H 951

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No. 144. An act relating to making appropriations for the support of the
government.
                                     (H.951)
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
                    * * * Purpose, Definitions, Legend * * *
Sec. A.100 SHORT TITLE
   (a) This bill may be referred to as the “BIG BILL – Fiscal Year 2027
Appropriations Act.”
Sec. A.101 PURPOSE
   (a) The purpose of this act is to provide appropriations for the operations of
State government and for capital appropriations not funded with bond proceeds
during fiscal year 2027. It is the express intent of the General Assembly that
activities of the various agencies, departments, divisions, boards, offices, and
commissions be limited to those that can be supported by funds appropriated in
this act or other acts passed prior to June 30, 2026. Agency and department
heads are directed to implement staffing and service levels at the beginning of
fiscal year 2027 so as to meet this condition unless otherwise directed by
specific language in this act or other acts of the General Assembly.
Sec. A.102 APPROPRIATIONS
   (a) It is the intent of the General Assembly that this act serves as the
primary source and reference for appropriations for the operations of State
government and for capital appropriations not funded with bond proceeds in
fiscal year 2027.
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   (b) The sums herein stated are appropriated for the purposes specified in
the following sections of this act. When no time is expressly stated during
which any of the operating appropriations are to continue, the appropriations
are single-year appropriations and only for the purpose indicated and shall be
paid from funds shown as the source of funds. Capital appropriations funded
from the Capital Infrastructure Subaccount in the Cash Fund for Capital and
Essential Investments shall be subject to the provisions of 32 V.S.A.
§ 1001b(e). If in this act there is an error in either addition or subtraction, the
totals shall be adjusted accordingly. Apparent errors in referring to section
numbers of statutory titles within this act may be disregarded by the
Commissioner of Finance and Management.
   (c) Unless codified or otherwise specified, all narrative portions of this act
apply only to the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2027.
Sec. A.103 DEFINITIONS
   (a) As used in this act:
      (1) “Capital appropriation” means an appropriation for tangible capital
investments or expenses that are eligible to be funded from general obligation
debt financing and are allowed under federal laws governing the use of State
bond proceeds as described in 32 V.S.A. § 309.
      (2) “Encumbrances” means a portion of spending authority reserved for
the subsequent payment of existing travel authorizations, purchase orders,
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grants, or contracts. The Commissioner of Finance and Management shall
make final decisions on the appropriateness of encumbrances.
      (3) “Grants” means subsidies, aid, or payments to local governments, to
community and quasipublic agencies for providing local services, and to
persons who are not wards of the State for services or supplies and means cash
or other direct assistance, including pension contributions.
      (4) “Operating expenses” means property management; repair and
maintenance; rental expenses; insurance; postage; travel; energy and utilities;
office and other supplies; equipment, including motor vehicles, highway
materials, and construction; expenditures for the purchase of land and
construction of new buildings and permanent improvements; and similar items.
      (5) “Personal services” means wages and salaries, fringe benefits, per
diems, contracted third-party services, and similar items.
Sec. A.104 RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING LAWS
   (a) Except as specifically provided, this act shall not be construed in any
way to negate or impair the full force and effect of existing laws.
Sec. A.105 OFFSETTING APPROPRIATIONS
   (a) In the absence of specific provisions to the contrary in this act, when
total appropriations are offset by estimated receipts, the State appropriations
shall control, notwithstanding receipts being greater or less than anticipated.
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Sec. A.106 FEDERAL FUNDS
   (a) In fiscal year 2027, the Governor, with the approval of the General
Assembly or the Joint Fiscal Committee if the General Assembly is not in
session, may accept federal funds available to the State of Vermont, including
block grants in lieu of, or in addition to, funds herein designated as federal.
The Governor, with the approval of the General Assembly or the Joint Fiscal
Committee if the General Assembly is not in session, may allocate all or any
portion of such federal funds for any purpose consistent with the purposes for
which the basic appropriations in this act have been made.
   (b) If, during fiscal year 2027, federal funds available to the State and
designated as federal in this and other acts of the 2026 session of the General
Assembly are converted into block grants or are abolished under their current
title in federal law and reestablished under a new title in federal law, the
Governor may continue to accept such federal funds for any purpose consistent
with the purposes for which the federal funds were appropriated. The
Governor may spend such funds for such purposes for not more than 45 days
prior to General Assembly or Joint Fiscal Committee approval. Notice shall be
given to the Joint Fiscal Committee without delay if the Governor intends to
use the authority granted by this section, and the Joint Fiscal Committee shall
meet in an expedited manner to review the Governor’s request for approval.
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Sec. A.107 NEW POSITIONS
   (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the total number of
authorized State positions, both classified and exempt, excluding temporary
positions as defined in 3 V.S.A. § 311(a)(11), shall not be increased during
fiscal year 2027 except for new positions authorized by the General Assembly
during the 2026 session. Limited service positions approved pursuant to
32 V.S.A. § 5 shall not be subject to this restriction.
Sec. A.108 LEGEND
   (a) This act is organized by functions of government. The sections
between B.100 and B.9999 contain appropriations of funds for the upcoming
budget year. The sections between E.100 and E.9999 contain language that
relates to specific appropriations or government functions, or both. The
function areas by section numbers are as follows:
B.100–B.199 and E.100–E.199  General Government
B.200–B.299 and E.200–E.299  Protection to Persons and
                                                          Property
B.300–B.399 and E.300–E.399  Human Services
B.400–B.499 and E.400–E.499  Labor
B.500–B.599 and E.500–E.599  General Education
B.600–B.699 and E.600–E.699  Higher Education
B.700–B.799 and E.700–E.799  Natural Resources
B.800–B.899 and E.800–E.899  Commerce and
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                                                       Community Development
B.900–B.999 and E.900–E.999  Transportation
B.1000–B.1099 and E.1000–E.1099  Debt Service
B.1100–B.1199 and E.1100–E.1199  One-time and other
                                                       appropriation actions
   (b) The C sections contain any amendments to the current fiscal year; the D
sections contain fund allocations, transfers, reversions, and reservations for the
upcoming budget year; the F sections contain the Pay Act; and the G section
contains effective dates applicable to the act itself or specific sections within
this act.
                 * * * Fiscal Year 2027 Base Appropriations * * *
Sec. B.100 Secretary of administration - secretary’s office
              Personal services  2,506,216
              Operating expenses  266,559
              Grants  125,000
                 Total  2,897,775
            Source of funds
              General fund  1,861,224
              Special funds  125,000
              Interdepartmental transfers  911,551
                 Total  2,897,775
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Sec. B.100.1 Secretary of administration - office of racial equity
            Personal services  1,568,041
            Operating expenses  95,802
               Total  1,663,843
          Source of funds
            General fund  1,113,347
            Internal service funds  550,496
               Total  1,663,843
Sec. B.101 Secretary of administration - finance
            Personal services  1,557,057
            Operating expenses  185,178
               Total  1,742,235
          Source of funds
            Interdepartmental transfers  1,742,235
               Total  1,742,235
Sec. B.102 Secretary of administration - workers’ compensation insurance
            Personal services  896,646
            Operating expenses  104,349
               Total  1,000,995
          Source of funds
            Internal service funds  1,000,995
               Total  1,000,995
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Sec. B.103 Secretary of administration - general liability insurance
            Personal services  417,351
            Operating expenses  68,210
               Total  485,561
          Source of funds
            Internal service funds  485,561
               Total  485,561
Sec. B.104 Secretary of administration - all other insurance
            Personal services  301,453
            Operating expenses  57,383
               Total  358,836
          Source of funds
            Internal service funds  358,836
               Total  358,836
Sec. B.104.1 Retired state employees pension plus funding
            Grants  15,000,000
               Total  15,000,000
          Source of funds
            General fund  15,000,000
               Total  15,000,000
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Sec. B.105 Agency of digital services - communications and information
technology
             Personal services  33,055,594
             Operating expenses  16,188,998
                Total  49,244,592
          Source of funds
             General fund  9,317,892
             Special funds  1,031,998
             Internal service funds  38,894,702
                Total  49,244,592
Sec. B.105.1 Agency of digital services - demand driven services
             Personal services  32,005,770
             Operating expenses  15,300,212
                Total  47,305,982
          Source of funds
             Internal service funds  47,305,982
                Total  47,305,982
Sec. B.106 Finance and management - budget and management
             Personal services  1,726,678
             Operating expenses  376,867
                Total  2,103,545
          Source of funds
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            General fund  1,320,303
            Internal service funds  517,237
            Interdepartmental transfers  266,005
               Total  2,103,545
Sec. B.107 Finance and management - financial operations
            Personal services  3,263,811
            Operating expenses  835,537
               Total  4,099,348
          Source of funds
            Internal service funds  3,880,186
            Interdepartmental transfers  219,162
               Total  4,099,348
Sec. B.108 Human resources - operations
            Personal services  12,618,652
            Operating expenses  1,683,153
               Total  14,301,805
          Source of funds
            General fund  2,009,464
            Special funds  180,668
            Internal service funds  11,149,163
            Interdepartmental transfers  962,510
               Total  14,301,805
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Sec. B.108.1 Human resources - VTHR operations
            Personal services  2,495,563
            Operating expenses  989,816
               Total  3,485,379
          Source of funds
            Internal service funds  3,335,155
            Interdepartmental transfers  150,224
               Total  3,485,379
Sec. B.109 Human resources - employee benefits & wellness
            Personal services  1,470,728
            Operating expenses  765,201
               Total  2,235,929
          Source of funds
            Internal service funds  2,235,929
               Total  2,235,929
Sec. B.110 Libraries
            Personal services  3,142,573
            Operating expenses  548,504
            Grants  238,660
               Total  3,929,737
          Source of funds
            General fund  2,470,909
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            Special funds  87,178
            Federal funds  1,241,835
            Interdepartmental transfers  129,815
               Total  3,929,737
Sec. B.111 Tax - administration/collection
            Personal services  30,878,080
            Operating expenses  7,323,104
               Total  38,201,184
          Source of funds
            General fund  25,818,400
            Special funds  12,332,784
            Interdepartmental transfers  50,000
               Total  38,201,184
Sec. B.112 Buildings and general services - administration
            Personal services  1,090,871
            Operating expenses  228,872
               Total  1,319,743
          Source of funds
            Interdepartmental transfers  1,319,743
               Total  1,319,743
Sec. B.113 Buildings and general services - engineering
            Personal services  102,231
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            Operating expenses  1,114,195
               Total  1,216,426
          Source of funds
            General fund  1,216,426
               Total  1,216,426
Sec. B.113.1 Buildings and general services engineering - capital projects
            Personal services  3,489,916
            Operating expenses  500,000
               Total  3,989,916
          Source of funds
            General fund  3,351,480
            Interdepartmental transfers  638,436
               Total  3,989,916
Sec. B.114 Buildings and general services - information centers
            Personal services  3,684,847
            Operating expenses  2,228,705
               Total  5,913,552
          Source of funds
            General fund  723,210
            Transportation fund  4,710,621
            Special funds  479,721
               Total  5,913,552
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Sec. B.115 Buildings and general services - purchasing
            Personal services  3,189,478
            Operating expenses  266,883
               Total  3,456,361
          Source of funds
            General fund  1,727,877
            Internal service funds  1,386,959
            Interdepartmental transfers  341,525
               Total  3,456,361
Sec. B.116 Buildings and general services - postal services
            Personal services  892,320
            Operating expenses  173,126
               Total  1,065,446
          Source of funds
            General fund  96,479
            Internal service funds  968,967
               Total  1,065,446
Sec. B.117 Buildings and general services - copy center
            Personal services  992,680
            Operating expenses  217,022
               Total  1,209,702
          Source of funds
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            Internal service funds  1,209,702
               Total  1,209,702
Sec. B.118 Buildings and general services - fleet management services
            Personal services  1,086,176
            Operating expenses  251,051
               Total  1,337,227
          Source of funds
            Internal service funds  1,238,057
            Interdepartmental transfers  99,170
               Total  1,337,227
Sec. B.119 Buildings and general services - federal surplus property
            Operating expenses  4,427
               Total  4,427
          Source of funds
            Enterprise funds  4,427
               Total  4,427
Sec. B.120 Buildings and general services - state surplus property
            Personal services  389,970
            Operating expenses  167,097
               Total  557,067
          Source of funds
            Internal service funds  557,067
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               Total  557,067
Sec. B.121 Buildings and general services - property management
            Personal services  1,250,068
            Operating expenses  722,602
               Total  1,972,670
          Source of funds
            Internal service funds  1,830,898
            Interdepartmental transfers  141,772
               Total  1,972,670
Sec. B.122 Buildings and general services - fee for space
            Personal services  23,787,396
            Operating expenses  17,757,907
               Total  41,545,303
          Source of funds
            Internal service funds  41,545,303
               Total  41,545,303
Sec. B.124 Executive office - governor’s office
            Personal services  2,087,428
            Operating expenses  571,877
               Total  2,659,305
          Source of funds
            General fund  2,086,338
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            Interdepartmental transfers  572,967
               Total  2,659,305
Sec. B.125 Legislative counsel
            Personal services  5,562,384
            Operating expenses  305,246
               Total  5,867,630
          Source of funds
            General fund  5,867,630
               Total  5,867,630
Sec. B.126 Legislature
            Personal services  6,319,895
            Operating expenses  5,653,460
               Total  11,973,355
          Source of funds
            General fund  11,973,355
               Total  11,973,355
Sec. B.126.1 Legislative information technology
            Personal services  1,589,468
            Operating expenses  940,400
               Total  2,529,868
          Source of funds
            General fund  2,529,868
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               Total  2,529,868
Sec. B.127 Joint fiscal committee
            Personal services  3,218,498
            Operating expenses  203,144
               Total  3,421,642
          Source of funds
            General fund  3,421,642
               Total  3,421,642
Sec. B.128 Sergeant at arms
            Personal services  1,738,030
            Operating expenses  215,269
               Total  1,953,299
          Source of funds
            General fund  1,953,299
               Total  1,953,299
Sec. B.129 Lieutenant governor
            Personal services  256,396
            Operating expenses  65,515
               Total  321,911
          Source of funds
            General fund  321,911
               Total  321,911
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Sec. B.130 Auditor of accounts
            Personal services  4,914,039
            Operating expenses  159,245
               Total  5,073,284
          Source of funds
            General fund  289,054
            Special funds  53,145
            Internal service funds  4,731,085
               Total  5,073,284
Sec. B.131 State treasurer
            Personal services  7,459,970
            Operating expenses  378,493
               Total  7,838,463
          Source of funds
            General fund  2,744,590
            Special funds  4,713,210
            Interdepartmental transfers  380,663
               Total  7,838,463
Sec. B.132 State treasurer - unclaimed property
            Personal services  980,240
            Operating expenses  669,064
               Total  1,649,304
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          Source of funds
            Private purpose trust funds  1,649,304
               Total  1,649,304
Sec. B.133 Vermont state retirement system
            Personal services  287,163
            Operating expenses  3,480,963
               Total  3,768,126
          Source of funds
            Pension trust funds  3,768,126
               Total  3,768,126
Sec. B.134 Municipal employees’ retirement system
            Personal services  234,016
            Operating expenses  1,973,853
               Total  2,207,869
          Source of funds
            Pension trust funds  2,207,869
               Total  2,207,869
Sec. B.134.1 Vermont pension investment commission
            Personal services  2,696,175
            Operating expenses  286,820
               Total  2,982,995
          Source of funds
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            Special funds  2,982,995
               Total  2,982,995
Sec. B.135 State labor relations board
            Personal services  435,622
            Operating expenses  85,406
               Total  521,028
          Source of funds
            General fund  507,202
            Special funds  11,038
            Interdepartmental transfers  2,788
               Total  521,028
Sec. B.136 VOSHA review board
            Personal services  114,314
            Operating expenses  27,965
               Total  142,279
          Source of funds
            General fund  91,275
            Interdepartmental transfers  51,004
               Total  142,279
Sec. B.136.1 Ethics commission
            Personal services  364,306
            Operating expenses  36,234
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               Total  400,540
          Source of funds
            General fund  150,000
            Internal service funds  250,540
               Total  400,540
Sec. B.137 Homeowner rebate
            Grants  17,500,000
               Total  17,500,000
          Source of funds
            General fund  17,500,000
               Total  17,500,000
Sec. B.138 Renter rebate
            Grants  15,500,000
               Total  15,500,000
          Source of funds
            General fund  15,500,000
               Total  15,500,000
Sec. B.139 Tax department - reappraisal and listing payments
            Grants  3,410,000
               Total  3,410,000
          Source of funds
            Special funds  3,410,000
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               Total  3,410,000
Sec. B.140 Municipal current use
            Grants  21,650,000
               Total  21,650,000
          Source of funds
            General fund  21,650,000
               Total  21,650,000
Sec. B.142 Payments in lieu of taxes
            Grants  12,200,000
               Total  12,200,000
          Source of funds
            Special funds  12,200,000
               Total  12,200,000
Sec. B.144 Payments in lieu of taxes - correctional facilities
            Grants  40,000
               Total  40,000
          Source of funds
            Special funds  40,000
               Total  40,000
Sec. B.145 Total general government
          Source of funds
            General fund  152,613,175
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            Transportation fund  4,710,621
            Special funds  37,647,737
            Federal funds  1,241,835
            Internal service funds  163,432,820
            Interdepartmental transfers       7,979,570
            Enterprise funds  4,427
            Pension trust funds  5,975,995
            Private purpose trust funds       1,649,304
               Total  375,255,484
Sec. B.200 Attorney general
            Personal services  17,117,330
            Operating expenses  2,045,972
            Grants  20,000
               Total  19,183,302
          Source of funds
            General fund  8,947,036
            Special funds  2,976,044
            Tobacco fund  434,660
            Federal funds  1,956,258
            Interdepartmental transfers       4,869,304
               Total  19,183,302
Sec. B.201 Vermont court diversion
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            Personal services  1,250
            Grants  5,012,871
               Total  5,014,121
          Source of funds
            General fund  4,756,124
            Special funds  257,997
               Total  5,014,121
Sec. B.202 Defender general - public defense
            Personal services  20,439,822
            Operating expenses  1,855,610
               Total  22,295,432
          Source of funds
            General fund  21,705,779
            Special funds  589,653
               Total  22,295,432
Sec. B.203 Defender general - assigned counsel
            Personal services  8,277,975
            Operating expenses  64,500
               Total  8,342,475
          Source of funds
            General fund  8,342,475
               Total  8,342,475
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Sec. B.204 Judiciary
            Personal services  67,540,550
            Operating expenses  14,904,686
            Grants  121,030
               Total  82,566,266
          Source of funds
            General fund  76,767,361
            Special funds  1,970,905
            Federal funds  1,580,000
            Interdepartmental transfers       2,248,000
               Total  82,566,266
Sec. B.205 State’s attorneys
            Personal services  19,675,456
            Operating expenses  2,818,379
               Total  22,493,835
          Source of funds
            General fund  21,865,234
            Federal funds  31,000
            Interdepartmental transfers  597,601
               Total  22,493,835
Sec. B.206 Special investigative unit
            Personal services  151,063
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            Operating expenses  34,335
            Grants  2,174,400
               Total  2,359,798
          Source of funds
            General fund  2,359,798
               Total  2,359,798
Sec. B.206.1 Crime victims advocates
            Personal services  3,733,421
            Operating expenses  104,756
               Total  3,838,177
          Source of funds
            General fund  3,838,177
               Total  3,838,177
Sec. B.207 Sheriffs
            Personal services  6,738,595
            Operating expenses  475,338
               Total  7,213,933
          Source of funds
            General fund  7,213,933
               Total  7,213,933
Sec. B.208 Public safety - administration
            Personal services  6,697,580
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            Operating expenses  6,307,218
            Grants  278,285
               Total  13,283,083
          Source of funds
            General fund  7,978,921
            Special funds  162,545
            Federal funds  1,108,908
            Interdepartmental transfers  4,032,709
               Total  13,283,083
Sec. B.209 Public safety - state police
            Personal services  85,401,432
            Operating expenses  21,768,293
            Grants  5,105,175
               Total  112,274,900
          Source of funds
            General fund  92,333,444
            Special funds  3,272,346
            Federal funds  15,200,575
            Interdepartmental transfers  1,468,535
               Total  112,274,900
Sec. B.210 Public safety - criminal justice services
            Personal services  5,274,841
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            Operating expenses  2,267,161
            Grants  47,775
               Total  7,589,777
          Source of funds
            General fund  3,140,979
            Special funds  3,502,099
            Federal funds  946,699
               Total  7,589,777
Sec. B.211 Public safety - emergency management
            Personal services  6,727,689
            Operating expenses  1,030,786
            Grants  62,267,474
               Total  70,025,949
          Source of funds
            General fund  1,717,693
            Special funds  710,000
            Federal funds  67,578,256
            Interdepartmental transfers  20,000
               Total  70,025,949
Sec. B.212 Public safety - fire safety
            Personal services  10,703,913
            Operating expenses  4,581,165
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            Grants  55,000
               Total  15,340,078
          Source of funds
            General fund  2,339,163
            Special funds  11,259,010
            Federal funds  1,696,905
            Interdepartmental transfers  45,000
               Total  15,340,078
Sec. B.213 Public safety - forensic laboratory
            Personal services  4,643,753
            Operating expenses  1,465,076
               Total  6,108,829
          Source of funds
            General fund  4,435,869
            Special funds  70,131
            Federal funds  1,087,429
            Interdepartmental transfers  515,400
               Total  6,108,829
Sec. B.215 Military - administration
            Personal services  1,179,336
            Operating expenses  916,266
            Grants  1,219,834
                                                 VT LEG #390227 v.1
No. 144  Page 31 of 248
2026
               Total  3,315,436
          Source of funds
            General fund  3,315,436
               Total  3,315,436
Sec. B.216 Military - air service contract
            Personal services  12,390,019
            Operating expenses  1,476,497
               Total  13,866,516
          Source of funds
            General fund  846,658
            Federal funds  13,019,858
               Total  13,866,516
Sec. B.217 Military - army service contract
            Personal services  45,572,956
            Operating expenses  8,116,785
               Total  53,689,741
          Source of funds
            Federal funds  53,689,741
               Total  53,689,741
Sec. B.218 Military - building maintenance
            Personal services  1,215,984
            Operating expenses  773,080
                                              VT LEG #390227 v.1
No. 144  Page 32 of 248
2026
               Total  1,989,064
          Source of funds
            General fund  1,926,564
            Special funds  62,500
               Total  1,989,064
Sec. B.219 Military - veterans’ affairs
            Personal services  1,462,774
            Operating expenses  189,912
            Grants  37,500
               Total  1,690,186
          Source of funds
            General fund  1,511,104
            Special funds  52,149
            Federal funds  126,933
               Total  1,690,186
Sec. B.220 Center for crime victim services
            Personal services  2,391,977
            Operating expenses  349,027
            Grants  8,450,425
               Total  11,191,429
          Source of funds
            General fund  1,662,398
                                              VT LEG #390227 v.1
No. 144  Page 33 of 248
2026
            Special funds  3,765,489
            Federal funds  5,763,542
               Total  11,191,429
Sec. B.221 Criminal justice council
            Personal services  2,691,167
            Operating expenses  1,987,866
               Total  4,679,033
          Source of funds
            General fund  4,331,708
            Interdepartmental transfers  347,325
               Total  4,679,033
Sec. B.222 Agriculture, food and markets - administration
            Personal services  3,612,905
            Operating expenses  462,506
               Total  4,075,411
          Source of funds
            General fund  1,650,272
            Special funds  1,919,780
            Federal funds  497,859
            Interdepartmental transfers  7,500
               Total  4,075,411
                                                            VT LEG #390227 v.1
No. 144  Page 34 of 248
2026
Sec. B.223 Agriculture, food and markets - food safety and consumer
protection
             Personal services  6,110,557
             Operating expenses  1,310,703
             Grants  2,780,000
                Total  10,201,260
          Source of funds
             General fund  4,235,750
             Special funds  3,830,620
             Federal funds  2,122,890
             Interdepartmental transfers  12,000
                Total  10,201,260
Sec. B.224 Agriculture, food and markets - agricultural development
             Personal services  3,031,439
             Operating expenses  720,667
             Grants  16,318,200
                Total  20,070,306
          Source of funds
             General fund  3,232,484
             Special funds  683,149
             Federal funds  16,103,955
             Interdepartmental transfers  50,718
                                                              VT LEG #390227 v.1
No. 144  Page 35 of 248
2026
               Total  20,070,306
Sec. B.225 Agriculture, food and markets - agricultural resource management
and environmental stewardship
            Personal services  3,112,283
            Operating expenses  916,568
            Grants  555,000
               Total  4,583,851
          Source of funds
            General fund  808,770
            Special funds  2,977,583
            Federal funds  411,751
            Interdepartmental transfers  385,747
               Total  4,583,851
Sec. B.225.1 Agriculture, food and markets - Vermont agriculture and
environmental lab
            Personal services  2,118,554
            Operating expenses  1,425,694
               Total  3,544,248
          Source of funds
            General fund  1,657,622
            Special funds  1,799,983
            Interdepartmental transfers  86,643
                                                              VT LEG #390227 v.1
No. 144  Page 36 of 248
2026
               Total  3,544,248
Sec. B.225.2 Agriculture, food and markets - clean water
            Personal services  4,302,930
            Operating expenses  596,899
            Grants  13,704,381
               Total  18,604,210
          Source of funds
            General fund  2,040,981
            Special funds  13,143,719
            Federal funds  899,994
            Interdepartmental transfers  2,519,516
               Total  18,604,210
Sec. B.226 Financial regulation - administration
            Personal services  3,191,764
            Operating expenses  119,849
            Grants  100,000
               Total  3,411,613
          Source of funds
            Special funds  3,411,613
               Total  3,411,613
Sec. B.227 Financial regulation - banking
            Personal services  2,626,530
                                                           VT LEG #390227 v.1
No. 144  Page 37 of 248
2026
            Operating expenses  489,061
               Total  3,115,591
          Source of funds
            Special funds  3,115,591
               Total  3,115,591
Sec. B.228 Financial regulation - insurance
            Personal services  6,081,320
            Operating expenses  726,826
               Total  6,808,146
          Source of funds
            Special funds  6,808,146
               Total  6,808,146
Sec. B.229 Financial regulation - captive insurance
            Personal services  5,852,030
            Operating expenses  485,166
               Total  6,337,196
          Source of funds
            Special funds  6,337,196
               Total  6,337,196
Sec. B.230 Financial regulation - securities
            Personal services  1,484,957
            Operating expenses  236,805
                                                      VT LEG #390227 v.1
No. 144  Page 38 of 248
2026
               Total  1,721,762
          Source of funds
            Special funds  1,721,762
               Total  1,721,762
Sec. B.232 Secretary of state
            Personal services  22,771,803
            Operating expenses  3,553,687
            Grants  1,800,000
               Total  28,125,490
          Source of funds
            General fund  1,800,000
            Special funds  21,682,168
            Federal funds  4,643,322
               Total  28,125,490
Sec. B.233 Public service - regulation and energy
            Personal services  13,710,252
            Operating expenses  2,748,196
            Grants  16,375,000
               Total  32,833,448
          Source of funds
            Special funds  12,654,322
            Federal funds  18,595,869
                                                    VT LEG #390227 v.1
No. 144  Page 39 of 248
2026
            Interdepartmental transfers  1,568,571
            Enterprise funds  14,686
               Total  32,833,448
Sec. B.233.1 VT Community broadband board
            Personal services  2,453,429
            Operating expenses  816,431
            Grants  43,000,000
               Total  46,269,860
          Source of funds
            Special funds  882,735
            Federal funds  45,387,125
               Total  46,269,860
Sec. B.234 Public utility commission
            Personal services  4,685,041
            Operating expenses  604,301
               Total  5,289,342
          Source of funds
            Special funds  5,289,342
               Total  5,289,342
Sec. B.235 Enhanced 9-1-1 board
            Personal services  4,854,520
            Operating expenses  704,797
                                            VT LEG #390227 v.1
No. 144  Page 40 of 248
2026
               Total  5,559,317
          Source of funds
            Special funds  5,559,317
               Total  5,559,317
Sec. B.236 Human rights commission
            Personal services  1,352,987
            Operating expenses  178,128
               Total  1,531,115
          Source of funds
            General fund  1,531,115
               Total  1,531,115
Sec. B.236.1 Liquor and lottery commission
            Personal services  11,295,690
            Operating expenses  5,914,352
               Total  17,210,042
          Source of funds
            Special funds  125,000
            Tobacco fund  252,863
            Interdepartmental transfers  70,000
            Enterprise funds  16,762,179
               Total  17,210,042
                                             VT LEG #390227 v.1
No. 144  Page 41 of 248
2026
Sec. B.240 Cannabis control board
            Personal services  4,669,174
            Operating expenses  2,456,952
            Grants  15,000
               Total  7,141,126
          Source of funds
            General fund  4,576,032
            Special funds  2,565,094
               Total  7,141,126
Sec. B.241 Total protection to persons and property
          Source of funds
            General fund  302,868,880
            Special funds  123,157,988
            Tobacco fund  687,523
            Federal funds  252,448,869
            Interdepartmental transfers  18,844,569
            Enterprise funds  16,776,865
               Total  714,784,694
Sec. B.300 Human services - agency of human services - secretary’s office
            Personal services  18,803,543
            Operating expenses  8,491,902
            Grants  3,257,864
                                                              VT LEG #390227 v.1
No. 144  Page 42 of 248
2026
               Total  30,553,309
          Source of funds
            General fund  12,150,921
            Special funds  135,517
            Federal funds  15,052,120
            Global Commitment fund  2,875,929
            Interdepartmental transfers  338,822
               Total  30,553,309
Sec. B.301 Secretary’s office - global commitment
            Grants  2,273,186,435
               Total  2,273,186,435
          Source of funds
            General fund  743,900,289
            Special funds  31,874,504
            Tobacco fund  21,049,373
            State health care resources fund  31,074,772
            Federal funds  1,440,101,602
            Interdepartmental transfers  5,185,895
               Total  2,273,186,435
Sec. B.303 Developmental disabilities council
            Personal services  536,809
            Operating expenses  91,194
                                                    VT LEG #390227 v.1
No. 144  Page 43 of 248
2026
            Grants  191,595
               Total  819,598
          Source of funds
            Federal funds  819,598
               Total  819,598
Sec. B.304 Human services board
            Personal services  837,298
            Operating expenses  103,145
               Total  940,443
          Source of funds
            General fund  550,413
            Federal funds  390,030
               Total  940,443
Sec. B.305 AHS - administrative fund
            Personal services  330,000
            Operating expenses  13,170,000
               Total  13,500,000
          Source of funds
            Interdepartmental transfers  13,500,000
               Total  13,500,000
Sec. B.306 Department of Vermont health access - administration
            Personal services  147,234,611
                                                             VT LEG #390227 v.1
No. 144  Page 44 of 248
2026
            Operating expenses  47,892,588
            Grants  3,112,301
               Total  198,239,500
          Source of funds
            General fund  43,531,984
            Special funds  11,408,238
            Federal funds  135,473,624
