Table

of Contents
Agriculture and Forest Products ........................................................... 5
Protecting Animals from Abuse and Neglect ............................................................................................................ 5
Managing Agricultural Runoff into Lakes and Rivers ........................................................................................... 5
Expanding Market Opportunities for Raw Milk ..................................................................................................... 5

Appropriations ........................................................................................... 6
A New Budget Strategy ..................................................................................................................................................... 6
Stability Through Restraint ............................................................................................................................................. 6
Compassion for our Common Future ......................................................................................................................... 7
Greater Oversight and Accountability ........................................................................................................................ 8
Making Tough Decisions ................................................................................................................................................... 9

Commerce and Economic Development ............................................. 9

Ensuring a Strong Insurance Industry ....................................................................................................................... 9
Protecting Vermonts Consumers ............................................................................................................................. 10
Rent-to-Own Regulations ............................................................................................................................................... 11
Telecommunications ....................................................................................................................................................... 12
Economic Development ................................................................................................................................................. 12

Corrections and Institutions ................................................................ 14

Capital Bill Highlights ...................................................................................................................................................... 14

Education ................................................................................................... 15
Creating A More Equitable & Sustainable Education System ........................................................................ 15
Cost Constraint and Financial Accountability ...................................................................................................... 15
Health Care Costs in Education Spending ............................................................................................................... 16
Vermont State Colleges .................................................................................................................................................. 16
Universal Childrens Savings Account ..................................................................................................................... 16
Improving Education Quality Evaluations ............................................................................................................. 17
Education Tax Rates and Education Tax by its Yield ......................................................................................... 17
Supporting Afterschool Programs ............................................................................................................................ 17

Energy and Natural Resources ........................................................... 18

Transforming our Renewable Energy Policies .................................................................................................... 18
Solar Siting .......................................................................................................................................................................... 18
Urban Development Soils ............................................................................................................................................. 19
Air Pollution ........................................................................................................................................................................ 19


Municipal Planning .......................................................................................................................................................... 19
Carbon Tax ........................................................................................................................................................................... 19
Universal Recycling and Solid Waste Disposal .................................................................................................... 20

Fish, Wildlife, and Water Resources ................................................. 20

Cleaning up our Water (long) ..................................................................................................................................... 20
Improving the Quality of the States Water (short) ........................................................................................... 21
Healthy Water; Healthy Fish (Microbeads) .......................................................................................................... 21
Expanding Responsible Fishing, Hunting, and Trapping in Vermont ........................................................ 22
Municipal Permitting ...................................................................................................................................................... 22
Petroleum Cleanup Assistance ................................................................................................................................... 22

General, Housing, and Military Affairs .............................................. 23

Earned Sick Leave ............................................................................................................................................................ 23
Supporting Safe, Affordable Housing ....................................................................................................................... 23
New Tools for Resolving Grievances ........................................................................................................................ 24
Military Suicide Prevention ......................................................................................................................................... 24
Green Burials ...................................................................................................................................................................... 24
Protecting Teachers Collective Bargaining Rights ............................................................................................ 24

Government Operations ........................................................................ 25

Breaking Down Barriers to Democracy .................................................................................................................. 25
Lobbying Disclosure and Prohibited Lobbyist Conduct .................................................................................. 25
Protecting Forests and their Stewards ................................................................................................................... 26
Upgrading Our Emergency Call System .................................................................................................................. 26
Building Smarter Money Habits ................................................................................................................................. 27
Data Driven Decision-making ..................................................................................................................................... 27

Health Care ................................................................................................. 28

Accountability of Vermont Health Connect Exchange ...................................................................................... 28
Improving Health Outcomes, Access to Care ........................................................................................................ 28
Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities ......................................................................................................................... 29

Human Services ........................................................................................ 30

Expanding Treatment Options for Alcohol and Substance Abuse (long) ................................................. 30
Expanding Treatment Options for Alcohol and Substance Abuse (short) ............................................... 30
Organ and Tissue Donation .......................................................................................................................................... 31
Reportable Disease Registry ........................................................................................................................................ 31
Emergency Involuntary Procedures ........................................................................................................................ 32
Patient Choices at End of Life ....................................................................................................................................... 32
Child Protection ................................................................................................................................................................ 32

