VermontH.3972025-2026 SessionHouseWALLET

An act relating to miscellaneous amendments to the statutes governing emergency management and flood response

Sponsored By: Edward "Teddy" Waszazak (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

9 provisions identified: 8 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

More grants and flood buyouts

Beginning July 1, 2025, the state grant program funds disaster mitigation, repair, and adaptation work. Eligible projects include watershed restoration and voluntary buyouts of flood‑impacted or flood‑prone homes. Homeowners in these areas may seek a buyout through their town.

Better warnings and accessible alerts

Starting July 1, 2025, Vermont Emergency Management helps any town that asks connect to statewide river monitoring and enhanced weather alerts. The system uses advanced models and sends real-time warnings over many channels. The state must make emergency messages accessible, with language help for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind, and limited‑English residents, and hold a yearly public meeting on access. The Tax Department may share landlord‑certificate data with emergency and housing officials for emergency communication and a statewide housing needs study, under confidentiality rules.

Bigger local option tax share

Beginning July 1, 2025, the Tax Department collects local option taxes and pays towns 70% each quarter after collection costs. Towns pay 70% of collection costs; the State pays 30%. Starting October 1, 2025, the town share for the general local option tax rises to 75% (not for aviation jet fuel sales). A $5.96 fee applies to each return; towns pay 75% and the State pays 25%. Burlington and a named city follow a 70% municipal share, with the rest sent to the State’s PILOT Special Fund; town receipts may be used only for municipal services.

Federal rules kept through 2029

Federal regulations that Vermont had built into its rules as of January 1, 2025 continue as state rules until January 31, 2029, or until the State amends them sooner. Agencies must post notice of the incorporated federal rules on their websites. On January 31, 2029, the statute that continued those federal rules is repealed.

Flexible town savings and borrowing

Starting July 1, 2025, towns may keep unspent budget money as an unassigned fund balance. They can invest it and use it for any public purpose the legislative body approves. Towns may also borrow by notes for emergency costs for up to five years, or for the useful life of the asset. New bond rules allow the first payment to be deferred 1–5 years (up to 30 years for municipal forests) and set maximum terms: 20 years in general, up to 60 years for municipal forests, and up to 40 years for municipal plants.

Stronger state emergency leadership

Beginning July 1, 2025, the state creates the Vermont Emergency Management Division inside the Department of Public Safety. The Division must publish a full State Emergency Management Plan at least every five years. The Director handles interstate aid requests that do not involve the National Guard and manages reimbursement paperwork. The Agency must include emergency management in statewide adaptation assessments that guide how Vermont prepares for future risks.

Faster dam drawdowns before floods

In a declared emergency, the Governor may let the Agency of Natural Resources waive permits so dams can lower water before a flood when Vermont Emergency Management finds a public safety benefit. Dam owners must have a Secretary‑approved drawdown plan with modeling, safe release rates, downstream notices, target levels, refill steps, and monitoring. Operators must limit environmental harm. This authority starts July 1, 2025.

Barre TIF borrowing window extended

Beginning July 1, 2025, Barre’s TIF district can incur debt until March 31, 2028. Barre may keep municipal and education tax increment through June 30, 2039, to fund its approved projects.

One-time payments to Barre, Milton

In fiscal year 2026, the state moves $621,479 from the General Fund to the Education Fund. The Department of Taxes pays $437,028 to the City of Barre and $184,451 to the Town of Milton to fix past education property tax overpayments found by state audits.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Edward "Teddy" Waszazak
Democratic • House