            Global Commitment fund  4,814,385
            Interdepartmental transfers  3,011,269
               Total  198,239,500
Sec. B.307 Department of Vermont health access - Medicaid program - global
commitment
            Grants  1,018,891,468
               Total  1,018,891,468
          Source of funds
            Global Commitment fund  1,018,891,468
               Total  1,018,891,468
Sec. B.309 Department of Vermont health access - Medicaid program - state
only
            Grants  87,719,396
               Total  87,719,396
          Source of funds
                                                             VT LEG #390227 v.1
No. 144  Page 45 of 248
2026
            General fund  62,223,167
            Special funds  20,025,000
            Global Commitment fund  5,471,229
               Total  87,719,396
Sec. B.310 Department of Vermont health access - Medicaid non-waiver
matched
            Grants  53,713,422
               Total  53,713,422
          Source of funds
            General fund  13,976,890
            Federal funds  39,736,532
               Total  53,713,422
Sec. B.311 Health - administration and support
            Personal services  9,530,484
            Operating expenses  9,699,306
            Grants  0
               Total  19,229,790
          Source of funds
            General fund  3,988,804
            Special funds  1,584,462
            Tobacco fund  70,101
            Federal funds  9,440,311
                                                            VT LEG #390227 v.1
No. 144  Page 46 of 248
2026
            Global Commitment fund  4,018,122
            Interdepartmental transfers  127,990
               Total  19,229,790
Sec. B.312 Health - public health
            Personal services  74,383,408
            Operating expenses  9,332,917
            Grants  50,181,945
               Total  133,898,270
          Source of funds
            General fund  16,942,106
            Special funds  28,928,042
            Tobacco fund  1,022,514
            Federal funds  64,633,236
            Global Commitment fund  19,796,403
            Interdepartmental transfers  2,550,969
            Permanent trust funds  25,000
               Total  133,898,270
Sec. B.313 Health - substance use programs
            Personal services  6,228,331
            Operating expenses  1,597,360
            Grants  62,950,881
               Total  70,776,572
                                             VT LEG #390227 v.1
No. 144  Page 47 of 248
2026
          Source of funds
            General fund  4,597,402
            Special funds  11,594,473
            Tobacco fund  949,917
            Federal funds  16,490,182
            Global Commitment fund  37,144,598
               Total  70,776,572
Sec. B.314 Mental health - mental health
            Personal services  15,045,226
            Operating expenses  3,284,381
            Grants  284,925,309
               Total  303,254,916
          Source of funds
            General fund  16,159,945
            Special funds  1,006,836
            Federal funds  13,679,245
            Global Commitment fund  271,143,986
            Interdepartmental transfers  1,264,904
               Total  303,254,916
Sec. B.315 Department of mental health - mental health facilities
            Personal services  42,645,892
            Operating expenses  3,453,114
                                                                VT LEG #390227 v.1
No. 144  Page 48 of 248
2026
                Total  46,099,006
           Source of funds
             General fund  23,627,954
             Special funds  1,711,833
             Global Commitment fund  20,759,219
                Total  46,099,006
Sec. B.316 Department for children and families - administration & support
services
             Personal services  53,504,671
             Operating expenses  21,318,873
             Grants  5,311,047
                Total  80,134,591
           Source of funds
             General fund  54,056,305
             Special funds  2,695,360
             Federal funds  20,162,623
             Global Commitment fund  2,593,300
             Interdepartmental transfers  627,003
                Total  80,134,591
Sec. B.317 Department for children and families - family services
             Personal services  53,086,776
             Operating expenses  5,608,679
                                                               VT LEG #390227 v.1
No. 144  Page 49 of 248
2026
            Grants  101,038,145
               Total  159,733,600
          Source of funds
            General fund  68,388,078
            Special funds  729,150
            Federal funds  37,280,968
            Global Commitment fund  53,320,404
            Interdepartmental transfers  15,000
               Total  159,733,600
Sec. B.318 Department for children and families - child development
            Personal services  7,080,069
            Operating expenses  1,017,973
            Grants  225,731,684
               Total  233,829,726
          Source of funds
            General fund  71,876,506
            Special funds  104,967,803
            Federal funds  42,948,970
            Global Commitment fund  14,036,447
               Total  233,829,726
Sec. B.319 Department for children and families - office of child support
            Personal services  14,842,317
                                                                VT LEG #390227 v.1
No. 144  Page 50 of 248
2026
             Operating expenses  3,753,380
                Total  18,595,697
           Source of funds
             General fund  5,841,149
             Special funds  453,110
             Federal funds  11,913,838
             Interdepartmental transfers  387,600
                Total  18,595,697
Sec. B.320 Department for children and families - aid to aged, blind and
disabled
             Personal services  2,611,765
             Grants  10,283,881
                Total  12,895,646
           Source of funds
             General fund  7,452,643
             Global Commitment fund  5,443,003
                Total  12,895,646
Sec. B.321 Department for children and families - general assistance
             Personal services  15,000
             Grants  11,190,819
                Total  11,205,819
           Source of funds
                                                                VT LEG #390227 v.1
No. 144  Page 51 of 248
2026
            General fund  11,004,245
            Federal funds  11,098
            Global Commitment fund  190,476
               Total  11,205,819
Sec. B.322 Department for children and families - 3SquaresVT
            Grants  53,077,812
               Total  53,077,812
          Source of funds
            Federal funds  53,077,812
               Total  53,077,812
Sec. B.323 Department for children and families - reach up
            Operating expenses  23,821
            Grants  32,466,947
               Total  32,490,768
          Source of funds
            General fund  17,904,212
            Special funds  6,106,068
            Federal funds  4,953,062
            Global Commitment fund  3,527,426
               Total  32,490,768
Sec. B.324 Department for children and families - home heating fuel
assistance/LIHEAP
                                                               VT LEG #390227 v.1
No. 144  Page 52 of 248
2026
              Grants  20,730,395
                Total  20,730,395
          Source of funds
              Special funds  1,480,395
              Federal funds  19,250,000
                Total  20,730,395
Sec. B.325 Department for children and families - office of economic
opportunity
              Personal services  1,872,257
              Operating expenses  188,231
              Grants  55,272,640
                Total  57,333,128
          Source of funds
              General fund  48,486,907
              Special funds  83,135
              Federal funds  5,139,585
              Global Commitment fund  3,623,501
                Total  57,333,128
Sec. B.326 Department for children and families - OEO - weatherization
assistance
              Personal services  473,291
              Operating expenses  277,072
                                                              VT LEG #390227 v.1
No. 144  Page 53 of 248
2026
             Grants  16,147,885
                Total  16,898,248
           Source of funds
             Special funds  7,733,295
             Federal funds  9,164,953
                Total  16,898,248
Sec. B.327 Department for children and families - secure residential treatment
             Personal services  258,100
             Operating expenses  38,870
             Grants  4,476,862
                Total  4,773,832
           Source of funds
             General fund  4,743,832
             Global Commitment fund  30,000
                Total  4,773,832
Sec. B.328 Department for children and families - disability determination
services
             Personal services  8,771,035
             Operating expenses  632,678
                Total  9,403,713
           Source of funds
             General fund  141,599
                                                                VT LEG #390227 v.1
No. 144  Page 54 of 248
2026
            Federal funds  9,262,114
               Total  9,403,713
Sec. B.329 Disabilities, aging, and independent living - administration &
support
            Personal services  53,613,657
            Operating expenses  7,899,745
               Total  61,513,402
          Source of funds
            General fund  28,240,734
            Special funds  2,601,056
            Federal funds  29,054,031
            Global Commitment fund  110,000
            Interdepartmental transfers  1,507,581
               Total  61,513,402
Sec. B.330 Disabilities, aging, and independent living - advocacy and
independent living grants
            Grants  27,332,274
               Total  27,332,274
          Source of funds
            General fund  8,769,909
            Federal funds  10,541,896
            Global Commitment fund  8,020,469
                                                                VT LEG #390227 v.1
No. 144  Page 55 of 248
2026
                 Total  27,332,274
Sec. B.331 Disabilities, aging, and independent living - blind and visually
impaired
             Grants  3,557,604
                 Total  3,557,604
           Source of funds
             General fund  639,154
             Special funds  223,450
             Federal funds  2,390,000
             Global Commitment fund  305,000
                 Total  3,557,604
Sec. B.332 Disabilities, aging, and independent living - vocational
rehabilitation
             Grants  10,145,384
                 Total  10,145,384
           Source of funds
             General fund  371,845
             Federal funds  9,616,000
             Interdepartmental transfers  157,539
                 Total  10,145,384
Sec. B.333 Disabilities, aging, and independent living - developmental
services
                                                                 VT LEG #390227 v.1
No. 144  Page 56 of 248
2026
            Grants  361,412,468
               Total  361,412,468
          Source of funds
            General fund  132,732
            Special funds  15,463
            Federal funds  200,000
            Global Commitment fund  360,997,607
            Interdepartmental transfers  66,666
               Total  361,412,468
Sec. B.334 Disabilities, aging, and independent living - TBI home and
community based waiver
            Grants  7,617,804
               Total  7,617,804
          Source of funds
            Global Commitment fund  7,617,804
               Total  7,617,804
Sec. B.334.1 Disabilities, aging, and independent living - long term care
            Grants  363,402,885
               Total  363,402,885
          Source of funds
            General fund  498,579
            Federal funds  2,450,000
                                                                VT LEG #390227 v.1
No. 144  Page 57 of 248
2026
            Global Commitment fund  360,454,306
               Total  363,402,885
Sec. B.335 Corrections - administration
            Personal services  6,294,173
            Operating expenses  269,950
               Total  6,564,123
          Source of funds
            General fund  6,564,123
               Total  6,564,123
Sec. B.336 Corrections - parole board
            Personal services  546,911
            Operating expenses  60,112
               Total  607,023
          Source of funds
            General fund  607,023
               Total  607,023
Sec. B.337 Corrections - correctional education
            Personal services  4,229,246
            Operating expenses  255,064
               Total  4,484,310
          Source of funds
            General fund  4,335,526
                                                  VT LEG #390227 v.1
No. 144  Page 58 of 248
2026
            Interdepartmental transfers  148,784
               Total  4,484,310
Sec. B.338 Corrections - correctional services
            Personal services  185,053,487
            Operating expenses  28,640,294
            Grants  801,823
               Total  214,495,604
          Source of funds
            General fund  205,731,635
            Special funds  935,963
            Federal funds  581,790
            Global Commitment fund  6,849,901
            Interdepartmental transfers  396,315
               Total  214,495,604
Sec. B.338.1 Corrections - justice reinvestment II
            Grants  11,189,702
               Total  11,189,702
          Source of funds
            General fund  8,625,161
            Global Commitment fund  2,564,541
               Total  11,189,702
Sec. B.339 Corrections - correctional services - out of state beds
                                                                 VT LEG #390227 v.1
No. 144  Page 59 of 248
2026
            Personal services  4,130,378
               Total  4,130,378
          Source of funds
            General fund  4,130,378
               Total  4,130,378
Sec. B.340 Corrections - correctional facilities - recreation
            Personal services  694,135
            Operating expenses  457,555
               Total  1,151,690
          Source of funds
            Special funds  1,151,690
               Total  1,151,690
Sec. B.341 Corrections - Vermont offender work program
            Personal services  515,893
            Operating expenses  160,570
               Total  676,463
          Source of funds
            Internal service funds  676,463
               Total  676,463
Sec. B.342 Vermont veterans’ home - care and support services
            Personal services  24,295,479
            Operating expenses  7,265,907
                                                                VT LEG #390227 v.1
No. 144  Page 60 of 248
2026
               Total  31,561,386
          Source of funds
            General fund  10,370,653
            Special funds  12,153,730
            Federal funds  9,037,003
               Total  31,561,386
Sec. B.343 Commission on women
            Personal services  446,911
            Operating expenses  93,377
               Total  540,288
          Source of funds
            General fund  536,228
            Special funds  4,060
               Total  540,288
Sec. B.344 Retired senior volunteer program
            Grants  169,909
               Total  169,909
          Source of funds
            General fund  169,909
               Total  169,909
Sec. B.345 Green mountain care board
            Personal services  10,791,488
                                              VT LEG #390227 v.1
No. 144  Page 61 of 248
2026
            Operating expenses  585,144
               Total  11,376,632
          Source of funds
            General fund  4,403,223
            Special funds  6,973,409
               Total  11,376,632
Sec. B.346 Office of the child, youth, and family advocate
            Personal services  407,107
            Operating expenses  85,059
               Total  492,166
          Source of funds
            General fund  492,166
               Total  492,166
Sec. B.347 Total human services
          Source of funds
            General fund  1,516,164,329
            Special funds  256,576,042
            Tobacco fund  23,091,905
            State health care resources fund  31,074,772
            Federal funds  2,012,852,223
            Global Commitment fund  2,214,599,524
            Internal service funds  676,463
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            Interdepartmental transfers        29,286,337
            Permanent trust funds  25,000
               Total  6,084,346,595
Sec. B.400 Labor - programs
            Personal services  37,245,562
            Operating expenses  5,944,271
            Grants  1,632,900
               Total  44,822,733
          Source of funds
            General fund  11,854,490
            Special funds  10,685,153
            Federal funds  22,188,227
            Interdepartmental transfers  94,863
               Total  44,822,733
Sec. B.401 Total labor
          Source of funds
            General fund  11,854,490
            Special funds  10,685,153
            Federal funds  22,188,227
            Interdepartmental transfers  94,863
               Total  44,822,733
Sec. B.500 Education - education services
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No. 144  Page 63 of 248
2026
            Personal services  34,311,091
            Operating expenses  6,389,982
            Grants  188,531,318
               Total  229,232,391
          Source of funds
            General fund  20,194,009
            Special funds  2,111,117
            Tobacco fund  750,388
            Education fund  3,937,725
            Federal funds  200,665,386
            Global Commitment fund  260,000
            Interdepartmental transfers  1,313,766
               Total  229,232,391
Sec. B.502 Education - special education: formula grants
            Personal services  1,083,000
            Grants  275,642,100
               Total  276,725,100
          Source of funds
            Education fund  276,725,100
               Total  276,725,100
Sec. B.503 Education - state-placed students
            Grants  18,286,500
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2026
               Total  18,286,500
          Source of funds
            Education fund  18,286,500
               Total  18,286,500
Sec. B.504 Education - adult education and literacy
            Grants  5,290,338
               Total  5,290,338
          Source of funds
            General fund  4,349,673
            Federal funds  940,665
               Total  5,290,338
Sec. B.504.1 Education - Flexible Pathways
            Grants  11,742,782
               Total  11,742,782
          Source of funds
            General fund  921,500
            Education fund  10,821,282
               Total  11,742,782
Sec. B.505 Education - adjusted education payment
            Grants  2,067,557,580
               Total  2,067,557,580
          Source of funds
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2026
            Education fund  2,067,557,580
               Total  2,067,557,580
Sec. B.506 Education - transportation
            Grants  26,925,382
               Total  26,925,382
          Source of funds
            Education fund  26,925,382
               Total  26,925,382
Sec. B.507 Education - merger support grants
            Grants  1,800,000
               Total  1,800,000
          Source of funds
            Education fund  1,800,000
               Total  1,800,000
Sec. B.507.1 Education - EL categorical aid
            Grants  2,500,000
               Total  2,500,000
          Source of funds
            Education fund  2,500,000
               Total  2,500,000
Sec. B.508 Education - nutrition
            Grants  18,300,000
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               Total  18,300,000
          Source of funds
            Education fund  18,300,000
               Total  18,300,000
Sec. B.509 Education - afterschool grant program
            Personal services  484,293
            Operating expenses  20,707
            Grants  9,595,000
               Total  10,100,000
          Source of funds
            Special funds  10,100,000
               Total  10,100,000
Sec. B.510 Education - essential early education grant
            Grants  9,552,240
               Total  9,552,240
          Source of funds
            Education fund  9,552,240
               Total  9,552,240
Sec. B.511 Education - technical education
            Grants  19,636,750
               Total  19,636,750
          Source of funds
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            Education fund  19,636,750
               Total  19,636,750
Sec. B.511.1 State board of education
            Personal services  184,208
            Operating expenses  16,500
               Total  200,708
          Source of funds
            General fund  200,708
               Total  200,708
Sec. B.513 Retired teachers pension plus funding
            Grants  15,000,000
               Total  15,000,000
          Source of funds
            General fund  15,000,000
               Total  15,000,000
Sec. B.514 State teachers’ retirement system
            Grants  212,905,084
               Total  212,905,084
          Source of funds
            General fund  170,750,066
            Education fund  42,155,018
               Total  212,905,084
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Sec. B.514.1 State teachers’ retirement system administration
            Personal services  428,408
            Operating expenses  3,750,161
               Total  4,178,569
          Source of funds
            Pension trust funds  4,178,569
               Total  4,178,569
Sec. B.515 Retired teachers’ health care and medical benefits
            Grants  90,834,595
               Total  90,834,595
          Source of funds
            General fund  62,640,904
            Education fund  28,193,691
               Total  90,834,595
Sec. B.516 Total general education
          Source of funds
            General fund  274,056,860
            Special funds  12,211,117
            Tobacco fund  750,388
            Education fund  2,526,391,268
            Federal funds  201,606,051
            Global Commitment fund  260,000
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            Interdepartmental transfers  1,313,766
            Pension trust funds  4,178,569
               Total  3,020,768,019
Sec. B.600 University of Vermont
            Grants  59,099,447
               Total  59,099,447
          Source of funds
            General fund  59,099,447
               Total  59,099,447
Sec. B.602 Vermont state colleges
            Grants  54,042,753
               Total  54,042,753
          Source of funds
            General fund  54,042,753
               Total  54,042,753
Sec. B.603 Vermont state colleges - allied health
            Grants  1,806,000
               Total  1,806,000
          Source of funds
            General fund  306,000
            Global Commitment fund  1,500,000
               Total  1,806,000
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Sec. B.605 Vermont student assistance corporation
            Grants  27,897,494
               Total  27,897,494
          Source of funds
            General fund  27,897,494
               Total  27,897,494
Sec. B.605.1 VSAC - flexible pathways stipend
            Grants  82,450
               Total  82,450
          Source of funds
            General fund  41,225
            Education fund  41,225
               Total  82,450
Sec. B.606 New England higher education compact
            Grants  86,520
               Total  86,520
          Source of funds
            General fund  86,520
               Total  86,520
Sec. B.607 Total higher education
          Source of funds
            General fund  141,473,439
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            Education fund  41,225
            Global Commitment fund  1,500,000
               Total  143,014,664
Sec. B.700 Natural resources - agency of natural resources - administration
            Personal services  6,881,451
            Operating expenses  1,291,376
            Grants  5,000
               Total  8,177,827
          Source of funds
            General fund  5,628,757
            Special funds  687,843
            Interdepartmental transfers  1,861,227
               Total  8,177,827
Sec. B.701 Natural resources - state land local property tax assessment
            Operating expenses  2,711,643
               Total  2,711,643
          Source of funds
            General fund  2,290,143
            Interdepartmental transfers  421,500
               Total  2,711,643
Sec. B.702 Fish and wildlife - support and field services
            Personal services  25,124,512
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            Operating expenses  7,287,815
            Grants  824,803
               Total  33,237,130
          Source of funds
            General fund  10,313,811
            Special funds  379,405
            Fish and wildlife fund  10,864,047
            Federal funds  10,133,967
            Interdepartmental transfers  1,545,900
               Total  33,237,130
Sec. B.703 Forests, parks and recreation - administration
            Personal services  1,644,130
            Operating expenses  1,807,698
               Total  3,451,828
          Source of funds
            General fund  3,207,811
            Special funds  138,261
            Federal funds  105,756
               Total  3,451,828
Sec. B.704 Forests, parks and recreation - forestry
            Personal services  10,669,963
            Operating expenses  1,397,258
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            Grants  2,517,648
               Total  14,584,869
          Source of funds
            General fund  7,196,482
            Special funds  1,553,980
            Federal funds  5,657,787
            Interdepartmental transfers  176,620
               Total  14,584,869
Sec. B.705 Forests, parks and recreation - state parks
            Personal services  14,447,858
            Operating expenses  4,775,590
            Grants  598,307
               Total  19,821,755
          Source of funds
            General fund  1,774,736
            Special funds  18,047,019
               Total  19,821,755
Sec. B.706 Forests, parks and recreation - lands administration and recreation
            Personal services  8,459,029
            Operating expenses  4,627,930
            Grants  2,469,865
               Total  15,556,824
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          Source of funds
            General fund  1,403,261
            Special funds  2,430,801
            Federal funds  11,180,116
            Interdepartmental transfers  542,646
               Total  15,556,824
Sec. B.708 Forests, parks and recreation - forest and parks access roads
            Personal services  130,000
            Operating expenses  99,925
               Total  229,925
          Source of funds
            General fund  229,925
               Total  229,925
Sec. B.709 Environmental conservation - management and support services
            Personal services  10,017,955
            Operating expenses  5,850,830
            Grants  191,597
               Total  16,060,382
          Source of funds
            General fund  2,207,896
            Special funds  1,593,728
            Federal funds  2,948,598
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            Interdepartmental transfers  9,310,160
               Total  16,060,382
Sec. B.710 Environmental conservation - air and waste management
            Personal services  15,391,418
            Operating expenses  5,574,446
            Grants  7,623,000
               Total  28,588,864
          Source of funds
            General fund  1,476,577
            Special funds  20,742,337
            Federal funds  6,202,095
            Interdepartmental transfers  167,855
               Total  28,588,864
Sec. B.711 Environmental conservation - office of water programs
            Personal services  43,817,953
            Operating expenses  9,017,743
            Grants  104,714,537
               Total  157,550,233
          Source of funds
            General fund  13,321,778
            Special funds  34,702,513
            Federal funds  108,412,378
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            Interdepartmental transfers  1,113,564
               Total  157,550,233
Sec. B.713 Land use review board
            Personal services  5,298,333
            Operating expenses  598,682
               Total  5,897,015
          Source of funds
            General fund  4,364,343
            Special funds  1,532,672
               Total  5,897,015
Sec. B.714 Total natural resources
          Source of funds
            General fund  53,415,520
            Special funds  81,808,559
            Fish and wildlife fund  10,864,047
            Federal funds  144,640,697
            Interdepartmental transfers  15,139,472
               Total  305,868,295
Sec. B.800 Commerce and community development - agency of commerce
and community development - administration
            Personal services  2,617,789
            Operating expenses  921,911
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            Grants  424,320
               Total  3,964,020
          Source of funds
            General fund  3,964,020
               Total  3,964,020
Sec. B.801 Economic development
            Personal services  3,221,256
            Operating expenses  1,306,125
            Grants  6,506,544
               Total  11,033,925
          Source of funds
            General fund  6,105,922
            Special funds  3,314,565
            Federal funds  1,613,438
               Total  11,033,925
Sec. B.802 Housing and community development
            Personal services  6,568,853
            Operating expenses  2,253,786
            Grants  45,303,523
               Total  54,126,162
          Source of funds
            General fund  12,002,421
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            Transportation fund  1,000,000
            Special funds  10,679,645
            Federal funds  30,444,096
               Total  54,126,162
Sec. B.806 Tourism and marketing
            Personal services  2,284,798
            Operating expenses  1,785,851
            Grants  1,020,000
               Total  5,090,649
          Source of funds
            General fund  5,090,649
               Total  5,090,649
Sec. B.808 Vermont council on the arts
            Grants  1,071,800
               Total  1,071,800
          Source of funds
            General fund  1,071,800
               Total  1,071,800
Sec. B.809 Vermont symphony orchestra
            Grants  158,795
               Total  158,795
          Source of funds
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            General fund  158,795
               Total  158,795
Sec. B.810 Vermont historical society
            Grants  1,245,583
               Total  1,245,583
          Source of funds
            General fund  1,245,583
               Total  1,245,583
Sec. B.811 Vermont housing and conservation board
            Grants  100,358,842
               Total  100,358,842
          Source of funds
            General fund  1,680,529
            Special funds  39,341,857
            Federal funds  59,336,456
               Total  100,358,842
Sec. B.812 Vermont humanities council
            Grants  327,818
               Total  327,818
          Source of funds
            General fund  327,818
               Total  327,818
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Sec. B.813 Total commerce and community development
          Source of funds
            General fund  31,647,537
            Transportation fund  1,000,000
            Special funds  53,336,067
            Federal funds  91,393,990
               Total  177,377,594
Sec. B.900 Transportation - finance and administration
            Personal services  19,147,814
            Operating expenses  6,291,478
            Grants  50,000
               Total  25,489,292
          Source of funds
            Transportation fund  24,169,252
            Federal funds  1,320,040
               Total  25,489,292
Sec. B.901 Transportation - aviation
            Personal services  5,289,467
            Operating expenses  7,691,413
               Total  12,980,880
          Source of funds
            Transportation fund  6,710,146
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            Federal funds  6,270,734
               Total  12,980,880
Sec. B.902 Transportation - buildings
            Operating expenses  1,700,000
               Total  1,700,000
          Source of funds
            Transportation fund  1,700,000
               Total  1,700,000
Sec. B.903 Transportation - program development
            Personal services  109,305,403
            Operating expenses  304,422,913
            Grants  51,321,428
               Total  465,049,744
          Source of funds
            Transportation fund  66,875,701
            TIB fund  14,575,436
            Special funds  280,000
            Federal funds  363,035,876
            Interdepartmental transfers  10,331,303
            Local match  9,951,428
               Total  465,049,744
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Sec. B.904 Transportation - rest areas construction
            Personal services  180,000
            Operating expenses  270,000
               Total  450,000
          Source of funds
            Transportation fund  45,000
            Federal funds  405,000
               Total  450,000
Sec. B.905 Transportation - maintenance state system
            Personal services  52,774,612
            Operating expenses  59,752,063
               Total  112,526,675
          Source of funds
            Transportation fund  109,994,661
            Federal funds  2,432,014
            Interdepartmental transfers  100,000
               Total  112,526,675
Sec. B.906 Transportation - policy and planning
            Personal services  3,368,645
            Operating expenses  299,526
            Grants  10,254,679
               Total  13,922,850
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          Source of funds
            Transportation fund  2,378,766
            Federal funds  11,444,134
            Interdepartmental transfers  99,950
               Total  13,922,850
Sec. B.906.1 Transportation - environmental policy and sustainability
            Personal services  14,855,456
            Operating expenses  89,082
               Total  14,944,538
          Source of funds
            Transportation fund  371,589
            Federal funds  11,025,693
            Interdepartmental transfers  1,141,695
            Local match  2,405,561
               Total  14,944,538
Sec. B.907 Transportation - rail
            Personal services  8,671,804
            Operating expenses  51,567,606
            Grants  50,000
               Total  60,289,410
          Source of funds
            Transportation fund  12,548,774
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            TIB fund  1,000,000
            Federal funds  34,688,907
            Interdepartmental transfers  6,854,052
            Local match  5,197,677
               Total  60,289,410
Sec. B.907.1 Transportation - Rail Trails Program
            Personal services  3,577,763
            Operating expenses  57,266
               Total  3,635,029
          Source of funds
            Transportation fund  478,272
            Federal funds  1,769,326
            Interdepartmental transfers  1,387,431
               Total  3,635,029
Sec. B.908 Transportation - public transit
            Personal services  136,840
            Operating expenses  71,582
            Grants  57,646,725
               Total  57,855,147
          Source of funds
            Transportation fund  9,947,447
            Federal funds  46,607,700
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            Interdepartmental transfers  1,300,000
               Total  57,855,147
Sec. B.909 Transportation - central garage
            Personal services  6,345,376
            Operating expenses  19,725,126
               Total  26,070,502
          Source of funds
            Internal service funds  26,070,502
               Total  26,070,502
Sec. B.910 Department of motor vehicles
            Personal services  39,906,668
            Operating expenses  11,738,708
               Total  51,645,376
          Source of funds
            Transportation fund  46,545,599
            Federal funds  4,978,081
            Interdepartmental transfers  121,696
               Total  51,645,376
Sec. B.911 Transportation - town highway structures
            Grants  7,394,400
               Total  7,394,400
          Source of funds
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            Transportation fund  7,394,400
               Total  7,394,400
Sec. B.912 Transportation - town highway local technical assistance program
            Personal services  439,752
            Operating expenses  28,700
            Grants  13,000
               Total  481,452
          Source of funds
            Transportation fund  121,452
            Federal funds  360,000
               Total  481,452
Sec. B.913 Transportation - town highway class 2 roadway
            Grants  8,832,200
               Total  8,832,200
          Source of funds
            Transportation fund  8,832,200
               Total  8,832,200
Sec. B.914 Transportation - town highway bridges
            Personal services  9,168,000
            Operating expenses  19,830,382
            Grants  1,280,000
               Total  30,278,382
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          Source of funds
            TIB fund  2,774,564
            Federal funds  25,604,186
            Interdepartmental transfers  255,672
            Local match  1,643,960
               Total  30,278,382
Sec. B.915 Transportation - town highway aid program
            Grants  31,240,042
               Total  31,240,042
          Source of funds
            Transportation fund  31,240,042
               Total  31,240,042
Sec. B.916 Transportation - town highway class 1 supplemental grants
            Grants  128,750
               Total  128,750
          Source of funds
            Transportation fund  128,750
               Total  128,750
Sec. B.917 Transportation - town highway: state aid for nonfederal disasters
            Grants  1,150,000
               Total  1,150,000
          Source of funds
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            Transportation fund  1,150,000
               Total  1,150,000
Sec. B.918 Transportation - town highway: state aid for federal disasters
            Personal services  500,000
            Operating expenses  50,000
            Grants  3,450,000
               Total  4,000,000
          Source of funds
            Federal funds  4,000,000
               Total  4,000,000
Sec. B.919 Transportation - municipal mitigation assistance program
            Personal services  137,500
            Operating expenses  310,500
            Grants  5,695,000
               Total  6,143,000
          Source of funds
            Transportation fund  715,000
            Special funds  4,000,000
            Federal funds  1,428,000
               Total  6,143,000
Sec. B.921 Transportation board
            Personal services  176,096
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            Operating expenses  19,208
               Total  195,304
          Source of funds
            Transportation fund  195,304
               Total  195,304
Sec. B.922 Total transportation
          Source of funds
            Transportation fund  331,542,355
            TIB fund  18,350,000
            Special funds  4,280,000
            Federal funds  515,369,691
            Internal service funds  26,070,502
            Interdepartmental transfers      21,591,799
            Local match  19,198,626
               Total  936,402,973
Sec. B.1000 Debt service
            Operating expenses  675,000
               Total  675,000
          Source of funds
            General fund  675,000
               Total  675,000
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Sec. B.1001 Total debt service
          Source of funds
            General fund  675,000
               Total  675,000
             * * * Fiscal Year 2027 One-Time Appropriations * * *
Sec. B.1100 MISCELLANEOUS FISCAL YEAR 2027 ONE-TIME
             APPROPRIATIONS
   (a) Agency of Administration Secretary’s office. In fiscal year 2027, funds
are appropriated for the following:
      (1) $110,000 General Fund for the Office of Racial Equity to continue
for an additional year the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Action, Leadership
Vermont program.