Judiciary ..................................................................................................... 33
Protecting Life, Liberty, and Property ...................................................................................................................... 33
Fighting Off Fraud ............................................................................................................................................................. 34
Repairing our Criminal Justice System ................................................................................................................... 34
Collateral Consequences of Conviction (long) ...................................................................................................... 35
Collateral Consequences of Conviction (short) .................................................................................................... 35
Internet Protections I ..................................................................................................................................................... 35
Internet Protections II .................................................................................................................................................... 36
Sex Offender Registry ..................................................................................................................................................... 37
Juvenile Justice .................................................................................................................................................................. 37
Firearm Possession ........................................................................................................................................................... 38
Access to Weapons ........................................................................................................................................................... 38
Forfeiture ............................................................................................................................................................................. 38
Collection of Child Support ............................................................................................................................................ 39
Child Protection ................................................................................................................................................................ 39

Transportation ........................................................................................ 39
Changing our Transportation Habits ....................................................................................................................... 39
Amtrak Trains, the Ethan Allen Express and the Vermonter ........................................................................ 40
Commuter Train Study ................................................................................................................................................... 40
Transparency in Road Maintenance Projects ....................................................................................................... 40

Ways & Means .......................................................................................... 40

Paying for the Promises We Keep (short) .............................................................................................................. 40
Paying for the Promises We Keep (long) ................................................................................................................ 41
Current Use (short) .......................................................................................................................................................... 42
Current Use (long) ............................................................................................................................................................ 42
Funding Clean Water ....................................................................................................................................................... 43
Investing in Health Care ................................................................................................................................................. 44

Agriculture and Forest Products

Protecting Animals from Abuse and Neglect (Teo Zagar)
Animal control officers often rely on their own discretion when determining if specific
animals have access to adequate shelter because of a complaint. The Legislature
acknowledged that greater clarity could be brought to current laws and created the Animal
Shelter Working Group. The group will convene over the summer to propose draft
legislation designed to amend and improve statutory requirements for adequate shelter of
animals in the State of Vermont.

Managing Agricultural Runoff into Lakes and Rivers (Teo Zagar)
Our lakes, rivers and ponds are struggling from pollution as our water management efforts
over the decades have not kept pace with the impact of agricultural use, stormwater runoff,
and high water events. A comprehensive water quality bill passed this year bringing
together road & highway crews, farmers, municipal officials, developers, wastewater
treatment operators, and foresters to improve practices with long-term and sustained
efforts.
Vermont agriculture has been identified as contributing 40 percent of the phosphorus
loading to Lake Champlain. Although 60 percent of phosphorus loading to Lake Champlain
comes from other sources, agricultural enterprises account for the largest single source. A
key component of the bill helps prevent agricultural runoff from small farms by identify
and certifying that they control discharges that could violate our water quality standards.
New farmer education and training requirements have been adopted. Accepted
Agricultural Practices (AAPs) will become Required Agricultural Practices (RAPs) that all
farms must follow. The Agency of Agriculture will provide technical assistance to help
farmers comply and access financial resources to support necessary alterations. If land
enrolled in Vermonts Current Use Program becomes in violation of water quality
requirements, the land will be removed from the program. The Vermont agricultural
community recognizes that it has a role to play in efforts to reduce nutrient loading and
improve water quality and testified that they are ready to do their part.
Expanding Market Opportunities for Raw Milk (Teo Zagar)
Farm fresh (raw) milk has been a longstanding part of Vermonts agricultural heritage.
Renewed interest in locally produced food is sparking new efforts to expand availability of
raw milk for public purchase. Relaxed regulationbalanced carefully with health and
safety interestswill come as a breath of fresh air for many small Vermont dairies
producing raw milk.
Among the changes included in the law is the repeal of the farm visit requirement before
purchasing or taking delivery of raw milk. Some farmers cited a potential bio-security


concern if visitors unknowingly introduced harmful pathogens, bacteria, or viruses to the
farm animals. Also included in the bill is a relaxation of testing requirements for certain
diseases that have been eradicated in Vermont, increase in Tier 2 production limits (from
280 to 350 gallons per week), permitted use of the small plastic vials used by conventional
dairies to deliver milk samples to FDA-accredited labs, and codification of the current
Agency of Agriculture's bacteria and cell count testing policy.