Cosponsors

Beth M Quimby
Republican • House
Brian J Cina
Democrat/Progressive • House
Bridget M Burkhardt
Democratic • House
Candice White
Democratic • House
Carol Ode
Democratic • House
Charles A Kimbell
Democratic • House
Christopher Morrow
Democratic • House
Christopher "Chris" A Pritchard
Republican • House
Conor Casey
Democratic • House
Daniel A Noyes
Democratic • House
Dara Torre
Democratic • House
David W Yacovone
Democratic • House
Ela Chapin
Democratic • House
Elizabeth L Burrows
Democratic • House
Emilie Krasnow
Democratic • House
Emily Carris Duncan
Democratic • House
Esme Cole
Democratic • House
Rep. Francis McFaun
Affiliation unavailable
Gayle S Pezzo
Democratic • House
Gina M Galfetti
Republican • House
Gregory "Greg" Burtt
Republican • House
Herb Olson
Democratic • House
Ian Goodnow
Democratic • House
James A Gregoire
Republican • House
James W Masland
Democratic • House
Jana Brown
Democratic • House
Jed Lipsky
Independent • House
John K O'Brien
Democratic • House
Jonathan Cooper
Democratic • House
Joshua Dobrovich
Republican • House
Jubilee McGill
Democratic • House
Kate Lalley
Democratic • House
Kate Logan
Democrat/Progressive • House
Kate McCann
Democratic • House
Kate Nugent
Democratic • House
Kenneth "Ken" L Wells
Republican • House
Kevin "Coach" B Christie
Democratic • House
Kevin C Winter
Republican • House
Kirk White
Democratic • House
Kristi C Morris
Democratic • House
Larry Labor
Republican • House
Leanne Harple
Democratic • House
Leonora Dodge
Democratic • House
Lisa A Hango
Republican • House
Lucy Boyden
Democratic • House
Marc B Mihaly
Democratic • House
Rep. Mari Cordes
Affiliation unavailable
Martha A Feltus
Republican • House
Michael Boutin
Republican • House
Michael Mrowicki
Democratic • House
Michael "Mike" Tagliavia
Republican • House
Michelle Bos-Lun
Democratic • House
Mollie S. S Burke
Democratic • House
Monique Priestley
Democratic • House
Phil Pouech
Democratic • House
Philip Jay J Hooper
Democratic • House
R. Scott Campbell
Democratic • House
Rebecca Holcombe
Democratic • House
Richard M Nelson
Republican • House
Robert Hunter
Democratic • House
Saudia LaMont
Democratic • House
Shawn Sweeney
Democratic • House
Theresa A Wood
Democratic • House
Thomas S Stevens
Democratic • House
Todd Nielsen
Republican • House
Troy Headrick
Independent • House
VL L Coffin IV
Republican • House
William P Canfield
Republican • House
William "Will" Greer
Democratic • House
Zon Eastes
Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

House message: Governor approved bill on June 11, 2025
6/13/2025Senate
Signed by Governor on June 11, 2025
6/11/2025House
Delivered to the Governor on June 5, 2025
6/5/2025House
House message: House concurred in Senate proposal of amendment
5/31/2025Senate
Senate proposal of amendment concurred in
5/29/2025House
Rules suspended and taken up for immediate consideration as moved by Rep. McCoy of Poultney
5/29/2025House
Notice Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment
5/29/2025House
Senate Message: Passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment
5/28/2025House
Rules suspended & messaged to House forthwith, on motion of Senator Baruth
5/28/2025Senate
Read 3rd time & passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment
5/28/2025Senate
New Business/Third Reading
5/28/2025Senate
3rd reading ordered
5/27/2025Senate
Proposal of amendment by Committee on Government Operations, as amended, agreed to
5/27/2025Senate
Proposal of amendment by Committee on Government Operations amended as recommended by Committee on Appropriations
5/27/2025Senate
Proposal of amendment by Committee on Government Operations amended as recommended by Committee on Finance
5/27/2025Senate
Reported favorably by Senator Perchlik for Committee on Appropriations with proposal of amendment
5/27/2025Senate
Reported favorably by Senator Cummings for Committee on Finance with proposal of amendment
5/27/2025Senate
Read 2nd time, reported favorably with proposal of amendment by Senator Collamore for Committee on Government Operations
5/27/2025Senate
Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Appropriations
5/27/2025Senate
Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Finance
5/27/2025Senate
Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Government Operations
5/27/2025Senate
New Business/Second Reading
5/27/2025Senate
Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Appropriations
5/23/2025Senate
Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Finance
5/23/2025Senate
Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Government Operations
5/23/2025Senate

Bill Text

As Enacted (ACT 57)
6/18/2025
PDF
As Passed by Both Chambers
6/2/2025
PDF
As Passed by Both Chambers (Unofficial)
6/2/2025
PDF
Senate Proposal of Amendment
5/29/2025
PDF
Senate Proposal of Amendment (Unofficial)
5/29/2025
PDF
As Passed by the House
4/1/2025
PDF
As Passed by the House (Unofficial)
4/1/2025
PDF
As Introduced
2/25/2025
PDF

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