      (2) $900,000 General Fund to complete the work of the Truth and
Reconciliation Commission.
   (b) Department of Vermont Health Access. In fiscal year 2027, funds are
appropriated for the following:
      (1) $300,000 General Fund and $2,700,000 federal funds for
information technology updates resulting from the 2025 federal H.R.1
Medicaid changes.
      (2) $1,210,000 General Fund for Provider Stabilization Grants.
      (3) $3,708,562 Global Commitment for enhanced rates to primary care
providers pursuant to Sec. E.306.3 of this act.
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   (c) Department for Children and Families. In fiscal year 2027, funds are
appropriated for the following:
      (1) $21,183,809 General Fund for the provision of services,
implementation of the Vermont Homelessness Response Continuum, shelter
development and operation, emergency housing in hotels and motels, grants to
municipalities, emergency cold weather shelters, and supportive services,
including case management, staffing, grants, and contracts to be allocated as
follows:
           (A) $14,118,880 for emergency housing in hotels and motels;
           (B) $2,064,929 for staffing, grants, and contracts;
           (C) $3,000,000 for shelter development;
           (D) $500,000 for grants to municipalities pursuant to 33 V.S.A.
§ 2209(a); and
           (E) $1,500,000 for emergency cold-weather shelters.
      (2) $164,500 General Fund and $29,873 Global Commitment for a grant
to Prevent Child Abuse Vermont for nurturing parenting programs.
      (3) $180,000 General Fund for a grant to the Vermont Parent Child
Center Network for concrete supports programs.
      (4) $200,000 General Fund for a grant to End Homelessness Vermont to
continue providing statewide housing navigation, case management, service
coordination, technical assistance, appeals, and permanent housing support for
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individuals living with complex needs and disabilities who are experiencing
homelessness or housing insecurity.
      (5) $130,000 General Fund for distribution to supervised visitation
programs pursuant to Sec. E.317 of this act.
      (6) $4,000,000 General Fund for a temporary secure treatment facility
for youth.
      (7) $550,000 General Fund for direct aid to the Vermont Foodbank’s
network partners through an equitable statewide distribution of food or
subgrants, or both.
      (8) $293,866 Global Commitment for post permanency adoption
services.
   (d) Agency of Human Services Secretary’s office. In fiscal year 2027,
funds are appropriated for the following:
      (1) $200,000 General Fund for a grant to Vermont Legal Aid for an
immigration attorney.
      (2) $500,000 General Fund and $692,464 federal funds for the Global
Commitment appropriation in subdivision (k)(2) of this section to support
Meals on Wheels programs.
      (3) $12,526 General Fund and $17,347 federal funds for the Global
Commitment appropriation in subdivision (c)(2) of this section for a grant to
Prevent Child Abuse Vermont for nurturing parenting programs.
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      (4) $1,555,000 General Fund and $2,153,562 federal funds for the
Global Commitment appropriation in subdivision (b)(3) of this section for
enhanced rates to primary care providers pursuant to Sec. E.306.3 of this act.
      (5) $123,218 General Fund and $170,648 federal funds for the Global
Commitment appropriation in subdivision (c)(8) of this section for post
permanency adoption services.
      (6) $56,000 General Fund, $44,000 federal funds, and $100,000 Global
Commitment for a grant to Vermont Legal Aid for the Vermont Legal Aid
Helpline.
   (e) Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation. In fiscal year 2027, funds
are appropriated for the following:
      (1) $200,000 General Fund for Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic
Collaborative grants.
      (2) $300,000 General Fund for the Serve Learn Earn Program.
   (f) Department of Housing and Community Development. In fiscal year
2027, funds are appropriated for the following:
      (1) $800,000 General Fund for the Manufactured Home Improvement
and Repair Program.
      (2) $1,000,000 General Fund for a grant to the Vermont State Housing
Authority for the Rent Arrears Assistance Fund established by 2023 Acts and
Resolves No. 47, Sec. 45.
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      (3) $100,000 General Fund for the Vermont Housing Finance Agency
First Generation Homebuyer Program.
      (4) $25,000 General Fund for a grant to the South Hero Service
Committee to design and construct a building.
      (5) $50,000 General Fund for a grant to the Vermont 250th Anniversary
Commission for the 250th celebration.
      (6) $250,000 General Fund for a grant to the Vermont Council on Rural
Development for municipal technical assistance.
   (g) Department of Economic Development. In fiscal year 2027, funds are
appropriated for the following:
      (1) $150,000 General Fund for maintaining the current contract with the
Canadian International Economic Development Partnership to provide in-
market services to Montreal-based businesses seeking to expand into Vermont.
      (2) $75,000 General Fund for a grant to the Vermont Professionals of
Color Network.
      (3) $2,000,000 General Fund for the Rural Industry Development
Program.
      (4) $100,000 General Fund for a grant to the Vermont Law and
Graduate School for its public education offerings and free legal support to
small businesses through its Vermont Small Business Law Center.
      (5) $150,000 General Fund for a grant to the Vermont Small Business
Development Center to support the continuation of its work in helping
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Vermonters start, acquire, and grow businesses and to increase business
advising and educational workshops to meet increasing demands of
entrepreneurs and small business owners post pandemic.
   (h) Agency of Transportation. In fiscal year 2027, funds are appropriated
for the following:
      (1) $1,360,069 Transportation Fund for the FEMA 428 project
relocating the Central Garage to Paine Turnpike in Berlin.
      (2) $1,347,107 PILOT Special Fund, notwithstanding 32 V.S.A.
§ 3709(a), for grants to municipalities that would have otherwise been eligible
for federal aid if a presidential disaster declaration had been approved for
damage incurred in Caledonia County during July 2025. Grants shall be
provided on a reimbursement basis for actual costs incurred under the
following conditions:
          (A) Awards shall be for repairs made to infrastructure included in
damage estimates conducted by the Agency of Transportation in March 2026
for the July 2025 disaster.
          (B) Awards shall be for up to 50 percent of the repair costs estimated
by the Agency of Transportation in March 2026.
          (C) The repair conducted is compliant with all applicable Vermont
statutes and regulations.
          (D) The recipient agrees to maintain documentation as required by
the Agency of Transportation.
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          (E) The recipient accepts other award terms and conditions as
determined by the Agency of Transportation and required by Agency of
Administration Bulletin 5 to ensure the funds are spent appropriately and
effectively.
      (3) $300,000 General Fund for supplemental nonemergency medical
transportation funding.
      (4) $3,000,000 PILOT Special Fund, notwithstanding 32 V.S.A.
§ 3709(a), to provide additional grants through the general State aid to town
highways program pursuant to 19 V.S.A. § 306(a). The amount appropriated
pursuant to this subdivision shall be supplemental to and shall not supplant or
decrease any amounts appropriated pursuant to the provisions of 19 V.S.A.
§ 306(a) in fiscal year 2027.
   (i) Department of Health. In fiscal year 2027, funds are appropriated for
the following:
      (1) $140,000 General Fund for the Vermont State Youth Council.
      (2) $150,000 General Fund for a grant to the Vermont Language Justice
Project to prepare informational materials for Vermonters who speak
languages other than English in the event of a disease outbreak, natural
disaster, or other public health emergency.
   (j) Department of Mental Health. In fiscal year 2027, funds are
appropriated for the following:
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      (1) $160,000 General Fund for a grant to the Howard Center for the
Community Outreach Program.
   (k) Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living. In fiscal
year 2027, funds are appropriated for the following:
      (1) $235,000 General Fund for a grant to HomeShare Vermont.
      (2) $1,192,464 Global Commitment to support Meals on Wheels
programs.
      (3) $100,000 General Fund for a grant to support the start-up costs of a
new adult day program in Washington or Rutland county or to support the cost
of an existing adult day program to expand its capacity to serve more
individuals.
   (l) Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets. In fiscal year 2027, funds
are appropriated for the following:
      (1) $350,000 General Fund for a grant to the Northeast Organic Farming
Association of Vermont for the Crop Cash, Crop Cash Plus, and Farm Share
programs.
      (2) $300,000 General Fund for grants to Vermont’s 14 Natural Resource
Conservation Districts.
      (3) $250,000 General Fund for a grant to the Vermont Foodbank for the
Vermonters Feeding Vermonters Program.
   (m) Office of the Secretary of State. In fiscal year 2027, funds are
appropriated for the following:
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      (1) $90,000 General Fund for the Vermont Access Network Community
Radio Program.
      (2) $450,000 General Fund to support the costs of elections in calendar
year 2026.
      (3) $50,000 General Fund for awards to support local civic journalism.
   (n) Department of Labor. In fiscal year 2027, funds are appropriated for
the following:
      (1) $200,000 General Fund for a grant to Advance Vermont.
   (o) Agency of Education. In fiscal year 2027, funds are appropriated for
the following:
      (1) $157,000 General Fund to provide healthy meals and snacks to
children and adults receiving supervised care services.
      (2) $150,000 General Fund for automated external defibrillators and
cardiopulmonary resuscitation training in schools.
      (3) $700,000 General Fund for the Read Vermont Program.
   (p) [Deleted.]
   (q) Vermont Student Assistance Corporation. In fiscal year 2027, funds are
appropriated for the following:
      (1) Notwithstanding 16 V.S.A. § 2885, $2,320,000 Higher Education
Endowment Trust Fund, which shall be considered a reduction to the principal
for the purposes of the calculations in 16 V.S.A. § 2885(c) and (d), for
Freedom and Unity grants.
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   (r) Office of the State Treasurer. In fiscal year 2027, funds are
appropriated for the following:
      (1) $150,000 General Fund for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
Program.
      (2) $75,000 General Fund for costs associated with the Pension and
Benefits Funding Task Force.
   (s) General Assembly. In fiscal year 2027, funds are appropriated for the
following:
      (1) $15,000 General Fund to support the work of the County and
Regional Governance Study Committee.
   (t) Vermont State Colleges. In fiscal year 2027, funds are appropriated for
the following:
      (1) Notwithstanding 16 V.S.A. § 2885, $600,000 Higher Education
Endowment Trust Fund, which shall be considered a reduction to the principal
for the purposes of the calculations in 16 V.S.A. § 2885(c) and (d), for the
development of the new 30-unit, three-story housing complex on the Johnson
Campus.
   (u) [Deleted.]
   (v) [Deleted.]
   (w) [Deleted.]
   (x) University of Vermont. In fiscal year 2027, funds are appropriated for
the following:
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      (1)(A) Notwithstanding 16 V.S.A. § 2885, $2,000,000 Higher Education
Endowment Trust Fund, which shall be considered a reduction to the principal
for the purposes of the calculations in 16 V.S.A. § 2885(c) and (d), and
$10,000,000 General Fund for the Multi-Purpose Center Project approved by
the Board of Trustees in 2019.
          (B) Any contract awarded for construction that is paid for with this
spending authority shall adhere to the higher of:
               (i) the prevailing wage requirements established in 29 V.S.A.
§ 161(b); or
               (ii) the prevailing local wage requirements as determined by the
U.S. Department of Labor under the Davis-Bacon Act or related federal acts or
regulations.
          (C) It is the intent of the General Assembly that this appropriation be
a contribution to the remaining fundraising effort, estimated to be a total of
$101,000,000, for the project. If the University of Vermont has not received
new donations for the project totaling $89,000,000 or more between July 1,
2026, and July 1, 2029, it is the intent of the General Assembly that future
appropriations beginning in fiscal year 2030 be reduced over a reasonable
number of fiscal years to recoup an amount equal to this appropriation and any
interest accrued without causing undue financial harm to the institution.
          (D)(i) In fiscal years 2027, 2028, and 2029, as part of its budget
presentation and as requested, to the extent that the fundraising effort for the
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project is ongoing, the University of Vermont shall report to the House and
Senate Committees on Appropriations on the status of the fundraising effort.
(ii) In fiscal years 2027, 2028, and 2029, to the extent that the fundraising
effort for the project is ongoing, the University of Vermont shall report to the
Joint Fiscal Committee at its July meeting and as requested on the status of the
fundraising effort.
   (y) Department of Corrections. In fiscal year 2027, funds are appropriated
for the following:
      (1) $50,000 General Fund for a grant to Jenna’s Promise to support
reentry services.
   (z) Center for Crime Victim Services. In fiscal year 2027, funds are
appropriated for the following:
      (1) $350,000 Domestic and Sexual Violence Special Fund for grants to
the member organizations of the Vermont Network Against Domestic and
Sexual Violence.
Sec. B.1101 FISCAL YEAR 2026 CLOSEOUT; FISCAL YEAR 2027
              CONTINGENT TRANSACTIONS
   (a) As part of the fiscal year 2026 closeout, the Department of Finance and
Management shall execute the requirements of 2025 Acts and Resolves No. 27,
Sec. D.103(a)(1)(D), as amended by 2026 Acts and Resolves No. 74, Sec. 55
and further amended by Sec. C.102 of this act; 32 V.S.A. § 308; and 32 V.S.A.
§ 308f. The Department of Finance and Management shall then,
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notwithstanding 32 V.S.A. § 308c, calculate the maximum number of
contingent transactions that can be funded, in the order provided in subsection
(b) of this section, and reserve that money for such purpose in fiscal year 2027.
Any residual balance shall be reserved in accordance with 32 V.S.A. § 308c.
   (b) In fiscal year 2027, any contingent reserve established per subsection
(a) of this section shall be unreserved and the following transactions shall be
executed in the following order. In the event that the contingent reserve is
insufficient to fully fund the following transactions, the Department of Finance
and Management shall execute the transactions to the greatest extent possible,
including partial funding:
      (1) $9,547,596.39 is transferred to the Technology Modernization
Special Fund (#21951).
      (2) $30,000,000 is reserved for future appropriation or transfer by the
General Assembly for addressing federal funding shortfalls, Vermont Medicaid
and other human services needs, property tax relief, permanent housing
initiatives, or any other uses determined to be in the best interests of the public.
Sec. B.1103 CASH FUND FOR CAPITAL AND ESSENTIAL
              INVESTMENTS; FISCAL YEAR 2027 ONE-TIME CAPITAL
              APPROPRIATIONS
   (a) In fiscal year 2027, $23,418,454.70 is appropriated from the Capital
Infrastructure Subaccount in the Cash Fund for Capital and Essential
Investments for the following:
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      (1) Department of Buildings and General Services:
          (A) $1,781,173.60 for statewide major maintenance;
          (B) $225,000 for statewide physical security enhancements;
          (C) $3,600,000 for Asa Bloomer roof replacement;
          (D) $900,000 for Rutland multimodal garage renovation;
          (E) $3,000,000 for Burlington, 32 Cherry St. parking garage repairs;
          (F) $1,050,000 for the Agency of Human Services for HVAC
upgrades at correctional facilities;
          (G) $225,000 for the Agency of Human Services for statewide
correctional facilities security upgrades;
          (H) $2,700,000 for the Agency of Human Services for St. Johnsbury,
Northeast Correctional Complex (NECC) door control system replacements;
          (I) $1,000,000 for the Agency of Human Services for the Northern
State Correctional Facility boiler replacement;
          (J) $500,000 for the Agency of Human Services for Newport,
Northern State Correctional Facility sprinkler system upgrades;
          (K) $500,000 for the Agency of Human Services for maintenance,
replacement, and renovations at the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility
or other correctional facilities utilized in response to overcrowding for the
incarcerated women’s population;
          (L) $772,557.10 for the Agency of Human Services for the
Department for Children and Families’ youth short-term stabilization facility;
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          (M) $500,000 for the Department of Public Safety for an Urban
Search and Rescue (USAR) facility; and
          (N) $1,600,000 for the Judiciary for renovations at the White River
Junction courthouse.
      (2) Department of Environmental Conservation:
          (A) $2,498,000 for the State match for federal Drinking Water State
Revolving Fund; and
          (B) $150,000 for Waterbury Dam Penstock project cost overruns.
      (3) Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation:
          (A) $400,000 for park infrastructure and rehabilitation, improvement,
and three-acre rule compliance.
      (4) Department of Fish and Wildlife:
          (A) $200,000 for dam maintenance and safety planning.
      (5) Judiciary:
          (A) $500,000 for the Essex County Courthouse connector project.
      (6) Vermont Historical Society:
          (A) $566,724 for the replacement of a climate control unit.
      (7) Department of Corrections:
          (A) $750,000 to work with the Agency of Digital Services to develop
a plan for providing network connectivity in State correctional facilities that
modernizes processes and reduces reliance on paper; improves staff efficiency
and addresses workforce challenges, such as staff retention; supports real-time
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data-driven operations; lays the foundation for future capabilities, such as
wearable technology and mobile device–supported operations; and ensures
secure, compliance connectivity in key facilities, each as outlined in the
Business Transformation Project Recommendations Report issued by the
Agency.
Sec. B.1104 MEDICAID AND SNAP BENEFIT ASSISTANCE GRANTS
   (a) Notwithstanding 2025 Acts and Resolves No. 27, Sec. B.1101(b)(3), in
fiscal year 2027, $3,500,000 of the amount reserved in the General Fund
pursuant to 2025 Acts and Resolves No. 27, Sec. B.1101(b)(3) shall be
unreserved and an equal amount shall be appropriated to the Agency of Human
Services for a grant program for benefit assistance services provided by
community-based organizations throughout the State, including by the parent
child centers, community action agencies, recovery centers, Vermont 211, area
agencies on aging, and designated and specialized service agencies. In
developing this grant program, the Agency shall collaborate with Hunger Free
Vermont and the Office of the Health Care Advocate on program design and
the selection of the community-based organizations receiving grants. The
Agency shall provide an update on program design and grant recipient
selection at the Joint Fiscal Committee’s July 2026 meeting. The Agency shall
distribute grants on or before September 1, 2026.
   (b)(1) Funds appropriated in this section shall be used to issue new or
augment existing or planned grants to organizations to assist clients with
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navigating Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Medicaid
eligibility, application processes, and benefit maintenance, respectively,
through the use of benefit assisters. The Agency shall ensure that benefit
assisters at the grant recipient organizations are providing accurate
information. Vermont 211 shall conduct outreach to all organizations
receiving a grant pursuant to this section to ensure that appropriate referrals are
made and information about benefit assistance services is available to the
public.
      (2) The Agency shall work with organizations receiving a grant pursuant
to this section to develop communications and outreach strategies to
proactively connect with households. Such strategies shall include plain
language mailings, phone and text message scripts, email scripts, and press
release communications. The Agency shall work with organizations receiving
a grant pursuant to this section to reduce the administrative burden on
applicants and participants by sharing information when permissible to verify
SNAP and Medicaid requirements.
      (3) Beginning in September 2026 through June 2027, the organizations
receiving a grant pursuant to this section shall submit quarterly reports to the
House Committees on Health Care and on Human Services, the Senate
Committee on Health and Welfare, and the Agency regarding:
          (A) the number of organization employees trained as benefit assisters
to assist with navigating SNAP or Medicaid requirements, respectively;
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          (B) the total number of eligible individuals who received assistance
from benefit assisters each quarter, including those receiving repeat application
assistance, repeat benefit maintenance assistance, and enrollment assistance;
          (C) the number of individuals referred to other service providers or
enrolled in other State or federal benefit programs as a result of an interaction
with a benefit assister; and
          (D) qualitative information regarding how outreach is conducted to
inform individuals that benefit assistance services are available.
      (4) Beginning in September 2026 through June 2027, Vermont 211 shall
submit quarterly reports to the House Committees on Health Care and on
Human Services and to the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare regarding
its outreach efforts and the number of referrals made to the organizations
receiving a grant pursuant to this section.
   (c) Any spending authority designated for the purpose provided in this
section that remains unexpended at the end of fiscal year 2027 shall be carried
forward for the same purpose for which it was originally designated.
 * * * Fiscal Year 2026 Adjustments, Appropriations, and Amendments * * *
Sec. C.100 2026 Acts and Resolves No. 74, Sec. 83(e) is amended to read:
   (e) If funds previously appropriated to the Agency of Human Services are
insufficient to provide the State match needed to make the payment adjustment
in subsection (a) of this section, notwithstanding 32 V.S.A. § 308b, the
Commissioner of Finance and Management shall unreserve an amount of funds
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equal to the deficiency from the Human Services Caseload Reserve and,
notwithstanding 32 V.S.A. § 706, transfer an amount of funds equal to the
deficiency shall be appropriated to the Agency of Human Services.
Sec. C.101 2025 Acts and Resolves No. 27, Sec. E.325(b), as amended by
2026 Acts and Resolves No. 74, Sec. 81, is further amended to read:
   (b) Of the General Fund appropriation in Sec. B.325 of this act, $1,322,141
General Fund shall be used by the Department for Children and Families’
Office of Economic Opportunity for distribution to community partners
providing services to prevent and address homelessness for the purpose of
restoring these community partners to their fiscal year 2025 appropriation
level. The $1,322,141 shall be allocated as follows:
                                     ***
Sec. C.102 2025 Acts and Resolves No. 27, Sec. D.103, as amended by 2026
Acts and Resolves No. 74, Sec. 55, is further amended to read:
 Sec. D.103 RESERVES
   (a) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, in fiscal year
2026, the following reserve transactions shall be implemented for the funds
provided:
      (1) General Fund.
                                     ***
          (D) The first $74,908,097 $78,037,622 of any fiscal year-end balance
otherwise subject to the requirements of 32 V.S.A. § 308c(a) shall, instead, be
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reserved for addressing federal funding shortfalls, property tax relief, or any
other uses determined to be in the best interests of the public in the subsequent
fiscal year. Any proceeds reserved in accordance with the requirements of this
subdivision (D) shall automatically be unreserved for use on July 1 of the
subsequent fiscal year.
                                       ***
Sec. C.103 2025 Acts and Resolves No. 73, Sec. 32 is amended to read:
   Sec. 32. AGENCY OF EDUCATION; TRANSFORMATION
             APPROPRIATION; TRANSITION GRANTS
   (a) The sum of $2,865,000.00 $3,647,000.00 is appropriated from the
General Fund to the Agency of Education in fiscal year 2026 to support
education transformation work as follows:
      (1) $200,000.00 $982,000.00 for the purpose of awarding transition
grants to support school boards transitioning the work required to transition to
new governance and administrative models as contemplated in this act
pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, and in light of the continued analysis
of the work necessary in the field to transition to new, operational school
districts;
      (2) $562,500.00 for positions established in Sec. 33 of this act; and
      (3) $2,102,500.00 for contracted services, subject to the restrictions
contained in subsection (c) of this section, to support facilitate school districts
boards to study the advisability of forming union school districts, as well as to
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support districts with administrative activities relating to consolidation,
including accounting, budget and operational practice, and to support
education quality activities including the alignment of curricula, instructional
materials, and teaching activities.
   (b) The Agency shall use the funds appropriated in subdivision (a)(1) of
this section to award transition facilitation grants to support the work required
to transition to new governance and administrative models.
   (c) The appropriation contained in subdivision (a)(3) of this section shall be
subject to the following restrictions:
      (1) While this appropriation may be used to contract for data analysis
necessary to support school districts with the administrative activities related to
consolidation, it shall also be used for developing data analysis tools to support
merger committees in consultation with the Department of Taxes.
      (2) This appropriation shall be used to provide direct support to school
boards for the business processes that are required to be completed before new
school districts become operational. Support and training for school business
officials and other school district personnel shall be funded solely through the
appropriation contained in subdivision (a)(1) of this section and the
corresponding grants created in subsection (b) of this section.
      (3) This appropriation may be used to support the special education
strategic plan required pursuant to Sec. 30 of this act. It is the intent of the
General Assembly that the strategic plan addresses the supports and processes
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needed to be in place for the transition to the weighted funding model for
special education as such funding model is contemplated in this act and as may
be further amended by an act of the General Assembly after consideration of
the report required pursuant to Sec. 45a of this act. Any work or analysis done
by the Agency regarding alternatives to the base amount or weights contained
in this act shall not be funded from this appropriation.
Sec. C.104 2025 Acts and Resolves No. 27, Sec. E.127.2 is amended to read:
  Sec. E.127.2 FEDERAL FUNDING; CALCULATION OF
                APPROPRIATION REDUCTION; SECRETARY OF
                ADMINISTRATION; JOINT FISCAL COMMITTEE
   (a) As used in this section:
      (1) “Unduplicated function total” means the individual function totals
set forth in this act excluding Global Commitment funds, Interdepartmental
Transfer funds, and Internal Service funds. For purposes of this section, the
determination of an unduplicated function total shall not include Education
Funds.
      (2) “Governmental function unit” refers to the governmental function
areas set forth in Sec. A.108 of this act.
   (b) In fiscal years 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029, in each instance that a
reduction in federal revenues to the State results in a decrease of the
unduplicated function total for any governmental function unit by:
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      (1) Less than 0.5 percent of the unduplicated function total or
$2,000,000, whichever threshold amount is greater, the Secretary of
Administration shall notify the Joint Fiscal Committee and may prepare and
implement a spending authority reduction plan without the approval of the
Joint Fiscal Committee, provided that any total reductions in appropriations
and transfers of funds are not greater than the reduction in the federal revenues.
If the Secretary’s plan consists of reductions greater than five percent to the
total amount appropriated in any section or subsection of any appropriations
act, such plan shall only be implemented in the manner provided for in
32 V.S.A. § 704(b)(2).
      (2) Greater than $2,000,000 and 0.5 percent of the unduplicated function
total for any governmental function unit, but less than 25 percent or
$50,000,000, whichever threshold amount is lower:
          (A) the Secretary of Administration shall prepare a spending
authority reduction and transfer plan for consideration and approval by the
Joint Fiscal Committee pursuant to the same process established in 32 V.S.A.
§ 704(e), notwithstanding the reference to subdivision (b)(1) of this section,
provided that the total reductions to federal spending authority are not greater
than the reductions in federal revenues; and
          (B) to maintain a balanced State budget, to minimize the impact to
Vermonters and to abide by the legislative intent set forth by the General
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Assembly in this act or future fiscal year appropriations acts, or both, the Joint
Fiscal Committee may make a recommendation to the Emergency Board to:
            (i) utilize the appropriation in Sec. B.1101(b)(2) of this act to
support impacted programs at not more than the current fiscal year funding
level until the General Assembly is in session;
            (ii) revert any unexpended and unobligated funds; and
            (iii) make such reductions or transfers in appropriations necessary
to support the priorities of the General Assembly.
   (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, for the
purpose of calculating any appropriation reduction that triggers the actions set
forth in this section, the baseline federal funding amounts shall be the federal
funding set forth in this act the general appropriations act for the fiscal year in
which the reduction occurs. The Secretary of Administration shall monitor any
changes in federal funding as the difference between the baseline federal
funding amount for use in fiscal year 2026 and any updated State federal funds
revenue forecast adopted by the Emergency Board and shall calculate the
percent reduction of the unduplicated function totals for each governmental
function unit.
Sec. C.105 3 V.S.A. § 118 is amended to read:
§ 118. COLLECTION AND DISPOSITION OF REVENUE
   (a) There is hereby created a Secretary of State Services Fund. The Fund
shall be used to provide appropriations for the operations of the Office of the
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Secretary of State, with the exception of those operations provided for in
chapter 5, subchapter 3 of this title. The Fund shall be administered as a
special fund pursuant to 32 V.S.A. chapter 7, subchapter 5. At the end of each
fiscal year, the unobligated balance in this Fund shall be transferred to the
General Fund.
   (b) All revenues collected by the Secretary of State shall be deposited into
the Secretary of State Services Fund except for the following revenues:
      (1) any revenues collected by the Office of Professional Regulation set
forth in chapter 5, subchapter 3 of this title; and
      (2) any revenues collected pursuant to subsection 117(k) of this title.
   (c) The Secretary of State shall have the authority to collect and deposit
into the Secretary of State Services Fund revenues generated from optional
services offered in the normal course of business, including for one-time or
periodic sales of data by subscription or other contractual basis.
   (d) The Secretary of State or designee shall report annually to the Joint
Fiscal Committee at its September meeting on the prior fiscal year Fund
balance at closeout. The report shall include projected revenues to and
expenditures from the Fund in future fiscal years.
