and will be able to form cooperative mobile home parks. Taxes The cooperation and mutual support in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene demonstrated the best of Vermonters and our shared responsibility to help rebuild a stronger state. While there were no broadbased tax increases, there were tax changes that will put money in Vermonters pockets at a time they need it most. These changes promote fairness and economic competitiveness, and will help sustain our schools and state infrastructure. Vermonters will now be able to: receive more help from the Vermont Taxpayer Advocate, in context of a new Taxpayer Statement of Rights to be established net business losses for sole proprietorships see less teen smoking, as small, flavored cigars are now taxed the same as cigarettes have longer to file property tax adjustment and renter rebate claims be exempt the doubling of interest and dividend income in the property tax adjustment, if theyre over 65 use two-year averaging for spending adjustments in tuition-only towns to protect against volatility be free of the land use change tax for working farms, when applying for a wastewater permit be eligible for new market tax credits, increased funding for downtowns, and affordable housing tax credits to help rebuild stronger communities and neighborhoods in the wake of the spring flooding and Irene be forgiven from paying sales and use taxes on remotely accessed, prewritten software until 2013 be exempt from paying sales and use taxes for toothbrushes, floss, and other dental health items if youre a dentist receive a tax rebate if you buy a mobile home to replace one damaged by a flood in 2011 see some property tax relief as a result of increased sales tax revenue allocation to the Education Fund be free of paying tax on meals if youre elderly or disabled and live in an independent living facility

Flood Recovery & Resiliency

Taking a lesson from the extraordinary efforts and cooperative spirit of community volunteers, our National Guard, regional commissions, and municipal government in the wake of Hurricane Irene, lawmakers joined the governors administration in Montpelier ready to roll up our sleeves and do our part. Legislators came back in the fall to get a handle on the action that was needed, and the House Ways and Means Committee voted out legislation to abate the property taxes in affected communities. In addition, the Governor appointed a Long Term Disaster Recovery Group to raise private money to assist homeowners who sustained damage. There were also early efforts to help coordinate public and private resources to help mobile home owners dispose of their destroyed property so they did not have to continue paying rent on their destroyed homes.

The legislative session kicked into high gear in January and bipartisan efforts continued to maximize support for affected towns. These included: Delaying the local payment to the Education Fund by 90 days for cash-strapped Irene-affected towns to maintain their cash flow. Authorizing reimbursement to towns to abate education property taxes for properties that were partially or fully destroyed and uninhabitable after Irene. Putting $15 Million into the Emergency Relief Assistance Fund to hold harmless town tax rate increases over three cents for flood recovery work. Creating 11 new transportation positions through FEMA funds assigned to help municipalities navigate accessing federal resources. Passing a Rivers Bill that would bring Vermont communities into voluntary compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program standards and address issues that surfaced during Irene such as removal of debris, securing propane tanks, training for those working in our streams, and continued river assessment in flood prone areas. Modest increases in DMV fees in order to assist the Agency of Transportation with the ongoing charge of rebuilding flood-damaged roads and bridges. Increased lending capacity of the Vermont Economic Development Authority in order to help meet the needs of businesses as they recover. Regulating activities in flood plains that are currently exempt from municipal review, such as agriculture, utilities, and transportation. Authorization of $500,000 in refundable tax credits for properties in designated downtowns and village centers damaged by flooding this year.

RESOLUTION
Citizens United Resolution On March 6, 2012, sixty-four towns and cities around Vermont passed resolutions urging Congress to overturn the US Supreme Courts radical Citizens United decision. They asked the Vermont State Legislature to join their call to restore citizen confidence in the purity and integrity of our democracy. In response the Legislature passed JRS 11 on a 92-40 vote in the House and 26-3 in the Senate. There is no doubt that Citizens United marks a major upheaval in first amendment law. In Citizens United, the U.S. Supreme Court conferred new dignity to corporate personhood by elevating corporate free speech protections; making them equal to the rights enjoyed by real, live people. Corporations are the engines of our countrys capitalism. While the corporate form has provided many benefits to our country, citizens have always expressed concern over the outsized influence that corporations can wield. Thomas Jefferson is said to have fretted that corporations would subvert the republic. In 1816 he wrote of his hope that we shall . . . crush in [its] birth the aristocracy of our monied corporations which dare already to challenge the government to a trial of strength and bid defiance to the laws of our society. Passage of JRS 11 represents a demand to recommit ourselves to public debate that is uninhibited, robust, and open; not dominated by corporate many. Our power, as average citizens, to influence elections should not be undermined by the collective financial might of big corporations. Corporations should not be afforded the same first amendment rights as natural persons. Thats not anti-business; its pro-democracy.