§ 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:
(1) To establish a grant program that supports sustaining or expanding 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, including public libraries, schools, and volunteer mentoring programs. The Agency may allocate a portion of the funds annually to the Department of Libraries for the purpose of providing subgrants to public libraries to sustain or create summer and afterschool programming. A coalition or group of public libraries may also apply for a grant from the Agency or Department.
(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 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.
(E) The Agency shall create a simple application and reporting process that reduces barriers to grant program participation for small, community-based organizations, such as rural public libraries, volunteer mentoring programs, and similar organizations.
(b) An advisory committee is created to support the Secretary in administering the funds. The Agency shall provide administrative and technical support to the advisory committee. The advisory committee shall be composed of:
(1) the State’s Chief Prevention Officer;
(2) the Commissioner for Children and Families or designee;
(3) the Commissioner of Health or designee;
(4) the Commissioner of Mental Health or designee;
(5) the Secretary of Natural Resources or designee;
(6) the Secretary of Commerce and Community Development or designee;
(7) the Vermont Afterschool Executive Director or designee;
(8) a representative from the Governor’s office; and
(9) the State Librarian or designee.
(c) Notwithstanding 2 V.S.A. § 20(d), annually on or before November 15, the Agency shall submit to the General Assembly a plan to fund grants pursuant to subsection (a) of this section in the coming year and a report containing outcomes data on the grants made during the previous year. The Agency shall report on the number of programs, slots, weeks, or hours; geographic distribution of programs receiving a grant; and what is known about costs to families participating in programs receiving a grant. The report shall be inclusive of 21st Century programming.
(d) The amount of grant funds awarded shall be in alignment with the actual revenue collected from the sales and use tax imposed by 32 V.S.A. chapter 233 on cannabis or cannabis products in this State. Discrepancies between the amount of grant funds awarded and actual revenue shall be reconciled through the budget adjustment process.
(e) Annually, the advisory committee shall solicit public input on the grant program and procedures established pursuant to this section. The advisory committee shall hold a meeting to discuss the public input and any plans to implement recommended changes to the grant program. (Added 2023, No. 87 (Adj. Sess.), § 97, eff. Mar. 13, 2024; amended 2025, No. 127 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. July 1, 2026; 2025, No. 144 (Adj. Sess.), § E.500.3, eff. July 1, 2026.)
2025, No. 127 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, provides: “The General Assembly finds:“(1) The State of Vermont and its communities depend on libraries as centers for learning, social connection, technological access, disaster preparedness and response, support of health care and social services, and numerous other vital services. “(2) As places of public accommodation, public libraries are obligated to ensure that their services, facilities, and resources are inclusive and accessible to all. However, many of Vermont’s existing library facilities require improvements in order to fulfill this obligation and meet programming needs.“(3) Early literacy is integral to student preparedness and success. Vermont’s Department of Libraries and statewide network of public libraries are uniquely suited to play a critical role in improving the literacy skills of students throughout the State.“(4) It is essential that the State raise awareness about public libraries and their offerings in order to ensure their continued beneficial impact and continued accessibility for all Vermont residents.“(5) For more than 125 years, public libraries have provided diverse afterschool and summer programs and literacy opportunities to all children free of charge. These programs often include literacy, arts, technology, or science education; nutritious meals; and creative recreational activities.”