Sec. C.106 2026 Acts and Resolves No. 74, Sec. 79 is amended to read:
   Sec. 79. HOUSING ASSISTANCE
                                       ***
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   (d) A housing authority shall notify the Department for Children and
Families of its intent to request funds and submit a report on its financial need,
including evidence that the request conforms to applicable HUD requirements
and is a necessary and proper expense, to the Department on or before April
15, 2026 within 10 business days after receiving official notice from HUD of
its federal fiscal year 2026 funding amount.
   (e) On or before May 1, 2026 Not more than 20 business days after official
notice from HUD of federal fiscal year 2026 funding amounts for housing
authorities in Vermont, the Department for Children and Families, in
consultation with the Department of Housing and Community Development,
shall:
         (1) establish procedures for validating that such expenditures conform to
applicable HUD requirements and are a necessary and proper expense prior to
issuing funds; and
         (2) establish guidelines to ensure that funds are distributed based upon
need.
                                        ***
Sec. C.107 2023 Acts and Resolves No. 78, Sec. B.1102(c) is amended to
read:
   (c) In fiscal year 2024, the amount of $50,000,000 General Fund is
appropriated to the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board (VHCB):
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      (1) $10,000,000 to provide support and enhance capacity for emergency
shelter and permanent homes for those experiencing homelessness or who need
supportive housing. The funds shall be used to expand Vermont’s shelter
capacity, provide homes for those experiencing homelessness, create housing
for individuals eligible to receive Medicaid-funded developmental disabilities
services, and decrease reliance on the General Assistance Emergency Housing
hotel and motel program. The Vermont Housing and Conservation Board shall
consult with the Agency of Human Services to ensure new investments in
homes and shelters are paired with appropriate support services for residents,
including services supported through Medicaid. Funded projects may utilize a
range of housing options, including the expansion of shelter capacity, the
conversion of hotels to housing, the creation of permanent supportive housing,
and the utilization of manufactured homes on infill sites.
                                      ***
Sec. C.108 2024 Acts and Resolves No. 113, Sec. C.110, as amended by 2025
Acts and Resolves No. 27, Sec. C.105, is further amended to read:
 Sec. C.110 EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM;
              REVERSION AND REALLOCATION
   (a) The Secretary of Administration may reimburse up to $14,300,000 of
prior fiscal year federal funds expended through the Emergency Rental
Assistance Program, as approved by the Joint Fiscal Committee pursuant to
Grant Request #3034 with new General Fund or Other Infrastructure, Essential
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Investments, and Reserves Subaccount in the Cash Fund for Capital and
Essential Investments appropriations transferred from existing State programs
that meet the eligibility criteria established by the U.S. Treasury. These
programs shall receive an amount of spending authority from the Emergency
Rental Assistance Program 2 Fund equal to the amount of General Fund or
Other Infrastructure, Essential Investments, and Reserves Subaccount in the
Cash Fund for Capital and Essential Investments appropriation transferred.
   (b) To the extent that qualifying General Fund or Other Infrastructure,
Essential Investments, and Reserves Subaccount in the Cash Fund for Capital
and Essential Investments expenditures already incurred are transferred onto
the spending authority established in subsection (a) of this section, the
Commissioner of Finance and Management shall, notwithstanding 32 V.S.A.
§ 706, transfer an equivalent amount of General Fund or Other Infrastructure,
Essential Investments, and Reserves Subaccount in the Cash Fund for Capital
and Essential Investments spending authority to support programs established
through Grant Request #3034 and subsequent Emergency Rental Assistance
Program grant approvals by the Joint Fiscal Committee.
Sec. C.109 2025 Acts and Resolves No. 27, Sec. B.1100, as amended by 2026
Acts and Resolves No. 74, Sec. 51, is further amended to read:
 Sec. B.1100 MISCELLANEOUS FISCAL YEAR 2026 ONE-TIME
               APPROPRIATIONS
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   (a) Agency of Administration Secretary’s Office. In fiscal year 2026,
funds are appropriated for the following:
                                      ***
      (4) $3,000,000 General Fund to ensure the appropriation made in Sec.
B.514 of this act is sufficient to meet 100 percent of the Vermont State
Teachers’ Retirement System Actuarially Determined Employer Contribution.
The appropriation made in Sec. B.513 of this act pursuant to 16 V.S.A. §
1944(c)(13) shall not be considered for the purposes of determining whether
the appropriation made in Sec. B.514 of this act is sufficient to ensure that the
Actuarially Determined Employer Contribution requirement is funded at 100
percent in fiscal year 2026. Any remaining funds may be used, if necessary, to
ensure that the Actuarially Determined Employer Contribution for the Vermont
State Employees’ Retirement System is 100 percent funded in fiscal year 2026.
The appropriation made in Sec. B.104.1 of this act pursuant to 3 V.S.A.
§ 473(c)(8) shall not be considered for the purposes of determining whether
fiscal year 2026 appropriations are sufficient to ensure that the Actuarially
Determined Employer Contribution requirement is funded at 100 percent in
fiscal year 2026. These funds shall carry forward each fiscal year until fully
expended or reverted by an act of the General Assembly.
Sec. C.110 2025 Acts and Resolves No. 73, Sec. 3 is amended to read:
 Sec. 3. SCHOOL DISTRICT REDISTRICTING TASK FORCE; REPORT
                                      ***
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   (i) Appropriations.
                                     ***
      (2) The sum of $100,000.00 $28,310.70 is appropriated to the Agency of
Digital Services from the General Fund in fiscal year 2026 to cover costs
associated with supporting the Task Force, or, if necessary, for the purposes of
hiring one or more consultants to provide support to the Task Force.
                                     ***
Sec. C.111 2025 Acts and Resolves No. 27, Sec. B.338, as amended by 2026
Acts and Resolves No. 74, Sec. 41, is further amended to read:
 Sec. B.338 Corrections - correctional services
   Personal services  184,910,113    184,260,113
   Operating expenses  26,227,109      26,227,109
   Grants  801,823  801,823
       Total  211,939,045    211,289,045
Source of funds
   General fund  203,987,089    203,337,089
   Special funds  990,963  990,963
   Federal funds  516,600  516,600
   Global Commitment fund  6,048,078        6,048,078
   Interdepartmental transfers  396,315  396,315
       Total  211,939,045    211,289,045
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Sec. C.112 2025 Acts and Resolves No. 27, Sec. B.347, as amended by 2026
Acts and Resolves No. 74, Sec. 44, is further amended to read:
 Sec. B.347 Total human services
Source of funds
   General fund  1,461,126,849 1,460,476,849
   Special funds  232,655,939      232,655,939
   Tobacco fund  23,088,208        23,088,208
   State health care resources fund  31,074,772        31,074,772
   Federal funds  1,993,089,108 1,993,089,108
   Global Commitment fund  2,213,122,801 2,213,122,801
   Internal service funds  403,853  403,853
   Interdepartmental transfers  32,694,090        32,694,090
   Permanent trust funds  25,000  25,000
       Total  5,987,280,620 5,986,630,620
Sec. C.113 2022 Acts and Resolves No. 185, Sec. B.1100, as amended by
2023 Acts and Resolves No. 78, Sec. C.115 and 2024 Acts and Resolves No.
87, Sec. 49, is further amended to read:
   Sec. B.1100 FISCAL YEAR 2023 ONE-TIME GENERAL FUND
                  APPROPRIATIONS
                                       ***
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   (b) $11,000,000 is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department
of Public Safety for regional dispatch funding. The funds are subject to the
following conditions:
                                        ***
      (3)(A) $2,490,000 shall be immediately available to the Department of
Public Safety for a grant to create and implement the Regional
Communications System Upgrade Project to enable the Capital Fire simulcast
dispatch cell as shown in the Vermont Public Safety Communications System
Design Concept and Recommendations report of January 2026.
          (B) The grant shall only be issued to the Central Vermont Regional
Planning Commission and as the fiscal agent for the Capital Fire simulcast
dispatch cell if, in the determination of the Department of Public Safety and
the Public Safety Communications Task Force, the pilot project shall position
the State positively for implementing a statewide simulcast emergency
communications system and shall allow the State to prove that the desired
vision is not only possible but also practical and serves to gain stakeholder
buy-in when implementing change on a larger scale. The pilot project shall
enable the standards authority to make iterative improvements and adjust
option parameters based on lessons learned during the pilot project, increasing
the odds for long-term success.
          (C) To obtain the grant funding described in this subdivision (3), the
Planning Commission shall first submit a pilot project proposal on or before
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October 2, 2026, that includes, to the satisfaction of the Department and Task
Force:
             (i) full designs and engineering plans for an initial construction
date in 2027;
             (ii) detailed descriptions of project phases, goals, and benchmarks,
and how these are met;
             (iii) detailed descriptions of project budgeting, including
mechanisms for tracking of expenses, record maintenance, and auditing of
project finances, a cost quote from a qualified contractor as part of the budget,
and a showing of how the cost-sharing requirement described in subdivision
(D) of this subdivision (3) will be met; and
             (iv) an explanation of how the pilot project aligns with and
furthers the development of a statewide public safety communications system
as reported by the Public Safety Communications Task Force, as established
by 2023 Acts and Resolves No. 78, Sec. C.114.
          (D) To obtain the grant funding described in this subdivision (3), the
Planning Commission shall first agree that it will be responsible for 30 percent
of the project costs and provide proper documentation that it is able to finance
its share of project costs, in its entirety, prior to commencing any phase of the
project or expending any grant funds awarded by the Department.
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          (E) $50,000 shall be immediately available to the Department of
Public Safety to hire a technical consultant to evaluate the pilot project
proposal requirements described in subdivision (C) of this subdivision (3).
          (F) If the Planning Commission satisfies the conditions of
subdivisions (B)–(E) of this subdivision (3), the Department shall issue the
grant to the Planning Commission on or before November 2, 2026.
          (G) The Department shall report on or before January 31, 2027, and
again on or before January 31, 2028, to the House Committees on
Appropriations and on Government Operations and Military Affairs and to the
Senate Committees on Appropriations and on Government Operations with
details pertaining to the progress of the project, including grant funds
dispensed, and detailed descriptions of project phases, goals, and benchmarks,
and how these have or have not been met.
          (H) It is the intent of the General Assembly that this Regional
Communications System Upgrade Project be a pilot project that shall enable
the State to determine an effective and efficient manner in which to implement
similar projects in other regions of the State, with the ultimate goal of building
a statewide public safety communications system.
      (4) Any remaining amounts not obligated pursuant to subdivisions (1)
and, (2), and (3) of this subsection shall remain unobligated and unexpended
until approval to expend the funds is authorized by further enactment of the
General Assembly.
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                                         ***
Sec. C.114 2017 Acts and Resolves No. 79, Sec. 13, as amended by 2020 Acts
and Resolves No. 120, Sec. A.8, 2021 Acts and Resolves No. 44, Sec. 2, and
2022 Acts and Resolves No. 185, Sec. E.136.1, is further amended to read:
  Sec. 13. STATE ETHICS COMMISSION FUNDING SOURCE
            SURCHARGE; REPEAL
   (a) Surcharge.
       (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of 3 V.S.A. § 2283(c) setting forth
the purpose and rate of charges collected in the Human Resource Services
Internal Service Fund, in fiscal year 2018 and thereafter, a surcharge of up to
2.3 percent, but no greater than the cost of the activities of the State Ethics
Commission set forth in Sec. 7 of this act, on the per-position portion of the
charges authorized in 3 V.S.A. § 2283(c)(2) shall be assessed to all Executive
Branch agencies, departments, and offices and shall be paid by all assessed
entities solely with State funds.
       (2) The amount collected shall be accounted for within the Human
Resource Services Internal Service Fund and used solely for the purposes of
funding the activities of the State Ethics Commission set forth in Sec. 7 of this
act.
   (b) Repeal. This section shall be repealed on July 1, 2025 July 1, 2027.
Sec. C.115 2025 Acts and Resolves No. 27, Sec. D.101(b), as amended by
2026 Acts and Resolves No. 74, Sec. 53, is further amended to read:
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   (b) The following transfers shall be in accordance with the citations
provided. Transfer estimates are for purposes of developing the fiscal year
2026 budget and do not supersede the actual year-end transfer amounts.
        (1) To the General Fund (#10000) from the:
                                     ***
          (C) 27 V.S.A. § 1543. Unclaimed Property Fund (#62100):
$8,994,314 $16,144,149.
                                     ***
     * * * Fiscal Year 2027 Fund Transfers and Reserve Allocations * * *
Sec. D.100 PROPERTY TRANSFER TAX ALLOCATIONS
   (a) This act contains the following amounts allocated to special funds that
receive revenue from the property transfer tax. These allocations shall not
exceed available revenues.
        (1) The sum of $608,137 is allocated from the Current Use
Administration Special Fund to the Department of Taxes for administration of
the Use Tax Reimbursement Program. Notwithstanding 32 V.S.A. § 9610(c),
amounts in excess of $608,137 from the property transfer tax deposited into the
Current Use Administration Special Fund shall be transferred to the General
Fund.
        (2) Notwithstanding 10 V.S.A. § 312, amounts in excess of $37,653,750
from the property transfer tax and the surcharge established by 32 V.SA.
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§ 9602a deposited into the Vermont Housing and Conservation Trust Fund
shall be transferred to the General Fund.
          (A) The dedication of $2,500,000 in revenue from the property
transfer tax pursuant to 32 V.S.A. § 9610(d) for the debt payments on the
affordable housing bond (10 V.S.A. § 314) shall be offset by the reduction of
$1,500,000 in the appropriation to the Vermont Housing and Conservation
Board and $1,000,000 from the surcharge established by 32 V.S.A. § 9602a.
The fiscal year 2027 appropriation of $37,653,750 to the Vermont Housing and
Conservation Board reflects the $1,500,000 reduction. The affordable housing
bond and related property transfer tax and surcharge provisions are repealed
after the life of the bond on July 1, 2039. Once the bond is retired, the
$1,500,000 reduction in the appropriation to the Vermont Housing and
Conservation Board shall be restored.
      (3) Notwithstanding 24 V.S.A. § 4306(a)(2), amounts in excess of
$10,179,975 from the property transfer tax deposited into the Municipal and
Regional Planning and Resilience Fund shall be transferred into the General
Fund. Notwithstanding 24 V.S.A. § 4306(a)(3), the $10,179,975 shall be
allocated as follows:
          (A) $7,838,580 for disbursement to regional planning commissions in
a manner consistent with 24 V.S.A. § 4306(b);
          (B) $1,323,397 for disbursement to municipalities in a manner
consistent with 24 V.S.A. § 4306(b); and
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          (C) $1,017,998 to the Agency of Digital Services for the Vermont
Center for Geographic Information.
Sec. D.101 FUND TRANSFERS
   (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the following amounts
shall be transferred from the funds indicated:
      (1) From the General Fund (#10000) to the:
          (A) General Obligation Bonds Debt Service Fund (#35100):
$73,797,962.
          (B) Capital Infrastructure Subaccount in the Cash Fund for Capital
and Essential Investments (#21952): $17,016,160.
          (C) Tax Computer System Modernization Fund (#21909):
$4,650,000.
          (D) Education Fund (#20205): $100,908,097.
          (E) Vermont State Police Radio Equipment and Firearm Replacement
Special Fund: $500,000.
          (F) Domestic and Sexual Violence Special Fund (#21926):
$350,000.
      (2) From the Transportation Fund (#20105) to the:
          (A) General Obligation Bonds Debt Service Fund (#35100):
$294,775.
          (B) Downtown Transportation and Related Capital Improvements
Fund (#21575): $523,966.
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     (3) From the Education Fund (#20205) to the:
          (A) Tax Computer System Modernization Fund (#21909):
$1,550,000.
     (4) From the Clean Water Fund (#21932) to the:
          (A) Agricultural Water Quality Special Fund (#21933): $11,897,381.
          (B) Lake in Crisis Response Program Special Fund (#21938):
$120,000.
     (5) From the Agency of Human Services Central Office Earned Federal
Receipts (#22005) to the:
          (A) General Fund (#10000): $5,000,000.
     (6) From the AG-Fees and Reimbursement-Court Order Special Fund
(#21638) to the:
          (A) General Fund (#10000): $2,000,000.
          (B) Miscellaneous Fines & Penalties Fund (#21054): $1,538,600.
      (7) From the Insurance Reserve Fund (#21335) to the:
          (A) Transportation Fund (#20105): $1,360,069, notwithstanding
32 V.S.A. § 135.
     (8) From the State PACE Reserve Fund (#21943) to the:
          (A) General Fund (#10000): $60,806.73, notwithstanding 24 V.S.A.
§ 3270.
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      (9) From the Technology Modernization Special Fund (#21951) to the:
          (A) General Fund (#10000): $9,547,596.39, notwithstanding 3
V.S.A. § 3306.
   (b) The following transfers shall be in accordance with the citations
provided. Transfer estimates are for purposes of developing the fiscal year
2027 budget and do not supersede the actual fiscal year-end transfer amounts.
      (1) To the General Fund (#10000) from the:
          (A) 8 V.S.A. § 80(d). Insurance Regulatory and Supervision Fund
(#21075): $42,837,511.
          (B) 9 V.S.A. § 5613(c). Securities Regulatory and Supervision Fund
(#21085): $23,762,455.
          (C) 27 V.S.A. § 1543. Unclaimed Property Fund (#62100):
$10,464,702.
      (2) 8 V.S.A. § 6017(b). To the Captive Insurance Regulatory and
Supervision Fund (#21085) from the:
          (A) General Fund (#10000): $143,318.
   (c) Transfers from the following enterprise funds to the General Fund
(#10000), shall not exceed the actual fiscal year-end profits earned by the
enterprise net of any amount necessary to absolve the fund of a deficit. The
following estimated transfers are for purposes of developing the fiscal year
2027 budget only.
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     (1) From the Sports Wagering Enterprise Fund (#50250): $6,700,000.
     (2) From the Liquor Control Fund (#50300): $20,871,297.
Sec. D.102 REVERSIONS
  (a) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, in fiscal year
2027, the following amounts shall revert to the General Fund from the
accounts indicated:
1100892208    AOA-VT Housing Finance Agency  1,000,000.00
1100892310    AOA-FEMA COVID Match  890,937.34
1100892402    AOA-High-Risk FEMA Denial Resv  5,184,452.41
1100892401    AOA-ORE-Language Access Plan  150,000.00
2200892301    AAFM-Ecosystems Services  100,000.00
2200892307    AAFM-Conservation Districts  16,513.42
2200892408    AAFM-Dairy Risk Mgmt  35,496.73
2240892204    PSD-Affordable Comm Scale Ren  200,000.00
2240892404    PSD-SHARE  195,000.00
3150892302    DMH-Howard Center  790.68
3400892204    AHSCO-Workforce Retention  300,000.00
3400892304    AHS-Nurse Preceptor Grants  189,984.00
3410892502    DVHA-Technical Analysis  21,601.25
3440891905    Child Dev Assoc Credential  29,752.09
3440892401    DCF-Reach Ahead 2 Year Pilot  498.63
3480892501    DOC-Data Contract  300,000.00
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5100892308      AOE-Universal Income Dec.  99,990.00
6140892402      DEC-Emissions Repair Program  362,416.60
7110892406      HCD-Mobile Home Condemnation  831,043.50
7110892106      HCD - Tech Serv Local Gov  1,056.73
7110892306      HCD-Designated Area Report  5,342.36
7120892204      ACCD-Technology Related Grants  100,000.00
Sec. D.103 RESERVES
   (a) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, in fiscal year
2027, the following reserve transactions shall be implemented for the funds
provided:
      (1) General Fund.
          (A) The General Fund 27/53 Reserve shall be adjusted in accordance
with 32 V.S.A. § 308e. For purposes of developing this budget, $6,550,000 is
expected to be reserved in fiscal year 2027.
          (B) The $30,000,000 General Fund reserved pursuant to 2025 Acts
and Resolves No. 27, Sec. B.1101(b)(4) is unreserved.
                          * * * General Government * * *
Sec. E.100 POSITIONS
   (a) The establishment of six permanent positions is authorized in fiscal year
2027 for the following:
      (1) Permanent classified positions:
          (A) Office of the State Treasurer:
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             (i) one Program Technician III; and
             (ii) one Policy and Research Manager.
          (B) Vermont Pension Investment Commission:
             (i) one Financial Director III.
          (C) Office of the Secretary of State:
             (i) one RIM Specialist; and
             (ii) one Business Services Administrator.
      (2) Permanent exempt positions:
          (A) Vermont Labor Relations Board:
             (i) one Mediator.
   (b) The establishment of one limited service exempt Staff Attorney position
is authorized at the State Ethics Commission in fiscal year 2027.
   (c) The conversion of four limited service positions to permanent classified
status is authorized in fiscal year 2027 as follows:
      (1) Office of the Attorney General:
          (A) one Assistant Director of Court Diversion and Pretrial Services;
and
          (B) one Home Improvement Specialist.
      (2) Office of the Secretary of State:
             (A) one Administrative Services Coordinator IV.
      (3) Department of Public Service:
             (A) one Financial Director IV.
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   (d) The conversion of 26 limited service positions to permanent exempt
status is authorized in fiscal year 2027 as follows:
      (1) Judiciary:
          (A) one Database Administrator;
          (B) two IT Help Desk Analysts;
          (C) two Centralized Service Analysts;
          (D) 10 Judicial Assistants; and
          (E) 11 Judicial Officer II’s.
Sec. E.100.1 2025 Acts and Resolves No. 27, Sec. E.100.3 is amended to read:
 Sec. E.100.3 AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT; CORONAVIRUS
                STATE FISCAL RECOVERY FUND APPROPRIATIONS;
                REPORTING
   (a) In fiscal year years 2026 and 2027, the Secretary of Administration
shall report to the Joint Fiscal Committee on a quarterly basis, and upon the
request of the Committee, on the status of appropriations made from the
American Rescue Plan Act – Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund.
      (1) Reports shall include information on:
          (A) the original amounts appropriated;
          (B) outstanding obligations against appropriations; and
          (C) any remaining spending authority.
   (b) In fiscal year years 2026, 2027, and 2028, the Secretary of
Administration shall report to the Joint Fiscal Committee on a quarterly basis,
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and upon the request of the Committee, on the status of any spending authority
established pursuant to 2023 Acts and Resolves No. 113, Sec. E.106.
        (1) Reports shall include information on:
           (A) the original amounts appropriated;
           (B) outstanding obligations against appropriations; and
           (C) any remaining spending authority.
   (c) Any spending authority established pursuant to 2024 Acts and Resolves
No. 113, Sec. E.106(a) and (c) that remains unexpended and unencumbered on
December 31, 2027, shall revert to the General Fund. Any unallocated balance
resulting from this reversion shall be reserved in the General Fund Balance
Reserve.
                                      ***
Sec. E.100.2 SECRETARY OF ADMINISTRATION; REPORT ON
               STATUS OF FEDERAL FUNDS
   (a) The Secretary of Administration shall report to the Joint Fiscal
Committee at its July, September, and November 2026 meetings, and at other
meetings as requested, on any reductions to federal revenues to the State and
the status of any appropriations impacted by such reductions.
Sec. E.100.3 2018 (Sp. Sess.) Acts and Resolves No. 9, Sec. 5 is amended to
read:
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  Sec. 5. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF RACIAL EQUITY; RACIAL
          EQUITY ADVISORY PANEL; FUNDING SOURCE;
          SURCHARGE; REPEAL
   (a) Surcharge.
      (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of 3 V.S.A. § 2283(c) setting forth
the purpose and rate of charges collected in the Human Resource Services
Internal Service Fund, in fiscal year 2019, a surcharge of up to 1.65 percent,
and in fiscal year 2020 and thereafter, a surcharge of up to 3.3 percent, but not
greater than the cost of both the Racial Equity Advisory Panel and the position
of Executive Director activities of the Office of Racial Equity set forth in Sec.
3 of this act, on the perposition per-position portion of the charges authorized
in 3 V.S.A. § 2283(c)(2) shall be assessed to all Executive Branch agencies,
departments, and offices and shall be paid by all assessed entities solely with
State funds.
      (2) The amount collected shall be accounted for within the Human
Resource Services Internal Service Fund and used solely for the purposes of
funding the Racial Equity Advisory Panel and the position of the Executive
Director of Racial Equity set forth in Sec. 3 of this act.
   (b) Repeal. This section shall be repealed on June 30, 2024 July 1, 2027.
Sec. E.105.1 AGENCY OF DIGITAL SERVICES; INFORMATION
               TECHNOLOGY INTERNAL SERVICE FUND; DEFICIT
               MITIGATION PLAN
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   (a) On or before January 15, 2027, the Agency of Digital Services shall, in
consultation with the Department of Finance and Management, provide a
written plan to the House Committees on Appropriations and on Energy and
Digital Infrastructure and the Senate Committees on Appropriations and on
Institutions on how to reduce the fund deficit in the Information Technology
Internal Service Fund established by 3 V.S.A. § 3304, including any
recommended changes to Fund sources, uses, and transfers. The report shall
include information on revenues to and expenditures from the Fund and the
Fund’s balance at the fiscal year closeout for the previous 10 fiscal years. The
report shall also include the most current available information Fund sources,
uses, transfers, and the estimated Fund balance at the fiscal year 2027 closeout.
   (b) On or before February 15, 2027, the Agency of Digital Services shall,
in consultation with the Department of Finance and Management, provide a
report to the House Committees on Appropriations and on Energy and Digital
Infrastructure and the Senate Committees on Appropriations and on
Institutions on the approach and assumptions used for estimating sources and
uses for the Core Enterprise Services Fund (#58100), Enterprise Offerings
Fund (#58110), Professional Services Fund (#58120), and Customized
Services Fund (#58130) for the purposes of building the fiscal year 2027
budget. The report shall include information on the Agency’s adaptation to
and compliance with new procedures on the part of various State agencies and
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departments and any managerial or organizational advantages to the fiscal year
2027 budgeting approach.
   (c) On or before February 15, 2027, the Department of Finance and
Management shall provide a report to the House Committees on
Appropriations and on Energy and Digital Infrastructure and the Senate
Committees on Appropriations and on Institutions on the establishment and
consistent use of the State’s Chart of Accounts to uniformly track expenditures
associated with major IT projects by agency and department. It is the intent of
the General Assembly that project-level tracking include contracts with IT
implementation vendors, business process contracts that support project
delivery, and internal staffing and operating costs.
Sec. E.106 32 V.S.A. § 307(b) is amended to read:
   (b) The budget shall also include in detail definite recommendations of the
Governor relative to the amounts that should be appropriated to each of the
activities referred to under this section. It shall also include definite
recommendations of the Governor relative to the financing of the expenditures
recommended and the appropriate amounts to be raised from ordinary revenue,
direct taxes, bonds, or loans. The financing of the expenditures recommended,
as proposed by the Governor, shall not include the funds from the Budget
Stabilization Reserve as established in section 308 of this title. With the
budget, the Governor shall submit to the General Assembly such messages,
statements, or supplemental data with reference to the same, as the Governor
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may deem expedient; however, budget documentation shall include to the
extent possible the following:
                                       ***
      (5) A document outlining reversions and approved carryforward by
appropriation for those funds subject to the Secretary of Administration’s
carryforward authority or containing automatic carryforward provisions as
designated by the General Assembly.
Sec. E.108 STATE EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION STUDY;
            DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES; REPORT
   (a) On or before January 15, 2027, the Department of Human Resources
shall submit a written report to the House and Senate Committees on
Appropriations, the House Committee on Government Operations and Military
Affairs, and the Senate Committee on Government Operations with its findings
and any recommendations for legislative action on how and whether to amend
the statutes governing State employee compensation, including what State
employee salary information should be set forth in statute and the method of
determining appropriate pay increases for State employees. The report and
recommendations shall be based on the Department’s review and analysis of
the following:
      (1) those exempt position titles that set forth the associated salary in
statute and the exempt position titles that do not set forth salary in statute;
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      (2) how the annual rate of adjustment is determined and applied for
exempt employee salaries and how it compares to the annual rate of adjustment
determination and application for classified employee salaries; and
      (3) the salary advancement structure for exempt employees as compared
to the salary advancement structure for classified employees.
Sec. E.108.1 3 V.S.A. § 2283 is amended to read:
§ 2283. DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
                                     ***
   (c)(1) There is established in the Department of Human Resources a
Human Resource Services Internal Service Fund to consist of revenues from
charges to agencies, departments, and similar units of Vermont State
government and to be available to fund the costs of the consolidated human
resource, Office of Racial Equity, and State Ethics Commission services in the
Department of Human Resources.
      (2) The rate of the charges shall be proposed by the Commissioner of
Human Resources, subject to the approval of the Secretary of Administration.
Proposed rates of charges shall be based upon the cost of operations associated
with human resource, Office of Racial Equity, and State Ethics Commission
services provided to agencies, departments, and similar units of Vermont State
government.
Sec. E.111 DEPARTMENT OF TAXES; POSITION POOL;
           FUNDING
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   (a) Of the funds appropriated in Sec. B.111 of this act, $135,000 General
Fund shall be for a permanent, classified Business Analyst position to be taken
from the position pool.
Sec. E.127 JOINT FISCAL OFFICE; SPECIAL FUNDS REPORT
   (a) The Joint Fiscal Office shall, in consultation with the Department of
Finance and Management, provide a report with a general overview of special
funds and their uses to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations on
or before December 15, 2026.
   (b) In addition to the report outlined in subsection (a) of this section, the
Joint Fiscal Office shall, in consultation with the Office of Legislative Counsel
and the Department of Finance and Management, submit the following reports
to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations:
      (1) A report with detailed information on all special funds in existence
the prior fiscal year that fall within function areas of government identified by
the Department of Finance and Management’s accounting system as “general
government,” “labor,” “general education,” “commerce and community
development,” and “transportation.” The report shall be submitted on or
before December 15, 2026.
      (2) A report with detailed information on all special funds in existence
the prior fiscal year that fall within function areas of government identified by
the Department of Finance and Management’s accounting system as “human
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services” and “natural resources.” The report shall be submitted on or before
December 15, 2027.
      (3) A report with detailed information on all special funds in existence
the prior fiscal year that fall within function areas of government identified by
the Department of Finance and Management’s accounting system as
“protection to persons and property.” The report shall be submitted on or
before December 15, 2028.
      (4) A report with detailed information on all special funds in existence
the prior fiscal year that did not fall within any function areas of government
identified in subdivisions (1)–(3) of this subsection or that would fall within
those function areas of government but were established after the relevant
report was submitted. The report shall be submitted on or before December
15, 2029.
   (c) The reports required by subsection (b) of this section shall include, for
each special fund identified, the following information, if available:
      (1) the authorizing statute for the fund, its date of enactment, and any
amendments to the statute;
      (2) a description of sources, uses, transfers, and reservations, including
stated purposes of uses, transfers, and reservations;
      (3) the prior fiscal year fund balance at closeout; and
      (4) other relevant information on the general management and oversight
of the fund.
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Sec. E.127.1 FISCAL YEAR 2027 FEE REPORT; HUMAN SERVICES;
              NATURAL RESOURCES
   (a) Fiscal year 2027 fee information. Agencies, departments, boards, and
offices that receive appropriations in Secs. B.300–399 and B.700–799 of this
act shall, in collaboration with the Joint Fiscal Office, prepare a comprehensive
fee report for each fee that is in effect in fiscal year 2027. The fee report shall
contain the following information for each fee:
      (1) the statutory authorization and termination date, if any;
      (2) the current rate or amount of the fee and the date the fee was last set
or adjusted by the General Assembly or Joint Fiscal Committee;
      (3) the Fund into which the fee revenues are deposited;
      (4) the amount of the revenues derived from the fee in each of the five
fiscal years preceding fiscal year 2027;
      (5) the number of times that the fee was paid in each of the two fiscal
years preceding fiscal year 2027;
      (6) a projection of the fee revenues in fiscal years 2027 and 2028;
      (7) a description of the service or product provided or the regulatory
function performed by the agency, department, board, or office supported by
the fee;
      (8) the amount of the fee if adjusted for inflation from the last time the
fee amount was modified using an appropriate index chosen in consultation
with the Joint Fiscal Office. The inflation adjustment shall be calculated as the
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percentage change between the value of the index in the July of the year the fee
was last adjusted by the General Assembly and July 2026;
      (9) if any portion of the fee revenue is deposited into a special fund, the
percentage of the special fund’s revenues that the fee represents;
      (10) any available information regarding comparable fees in other
jurisdictions;
      (11) any policies or trends that might affect the viability of the fee
amount; and
      (12) any other relevant considerations for setting the fee amount.
   (b) Reports.
      (1) The Joint Fiscal Office shall provide guidance as necessary to the
agencies, departments, boards, and offices described in subsection (a) of this
section on the methodology to be used for compiling the information requested
in the fee reports. On or before October 15, 2026, the agencies, departments,
boards, and offices described in subsection (a) of this section shall submit a
draft report of the information required in subdivisions (a)(1)–(12) of this
section to the Joint Fiscal Office for review. Agencies, departments, boards,
and offices shall work with the Joint Fiscal Office to finalize the report before
submitting the report described in subdivision (2) of this subsection.
      (2) On or before December 15, 2026, the agencies, departments, boards,
and offices described in subsection (a) of this section shall submit a final report
to the Joint Fiscal Office.
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      (3) On or before January 15, 2027, the Joint Fiscal Office shall submit a
consolidated report consisting of the final reports submitted pursuant to
subdivision (2) of this subsection to the House Committees on Appropriations
and on Ways and Means and the Senate Committees on Appropriations and on
Finance.
      (4) If any of the information requested in this section cannot be provided
for any reason, the agencies, departments, boards, and offices described in
subsection (a) of this section shall include in both the draft and final reports a
written explanation for why the information cannot be provided.
   (c) As used in this section, as it pertains to Executive Branch agencies,
departments, boards, and offices, “fee” means any source of State revenue
classified by the Department of Finance and Management Accounting System
as “fees,” “business licenses,” “nonbusiness licenses,” and “fines and
penalties.”
   (d) Executive Branch fee report moratorium. Notwithstanding 32 V.S.A.
§ 605, in fiscal year 2027, the Governor shall not be required to submit the
consolidated Executive Branch fee annual report and request to the General
Assembly.
Sec. E.131 HIGHER EDUCATION ENDOWMENT TRUST FUND; USES;
              REPORT
   (a) In calendar year 2026, as part of the annual financial report on the
Vermont Higher Education Endowment Trust Fund required by 16 V.S.A.
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§ 2885(e), the Office of the State Treasurer shall, in consultation with the
Vermont Higher Education Endowment Trust Fund Council and the respective
student government associations of the University of Vermont, Community
College of Vermont, and Vermont State University, on each item listed below,
include recommendations on the following:
      (1) any changes to Fund sources, uses, and transfers, including any
expanded uses of the Fund and adjustments to the current statutory allocation
structure;
      (2) mechanisms, including requiring consultation with the Vermont
Higher Education Endowment Trust Fund Council, for ensuring appropriate
fiduciary oversight of the use of the Fund to ensure that the endowed funds,
including principal and interest earnings, are available for the intended purpose
of providing scholarships to Vermont students;
      (3) how to expand or modify the membership of the Council to include
student representatives of the recipient institutions of higher education; and
      (4) how to expand the scope of scholarship awards, including award
amounts, types of degrees covered, and institutions of higher education
included in the scholarship program.
Sec. E.131.1 STATE PACE RESERVE FUND; REPEAL
   (a) 24 V.S.A. § 3270 (State PACE Reserve Fund) is repealed and any
balance remaining shall be transferred to the General Fund.
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Sec. E.133 VERMONT STATE EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM
            AND VERMONT PENSION INVESTMENT COMMISSION;
            OPERATING BUDGET; SOURCE OF FUNDS
   (a) Of the $3,768,126 appropriated in Sec. B.133 of this act, $2,526,938
constitutes the Vermont State Employees’ Retirement System operating
budget, and $1,241,188 constitutes the portion of the Vermont Pension
Investment Commission’s budget attributable to the Vermont State
Employees’ Retirement System.
Sec. E.134 VERMONT MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT
            SYSTEM AND VERMONT PENSION INVESTMENT
            COMMISSION; OPERATING BUDGET; SOURCE OF FUNDS
   (a) Of the $2,207,869 appropriated in Sec. B.134 of this act, $1,765,361
constitutes the Vermont Municipal Employees’ Retirement System operating
budget, and $442,508 constitutes the portion of the Vermont Pension
Investment Commission’s budget attributable to the Vermont Municipal
Employees’ Retirement System.
Sec. E.135 3 V.S.A. § 922 is amended to read:
§ 922. OFFICE SPACE; EMPLOYEES; MEDIATOR
   (a) The Secretary of Administration shall, upon request by the State Labor
Relations Board, allow the Board the responsible use of public buildings under
his or her the Secretary’s control and furnish heat, light, and furniture for any
meeting or hearing called by the Board.
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   (b) The Board may employ such employees and agents as it deems
necessary and may employ a reporter for taking and transcribing testimony in
hearing before it.
   (c)(1) The Board may employ a mediator to provide free mediation services
to public and private sector collective bargaining units and employers upon
reaching an impasse during collective bargaining.
      (2) If the mediator has capacity, the mediator may provide free
mediation services to public and private sector collective bargaining units and
employers on grievances and unfair labor practice charges.
      (3) The Board shall develop policies and procedures to ensure that all
confidential mediation information is maintained separately and insulated from
access by members of the Board or other employees of the State Labor
Relations Board so as to protect the integrity of the mediation process.
Sec. E.136.1 STATE ETHICS COMMISSION; REPORT
   (a) On or before January 15, 2027, the State Ethics Commission shall
report to the House Committee on Government Operations and Military
Affairs, the Senate Committee on Government Operations, and the House and
Senate Committees on Appropriations on its organizational structure,
workload, and capacity.
   (b) The report shall include information on the Commission’s:
      (1) current personnel and management structure with two full-time
equivalents; and
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        (2) recommendations for reducing or eliminating duties given to it
through prior legislative enactment to align its workload with its fiscal year
2027 personnel capacity.
Sec. E.136.2 STATE ETHICS COMMISSION; POSITION FUNDING
   (a) The $150,000 General Fund and $214,306 internal service fund
appropriated in Sec. B.136.1 of this act may be used by the State Ethics
Commission for personal services costs for up to two full-time equivalents to
fund positions established at the Commission, including the Executive Director
and the Staff Attorney established by Sec. E.100 of this act.
Sec. E.136.3 2024 Acts and Resolves No. 171 (2024 Ethics Act), Sec. 24, as
amended by 2025 Acts and Resolves No. 44, Sec. 4, is further amended to
read:
   Sec. 24. EFFECTIVE DATES
   This act shall take effect on passage, except that:
        (1) Sec. 13 (adding 3 V.S.A. § 1230, Commission procedure,
rulemaking) shall take effect on July 1, 2027 2028, except that the Commission
may adopt rules under 3 V.S.A. § 1230(b) prior to July 1, 2028;
        (2) Sec. 22 (creating Municipal Code of Ethics) shall take effect on
January 1, 2025;
        (3) Sec. 7 (amending 3 V.S.A. § 1221(a), describing expansion of
Commission powers) shall take effect on September 1, 2027 July 1, 2028;
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      (4) Sec. 8 (amending 3 V.S.A. § 1222; title redesignation) shall take
effect on July 1, 2025;
      (5) Sec. 9 (amending 3 V.S.A. § 1223, Commission procedure for
accepting and referring complaints) shall take effect on September 1, 2025.;
      (6) Secs. 10 (adding 3 V.S.A. § 1227, Commission investigations),
11 (adding 3 V.S.A. § 1228, Commission hearings), 12 (adding 3 V.S.A.
§ 1229, Commission warnings, reprimands, recommended actions, and
agreements), and 14 (adding 3 V.S.A. § 1231, Commission public records
regarding complaints) shall take effect on September 1, 2027 July 1, 2028; and
      (7) Sec. 1 (amending 17 V.S.A. § 2414, candidate disclosures) shall take
effect on January 1, 2026.
Sec. E.136.4 2025 Acts and Resolves No. 44, Sec. 5 is amended to read:
   Sec. 5. EFFECTIVE DATES
   This act shall take effect on passage, except that:
      (1) Sec. 1 (amending 3 V.S.A. § 1223, Commission procedure for
accepting and referring complaints) shall take effect on September 1, 2025, and
shall supersede those provisions of 2024 Acts and Resolves No. 171, Sec. 9
that amended 3 V.S.A. § 1223 and that conflict with the language in this act;
      (2) Sec. 2 (amending future version of 3 V.S.A. § 1223) shall take effect
on September 1, 2027 July 1, 2028; and
      (3) Sec. 3 (amending 3 V.S.A. § 1231, Commission public records
regarding complaints) shall take effect on September 1, 2027 July 1, 2028, and
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shall supersede those provisions of 2024 Acts and Resolves No. 171, Sec. 14
that amended 3 V.S.A. § 1231 and that conflict with the language in this act.
Sec. E.138 RENTER REBATE FISCAL YEAR 2027 BASE INCREASE;
            ONE-TIME
   (a) It is the intent of the General Assembly that the $4,000,000 increase to
the appropriation in Sec. B.138 of this act be a one-time increase in fiscal year
2027 that shall not recur in future fiscal years.
Sec. E.139 GRAND LIST LITIGATION ASSISTANCE
   (a) Notwithstanding 32 V.S.A. § 3709(a), of the appropriation in Sec.
B.139 of this act, $70,000 shall be provided to the Department of Taxes’
Division of Property Valuation and Review and used with any remaining funds
from the amount previously transferred for final payment of expenses incurred
by the Department or towns in defense of grand list appeals regarding the
reappraisals of the hydroelectric plants and other expenses incurred to
undertake utility property appraisals in Vermont.
Sec. E.139.1 TAX DEPARTMENT APPROPRIATION; PILOT FUND
   (a) Notwithstanding 32 V.S.A. § 3709(a) or any other provision of law to
the contrary, the appropriation in Sec. B.139 of this act shall be made from the
PILOT Special Fund.
Sec. E.142 PAYMENTS IN LIEU OF TAXES
   (a) This appropriation is for State payments in lieu of property taxes under
32 V.S.A. chapter 123, subchapter 4, and the payments shall be calculated in
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addition to and without regard to the appropriations for correctional facilities
elsewhere in this act. Payments in lieu of taxes under this section shall be paid
from the PILOT Special Fund under 32 V.S.A. § 3709.
Sec. E.144 PAYMENTS IN LIEU OF TAXES; CORRECTIONAL
              FACILITIES
   (a) Payments in lieu of taxes under this section shall be paid from the
PILOT Special Fund under 32 V.S.A. § 3709.
Sec. E.200 ATTORNEY GENERAL
   (a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, the Office of the Attorney
General, Medicaid Fraud and Residential Abuse Unit, is authorized to retain,
subject to appropriation, one-half of the State share of any recoveries from
Medicaid fraud settlements, excluding interest, that exceed the State share of
restitution to the Medicaid Program. All such designated additional recoveries
retained shall be used to finance Medicaid Fraud and Residential Abuse Unit
activities.
   (b) Of the revenue available to the Attorney General under 9 V.S.A.
§ 2458(b)(4), $2,263,600 is appropriated in Sec. B.200 of this act.
Sec. E.208 PUBLIC SAFETY; ADMINISTRATION
   (a) The Commissioner of Public Safety is authorized to enter into a
performance-based contract with the Essex County Sheriff’s Department to
provide law enforcement service activities agreed upon by both the
Commissioner of Public Safety and the Sheriff.
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Sec. E.209 PUBLIC SAFETY; STATE POLICE
   (a) Of the General Fund appropriation in Sec. B.209 of this act, $35,000
shall be available to the Southern Vermont Wilderness Search and Rescue
Team, which is composed of the State Police, the Department of Fish and
Wildlife, county sheriffs, and local law enforcement personnel in Bennington,
Windham, and Windsor Counties, for snowmobile enforcement.
   (b) Of the General Fund appropriation in Sec. B.209 of this act, $405,000 is
allocated for grants in support of the Drug Task Force. Of this amount,
$190,000 shall be used by the Vermont Drug Task Force to fund three town
task force officers. These town task force officers shall be dedicated to
enforcement efforts with respect to both regulated drugs as defined in 18
V.S.A. § 4201(29) and the diversion of legal prescription drugs. Any
unobligated funds may be allocated by the Commissioner to fund the work of
the Drug Task Force or carried forward.
   (c) Of the General Fund appropriation in Sec. B.209 of this act, $2,100,000
is allocated exclusively for the purchase, outfitting, assignment, and disposal of
State Police vehicles.
Sec. E.209.1 20 V.S.A. § 1913a is added to read:
§ 1913a. VERMONT STATE POLICE RADIO EQUIPMENT AND
          FIREARM REPLACEMENT SPECIAL FUND
   (a) Creation. There is created the Vermont State Police Radio Equipment
and Firearm Replacement Special Fund, to be administered by the Department
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of Public Safety in accordance with 32 V.S.A. chapter 7, subchapter 5. Monies
in the Fund shall be used for the purchase of Vermont State Police radio
equipment and firearms in accordance with the life cycle replacement schedule
as approved by the Commissioner of Public Safety.
   (b) Funds. The Fund shall consist of:
      (1) any amounts transferred to it by the General Assembly; and
      (2) the proceeds from the sale of any existing radio equipment and
firearms.
   (c) Fund balance. Any balance remaining at the end of the fiscal year shall
remain in the Fund.
   (d) Receipts. The Commissioner of Finance and Management may
anticipate receipts to this Fund and issue warrants based thereon.
Sec. E.212 PUBLIC SAFETY; FIRE SAFETY
   (a) Of the General Fund appropriation in Sec. B.212 of this act, $55,000
shall be granted to the Vermont Rural Fire Protection Task Force for the
purpose of designing dry hydrants.
Sec. E.215 MILITARY; ADMINISTRATION
   (a) Of the General Fund appropriation in Sec. B.215 of this act, $1,219,834
shall be disbursed to the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation for the
Vermont National Guard Tuition Benefit Program established in 16 V.S.A.
§ 2857.
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Sec. E.217 MILITARY; POSITION POOL; FEDERAL FUNDING
   (a) Of the federal funds appropriated in Sec. B.217 of this act, $442,247
shall be the 75 percent federal share for the following six classified limited
service positions to be taken from the position pool: four Military
Maintenance Specialists II; one Military Building Construction Specialist; and
one Military Storekeeper.
Sec. E.218 MILITARY; POSITION POOL; STATE FUNDING
   (a) Of the General Fund appropriation in Sec. B.218 of this act, $147,411
shall be the 25 percent State share for the following six classified limited
service positions to be taken from the position pool: four Military
Maintenance Specialists II; one Military Building Construction Specialist; and
one Military Storekeeper.
Sec. E.219 MILITARY; VETERANS’ AFFAIRS
   (a) Of the General Fund appropriated in Sec. B.219 of this act, $1,000 shall
be used for continuation of the Vermont Medal Program; $2,000 shall be used
for the expenses of the Governor’s Veterans Advisory Council; $7,500 shall be
used for the Veterans Day parade; $10,000 shall be granted to the American
Legion for the Green Mountain Boys’ State and Green Mountain Girls’ State
programs; and $10,000 shall be used for the USS Vermont Support Group.
Sec. E.232 SECRETARY OF STATE; VERMONT ACCESS NETWORK
            BUDGET
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   (a) The Secretary of State shall grant the $1,800,000 General Fund
appropriation provided in Sec. B.232 of this act to the Vermont Access
Network to maintain current operations and programming.
Sec. E.233 30 V.S.A. § 202d is amended to read:
§ 202d. TELECOMMUNICATIONS PLAN
                                      ***
   (f) The Department shall adopt a new Plan every three five years pursuant
to the procedures established in subsection (e) of this section. The Plan shall
outline significant deviations from the prior Plan. For good cause or upon
request by a joint resolution passed by the General Assembly, an interim
review and revision of any section of the Plan may be made after conducting
public hearings on the interim revision. At least one hearing shall be held
jointly with committees of the General Assembly designated by the General
Assembly for this purpose.
Sec. E.233.1 30 V.S.A. § 209 is amended to read:
§ 209. JURISDICTION; GENERAL SCOPE
                                      ***
   (e) Thermal energy and process fuel efficiency funding.
      (1) Each of the following shall be used to deliver thermal energy and
process fuel energy efficiency services in accordance with this section for
unregulated fuels to Vermont consumers of such fuels. In addition, the
Commission may authorize an entity appointed to deliver such services under
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subdivision (d)(2)(B) of this section to use monies subject to this subsection
for the engineering, design, and construction of facilities for the conversion of
thermal energy customers using fossil fuels to district heat if the majority of
the district’s energy is from biomass sources, the district’s distribution system
is highly energy efficient, and such conversion is cost effective.
          (A) Net revenues above costs associated with payments from the
New England Independent System Operator (ISO-NE) for capacity savings
resulting from the activities of the energy efficiency utility designated under
subdivision (2)(A) of this subsection (e) that are not transferred to the State
PACE Reserve Fund under 24 V.S.A. § 3270(c). These revenues shall be
deposited into the Electric Efficiency Fund established by this section. In
delivering services with respect to heating systems using the revenues subject
to this subdivision (A), the entity shall give priority to incentives for the
installation of high efficiency biomass heating systems and shall have a goal of
offering an incentive that is equal to 25 percent of the installed cost of such a
system. Provision of an incentive under this subdivision (A) for a biomass
heating system shall not be contingent on the making of other energy
efficiency improvements at the property on which the system will be installed.
                                        ***
Sec. E.234 REPORT ON REGIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY MARKET
            CONDITIONS; PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION
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   (a) On or before January 15, 2027, the Public Utility Commission shall
prepare a written report on projected regional renewable electric generation
market conditions. In developing the report, the Commission shall examine
the cost and availability of new regional renewable electric generation
resources during the years 2027–2035.
   (b) In preparing the report, the Commission shall provide an opportunity
for written input from interested stakeholders, including retail electricity
providers, renewable energy developers, regional transmission organizations,
consumer advocates, and any other members of the public. In addition, the
Commission may consult with the Department of Public Service and other
relevant state, regional, or federal entities, as the Commission deems
appropriate. Preparation of the report is not subject to the contested case
procedures established under 3 V.S.A. chapter 25.
   (c) The Commission shall submit the report to the House Committees on
Environment and on Energy and Digital Infrastructure and the Senate
Committees on Finance and on Natural Resources and Energy.
Sec. E.236 HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION; POSITION POOL;
            FUNDING
   (a) Of the funds appropriated in Sec. B.236 of this act, $130,000 General
Fund shall be for a permanent, exempt Staff Attorney Investigator position to
be taken from the position pool.
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Sec. E.300 FUNDING FOR THE OFFICE OF THE HEALTH CARE
             ADVOCATE, VERMONT LEGAL AID
   (a) Of the funds appropriated in Sec. B.300 of this act:
        (1) $2,450,406 shall be for the contract with the Office of the Health
Care Advocate;
        (2) $1,717,994 shall be for Vermont Legal Aid services, including the
Poverty Law Project and mental health services; and
        (3) $650,000 shall be for the purposes of maintaining current Vermont
Legal Aid program capacity and addressing increased requests for services,
including eviction prevention and protection from foreclosure and consumer
debt.
Sec. E.300.1 HIGH-END SYSTEM FACILITIES FOR YOUTH
   (a) At the August, October, and December 2026 meetings of the Joint
Legislative Justice Oversight Committee, the Departments for Children and
Families and of Buildings and General Services shall report on their plan to
develop the Green Mountain Youth Facility.
   (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, before the
Departments for Children and Families and of Buildings and General Services
approve design documents for construction and prior to approval of the lease
for the facility, the Department of Buildings and General Services shall submit
their approved design to the House Committees on Corrections and Institutions
and on Human Services and the Senate Committees on Institutions and on
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Health and Welfare. At the same time, the Department for Children and
Families shall submit a draft operating budget.
Sec. E.301 SECRETARY’S OFFICE; GLOBAL COMMITMENT
   (a) The Agency of Human Services shall use the funds appropriated in Sec.
B.301 of this act for payment required under the intergovernmental agreement
between the Agency of Human Services and the managed care entity, the
Department of Vermont Health Access, as provided for in the Global
Commitment to Health Waiver approved by the Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services under Section 1115 of the Social Security Act.
   (b) In addition to the State funds appropriated in Sec. B.301 of this act, a
total estimated sum of $28,368,715 is anticipated to be certified as State
matching funds under the Global Commitment as follows:
      (1) $25,158,000 certified State match available from local education
agencies for eligible special education school-based Medicaid services under
Global Commitment. This amount, combined with $34,842,000 of federal
funds appropriated in Sec. B.301 of this act, equals a total estimated
expenditure of $60,000,000. An amount equal to the amount of the federal
matching funds for eligible special education school-based Medicaid services
under Global Commitment shall be transferred from the Global Commitment
Fund to the School-Based Medicaid Reimbursement Special Fund created in
33 V.S.A. § 1904a.
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      (2) $3,210,715 certified State match available from local designated
mental health and developmental services agencies for eligible mental health
services provided under Global Commitment.
   (c) Up to $4,997,210 is transferred from the Agency of Human Services
Federal Receipts Holding Account to the Interdepartmental Transfer Fund
consistent with the amount appropriated in Sec. B.301 (Secretary’s Office;
Global Commitment) of this act.
Sec. E.301.1 GLOBAL COMMITMENT APPROPRIATIONS; TRANSFER;
              REPORT
   (a) To facilitate fiscal year 2027 closeout, the Secretary of Human Services,
with the approval of the Secretary of Administration, may make transfers
among the appropriations authorized for Medicaid and Medicaid waiver
program expenses, including Global Commitment appropriations outside the
Agency of Human Services. At least three business days prior to any transfer,
the Agency of Human Services shall submit to the Joint Fiscal Office a
proposal of transfers to be made pursuant to this section. A final report on all
transfers made under this section shall be made to the Joint Fiscal Committee
for review at the Committee’s September 2027 meeting. The purpose of this
section is to provide the Agency with limited authority to modify the
appropriations to comply with the terms and conditions of the Global
Commitment to Health Section 1115 demonstration approved by the Centers
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for Medicare and Medicaid Services under Section 1115 of the Social Security
Act.
Sec. E.301.2 2022 Acts and Resolves No. 83, Sec. 72a, as amended by 2022
Acts and Resolves No. 185, Sec. C.105, 2023 Acts and Resolves No. 78, Sec.
E.301.2, 2024 Acts and Resolves No. 113, Sec. E.300.2, and 2025 Acts and
Resolves No. 27, Sec. E.301.2, is further amended to read:
    Sec. 72a. MEDICAID HOME- AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES
              (HCBS PLAN)
                                      ***
   (f) The Global Commitment Fund appropriated in subsection (e) of this
section obligated in fiscal years 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026, and 2027 for the
purposes of bringing HCBS plan spending authority forward into fiscal years
2024, 2025, and 2026, and 2027, respectively. The funds appropriated in
subsections (b), (c), and (e) of this section may be transferred on a net-neutral
basis in fiscal years 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026, and 2027 in the same manner
as the Global Commitment appropriations in 2022 Acts and Resolves No. 185,
Sec. E.301. The Agency shall report to the Joint Fiscal Committee in
September 2023, September 2024, September 2025, and September 2026, and
September 2027, respectively, on transfers of appropriations made and final
amounts expended by each department in fiscal years 2023, 2024, 2025, and
2026, and 2027, respectively, and any obligated funds carried forward to be
expended in fiscal years 2024, 2025, and 2026, and 2027, respectively.
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Sec. E.301.3 GLOBAL COMMITMENT WAIVER AMENDMENT
   (a) The Secretary of Human Services is authorized to seek an extension of
Vermont’s Global Commitment to Health Section 1115 Demonstration for the
period of January 1, 2028, through December 31, 2032, from the Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Sec. E.306.1 MEDICARE ADVOCACY PROGRAM
   (a) Effective July 1, 2026, the Commissioner of Vermont Health Access
shall terminate any contract for services for the Medicare Advocacy Program
under 33 V.S.A. chapter 67 consistent with the provisions of 33 V.S.A.
§ 6703(b).
Sec. E.306.2 DEPARTMENT OF VERMONT HEALTH ACCESS;
             POSITION POOL; FUNDING
   (a) Of the funds appropriated in Sec. B.306 of this act, $497,077 of General
Fund and $497,077 of federal funds shall be for the following permanent,
classified positions to be taken from the position pool: one Health Care
Assistant Administrator I; one Digital Communications Specialist II; one
Business Project Manager; four Vermont Healthcare Service Specialist I’s; and
five Vermont Healthcare Service Specialist II’s.
Sec. E.306.3 DEPARTMENT OF VERMONT HEALTH ACCESS;
             PAYMENTS TO PROVIDERS IN PRIMARY CARE PLUS
             PROGRAM
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   (a) In order to preserve access to primary care services, the Department of
Vermont Health Access shall provide enhanced primary care rates and
enhanced encounter rates, as applicable, to primary care providers in fiscal
year 2027.
Sec. E.307 DEPARTMENT OF VERMONT HEALTH ACCESS;
             EDUCATION MEDICAID RECEIPTS
   (a) Notwithstanding any provision of 16 V.S.A. § 2959a to the contrary, the
payments ordinarily made by the Secretary of Education pursuant to 16 V.S.A.
§ 2959a(c) and (d) shall instead be made by the Commissioner of Vermont
Health Access.
Sec. E.307.1 33 V.S.A. § 1900 is amended to read:
§ 1900. DEFINITIONS
   As used in this subchapter, unless otherwise indicated:
                                       ***
      (12) “Supervisory union” has the same meaning as in 16 V.S.A. § 11
and includes a supervisory district.
Sec. E.307.2 33 V.S.A. § 1904 is added to read:
§ 1904. MEDICAID SCHOOL-BASED SERVICES PROGRAM
   (a)(1) It is the intent of the General Assembly that the State of Vermont
maximize its receipt of federal reimbursement for medically related services
provided to students who are eligible under Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social
Security Act.
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      (2) It is also the intent of the General Assembly that Vermont’s School-
Based Medical Assistance Program shall comply with all federal Medicaid
requirements. As the State Medicaid agency, the Agency of Human Services
shall have sole responsibility for determining and maintaining program
compliance.
   (b) The Agency of Education shall be responsible for coordination of the
School-Based Medical Assistance Program with statewide education policy
and objectives and for communicating with supervisory unions.
   (c) The Agency of Human Services shall adopt rules in accordance with
3 V.S.A. chapter 25 to identify the services that are available through the
School-Based Medical Assistance Program and to set forth the requirements
for supervisory union participation. The rules shall include State and federal
requirements for:
      (1) Medicaid reimbursement;
      (2) participation in a Random Moment Time Study and an electronic
health records system;
      (3) Medicaid cost reports;
      (4) provider enrollment and trainings;
      (5) service documentation;
      (6) Medicaid eligibility; and
      (7) any other provisions necessary for compliance with the Medicaid
program.
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   (d)(1) The Agency of Human Services shall support supervisory unions by
funding and providing the technical elements of the Program necessary for
federal compliance.
      (2) Supervisory unions delivering medically related services pursuant to
the Medicaid School-Based Services Program shall participate in a Random
Moment Time Study and an electronic health records system as directed by the
Agency of Human Services to enable Medicaid billing of direct health services
and Medicaid administrative claiming activities.
Sec. E.307.3 33 V.S.A. § 1904a is added to read:
§ 1904a. SCHOOL-BASED MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT FUND
   (a) The School-Based Medicaid Reimbursement Fund is established as a
special fund to receive federal reimbursements for medically related services
delivered pursuant to the Medicaid school-based services program described in
section 1904 of this chapter. Monies received by the State pursuant to this
section shall be transferred to the School-Based Medicaid Reimbursement
Fund, which shall be administered by the Agency of Human Services, and
Fund receipts shall be allocated in accordance with this section.
   (b) The Department of Vermont Health Access shall pay 55 percent of the
federal reimbursement monies generated by the medically related services
delivered in each supervisory union pursuant to the Medicaid school-based
services program to the supervisory union based on the Medicaid cost reports,
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service claims, and Medicaid administrative costs submitted by the supervisory
union.
   (c)(1) Up to 25 percent of the federal reimbursement monies generated by
services delivered pursuant to the Medicaid school-based services program
shall be available for the administrative costs of the Agencies of Education and
of Human Services related to the collection, operations, and reporting of
school-based medical assistance programs and statewide programs.
      (2) The Agencies shall enter into a memorandum of understanding
setting forth the processes by which Medicaid reimbursement monies available
for administrative costs and statewide programs are allocated to the Agencies.
      (3) The Secretaries of Education and of Human Services shall expend
monies from the Fund only as appropriated by the General Assembly. The
provisions of 32 V.S.A. § 511 shall not apply to this Fund.
   (d) At the close of each fiscal year, the Commissioner of Finance and
Management shall transfer to and deposit any unencumbered available cash
balance remaining in the School-Based Medicaid Reimbursement Fund net of
accounts payable into the Education Fund.
Sec. E.307.4 33 V.S.A. § 1904a is amended to read:
§ 1904a. SCHOOL-BASED MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT FUND
                                     ***
   (c)(1) Up to 25 20 percent of the federal reimbursement monies generated
by services delivered pursuant to the Medicaid school-based services program
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shall be available for the administrative costs of the Agencies of Education and
of Human Services related to the collection, operations, and reporting of
school-based medical assistance programs and statewide programs.
                                       ***
Sec. E.307.5 16 V.S.A. § 2959a is amended to read:
§ 2959a. EDUCATION MEDICAID RECEIPTS MEDICAID SCHOOL-
            BASED SERVICES PROGRAM; SUPERVISORY UNIONS AND
            SUPERVISORY DISTRICTS; LEGISLATIVE INTENT
   (a) It is the intent of the General Assembly that the State of Vermont shall
maximize its receipt of federal Medicaid dollars available for reimbursement
of for medically related services provided to students who are Medicaid
eligible under Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act. It is further the
intent of the General Assembly that:
      (1) each supervisory union identify special education and other students
eligible for Medicaid reimbursement and, to the extent possible, submit
Medicaid bills for services reimbursement Medicaid-compliant cost reports
and service claims; and
      (2) the Agencies of Education and of Human Services work with local
school districts to maximize reimbursements, including services to non-IEP
students.
   (b) A Medicaid Reimbursement Special Fund is established within the
Agency of Education. Funds received by the State under this section shall be
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transferred to the Medicaid Reimbursement Special Fund. The Fund receipts
shall be allocated in accordance with this section.
   (c) At least annually, the Secretary of Education shall pay to each
supervisory union submitting Medicaid bills under this section 50 percent of
the reimbursed funds generated by the supervisory union’s bill, excluding
claims generated by State-placed students. Unless the supervisory union has
agreed to use the funds to operate a supervisory unionwide program or to
distribute the funds in a different manner, upon receipt, the supervisory union
shall distribute the funds to its member school districts based on how the funds
were generated. The Secretary may withhold payment due a supervisory union
pursuant to section 2950 of this title for a Medicaid-eligible State-placed
student if the supervisory union has not submitted a Medicaid claim for
reimbursable services for that student.
   (d) If the amount of Medicaid reimbursement funds received for services
provided in the prior State fiscal year exceeds $25,000,000.00, in addition to
the 50 percent of the funds paid to supervisory unions submitting Medicaid
bills, 25 percent of the amounts in excess of the $25,000,000.00 shall be paid
into an incentive fund created in the Agency of Education. These funds shall
be used for an incentive payment to supervisory unions with student
participation rates of over 80 percent in accordance with a formula to be
developed by the Agency, in consultation with the Vermont Superintendents
Association. For any incentive payments made subsequent to fiscal year 2007,
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the $25,000,000.00 threshold of this subsection shall be increased by the
percentage increase of the most recent New England Economic Project
Cumulative Price Index, as of November 15, for state and local government
purchases of goods and services from fiscal year 2005 through the fiscal year
for which the payment is being determined, plus an additional one-tenth of one
percent.
   (e) Supervisory unions shall use funds received under this section to pay
for reasonable costs of administering the Medicaid claims process, and school
districts or supervisory unions shall use funds received under this section for
prevention and intervention programs in prekindergarten through grade 12.
The programs shall be designed to facilitate early identification of and
intervention with children with disabilities and to ensure all students achieve
rigorous and challenging standards approved and adopted by the State Board or
locally adopted standards. A supervisory union shall provide annual written
justification to the Secretary of Education on how it or its member districts
used the funds. Such annual submission shall show how the funds’ use is
expressly linked to those provisions of the supervisory union’s action plan that
directly relate to improving student performance. A supervisory union shall
include in its annual report the amount of the prior year’s Medicaid
reimbursement revenues and the use of Medicaid funds consistent with the
purposes set forth in this subsection.
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   (f) Up to 30 percent of Medicaid reimbursements received under this
section shall be available for administrative costs of the Agencies of Education
and of Human Services related to the collection, processing, and reporting of
education Medicaid reimbursements and statewide programs. The Secretaries
of Education and of Human Services shall expend monies from the Fund only
as appropriated by the General Assembly.
   (g) Remaining reimbursed funds shall be deposited into the Education
Fund.
Sec. E.307.6 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT IN IMPLEMENTATION
               OF CHANGES TO MEDICAID SCHOOL-BASED SERVICES
               PROGRAM
   (a) The Agency of Human Services shall collaborate with the Agency of
Education, Vermont Association of School Business Officials, Vermont
Council of Special Education Administrators, and school district officials in
implementing changes to the Medicaid school-based services program in
accordance with this act, including:
        (1) providing structured opportunities for input during the phased
implementation process in order to address challenges and risks in a timely
manner and minimize disruptions; and
        (2) focusing on geographic diversity to ensure that the implementation
process is responsive to regional variations in needs and capacity.
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Sec. E.307.7 SPECIAL FUND BALANCE TRANSFER
   (a) Any outstanding fund balances, assets, or liabilities remaining in the
Medicaid Reimbursement Special Fund established pursuant to 16 V.S.A.
§ 2959a shall be transferred to the School-Based Medicaid Reimbursement
Fund established pursuant to 33 V.S.A. § 1904a prior to the elimination of the
Medicaid Reimbursement Special Fund by Sec. E.307.5 of this act.
Sec. E.307.8 DEPARTMENT OF VERMONT HEALTH ACCESS; FAMILY
              PLANNING CODE IMPLEMENTATION; REPORT
   (a) On or before September 15, 2026, the Department of Vermont Health
Access shall review its implementation of family planning codes in the
Medicaid program to ensure that all expenditures for family planning services
and supplies that are eligible for federal match at a 90 percent federal medical
assistance percentage are receiving that enhanced rate.
   (b) On or before October 1, 2026, the Department shall provide a progress
report to the Health Reform Oversight Committee and the Joint Fiscal
Committee on:
      (1) the Department’s findings to date from its review;
      (2) an estimate of any reductions in General Fund expenditures that can
be realized by maximizing usage of the family planning codes to obtain the
90 percent federal match for qualifying services and supplies; and
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      (3) proposals for ways in which the estimated savings can be reinvested
into rate increases for family planning services and supplies as part of the fiscal
year 2027 budget adjustment.
Sec. E.311 2020 Acts and Resolves No. 155, Sec. 7a, as amended by 2021
Acts and Resolves No. 74, Sec E.311.2, is further amended to read:
 Sec. 7a. SUNSET
   18 V.S.A. § 33 (medical students; primary care) is repealed on July 1, 2027.
[Deleted.]
Sec. E.312 HEALTH; PUBLIC HEALTH
   (a) HIV/AIDS funding:
      (1) In fiscal year 2027 and as provided in this section, the Department of
Health shall provide grants in the amount of $475,000 in AIDS Medication
Rebates special funds to the Vermont AIDS service and peer-support
organizations for client-based support services. The Department of Health
AIDS Program shall meet at least quarterly with the Community Advisory
Group with current information and data relating to service initiatives. The
funds shall be allocated according to a request for proposal process.
      (2) In fiscal year 2027 and as provided by this section, the Department
of Health shall provide grants in the amount of $340,000 from the General
Fund for HIV and Harm Reduction Services to the following organizations:
          (A) Vermont CARES: $165,000;
          (B) AIDS Project of Southern Vermont: $115,000; and
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          (C) HIV/HCV Resource Center: $60,000.
      (3) Ryan White Title II funds for AIDS services and the Vermont
Medication Assistance Program shall be distributed in accordance with federal
guidelines. The federal guidelines shall not apply to programs or services
funded solely by the General Fund.
          (A) The Secretary of Human Services shall immediately notify the
Joint Fiscal Committee if at any time there are insufficient funds in the
Vermont Medication Assistance Program to assist all eligible individuals. The
Secretary shall work in collaboration with persons living with HIV/AIDS to
develop a plan to continue access to Vermont Medication Assistance Program
medications until such time as the General Assembly can take action.
          (B) As provided in this section, the Secretary of Human Services
shall work in collaboration with the Vermont Medication Assistance Program
Advisory Committee, which shall be composed of not less than 50 percent of
members who are living with HIV/AIDS. If a modification to the Program’s
eligibility requirements or benefit coverage is considered, the Committee shall
make recommendations regarding the Program’s formulary of approved
medication, related laboratory testing, nutritional supplements, and eligibility
for the Program.
      (4) In fiscal year 2027, the Department of Health shall provide grants in
the amount of $400,000 from the General Fund for HIV and Harm Reduction
Services on or before September 1, 2026. The method by which these
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prevention funds are distributed shall be determined by mutual agreement of
the Department of Health and the Vermont AIDS service organizations and
other Vermont HIV/AIDS prevention providers.
      (5) In fiscal year 2027, the Department of Health shall not reduce any
grants to the Vermont AIDS service and peer-support organizations or syringe
service programs from funds appropriated for HIV/AIDS services to levels
below those in fiscal year 2026 without receiving prior approval from the Joint
Fiscal Committee.
Sec. E.313 18 V.S.A. § 4812 is amended to read:
§ 4812. SUBSTANCE MISUSE PREVENTION SPECIAL FUND
   (a) The Substance Misuse Prevention Special Fund is established and
managed by the Vermont Department of Health in accordance with 32 V.S.A.
chapter 7, subchapter 5 for the purpose of funding substance misuse prevention
programming, including school-based prevention programming.
   (b) Thirty percent of the revenues raised by the cannabis excise tax
imposed pursuant to 32 V.S.A. § 7902, not to exceed $10,000,000.00 per fiscal
year, shall be deposited into this fund for substance misuse prevention costs.
                                      ***
Sec. E.313.1 REPORT; RECOVERY RESIDENCES AND RECOVERY
              CENTERS; INFLATION
   (a) As part of its fiscal year 2028 budget presentation, the Department of
Health shall present the following information to the House Committees on
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Appropriations and on Human Services and to the Senate Committees on
Appropriations and on Health and Welfare:
      (1) base appropriations to recovery residences and recovery centers
during the previous 10 fiscal years; and
      (2) what each of those base appropriations would have been had each
kept up with inflation.
Sec. E.316 REPORT; REACH UP
   (a) On or before January 15, 2027, the Department for Children and
Families shall submit a written report to the House Committees on
Appropriations and on Human Services and to the Senate Committees on
Appropriations and on Health and Welfare evaluating the Reach Up Program,
including any inefficiencies or gaps in services; an actionable, phased plan that
estimates the amount needed to remove the ratable reduction in the Reach Up
program; and any recommendations for legislative action.
Sec. E.316.1 33 V.S.A. § 3702 is amended to read:
§ 3702. FUNDING
   (a) The Secretary of Human Services shall disperse a joint allocation for all
parent child center services to the Parent Child Center Network, which shall
distribute funding to each authorized parent child center.
   (b) The Agency shall consult with the Parent Child Center Network to
develop appropriate measures and methods of accountability for authorized
members of the Network. The Network and authorized parent child centers
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shall provide any previously agreed upon information to enable the Secretary
to evaluate the services provided through grant funds, the effect of services on
consumers, and an accounting of the expenditure of grant funds.
   (c) Annually, as part of its budget presentation, the Agency shall inform the
House Committees on Appropriations and on Human Services and the Senate
Committees on Appropriations and on Health and Welfare of the cost of
adding a one percent base increase over the previous fiscal year’s base
appropriation for the Parent Child Center Network.
Sec. E.316.2 REPORT; PARENT CHILD CENTERS; INFLATION
   (a) As part of its fiscal year 2028 budget presentation, the Department for
Children and Families shall present the following information to the House
Committees on Appropriations and on Human Services and to the Senate
Committees on Appropriations and on Health and Welfare:
      (1) base appropriations to the Parent Child Center Network during the
previous 10 fiscal years; and
      (2) what each of those base appropriations would have been had each
kept up with inflation.
Sec. E.316.3 SNAP AND MEDICAID REQUIREMENTS; REPORTING
   (a) In fiscal year 2027, the Agency of Human Services shall report to the
Joint Fiscal Committee on the implementation of federal H.R.1 SNAP work
requirements and, to the extent applicable, Medicaid work requirements.
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      (1) On or before September 15, 2026, with regard to SNAP benefits, the
Agency shall submit a report that includes to the extent practicable:
          (A) the number of individuals who have become ineligible for
benefits or experienced a loss or reduction in benefits due to federal changes to
work requirements, including specifically by adults between 55 and 64 years of
age, individuals experiencing homelessness, and adults with a child between
14 and 18 years of age;
          (B) the number of individuals who lost benefits due to federal
changes to work requirements and immediately reapplied for benefits and any
related administrative costs;
          (C) the estimated total amount of benefit loss to individuals due to
federal changes to work requirements;
          (D) the reasons individuals are determined ineligible for benefits;
          (E) the Agency’s use of discretionary exemptions, including those
expiring in September 2026, and the remaining balance to offset benefit loss
and reductions;
          (F) the number of individuals who received assistance from the
Agency due to federal changes to work requirements, including the number of
individuals who did not lose or experience a reduction in benefits after
receiving assistance from the Agency;
          (G) payment error rate percentages for the current federal fiscal year,
including an analysis on Agency and client errors; and
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          (H) any other pertinent information.
      (2) On or before March 1, 2027, with regard to Medicaid, the Agency
shall submit a report that includes to the extent practicable:
          (A) the number of individuals who are subject to work requirements
due to federal changes;
          (B) the number of individuals each month who were required to re-
enroll from January through June of 2026;
          (C) the number of individuals each month who will be required to re-
enroll from January through June of 2027;
          (D) an outline of the Agency’s plan for automating data-matching for
eligibly redeterminations and assessing compliance with work requirements;
and
          (E) a summary of the two-year plan to recertify Vermont Medicaid
providers, including a list and timeline for providers requiring recertification
and any changes in Vermont Medicaid.
      (3) Both reports shall also include:
          (A) information regarding outreach, stakeholder coordination, and
other efforts undertaken to support impacted households and community
partners in assisting households to obtain and maintain benefits, including the
provision of sample notices, automated calls, text scripts, and other
communications with individuals; and
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          (B) the number of applications supported by outreach partners,
benefit assisters, or other community service providers.
      (4) In calendar years 2027 and 2028, the Agency shall, on a quarterly
basis, provide an update to the reports required by this subsection to the House
Committees on Appropriations, on Health Care, and on Human Services and
the Senate Committees on Appropriations and on Health and Welfare while the
General Assembly is in session and to the Joint Fiscal Committee while the
General Assembly is not in session.
Sec. E.316.4 33 V.S.A. § 1703 is amended to read:
§ 1703. CHANGES TO PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION
   (a)(1) The Department shall report to the Chairs of the House Committee
on Human Services and the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare and,
community partners under contract with the Department to provide outreach
services, federally authorized retailers operating in Vermont, any other
interested stakeholders, and, if the General Assembly is adjourned, the Joint
Fiscal Committee, within 30 days after any substantive change in the federal
law governing SNAP that:
          (A)(1) restricts or improves eligibility;
          (B)(2) increases or reduces barriers or creates or eliminates hardships
to access; or
      (3) identifies anticipated impacts on the administrative burden or costs
to the Department, community partners under contract with the Department to
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provide outreach services, or federally authorized retailers operating in
Vermont; or
           (C)(4) inhibits or increases benefit usage.
      (2)(b) Within Not less than 90 days after prior to the implementation of
a substantive voluntary change described pursuant to subdivision (1) of this
subsection to Vermont’s SNAP program, the Department shall provide an
analysis to the Chairs of any anticipated administrative costs to the Department
and any impacts on SNAP applicants and participants as a result of the
change.:
      (1) convene a meeting with community partners under contract with the
Department to provide outreach services, federally authorized retailers
operating in Vermont, and any other interested stakeholders to describe the
proposed change to Vermont’s SNAP program, including the anticipated
impact on eligibility, benefit level, administrative burden or costs, and any
other relevant impact of the proposed change; and
      (2) consult with and consider input from community partners under
contract with the Department to provide outreach services, federally authorized
retailers operating in Vermont, and any other interested stakeholders on the
impacts of the Department’s voluntary change to Vermont’s SNAP program.
   (b) The Commissioner may convene a meeting of interested stakeholders to
discuss a change listed in subsection (a) of this section.
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Sec. E.316.5 DEPARTMENT FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
              ADMINISTRATION; VERMONT HOMELESSNESS
              RESPONSE CONTINUUM BASE FUNDING
   (a) Of the General Fund appropriation in Sec. B.316 of this act, $1,100,000
shall be for staffing, grants, and contracts relating to the implementation of the
Vermont Homelessness Response Continuum.
   (b) Any spending authority designated for the purposes provided in
subsection (a) of this section that remains unexpended at the end of fiscal year
2027 shall be carried forward for the same purpose for which it was originally
designated.
Sec. E.317 SUPERVISED VISITATION PROGRAMS
   (a)(1) $137,500 of the General Fund appropriation in Sec. B.317 of this act,
the $130,000 General Fund appropriation in Sec. B.1100(c)(5) of this act, and
$100,000 of the federal funds appropriation in Sec. B.317 of this act shall be
granted by the Department for Children and Families to supervised visitation
programs as follows:
          (A) $367,500 to the six existing community-based supervised
visitation sites.
      (2) The Department shall work with the Vermont Network Against
Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence to develop a funding formula for
supervised visitation sites, to identify the community partners to develop two
new supervised visitation sites during fiscal year 2027, and to begin planning
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for the creation of four additional supervised visitation sites, two each to
become operational beginning in fiscal years 2028 and 2029.
Sec. E.318 CHILD CARE; TUITION RATES
   (a) Notwithstanding 33 V.S.A. § 3517, in fiscal year 2027, the
Commissioner for Children and Families may authorize a nonprofit child care
provider that did not rebase tuition rates pursuant to 2023 Acts and Resolves
No. 76 to increase annual tuition in excess of 1.5 times the most recent annual
increase in NAICS Code 611, Educational Services, upon a finding of financial
hardship. Prior to authorization, the Commissioner shall determine that the
child care provider has experienced a loss of revenue and is reasonably likely
to continue to experience a loss of revenue absent the requested tuition
increase. The child care provider shall furnish any information requested by
the Commissioner in support of such a determination.
Sec. E.321 END HOMELESSNESS VERMONT; GRANT;
            HOMELESSNESS RESPONSE CONTINUUM
   (a) The General Assembly finds that:
      (1) Vermont ranks fourth per capita in the United States for
homelessness;
      (2) Vermont’s unhoused population has risen dramatically since the
COVID-19 pandemic;
      (3) Vermont’s shelter, housing, and supportive services capacity is
insufficient to meet the needs of its unhoused population;
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      (4) repeated changes in program scope and eligibility requirements for
programs, including emergency housing provided through General Assistance
program, have made it difficult for Vermonters seeking housing assistance to
access and maintain support;
      (5) the Vermont Homelessness Response Continuum may not be fully
implemented in fiscal year 2027; and
      (6) End Homelessness Vermont has provided essential services to
unhoused Vermonters, including service navigation and coordination from
crisis through housing stability, technical assistance, and concrete supports.
   (b) It is the intent of the General Assembly that the grant to End
Homelessness Vermont in Sec. B.1100(c)(4) of this act support its continued
statewide work of providing essential services to individuals living with
complex needs and disabilities who are experiencing homelessness or housing
insecurity.
Sec. E.321.1 DEPARTMENT FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
              GENERAL ASSISTANCE; VERMONT HOMELESSNESS
              RESPONSE CONTINUUM BASE FUNDING
   (a) Of the General Fund appropriation in Sec. B.321 of this act, $9,251,120
shall be for emergency housing in hotels and motels relating to the
implementation of the Vermont Homelessness Response Continuum.
   (b) Any spending authority designated for the purposes provided in
subsection (a) of this section that remains unexpended at the end of fiscal year
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2027 shall be carried forward for the same purpose for which it was originally
designated.
   (c) Any spending authority designated for General Assistance emergency
housing that remains unexpended at the end of fiscal year 2026 shall be carried
forward for investment in the Vermont Homelessness Response Continuum in
fiscal year 2027.
Sec. E.322 33 V.S.A. § 2605 is amended to read:
§ 2605. BENEFIT AMOUNTS
                                      ***
   (h) Households A household receiving benefits from 3SquaresVT whose
head of household that is not otherwise eligible for a fuel benefit under this
section shall be eligible for a nominal annual Home Heating Fuel Assistance
benefit of $21.00 if a member of the household is elderly or disabled under the
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program regulations.
Sec. E.323 REACH FIRST; REPEAL
   (a) 33 V.S.A. chapter 10 (Reach First) is repealed.
Sec. E.325 DEPARTMENT FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES; OFFICE
              OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
   (a) Of the General Fund appropriation in Sec. B.325 of this act,
$38,251,696 shall be used by the Department for Children and Families’ Office
of Economic Opportunity to issue grants to community agencies to assist
individuals experiencing homelessness by preserving existing services,
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increasing services, or increasing resources available statewide. These funds
may be granted alone or in conjunction with federal Emergency Solutions
Grants funds. Grant decisions and the administration of funds shall be done in
consultation with the two U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development–recognized Continuum of Care programs.
Sec. E.325.1 DEPARTMENT FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES OFFICE
              OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY; VERMONT
              HOMELESSNESS RESPONSE CONTINUUM BASE
              FUNDING
   (a) Of the appropriations in Sec. B.325 of this act, $38,251,696 General
Fund, $830,422 federal funds, and $202,488 Global Commitment shall be for
Housing Opportunity Grant Program operations, $778,987 General Fund and
$3,421,013 Global Commitment shall be for permanent supportive housing
and family supportive housing, $500,000 General Fund shall be for the
Community Resource Center, $2,400,000 General Fund shall be for case
management, $3,000,000 General Fund shall be for rental assistance,
$1,400,000 General Fund shall be for shelter development, and $314,618
federal funds shall be for other expenses relating to the implementation of the
Vermont Homelessness Response Continuum.
   (b) Any spending authority designated for the purposes provided in
subsection (a) of this section that remains unexpended at the end of fiscal year
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2027 shall be carried forward for the same purpose for which it was originally
designated.
  (c) Any spending authority designated for the Housing Opportunity Grant
Program that remains unexpended at the end of fiscal year 2026 shall be
carried forward for investment in the Vermont Homelessness Response
Continuum in fiscal year 2027.
Sec. E.326 DEPARTMENT FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES; OFFICE
              OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY; WEATHERIZATION
              ASSISTANCE
  (a) Of the special fund appropriation in Sec. B.326 of this act, $750,000 is
for the replacement and repair of home heating equipment.
Sec. E.329 DESIGNATED AND SPECIALIZED SERVICE AGENCIES;
              WORKING GROUP; ENGAGEMENT PROCESS; REPORT
  (a) In fiscal year 2027, the Agency of Human Services, in collaboration
with Vermont Care Partners, shall convene a working group to support the
ongoing coordination and a shared understanding of the designated and
specialized service agency support system, including the system’s functioning
and capacity. The Agency, Vermont Care Partners, and the working group
shall meet at least twice during fiscal year 2027. The Agency and Vermont
Care Partners shall jointly develop the agenda in advance of each meeting.
     (1) The meetings may include a discussion of State and federal
requirements, system operations and service delivery, workforce and provider
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capacity, fiscal pressures, administrative burden, the definition of essential
services, and the extent to which evolving community needs and system
reforms have affected the responsibilities and long-term sustainability of
designated and specialized service agencies.
      (2) At the first meeting, the Agency and Vermont Care Partners shall
develop a transparent process to communicate about and implement changes
necessitated by State or federal requirements, including changes related to
funding, staffing, operational feasibility, and service delivery.
      (3) The working group shall discuss alignment with the State’s health
care delivery system planning efforts, including ongoing hospital and health
system transformation work.
      (4) On or before January 15, 2027, the Agency of Human Services, in
collaboration with Vermont Care Partners, shall provide an update to the
House Committees on Appropriations, on Health Care, and on Human Services
and the Senate Committees on Appropriations and on Health and Welfare
regarding the activities of the working group.
   (b) On or before January 15, 2028, the Department of Disabilities, Aging,
and Independent Living, in consultation with the Departments of Health and of
Mental Health and the Office of Health Care Reform, shall submit a plan to the
House Committees on Appropriations, on Health Care, and on Human Services
and to the Senate Committees on Appropriations and on Health and Welfare
for developing and conducting a data-informed, patient-focused, community-
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inclusive engagement process for Vermont’s designated and specialized
service agencies that conforms with the Statewide Health Delivery Strategic
Plan developed pursuant to 18 V.S.A. § 9403. Development of the plan shall
include participation by individuals who reflect Vermont’s diversity with
regard to race, income, age, and disability status. Specifically, the plan shall
include:
      (1) hearing from and sharing data, information, trends, and insights with
communities about the current and future states of the designated and
specialized service agencies;
      (2) providing opportunities for meaningful participation in all stages of
the engagement process by current, former, and prospective clients of the
designated and specialized service agencies and health care providers,
including employees of designated and specialized service agencies;
      (3) providing the data, information, and analysis necessary to support
the engagement process, including information and trends relating to the
current and future states of the designated and specialized service agencies and
the workforce challenges encountered by the agencies; and
      (4) establishing mechanisms to assess the impact of any changes on the
designated and specialized service agencies, including on workforce
recruitment and retention initiatives.
   (c) As part of its fiscal year 2027 budget adjustment presentation, the
Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living may include a
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request for an appropriation to hire one or more consultants to support the
engagement process recommended pursuant to subsection (b) of this section.
Sec. E.329.1 CHOICES FOR CARE; FISCAL YEAR 2028 BUDGET
   (a) As part of its fiscal year 2028 budget presentation, the Department of
Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living shall report to the House
Committee on Human Services, the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare,
and the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations on appropriations for
the Choices for Care Program in the prior five fiscal years, including detailed
information on expenditures for home- and community-based services and
skilled nursing facility services.
Sec. E.329.2 DEPARTMENT OF DISABILITIES, AGING, AND
              INDEPENDENT LIVING; POSITION POOL; FUNDING
   (a) Of the funds appropriated in Sec. B.329 of this act, $130,000 General
Fund shall be for a permanent, classified Disabilities Housing Coordinator
position to be taken from the position pool.
Sec. E.338 CORRECTIONS; CORRECTIONAL SERVICES
   (a) Notwithstanding 32 V.S.A. § 3709(a), the special fund appropriation of
$152,000 for the supplemental facility payments to Newport and Springfield
shall be paid from the PILOT Special Fund under 32 V.S.A. § 3709.
Sec. E.500 AGENCY OF EDUCATION; BUDGET PRESENTATIONS
   (a) As part of its fiscal year 2027 budget adjustment and fiscal year 2028
budget presentations, the Agency of Education shall include:
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      (1) a comprehensive account of fiscal year 2027 appropriations,
including information on amounts expended or obligated at the time of the
presentation’s submission;
      (2) a comprehensive account of anticipated fiscal year 2027
carryforward, including information on the reasons for expenditures being
lower than anticipated;
      (3) information on all third-party contract agreements the Agency
entered into in fiscal year 2027;
      (4) organizational charts reflecting the current structure of the Agency
and each division within the Agency;
      (5) written explanation of any changes to the Agency’s organizational
structure and personnel;
      (6) a comprehensive account of any vacancies within the Agency,
including information on the duration of each position vacancy and any
recommendations for the elimination or redesignation of positions; and
      (7) information on any changes to federal funding, rules, or policy that
may affect the Agency and any action the Agency has taken or may take to
address those changes.
Sec. E.500.1 EDUCATION; GLOBAL COMMITMENT
   (a) The Global Commitment appropriation in Sec. B.500 of this act shall be
used for physician claims for determining medical necessity of Individualized
Education Programs. These services are intended to increase access to quality
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health care for uninsured persons, underinsured persons, and Medicaid
beneficiaries.
Sec. E.500.2 2025 Acts and Resolves No. 73, Sec. 33 is amended to read:
   Sec. 33. EDUCATION TRANSFORMATION; POOL POSITIONS
   The General Fund appropriation in Sec. 32 of this act shall fund five limited
service permanent classified positions taken from the position pool. The pool
positions shall be used to establish the following limited service permanent
classified positions at the Agency of Education in fiscal year 2026 to support
education transformation work:
      (1) one Business Operations Support Specialist;
      (2) one Data Integration Support Specialist;
      (3) one Curriculum and Education Quality Standards Integration
Specialist;
      (4) one Learning and Teaching Integration Specialist; and
      (5) one School Facilities Field Support Specialist.
Sec. E.500.3 16 V.S.A. § 51 is amended to read:
§ 51. UNIVERSAL AFTERSCHOOL AND SUMMER SPECIAL FUND
   (a) The Universal Afterschool and Summer Special Fund is created, to be
managed by the Agency of Education. The cannabis sales tax revenue shall be
deposited into the Universal Afterschool and Summer Special Fund. The Fund
shall be used as follows:
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         (1) To establish a grant program that supports the expansion of universal
afterschool and summer programs with a focus on underserved areas of the
State.
         (2) Cannabis sales tax revenue shall be used to support a mixed delivery
system for afterschool and summer programming. Eligible recipients can be
public, private, or nonprofit organizations.
           (A) Grants may be used for technical assistance, program
implementation, program expansion, program sustainability, and related costs.
           (B) Funds may be used to directly target communities with low
existing capacity to serve youth in afterschool and summer settings.
           (C) The award of grants and any subsequent contract or written
agreement issued pursuant to the award of a grant shall require that a grantee
does not discriminate, and prohibits its employees, agents, subcontractors, and
other service providers from discriminating, on the basis of race, creed, color,
national origin, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or
disability.
           (D) The Agency may use up to $500,000.00 five percent of annually
forecasted revenues for administrative costs to allow for the support of the
grant program and technical assistance to communities. This could include
subcontracts to support the grant program.
                                        ***
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Sec. E.502 EDUCATION; SPECIAL EDUCATION; FORMULA GRANTS
   (a) Of the appropriation authorized in Sec. B.502 of this act, and
notwithstanding any other provision of law, an amount not to
exceed $5,336,200 shall be used by the Agency of Education in fiscal year
2027 as funding for 16 V.S.A. § 2967(b)(2)–(6). In distributing such funds,
the Secretary shall not be limited by the restrictions contained within 16 V.S.A.
§ 2969(c) and (d).
   (b) Of the appropriation authorized in Sec. B.502 of this act, and
notwithstanding any other provision of law, an amount not to
exceed $2,000,000 shall be used by the Agency of Education in fiscal year
2027 as funding for 16 V.S.A. § 2975. In distributing such funds, the
Secretary shall not be limited by the restrictions contained within 16 V.S.A.
§ 2969(c) and (d).
Sec. E.503 EDUCATION; STATE-PLACED STUDENTS
   (a) The Independence Place Program of ANEW Place shall be considered a
24-hour residential program for the purposes of reimbursement of education
costs.
Sec. E.504 ADULT EDUCATION AND LITERACY
   (a) Of the appropriation in Sec. B.504 of this act, $4,349,673 General Fund
shall be granted to adult education and literacy providers, pursuant to the Adult
Education and Secondary Credential Program established in 16 V.S.A. § 945.
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Sec. E.504.1 EDUCATION; FLEXIBLE PATHWAYS
   (a) Notwithstanding 16 V.S.A. § 4025, of the Education Fund appropriation
in Sec. B.504.1 of this act, the amount of:
         (1) $921,500 is available for dual enrollment programs notwithstanding
16 V.S.A. § 944(f)(2);
         (2) $2,400,000 is available to support the Vermont Virtual High School;
         (3) $400,000 is available for secondary school reform grants;
         (4) $4,200,000 is available for Early College pursuant to 16 V.S.A.
§ 947(b); and
         (5) $2,899,782 is available for the Adult Education and Secondary
Credential Program.
   (b) Of the appropriation in Sec. B.504 of this act, $921,500 from the
General Fund is available for dual enrollment programs.
Sec. E.504.2 16 V.S.A. § 4021 is added to read:
§ 4021. ADULT EDUCATION FUNDING
   (a) Definitions. As used in this section:
         (1) “Local adult education and literacy provider” has the same meaning
as in section 942 of this title.
         (2) “Statewide AEL student count” means the average annual number of
students statewide who complete the diagnostic portions of the adult education
and secondary credential program over the previous two completed fiscal
years.
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      (3) “Statewide AEL student-hours” means the average annual number of
student-hours of instruction provided statewide for adult education and literacy
activities over the previous two completed fiscal years.
   (b) Annual appropriation. Annually, the General Assembly shall
appropriate funds to pay for adult education and literacy activities in an
amount equal to 26 percent of the base education amount multiplied by the
statewide AEL student count. The General Assembly shall appropriate
40 percent of the funds from the Education Fund and 60 percent of the funds
from the General Fund.
   (c) Payment allocations.
      (1) Beginning in fiscal year 2029, the Secretary shall determine
payments from the appropriation under subsection (b) of this section on a per-
county basis according to this subdivision.
          (A) The Secretary shall first allocate $80,000.00 to each county.
          (B) The Secretary shall then allocate the remaining funds among the
counties according to each county’s share of the statewide AEL student count.
      (2) Annually, the Secretary shall pay to each local adult education and
literacy provider, as defined in section 942 of this title, that provides an adult
education and secondary credential program the amount determined pursuant
to this section for each county in which the local adult education and literacy
provider provides the county’s adult education and secondary credential
program.
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      (3) For each of fiscal years 2027 and 2028, the Secretary shall determine
payments from the appropriation under subsection (b) of this section on a per-
county basis according to this subdivision.
          (A) The Secretary shall first allocate $80,000.00 to each county.
          (B) The Secretary shall then allocate among the counties 85 percent
of the remaining funds according to each county’s share of the statewide AEL
student count and 15 percent of the remaining funds according to each
county’s share of the statewide AEL student-hours.
Sec. E.504.3 REPEAL
   (a) 16 V.S.A. § 4021(c)(3) (adult education funding transition language) is
repealed on July 1, 2028.
Sec. E.504.4 16 V.S.A. § 4011(f) is amended to read:
   (f) Annually, the Secretary shall pay to a local adult education and literacy
provider, as defined in section 942 of this title, that provides an adult education
and secondary credential program an amount equal to 26 percent of the base
education amount for each student who completes the diagnostic portions of
the adult education and secondary credential program, based on an average of
the previous two completed fiscal years. Forty percent of the payment required
under this subsection shall be from State funds appropriated from the
Education Fund and 60 percent of the payment required under this subsection
shall be from State funds appropriated from the General Fund. [Repealed.]
Sec. E.504.5 16 V.S.A. § 4021(b) is amended to read:
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   (b) Annual appropriation. Annually, the General Assembly shall
appropriate funds to pay for adult education and literacy activities in an
amount equal to 26 percent of the categorical base education amount
multiplied by the statewide AEL student count. The General Assembly shall
appropriate 40 percent of the funds from the Education Fund and 60 percent of
the funds from the General Fund.
Sec. E.507.1 ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS; CATEGORICAL AID
   (a) The funds appropriated in Sec. B.507.1 of this act shall be used to
provide categorical aid to school districts for English Learner services,
pursuant to 16 V.S.A. § 4013.
Sec. E.511.1 STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION; POSITION POOL;
              FUNDING
   (a) Of the General Fund appropriated in Sec. B.511.1 of this act, $130,000
shall be for a limited service exempt position to be taken from the position
pool.
Sec. E.514 VERMONT STATE TEACHERS’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM
   (a) In accordance with 16 V.S.A. § 1944(g)(2), the annual contribution to
the Vermont State Teachers’ Retirement System shall be $220,905,084, of
which $212,905,084 shall be the State’s contribution and $8,000,000 shall be
contributed from local school systems or educational entities pursuant to 16
V.S.A. § 1944c.
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   (b) In accordance with 16 V.S.A. § 1944(c)(2), of the annual contribution,
$43,739,011 is the “normal contribution,” and $177,166,073 is the “accrued
liability contribution.”
Sec. E.514.1 VERMONT STATE TEACHERS’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM
              AND VERMONT PENSION INVESTMENT COMMISSION;
              OPERATING BUDGET; SOURCE OF FUNDS
   (a) Of the $4,178,569 appropriated in Sec. B.514.1 of this act, $2,879,269
constitutes the Vermont State Teachers’ Retirement System operating budget,
and $1,299,300 constitutes the portion of the Vermont Pension Investment
Commission’s budget attributable to the Vermont State Teachers’ Retirement
System.
Sec. E.515 RETIRED TEACHERS’ HEALTH CARE AND MEDICAL
            BENEFITS
   (a) In accordance with 16 V.S.A. § 1944b(b)(2) and 16 V.S.A.
§ 1944b(h)(1), the annual contribution to the Retired Teachers’ Health and
Medical Benefits plan shall be $99,834,595, of which $90,834,595 shall be the
State’s contribution and $9,000,000 shall be from the annual charge for teacher
health care contributed by employers pursuant to 16 V.S.A. § 1944d. Of the
annual contribution, $30,987,156 is the “normal contribution,” and
$68,847,439 is the “accrued liability contribution.”
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Sec. E.600 UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT
   (a) The Commissioner of Finance and Management shall issue warrants to
pay 1/12 of the appropriation in Sec. B.600 of this act to the University of
Vermont on or about the 15th day of each calendar month of the year.
   (b) Of this appropriation, $380,362 shall be transferred to the Experimental
Program to Stimulate Competitive Research to comply with State matching
fund requirements necessary for the receipt of available federal or private
funds, or both.
Sec. E.602 VERMONT STATE COLLEGES
   (a) The Commissioner of Finance and Management shall issue warrants to
pay 1/12 of the appropriation in Sec. B.602 of this act to the Vermont State
Colleges on or about the 15th day of each calendar month of the year.
   (b) Of this appropriation, $427,898 shall be transferred to the Vermont
Manufacturing Extension Center to comply with State matching fund
requirements necessary for the receipt of available federal or private funds, or
both.
Sec. E.603 VERMONT STATE COLLEGES; ALLIED HEALTH
   (a) If Global Commitment Fund monies are unavailable, the total grant
funding for the Vermont State Colleges shall be maintained through the
General Fund or other State funding sources.
   (b) The Vermont State Colleges shall use the Global Commitment
appropriation in Sec. B.603 of this act to support the dental hygiene,
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respiratory therapy, and nursing programs that graduate approximately 315
health care providers annually. These graduates deliver direct, high-quality
health care services to Medicaid beneficiaries or uninsured or underinsured
persons.
Sec. E.605 VERMONT STUDENT ASSISTANCE CORPORATION
   (a) Of the funds appropriated to the Vermont Student Assistance
Corporation in Sec. B.605 of this act:
      (1) $25,000 shall be deposited into the trust fund established in 16
V.S.A. § 2845;
      (2) not more than $400,000 may be used by the Vermont Student
Assistance Corporation for a student aspirational initiative to serve one or more
high schools; and
      (3) not less than $1,000,000 shall be used to continue the Vermont
Trades Scholarship Program established in 2022 Act and Resolves No. 183,
Sec. 14.
   (b) Of the funds appropriated to the Vermont Student Assistance
Corporation in Sec. B.605 of this act that remain after accounting for the
expenditures set forth in subsection (a) of this section, not less than 93 percent
shall be used for direct student aid.
   (c) After accounting for the expenditures set forth in subsection (a) of this
section, up to seven percent of the funds appropriated to the Vermont Student
Assistance Corporation in Sec. B.605 of this act or otherwise currently or
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previously appropriated to the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation or
provided to the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation by an agency or
department of the State for the administration of a program or initiative may be
used by the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation for its costs of
administration. The Vermont Student Assistance Corporation may recoup its
reasonable costs of collecting the forgivable loans in repayment. Funds shall
not be used for indirect costs. To the extent that any of these funds are federal
funds, allocation for expenses associated with administering the funds shall be
consistent with federal grant requirements.
Sec. E.605.1 NEED-BASED STIPEND FOR DUAL ENROLLMENT AND
              EARLY COLLEGE STUDENTS
   (a) Notwithstanding 16 V.S.A. § 4025, the $41,225 Education Fund and
$41,225 General Fund appropriated to the Vermont Student Assistance
Corporation in Sec. B.605.1 of this act is for dual enrollment and need-based
stipend purposes to fund a flat-rate, need-based stipend or voucher program for
financially disadvantaged students enrolled in a dual enrollment course
pursuant to 16 V.S.A. § 944 or in early college pursuant to 16 V.S.A. § 946 to
be used for the purchase of books, cost of transportation, and payment of fees.
The Vermont Student Assistance Corporation shall establish the criteria for
program eligibility. Funds shall be granted to eligible students on a first-come,
first-served basis until funds are depleted.
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   (b) On or before January 15, 2027, the Vermont Student Assistance
Corporation shall report on the program to the House Committees on
Appropriations and on Commerce and Economic Development and to the
Senate Committees on Appropriations and on Economic Development,
Housing and General Affairs.
Sec. E.606 16 V.S.A. § 2885 is amended to read:
§ 2885. VERMONT HIGHER EDUCATION ENDOWMENT TRUST FUND
   (a) A Vermont Higher Education Endowment Trust Fund is established in
the Office of the State Treasurer to comprise the following:
      (1) appropriations transfers made by the General Assembly;
                                       ***
Sec. E.700 3 V.S.A. § 2807 is amended to read:
§ 2807. LANDS AND FACILITIES TRUST FUND
   (a) Legislative purpose. The General Assembly finds and determines:
      (1) The public lands, facilities, and recreational assets of Vermont
represent both a priceless inheritance from the past and an enduring legacy for
future generations.
      (2) The lands, facilities, and recreational assets owned or managed by
the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation Agency of Natural Resources
are held as public assets for the citizens of Vermont, and require proper
management to ensure that these natural resources and facilities remain viable
and available for this and all future generations.
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   (b) Definitions. As used in this section:
      (1) “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Forests, Parks and
Recreation or the Commissioner’s designee “Secretary” means the Secretary of
Natural Resources or the Secretary’s designee.
      (2) “Eligible activity” means any activity undertaken, initiated, or
supported by the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation Agency of
Natural Resources, for State lands under the ownership of the Department of
Forests, Parks and Recreation, that provides for the management of State lands,
facilities, and recreational assets, including administrative support. “Eligible
activity” includes but is not limited to: repair and maintenance of State parks;
contract surveys and mapping; maintenance of State lands, including
boundaries, roads, trails, and facilities; contract inventories of State land
natural resources; repair of State-owned dams; repair, replacement, and
maintenance of conservation camps; and timber management in accordance
with U.S.D.A. silvicultural guidelines; project management; contract
development and administration; and business office support. “Eligible
activity” does not include the acquisition of land.
      (3) “Fund” means the Lands and Facilities Trust Fund.
   (c) Creation and use of Fund.
      (1) There is established in the State Treasury an income-producing fund
to be known as the Lands and Facilities Trust Fund, to be managed by the State
Treasurer, and from which expenditures shall be made by the Commissioner
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Secretary in accordance with appropriations by the General Assembly for the
benefit of lands, facilities, and recreational assets owned or managed by the
Agency. Payments from the Fund may be made to meet costs for eligible
activities that are not covered in operating budgets for management of Agency
lands, facilities, and recreational assets.
      (2) The Fund shall be administered as part of the trust investment
account established in 32 V.S.A. § 434. After the first three years of the
Fund’s existence, on July 1 of each year, the Treasurer shall may distribute
from the Fund five up to eight percent of the moving average of the market
value of the Fund over the prior 12 quarters with the approval of the House and
Senate, provided that the Fund balance does not go below the prior fiscal
year’s ending fund balance. Notwithstanding the foregoing, during the first
three years of the Fund’s existence, expenditures for immediate needs, not to
exceed five percent of the principal, may be authorized by the Commissioner
Secretary, provided that such expenditures are consistent with the priorities
established by the Commissioner Secretary, pursuant to this section, and shall
be subject to the approval of the General Assembly.
      (3) Annual expenditures from the Fund shall be limited to projects
approved by the Commissioner and shall be in accordance with appropriations
of the General Assembly. Project priorities shall be determined in accordance
with criteria established by the Commissioner and shall include consideration
of at least the following: The Secretary may make expenditures from the Fund
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for eligible projects with a consideration towards cost; availability of funds;
condition of the resource, facility, or infrastructure; level of use; level of public
need; the stated intent of the donor, when donated property is involved; and the
ability to protect or enhance a public investment or public resource.
      (4) There shall be deposited in the Fund monies received by the Agency
that are related to management and administrative support of Agency lands,
facilities, and recreational assets and that are received from a variety of public
and private sources pertinent to the purposes of the Fund, including donations;
grants; special use permits; federal funds specifically designated for uses
compatible with the intent of the fund; timber sale receipts received after June
30, 2001, from State forestland and all Agency lands otherwise not restricted;
and such sums as may be appropriated transferred to the Fund by the General
Assembly. The Agency may solicit and accept aid or contributions consistent
with the stated intent of the donor and deposited with the State Treasurer.
Income earned by the Fund shall be deposited into the Fund, and all balances
in the Fund at the end of any fiscal year shall be carried forward and remain
part of the Fund.
                                       ***
Sec. E.700.1 2018 (Sp. Sess.) Acts and Resolves No. 11, Section C.110 is
amended to read:
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   Sec. C.110 IMPLEMENTATION OF PRELIMINARY
                 RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE VERMONT CLIMATE
                 ACTION COMMISSION
                                       ***
   (b) Recommendations of the Commission and actions taken on them
include:
                                       ***
      (5) Electrify the transportation system: The direction concerning the use
of Environmental Mitigation Trust monies resulting from the Volkswagen
litigation set forth in Sec. E.700 of this act is designed to increase
electrification of transportation.
Sec. E.700.2 2018 (Sp. Sess.) Acts and Resolves No. 11, Section E.700 is
amended to read:
   Sec. E.700 VOLKSWAGEN LITIGATION; ENVIRONMENTAL
               MITIGATION TRUST FOR STATE BENEFICIARIES
   (a) As used in this section:
      (1) “Appendix D-2” means Appendix D-2 to the Environmental
Mitigation Trust, entitled “Eligible Mitigation Actions and Mitigation Action
Expenditures.”
      (2) “Environmental Mitigation Trust” or “Trust” means the
Environmental Mitigation Trust Agreement for State Beneficiaries filed on
October 2, 2017 in In re: Volkswagen “Clean Diesel” Marketing, Sales
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Practices, and Products Liability Litigation, 3:16-CV-00295-CRB, MDL No.
2672 CRB (JSC) (N.D. Cal.).
      (3) “Mobile source” means any vehicle, freight switcher, ferry, tug,
vessel, or equipment that qualifies under an eligible mitigation action listed in
Appendix D-2.
   (b) The Secretary of Natural Resources shall administer Environmental
Mitigation Trust monies pursuant to 10 V.S.A. § 554(15) and, in administering
the Trust monies appropriated under Sec. B.710 of this act, shall:
      (1) Dedicate at least 15 percent of those monies for the purchase of light
duty electric supply equipment and associated allowable administrative costs in
accordance with Appendix D-2.
      (2) Dedicate the remainder of the monies to the replacement of mobile
sources that consume fossil fuels with all-electric mobile sources or the
repowering of mobile sources that consume fossil fuels with all-electric
engines, or both, and associated allowable administrative costs. The
expenditures shall be in accordance with the requirements of Appendix D-2.
Sec. E.702 DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE; EQUIPMENT
            REPLACEMENT FUNDING; FISCAL YEAR 2028 BUDGET
            PRESENTATION
   (a) As part of its fiscal year 2028 budget presentation, the Department of
Fish and Wildlife shall include information on the cost and schedule of radio
equipment and firearm life cycle replacement and any recommendations for
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future funding, including the establishment of a designated special fund for
that purpose.
Sec. E.711 AGENCY OF NATURAL RESOURCES; POSITION POOL;
            FUNDING
   (a) Of the funds appropriated in Sec. B.711 of this act, $300,000 General
Fund shall be for two permanent, classified Environmental Analysts to be
taken from the position pool to support the work required pursuant to 2024
Acts and Resolves No. 121.
Sec. E.801 2023 Acts and Resolves No. 78, Sec. F.8 is amended to read:
   Sec. F.8 RURAL INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT GRANT PROGRAM
   (a) Creation; purpose.
      (1) A Rural Industry Development Grant Program is created within the
Agency of Commerce and Community Development to provide grant funding
through local development corporations for business relocation and expansion
efforts, including the purchase, demolition, and renovation of property for
industrial use.
      (2)(A) To the extent funding is appropriated, the Agency shall make
grants through the Program to assist local development corporations with
business relocation and expansion efforts throughout Vermont.
          (B) The Agency shall ensure an accounting of the respective State
and Grantee shares of investment in any property be maintained to refund to
the State an appropriate share of any net proceeds resulting from future sale or
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transfer of such property acquired or improved through a grant awarded under
this program.
   (b) Grant considerations. In making grant awards, the Agency shall
consider:
         (1) the real estate needs of growing and relocating businesses, including
nonprofit organizations, in the applicant’s region;
         (2) the ability of the proposed project to meet the site-specific needs of
businesses considering whether to expand or locate in this State;
         (3) the funding that the applicant has identified, or secured, to leverage a
grant award; and
         (4) the readiness of an applicant to move a project forward.
   (c) Eligible applicants; priority.
         (1) To be eligible for a grant, an applicant must be a local development
corporation, as defined in subdivision 212(10) of this title, located within this
State.
         (2) The Secretary of Commerce and Community Development may
designate projects and agreements as first priority based on rural communities
that continue to experience insufficient economic and grand list growth.
   (d) Eligible activities. A grant recipient may use funding for the following:
         (1) to purchase land for potential industrial use;
         (2) for the costs of site development, permitting, or providing
infrastructure for property the recipient owns;
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      (3) for the equity investment required for a loan transaction through the
Vermont Economic Development Authority under 10 V.S.A. chapter 12,
subchapter 3; or
      (4) for the matching requirement of another State or federal grant
consistent with this section.
   (e) Application; market assessment.
      (1) An applicant shall include in its application a local and regional
market assessment that demonstrates reasonable need for the proposed
development and identifies imminent, potential, or existing business growth
opportunities.
      (2) An applicant shall submit the following to demonstrate a readiness to
begin and complete the proposed project:
          (A) community and regional support for the project;
          (B) that grant funding is needed to complete the proposed project;
          (C) an ability to manage the project, with requisite experience and a
plan for fiscal viability; and
          (D) a description of the permitting required to proceed with the
project and a plan for obtaining the permits.
   (f) Awards; amount.
      (1) An award shall not exceed the lesser of $1,000,000 or 20 percent of
the total project cost.
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      (2) A recipient may combine grant funds with funding from other
sources.
      (3) The Agency shall release grant funds upon determining that the
applicant has met all application conditions and requirements.
      (4) A grant recipient may apply for additional grant funds if future
amounts are appropriated for the Program and the funds are for a separate but
eligible use.
   (g) Deed restrictions; property sales. The Agency shall include deed
restrictions that require the return of the principal amount to the state and may
require the payment of a percentage of the sales profit. [Repealed.]
Sec. E.801.1 10 V.S.A. § 6 is added to read:
§ 6. RURAL INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT GRANT PROGRAM
   (a) Creation; purpose.
      (1) The Rural Industry Development Grant Program is created within
the Agency of Commerce and Community Development to provide grant
funding through local development corporations for the purpose of business
relocation and expansion activities set forth in subsection (d) of this section.
      (2) To the extent funding is appropriated, the Agency shall make grants
through the Program fund to assist local development corporations with
business relocation and expansion efforts throughout Vermont.
      (3) As used in this section, “federally impacted property” means real
property that is:
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            (A) owned by the United States or by any federal agency or an
instrumentality thereof; or
            (B) under the custody or control of a federally appointed receiver,
trustee, or conservator, and includes property subject to federal court
jurisdiction.
   (b) Grant considerations. In making grant awards, the Agency shall
consider:
         (1) the real estate needs of growing and relocating businesses, including
nonprofit organizations, in the applicant’s region;
         (2) the ability of the proposed project to meet the site-specific needs of
businesses considering whether to expand or locate in this State;
         (3) the funding that the applicant has identified, or secured, to leverage a
grant award; and
         (4) the readiness of an applicant to move a project forward.
   (c) Eligible applicants; priority.
         (1) To be eligible for a grant, an applicant must be a local development
corporation, as defined in subdivision 212(10) of this title, located within this
State.
         (2) The Secretary of Commerce and Community Development may
designate projects and agreements as first priority based on rural communities
that continue to experience insufficient economic and grand list growth.
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   (d) Eligible activities. A grant recipient shall use any funding provided
through this section only for the following:
      (1) to purchase real property for potential industrial, commercial, or, in
the case of a federally impacted property, residential use;
      (2) for the costs of site development, permitting, or providing
infrastructure for property the recipient owns;
      (3) for a project that supports future commercial or industrial
development as outlined in a development agreement;
      (4) for the equity investment required for a loan transaction through the
Vermont Economic Development Authority under 10 V.S.A. chapter 12,
subchapter 3;
      (5) for the matching requirement of another State or federal grant
consistent with this section; or
      (6) for the purchasing, holding, and renovation of property for the
repurposing or redevelopment of a federally impacted property.
   (e) Application; market assessment.
      (1) An applicant shall include in its application a local and regional
market assessment that demonstrates reasonable need for the proposed
development and identifies imminent, potential, or existing business growth
opportunities.
      (2) An applicant shall submit the following to demonstrate a readiness to
begin and complete the proposed project:
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           (A) community and regional support for the project;
           (B) that grant funding is needed to complete the proposed project;
           (C) an ability to manage the project, with requisite experience and a
plan for fiscal viability; and
           (D) a description of the permitting required to proceed with the
project and a plan for obtaining the permits.
   (f) Awards; amount.
      (1)(A) An award shall not exceed the lesser of $1,000,000.00 or 50
percent of the total project cost, subject to the exception in subdivision (B) of
this subdivision (1).
           (B) An award may exceed $1,000,000.00 but shall not exceed
$2,000,000.00 if the property is classified as a federally impacted property and
the Secretary certifies that the project is located in:
              (i) a designated downtown development district; and
              (ii) a rural economic area partnership program (REAP Zone); or
              (iii) a federally declared natural disaster area, provided the
declaration was made not more than five years from the application date.
      (2) A recipient may combine grant funds with funding from other
sources.
      (3) The Agency shall release grant funds upon determining that the
applicant has met all application conditions and requirements.
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      (4) A grant recipient may apply for additional grant funds if future
amounts are appropriated for the Program and the funds are for a separate but
eligible use.
   (g) Deed restrictions. Any deed restriction requiring a Rural Industry
Development Grant Program award recipient to return to the State the principal
amount of the grant or a percentage of the sales profit is void and shall not be
enforced.
Sec. E.801.2 INTENT AND RETROACTIVITY
   (a) The intent of Secs. E.801 and E.801.1 of this act is to move the Rural
Industry Development Grant Program from its original placement in 2023 Acts
and Resolves No. 78, Sec. F.8 to Title 10 of the Vermont Statutes Annotated.
The move is intended to increase the visibility of the Program. Any applicant
that was awarded a grant through the Program before the effective date of this
act shall:
      (1) not have its award rescinded solely due to the Program language
being moved to Title 10;
      (2) if the award has not been fully paid out, be eligible to have the
applicant’s invoices that are submitted on or after the effective date of this act
to the Agency reimbursed at a rate of 50 percent; and
      (3) not be eligible for an increased total award amount.
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Sec. E.915 32 V.S.A. § 3709 is amended to read:
§ 3709. PILOT SPECIAL FUND
   (a) There is hereby established a PILOT Special Fund consisting of local
option tax revenues paid to the State Treasurer pursuant to 24 V.S.A. § 138.
This Fund shall be managed by the Commissioner of Taxes pursuant to chapter
7, subchapter 5 of this title. Notwithstanding subdivision 588(3) of this title,
all interest earned on the Fund shall be retained in the Fund for use in meeting
future obligations. The Fund shall be exclusively for payments required under
chapter 123, subchapters 4 and 4C of this title chapter, and for any additional
State payments in lieu of taxes for correctional facilities, and as provided in
subsection (c) of this section. The Commissioner of Finance and Management
may draw warrants for disbursements from this Fund in anticipation of
receipts.
                                       ***
   (c) If the local option tax cash receipts deposited in the PILOT Special
Fund, pursuant to 24 V.S.A. § 138, in any State fiscal year exceed the sum of
all cash disbursements made under subchapters 4 and 4C of this chapter;
payments in lieu of taxes for correctional facilities; and grand list and appraisal
assistance during that same fiscal year, then an amount of PILOT Special
Funds equal to three-fourths of the surplus annual operating cash receipts shall
be transferred by the Commissioner of Finance and Management to the Local
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Option Municipal Transportation Special Fund, established pursuant to 19
V.S.A. § 306b, as part of the annual fiscal year close out process.
Sec. E.915.1 19 V.S.A. § 306b is added to read:
§ 306b. LOCAL OPTION MUNICIPAL TRANSPORTATION SPECIAL
          FUND
   (a) The Local Option Municipal Transportation Special Fund is established
in the Agency of Transportation and shall be managed in accordance with
32 V.S.A. chapter 7, subchapter 5. The purpose of the Fund is to provide
additional State aid for town highways pursuant to the provisions of section
306 of this chapter.
   (b) The Fund shall consist of:
      (1) transfers from the PILOT Special Fund pursuant to 32 V.S.A.
§ 3709(c);
      (2) any gifts, grants, or contributions made to the Fund;
      (3) any amounts transferred to the Fund by the General Assembly; and
      (4) all interest earned on Fund balances.
   (c)(1) The Secretary may seek and accept gifts, donations, and grants from
any source, public or private, for deposit into the Fund.
      (2) The Commissioner of Finance and Management shall anticipate
receipts to the Fund and shall issue warrants based on the anticipated amounts.
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        (3)(A) The Fund shall be used solely to provide State aid to
municipalities pursuant to subsections 306(a), (e), and (h) of this chapter and
for any administrative costs of administering the Fund.
           (B) Notwithstanding any provision of subsections 306(a), (e), and (h)
of this chapter to the contrary, the aggregate amount of appropriations from the
Fund pursuant to those subsections in any given State fiscal year shall not
exceed 95 percent of the anticipated cash receipts to the Fund for that fiscal
year.
Sec. E.915.2 19 V.S.A. § 306 is amended to read:
§ 306. APPROPRIATION; STATE AID FOR TOWN HIGHWAYS
   (a) General State aid to town highways.
        (1) An annual appropriation to class 1, 2, and 3 town highways shall be
made. This appropriation shall increase over the previous fiscal year’s
appropriation by the same percentage change as the following, whichever is
less, or shall remain at the previous fiscal year’s appropriation if either of the
following are negative or zero:
                                       ***
        (3) The funds appropriated shall be distributed to towns as follows:
           (A) Six percent of the State’s annual town highway appropriation
shall be apportioned to class 1 town highways. The apportionment for each
town shall be that town’s percentage of class 1 town highways of the total class
1 town highway mileage in the State.
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          (B) Forty-four percent of the State’s annual town highway
appropriation shall be apportioned to class 2 town highways. The
apportionment for each town shall be that town’s percentage of class 2 town
highways of the total class 2 town highway mileage in the State.
          (C) Fifty percent of the State’s annual town highway appropriation
shall be apportioned to class 3 town highways. The apportionment for each
town shall be that town’s percentage of class 3 town highways of the total class
3 town highway mileage in the State.
          (D) Monies apportioned under subdivisions (1), (2), and (3) of this
subsection (a) shall be distributed to each town in quarterly payments
beginning July 15 in each year.
          (E) Each town shall use the monies apportioned to it solely for town
highway construction, improvement, and maintenance purposes or as the
nonfederal share for public transit assistance. These funds may also be used
for the establishment and maintenance of bicycle routes and sidewalks. The
members of the selectboard shall be personally liable to the State, in a civil
action brought by the Attorney General, for making any unauthorized
expenditures from money apportioned to the town under this section.
      (4)(A) In addition to the amounts appropriated pursuant to subdivision
(1) of this subsection (a), a portion of the Local Option Municipal
Transportation Special Fund may be appropriated for class 1, 2, and 3 town
highways in each State fiscal year in an amount that is consistent with the
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provisions of subdivision 306b(c)(3) of this chapter. Amounts appropriated
shall be apportioned, distributed, and used in the same manner as provided
pursuant to subdivision (3) of this subsection (a).
          (B) Amounts appropriated pursuant to this subdivision (4) shall be
supplemental to and shall not supplant or decrease the amount appropriated
pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection (a) or be subject to the annual
inflationary adjustment provided for in subdivisions (1) and (2) of this
subsection (a).
                                       ***
   (e) State aid for town highway structures.
      (1) There shall be an annual appropriation for grants to municipalities
for maintenance (, including actions to extend life expectancy), and for
construction of bridges and culverts; for maintenance and construction of other
structures, including causeways and retaining walls, intended to preserve the
integrity of the traveled portion of class 1, 2, and 3 town highways; and for
alternatives that eliminate the need for a bridge, culvert, or other structure,
such as the construction or reconstruction of a highway, the purchase of parcels
of land that would be landlocked by closure of a bridge, the payment of
damages for loss of highway access, and the substitution of other means of
access. This appropriation shall increase over the previous fiscal year’s
appropriation by the same percentage change as the following, whichever is
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less, or shall remain at the previous fiscal year’s appropriation if either of the
following are negative or zero:
                                       ***
       (5) Funds received as grants for State aid for town highway structures
may be used by a municipality to satisfy a portion of the matching
requirements for federal earmarks, subject to subsection 309b(c) of this title.
       (6)(A) In addition to the amounts appropriated pursuant to subdivision
(1) of this subsection (e), a portion of the Local Option Municipal
Transportation Special Fund may be appropriated for town highway structures
in each State fiscal year in an amount that is consistent with the provisions of
subdivision 306b(c)(3) of this chapter. Amounts appropriated shall be used in
the same manner and for the same purposes as provided pursuant to
subdivisions (1) and (5) of this subsection (e).
          (B) Amounts appropriated pursuant to this subdivision (6) shall be
supplemental to and shall not supplant or decrease the amount appropriated
pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection (e) or be subject to the annual
inflationary adjustment provided for in subdivisions (1)–(3) of this subsection
(e).
                                       ***
   (h) Class 2 Town Highway Roadway Program.
       (1) There shall be an annual appropriation for grants to municipalities
for resurfacing, rehabilitation, or reconstruction of paved or unpaved class 2
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town highways. Municipalities that have no State highways or class 1 town
highways within their borders may use the grants for such activities with
respect to both class 2 and class 3 town highways. This appropriation shall
increase over the previous fiscal year’s appropriation by the same percentage
change as the following, whichever is less, or shall remain at the previous
fiscal year’s appropriation if either of the following are negative or zero:
                                       ***
      (4) In a given fiscal year, should expenditures in the Class 2 Town
Highway Roadway Program exceed the amount appropriated, the Agency shall
advise the Governor of the need to request a supplemental appropriation from
the General Assembly to fund the additional project cost, provided that the
Agency has previously committed to completing those projects.
      (5) Funds received as grants for State aid under the Class 2 Town
Highway Roadway Program may be used by a municipality to satisfy a portion
of the matching requirements for federal earmarks, subject to subsection
309b(c) of this title.
      (6)(A) In addition to the amounts appropriated pursuant to subdivision
(1) of this subsection (h), a portion of the Local Option Municipal
Transportation Special Fund may be appropriated for town highway structures
in each State fiscal year in an amount that is consistent with the provisions of
subdivision 306b(c)(3) of this chapter. Amounts appropriated shall be used in
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the same manner and for the same purposes as provided pursuant to
subdivisions (1) and (5) of this subsection (h).
          (B) Amounts appropriated pursuant to this subdivision (6) shall be
supplemental to and shall not supplant or decrease the amount appropriated
pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection (h) or be subject to the annual
inflationary adjustment provided for in subdivisions (1)–(3) of this subsection
(h).
                                      ***
Sec. E.923 19 V.S.A. § 11 is amended to read:
§ 11. TRANSPORTATION FUND
   The Transportation Fund shall comprise the following:
                                      ***
       (8) other miscellaneous sources, including the sale of maps, plans, and
reports,; fees collected by the Travel Information Council,; leases for property
at State-owned airports and railroads,; proceeds from the sale of State surplus
property under the provisions of 29 V.S.A. §§ 1556 and 1557,; and proceeds
from the sale of recycled materials; and
       (9) all interest earned in accordance with 32 V.S.A. § 308a(e) and
interest earned upon the nondedicated component of the Transportation Fund.
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Sec. E.923.1 19 V.S.A. § 11a is amended to read:
§ 11a. TRANSPORTATION FUND APPROPRIATIONS
   No transportation funds shall be appropriated for the support of government
other than for the Agency, the Board, Transportation Pay Act Funds,
construction of transportation capital facilities, transportation debt service, the
purchase of level 1 and 2 electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) charging
ports by the Department of Housing and Community Development for the
purposes provided in 23 V.S.A. § 361, and the operation of information centers
by the Department of Buildings and General Services.
                               * * * Pay Act * * *
Sec. F.100 COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS; FISCAL
            YEARS 2027 AND 2028
   (a) Fiscal year 2027. This act fully funds the first year of the collective
bargaining agreements between the State and the Vermont State Employees’
Association and the State and the Vermont Troopers’ Association for the
period of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. The collective bargaining
agreements for most classified employees provide in fiscal year 2027 an
average 1.9 percent step increase and a 2 percent across-the-board increase on
July 12, 2026, and a 2 percent across-the-board increase on January 10, 2027,
for a total average increase of 5.9 percent for those employees receiving step
increases during the fiscal year.
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   (b) Fiscal year 2028. This act fully funds the second year of the collective
bargaining agreements between the State and the Vermont State Employees’
Association and the State and the Vermont Troopers’ Association for the
period of July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2028. The collective bargaining
agreements for most classified employees provide in fiscal year 2028 an
average 1.9 percent step increase and a 3.0 percent across-the-board increase
for a total average increase of 4.9 percent for those employees receiving step
increases during the fiscal year.
          * * * Exempt Employees; Fiscal Years 2027 and 2028 * * *
Sec. F.101 EXEMPT EMPLOYEES; PERMITTED SALARY INCREASES;
            FISCAL YEARS 2027 AND 2028
   (a) Fiscal year 2027. The Executive, Judicial, and Legislative Branches
may extend the fiscal year 2027 provisions of the collective bargaining
agreements that are funded by this act to employees not covered by the
bargaining agreements as they determine to be appropriate and in accordance
with the appropriations provided to each branch.
   (b) Fiscal year 2028. The Executive, Judicial, and Legislative Branches
may extend the fiscal year 2028 provisions of the collective bargaining
agreements that are funded by this act to employees not covered by the
bargaining agreements as they determine to be appropriate and in accordance
with the appropriations provided to each branch.
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Sec. F.102 EXECUTIVE BRANCH; EXEMPT AGENCY AND
           DEPARTMENT HEADS, DEPUTIES, AND EXECUTIVE
           ASSISTANTS; ANNUAL SALARY ADJUSTMENT AND
           SPECIAL SALARY INCREASE OR BONUS
   (a) Fiscal year 2027. For purposes of determining annual salary
adjustments, special salary increases, and bonuses under 32 V.S.A. §§ 1003(b)
and 1020(b), “the average rate of adjustment available to most classified
employees under the collective bargaining agreement” shall be, in fiscal year
2027, 5.9 percent.
   (b) Fiscal year 2028. For purposes of determining annual salary
adjustments, special salary increases, and bonuses under 32 V.S.A. §§ 1003(b)
and 1020(b), “the average rate of adjustment available to most classified
employees under the collective bargaining agreement” shall be, in fiscal year
2028, 4.9 percent.
          * * * Executive Branch; Miscellaneous Statutory Salaries;
                       Fiscal Years 2027 and 2028 * * *
Sec. F.103 32 V.S.A. § 1003 is amended to read:
§ 1003. STATE OFFICERS
   (a) Each elective officer of the Executive Department is entitled to an
annual salary as follows:
                                             Annual  Annual
                                              Salary  Salary
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                                                 as of  as of
                                                July 14,  July 13,
                                                 2024  2025
      (1) Governor  $222,371  $234,379
      (2) Lieutenant Governor  $94,392  $99,489
      (3) Secretary of State  $141,003  $148,617
      (4) State Treasurer  $141,003  $148,617
      (5) Auditor of Accounts  $141,003  $148,617
      (6) Attorney General  $168,837  $177,954
                                     Annual  Annual        Annual
                                     Salary  Salary       Salary
                                      as of  as of  as of
                                     July 12,        January 10,       July 11,
                                      2026  2027  2027
      (1) Governor  $243,520        $248,390  $260,561
      (2) Lieutenant Governor        $103,369        $105,436  $110,602
      (3) Secretary of State  $154,413        $157,501  $165,219
      (4) State Treasurer  $154,413        $157,501  $165,219
      (5) Auditor of Accounts        $154,413        $157,501  $165,219
      (6) Attorney General  $184,894        $188,592  $197,833
   (b) The Governor may appoint each officer of the Executive Branch listed
in this subsection at a starting salary ranging from the base salary stated for
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that position to a salary that does not exceed the maximum salary unless
otherwise authorized by this subsection. The maximum salary for each
appointive officer shall be 50 percent above the base salary. Annually, the
Governor may grant to each of those officers an annual salary adjustment
subject to the maximum salary. The annual salary adjustment granted to
officers under this subsection shall not exceed the average rate of adjustment
available to most classified employees under the collective bargaining
agreement then in effect. In addition to the annual salary adjustment specified
in this subsection, the Governor may grant a special salary increase subject to
the maximum salary, or a bonus, to any officer listed in this subsection whose
job duties have significantly increased, or whose contributions to the State in
the preceding year are deemed especially significant. Special salary increases
or bonuses granted to any individual shall not exceed the average rate of
adjustment available to most classified employees under the collective
bargaining agreement then in effect.
      (1) Heads of the following Departments and Agencies:
                                               Base  Base
                                              Salary  Salary
                                               as of  as of
                                              July 14,  July 13,
                                               2024  2025
          (A) Administration  $134,466  $141,727
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          (B) Agriculture,
                Food and
                Markets  $134,466     $141,727
          (C) Financial
                Regulation  $125,706     $132,494
          (D) Buildings and
                General Services   $125,706     $132,494
          (E) Children and
                Families  $125,706     $132,494
          (F) Commerce and
                Community
                Development        $134,466     $141,727
          (G) Corrections  $125,706     $132,494
          (H) Defender
                General  $125,706     $132,494
          (I) Disabilities,
                Aging, and
                Independent
                Living  $125,706     $132,494
          (J) Economic
                Development        $114,031     $120,189
          (K) Education  $134,466     $141,727
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          (L) Environmental
                Conservation     $125,706     $132,494
          (M) Finance and
                Management       $125,706     $132,494
          (N) Fish and
                Wildlife  $114,031     $120,189
          (O) Forests, Parks
                and Recreation   $114,031     $120,189
          (P) Health  $125,706     $132,494
          (Q) Housing and
                Community
                Development      $114,031     $120,189
          (R) Human
                Resources        $125,706     $132,494
          (S) Human Services     $134,466     $141,727
          (T) Digital Services   $134,466     $141,727
          (U) Labor  $125,706     $132,494
          (V) Libraries  $114,031     $120,189
          (W) Liquor and
                Lottery  $114,031     $120,189
          (X) [Repealed.]
          (Y) Mental Health      $125,706     $132,494
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          (Z) Military  $125,706  $132,494
          (AA) Motor
               Vehicles  $114,031  $120,189
          (BB) Natural
               Resources  $134,466  $141,727
          (CC) Land Use Review
               Board Chair  $114,031  $120,189
          (DD) Public Safety  $125,706  $132,494
          (EE) Public Service  $125,706  $132,494
          (FF) Taxes  $125,706  $132,494
          (GG) Tourism and
               Marketing  $114,031  $120,189
          (HH) Transportation  $134,466  $141,727
          (II) Vermont Health
               Access  $125,706  $132,494
          (JJ) Veterans’ Home  $125,706  $132,494
                                  Base  Base  Base
                                 Salary  Salary       Salary
                                  as of  as of  as of
                                 July 12,       January 10,      July 11,
                                  2026  2027  2027
          (A) Administration     $147,254       $150,199        $157,559
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          (B) Agriculture,
                Food and
                Markets  $147,254   $150,199     $157,559
          (C) Financial
                Regulation  $137,661   $140,414     $147,294
          (D) Buildings and
                General Services   $137,661   $140,414     $147,294
          (E) Children and
                Families  $137,661   $140,414     $147,294
          (F) Commerce and
                Community
                Development        $147,254   $150,199     $157,559
          (G) Corrections  $137,661   $140,414     $147,294
          (H) Defender
                General  $137,661   $140,414     $147,294
          (I) Disabilities,
                Aging, and
                Independent
                Living  $137,661   $140,414     $147,294
          (J) Economic
                Development        $124,876   $127,374     $133,615
          (K) Education  $147,254   $150,199     $157,559
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          (L) Environmental
                Conservation     $137,661   $140,414     $147,294
          (M) Finance and
                Management       $137,661   $140,414     $147,294
          (N) Fish and
                Wildlife  $124,876   $127,374     $133,615
          (O) Forests, Parks
                and Recreation   $124,876   $127,374     $133,615
          (P) Health  $137,661   $140,414     $147,294
          (Q) Housing and
                Community
                Development      $124,876   $127,374     $133,615
          (R) Human
                Resources        $137,661   $140,414     $147,294
          (S) Human Services     $147,254   $150,199     $157,559
          (T) Digital Services   $147,254   $150,199     $157,559
          (U) Labor  $137,661   $140,414     $147,294
          (V) Libraries  $124,876   $127,374     $133,615
          (W) Liquor and
                Lottery  $124,876   $127,374     $133,615
          (X) [Repealed.]
          (Y) Mental Health      $137,661   $140,414     $147,294
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          (Z) Military  $137,661       $140,414       $147,294
          (AA) Motor
               Vehicles  $124,876       $127,374       $133,615
          (BB) Natural
               Resources  $147,254       $150,199       $157,559
          (CC) Land Use Review
               Board Chair  $124,876       $127,374       $133,615
          (DD) Public Safety        $137,661       $140,414       $147,294
          (EE) Public Service       $137,661       $140,414       $147,294
          (FF) Taxes  $137,661       $140,414       $147,294
          (GG) Tourism and
               Marketing  $124,876       $127,374       $133,615
          (HH) Transportation       $147,254       $150,199       $157,559
          (II) Vermont Health
               Access  $137,661       $140,414       $147,294
          (JJ) Veterans’ Home       $137,661       $140,414       $147,294
      (2) [Repealed.]
      (3) If the Chair of the Land Use Review Board is employed on less than
a full-time basis, the hiring and salary maximums for that position shall be
reduced proportionately.
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      (4) When a permanent employee is appointed to an exempt position, the
Governor may authorize such employee to retain the present salary even
though it is in excess of any salary maximum provided in statute.
                                          ***
   (d) Notwithstanding the maximum salary established in subsection (b) of
this section, the Defender General shall not receive compensation in excess of
the compensation established for the Attorney General in this section.
   (e) Notwithstanding the maximum salary established in subsection (b) of
this section, the maximum salary for the Commissioner of Health shall not
exceed 100 percent above the base salary for this position.
  * * * Judicial Branch; Statutory Salaries; Fiscal Years 2027 and 2028 * * *
Sec. F.104 32 V.S.A. § 1003(c) is amended to read:
   (c) The officers of the Judicial Branch named in this subsection shall be
entitled to annual salaries as follows:
                                                 Annual  Annual
                                                  Salary  Salary
                                                  as of  as of
                                                 July 14,  July 13,
                                                  2024  2025
      (1) Chief Justice of
            Supreme Court  $214,024  $225,581
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     (2) Each Associate
          Justice  $204,264  $215,294
     (3) Chief Superior
          Judge  $204,264  $215,294
     (4) Each Superior
          Judge  $194,185  $204,671
     (5) [Repealed.]
     (6) Each
          Magistrate  $146,413  $154,319
     (7) Each Judicial
          Bureau hearing
          officer  $146,413  $154,319
                            Annual  Annual       Annual
                            Salary  Salary       Salary
                             as of  as of        as of
                            July 12,       January 10,      July 11,
                             2026  2027  2027
     (1) Chief Justice of
          Supreme Court     $234,379       $239,067        $250,781
     (2) Each Associate
          Justice  $223,690       $228,164        $239,344
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      (3) Chief Superior
            Judge  $223,690        $228,164       $239,344
      (4) Each Superior
            Judge  $212,653        $216,906       $227,534
      (5) [Repealed.]
      (6) Each
            Magistrate  $160,337        $163,544       $171,558
      (7) Each Judicial
            Bureau hearing
            officer  $160,337        $163,544       $171,558
Sec. F.105 32 V.S.A. § 1141 is amended to read:
§ 1141. ASSISTANT JUDGES
   (a)(1) Each assistant judge of the Superior Court shall be entitled to receive
compensation in the amount of $224.47 a day as of July 14, 2024 and $236.59
a day as of July 13, 2025 $245.82 a day as of July 12, 2026, $250.74 a day as
of January 10, 2027, and $263.03 a day as of July 11, 2027, for time spent in
the performance of official duties and necessary expenses as allowed to
classified State employees. Compensation under this section shall be based on
a two-hour minimum and hourly thereafter.
      (2)(A) The compensation paid to an assistant judge pursuant to this
section shall be paid by the State except as provided in subdivision (B) of this
subdivision (2).
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          (B) The compensation paid to an assistant judge pursuant to this
section shall be paid by the county at the State rate established in subdivision
(a)(1) of this section when an assistant judge is sitting with a presiding
Superior judge in the Civil or Family Division of the Superior Court.
   (b) Assistant judges of the Superior Court shall be entitled to receive pay
for such days as they attend court when it is in actual session or during a court
recess when engaged in the special performance of official duties.
Sec. F.106 32 V.S.A. § 1142 is amended to read:
§ 1142. PROBATE JUDGES
   (a) The Probate judges in the several Probate Districts shall be entitled to
receive the following annual salaries, which shall be paid by the State in lieu of
all fees or other compensation:
                                               Annual  Annual
                                               Salary  Salary
                                                as of  as of
                                               July 14,  July 13,
                                                2024  2025
      (1) Addison  $76,555  $80,689
      (2) Bennington  $96,776  $102,002
      (3) Caledonia  $67,891  $71,557
      (4) Chittenden  $161,506  $170,227
      (5) Essex  $18,966  $19,990
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     (6) Franklin  $76,555  $80,689
     (7) Grand Isle  $18,966  $19,990
     (8) Lamoille  $53,443  $56,329
     (9) Orange  $63,554  $66,986
     (10) Orleans  $62,110  $65,464
     (11) Rutland  $137,221  $144,631
     (12) Washington  $105,441  $111,135
     (13) Windham  $85,221  $89,823
     (14) Windsor  $115,555  $121,795
                       Annual  Annual       Annual
                       Salary  Salary       Salary
                        as of  as of        as of
                       July 12,        January 10,      July 11,
                        2026  2027  2027
     (1) Addison        $83,836  $85,513  $89,703
     (2) Bennington    $105,980        $108,100        $113,397
     (3) Caledonia      $74,348  $75,835  $79,551
     (4) Chittenden    $176,866        $180,403        $189,243
     (5) Essex  $20,770  $21,185  $22,223
     (6) Franklin       $83,836  $85,513  $89,703
     (7) Grand Isle     $20,770  $21,185  $22,223
     (8) Lamoille       $58,526  $59,697  $62,622
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       (9) Orange  $69,598  $70,990  $74,469
       (10) Orleans  $68,017  $69,377  $72,776
       (11) Rutland  $150,272        $153,277        $160,788
       (12) Washington  $115,469        $117,778        $123,549
       (13) Windham  $93,326  $95,193  $99,857
       (14) Windsor  $126,545        $129,076        $135,401
   (b) Probate judges shall be entitled to be paid by the State for their actual
and necessary expenses under the rules pertaining to classified State
employees. The compensation for the Probate judge of the Chittenden District
shall be for full-time service.
   (c) All Probate judges, regardless of the number of hours worked annually,
shall be eligible to participate in all employee benefits that are available to
exempt employees of the Judicial Department.
      * * * Sheriffs; Statutory Salaries; Fiscal Years 2027 and 2028 * * *
Sec. F.107 32 V.S.A. § 1182 is amended to read:
§ 1182. SHERIFFS
   (a) The sheriffs of all counties except Chittenden shall be entitled to receive
salaries in the amount of $104,010.00 as of July 14, 2024 and $109.627.00 as
of July 13, 2025 $113,902.00 as of July 12, 2026, $116,180.00 as of January
10, 2027, and $122,873.00 as of July 11, 2027. The Sheriff of Chittenden
County shall be entitled to an annual salary in the amount of $110,070.00 as of
July 14, 2024 and $116,014.00 as of July 13, 2025 $120,539.00 as of July 12,
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2026, $122,950.00 as of January 10, 2027, and $128,975.00 as of July 11,
2027.
   (b) Compensation under subsection (a) of this section shall be reduced by
10 percent for any sheriff who has Level II but not obtained Level III law
enforcement officer certification under 20 V.S.A. § 2358.
                                      ***
 * * * State’s Attorneys; Statutory Salaries; Fiscal Years 2027 and 2028 * * *
Sec. F.108 32 V.S.A. § 1183 is amended to read:
§ 1183. STATE’S ATTORNEYS
   (a) The State’s Attorneys shall be entitled to receive annual salaries as
follows:
                                              Annual  Annual
                                              Salary  Salary
                                               as of  as of
                                              July 14,  July 13,
                                               2024  2025
        (1) Addison County  $140,691  $148,288
        (2) Bennington
             County  $140,691  $148,288
        (3) Caledonia County  $140,691  $148,288
        (4) Chittenden County  $147,087  $155,030
        (5) Essex County  $105,521  $111,219
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     (6) Franklin County  $140,691  $148,288
     (7) Grand Isle County  $105,521  $111,219
     (8) Lamoille County  $140,691  $148,288
     (9) Orange County  $140,691  $148,288
     (10) Orleans County  $140,691  $148,288
     (11) Rutland County  $140,691  $148,288
     (12) Washington
          County  $140,691  $148,288
     (13) Windham County  $140,691  $148,288
     (14) Windsor County  $140,691  $148,288
                             Annual  Annual       Annual
                             Salary  Salary       Salary
                              as of  as of        as of
                             July 12,       January 10,      July 11,
                              2026  2027  2027
     (1) Addison County      $154,071       $157,152        $164,852
     (2) Bennington
          County  $154,071       $157,152        $164,852
     (3) Caledonia County    $154,071       $157,152        $164,852
     (4) Chittenden County   $161,076       $164,298        $172,349
     (5) Essex County        $115,557       $117,868        $123,644
     (6) Franklin County     $154,071       $157,152        $164,852
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      (7) Grand Isle County  $115,557        $117,868       $123,644
      (8) Lamoille County  $154,071        $157,152       $164,852
      (9) Orange County  $154,071        $157,152       $164,852
      (10) Orleans County  $154,071        $157,152       $164,852
      (11) Rutland County  $154,071        $157,152       $164,852
      (12) Washington
             County  $154,071        $157,152       $164,852
      (13) Windham County  $154,071        $157,152       $164,852
      (14) Windsor County  $154,071        $157,152       $164,852
   (b) In settlement of their accounts, the Commissioner of Finance and
Management shall allow the State’s Attorneys the expense of printing briefs in
cases in which the State’s Attorney has represented the State and their
necessary and actual expenses under the rules pertaining to classified State
employees.
Sec. F.108.1 32 V.S.A. § 1183 is amended to read:
   § 1183. STATE’S ATTORNEYS
                                      ***
   (c) Compensation under subsection (a) of this section shall be reduced by
30 percent for any State’s Attorney who is not licensed or authorized to
practice law in the State pursuant to the administrative orders issued by the
Vermont Supreme Court.
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                           * * * Appropriations * * *
Sec. F.109 PAY ACT APPROPRIATIONS; FISCAL YEARS 2027 AND
            2028
   (a) Executive Branch. The first and second years of the two-year
agreements between the State of Vermont and the Vermont State Employees’
Association for the Defender General, Non-Management, Supervisory, and
Corrections bargaining units, and, for the purpose of appropriation, the State’s
Attorneys’ offices bargaining unit, for the period of July 1, 2026, through June
30, 2028; the collective bargaining agreement with the Vermont Troopers’
Association for the period of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028; and salary
increases for employees in the Executive Branch not covered by the bargaining
agreements shall be funded as follows:
      (1) Fiscal year 2027.
          (A) General Fund. The amount of $23,918,820.00 is appropriated
from the General Fund to the Secretary of Administration for distribution to
departments to fund the fiscal year 2027 collective bargaining agreements and
the requirements of this act.
          (B) Transportation Fund. The amount of $3,000,000.00 is
appropriated from the Transportation Fund to the Secretary of Administration
for distribution to the Agency of Transportation to fund the fiscal year 2027
collective bargaining agreements and the requirements of this act.
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          (C) Other funds. The Administration shall provide additional
spending authority to departments through the existing process of excess
receipts to fund the fiscal year 2027 collective bargaining agreements and the
requirements of this act. The estimated amounts are $27,184,607.00 from a
special fund, federal funds, and other sources.
          (D) Transfers. With due regard to the possible availability of other
funds, for fiscal year 2027, the Secretary of Administration may transfer from
the various appropriations and various funds and from the receipts of the
Liquor Control Board such sums as the Secretary may determine to be
necessary to carry out the purposes of this act to the various agencies supported
by State funds.
      (2) Fiscal year 2028.
          (A) General Fund. The amount of $24,974,632.00 is appropriated
from the General Fund to the Secretary of Administration for distribution to
departments to fund the fiscal year 2028 collective bargaining agreements and
the requirements of this act.
          (B) Transportation Fund. The amount of $3,000,000.00 is
appropriated from the Transportation Fund to the Secretary of Administration
for distribution to the Agency of Transportation to fund the fiscal year 2028
collective bargaining agreements and the requirements of this act.
          (C) Other funds. The Administration shall provide additional
spending authority to departments through the existing process of excess
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receipts to fund the fiscal year 2028 collective bargaining agreements and the
requirements of this act. The estimated amounts are $28,362,343.00 from a
special fund, federal funds, and other sources.
          (D) Transfers. With due regard to the possible availability of other
funds, for fiscal year 2028, the Secretary of Administration may transfer from
the various appropriations and various funds and from the receipts of the
Liquor Control Board such sums as the Secretary may determine to be
necessary to carry out the purposes of this act to the various agencies supported
by State funds.
      (3) This section shall include sufficient funding to ensure administration
of exempt pay plans authorized by 32 V.S.A. § 1020(c).
   (b) Judicial Branch.
      (1) The Chief Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court may extend the
provisions of the Judiciary’s collective bargaining agreement to Judiciary
employees who are not covered by the bargaining agreement.
      (2) Fiscal year 2027. The first year of the two-year agreements between
the State of Vermont and the Vermont State Employees’ Association for the
judicial bargaining unit for the period of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027,
and salary increases for employees in the Judicial Branch not covered by the
bargaining agreements shall be funded as follows: the amount of
$3,800,867.00 is appropriated from the General Fund and the amount of
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2026
$277,316.00 is provided from other sources to the Judiciary to fund the fiscal
year 2027 collective bargaining agreement and the requirements of this act.
      (3) Fiscal year 2028. The second year of the two-year agreements
between the State of Vermont and the Vermont State Employees’ Association
for the judicial bargaining unit for the period of July 1, 2027, through June 30,
2028, and salary increases for employees in the Judicial Branch not covered by
the bargaining agreements shall be funded as follows: the amount of
$2,466,396.00 is appropriated from the General Fund and the amount of
$179,952.00 is provided from other sources to the Judiciary to fund the fiscal
year 2028 collective bargaining agreement and the requirements of this act.
   (c) Legislative Branch.
      (1) For the period of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, the General
Assembly, including all Legislative Branch employees, shall be funded as
follows: the amount of $914,634.00 is appropriated from the General Fund to
the Legislative Branch.
      (2) For the period of July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2028, the General
Assembly, including all Legislative Branch employees, shall be funded as
follows: the amount of $778,939.00 is appropriated from the General Fund to
the Legislative Branch.
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2026
                           * * * Effective Dates * * *
Sec. G.100 EFFECTIVE DATES
   (a) This section and Secs. C.100, C.101, C.102, C.103, C.104, C.105,
C.106, C.107, C.108, C.109, C.110, C.111, C.112, C.113, C.114, C.115,
E.504.2, E.504.3, E.504.4, E.801, E.801.1, E.801.2, E.915, and F.108.1 shall
take effect on passage.
   (b) Secs. E.307.1, E.307.2, E.307.3, and E.307.5 shall take effect on
October 1, 2026.
   (c) Secs. E.307.4 and E.923 shall take effect on July 1, 2027.
   (d) Sec. E.504.5 shall take effect upon the occurrence of the contingencies
set forth in 2025 Acts and Resolves No. 73, Sec. 70(f).
   (e) Sec. E.100.3 shall take effect retroactively on June 30, 2024.
   (f) All other sections shall take effect on July 1, 2026.
Date Governor signed bill: June 16, 2026
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