Appropriations
New Budget Strategy (Mary Hooper)

The fiscal year (FY) 2016 budget is the beginning of a multiyear process to bend the growth
in state spending and create long-term budget sustainability. This session, we made
significant progress in reducing the rate of increase in Corrections, Buildings and General
Services, and Public Safety. Continuing reductions in federal support, growing demand for
services and investment in public infrastructure, and slower economic growth has spurred
the Legislature to adopt five new fiscal goals:

1. Reduce reliance on the use of onetime money. The FY2016 budget used $25
million in onetime moneyless than half of what was used in FY2015.
2. Move toward budgeting less than 100% of projected revenue.
3. Include assessment of future year costs as part of assessing programs and budget
proposals.
4. Explore moving to a two-year budget process.
5. Expand the use of Results Based Accountability measurements throughout state
government.

The framework presented by these goals earned wide tripartisan and bicameral support.

Stability through Restraint (Sarah Buxton, Mitzi Johnson)

Since the recession, revenue growth nationwide has slowed and federal funding for a
number of important programs continues to shrink. Unlike previous recessions where
short-term cuts or short-term revenue could get us through the difficulty, we are facing a
new normal. Bending spending growth towards sustainability compounded the already-
difficult budget building process this year. The states economists announced a $40 million
revenue downgrade in July 2014. Shortly after the Governor presented his budget, another
$18 million downgrade was announced leaving the House create a responsible budget that
addressed the now $113.2 million shortfall.

After four months of detailed analysis, scrutiny, and review, the Legislature approved a
balanced budget. By carefully including reductions ($56 million), funding changes ($31.8
million), and one-time resources ($25 million), the 2016 budget avoids the most draconian
cuts and aligns state expenditures with more sustainable financing.


Compassion for our Common Future (Mary Hooper, Matt Trieber, Diane Lanpher)

This year, Legislators wrestled with difficult choices that transcended party, geography,
demographics, and interests. The needs of all Vermonters and our communities were
balanced carefully with compassion for our common future. That is clearly reflected in the
unanimous and bipartisan vote from the House Appropriations Committee. These
responsible investments represent our collective commitment to a stable future.

We continued our commitment to existing healthcare programs, which are seeing direct
and immediate cost savings for Vermonters who are choosing to stay home during
illness and in the last months of their lives.

We significantly increased the child protection workforce to keep our children safe.
We modified the Reach Ahead program to provide a second year of 100% childcare
subsidy to help people move out of poverty and relying on public assistance to self-
sufficiency.
We continued our commitment to the rural economy by funding our working lands
initiative. We continued investments in tourism to enable this sector of the economy to
grow.
We fully funded the Education Fund transfer to prevent additional burdens on property
tax payers.
We provided communities with an opportunity to manage the future of the services
delivered through Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) and created more equity in
funding of dispatch services by postponing the elimination of two public safety
answering points. (We rejected the Governors proposal to eliminate PSAPs without the
engagement of impacted communities.)
We increased Judiciary funding by over $2 million to assure that our courthouse doors
will be open every day. We committed to work with the judicial branch to consider
reforms that bring about greater efficiency and effectiveness including the way
security is funded and provided and individuals in custody are transported.
We created a partnership between the Department of Buildings and General Services
(the largest property owner in the state) and Efficiency Vermont to reduce energy use
at state-owned properties. This creates long-term, sustainable savings in the operation
of property and helps reduce our carbon footprint.
We made investments in the criminal justice system to reduce the number of people
incarcerated or detained and increase the success of individuals leaving incarceration.
One hundred fewer people were sent to out of state prisons in the current fiscal year
and we have set a goal of reducing that number by another 100. We provided funding


for additional housing and continued funding of successful programs slated for
elimination. We accomplished these aims and saved $2.6 million in Department
spending.

We supported the Community High School of Vermont (CHSVT) to assure Vermonters

in the custody of the Commissioner get a high school degree and have the skills to
succeed. We eliminated redundancy by permitting people participating in other
alternative justice programs to use services offered by CHSVT.
We level-funded the Arts Council and the Humanities Council because of the significant
educational, cultural and economic value that these councils bring to our state.
We preserved funding for the Commission on Women so that work toward gender
equity and justice may continue.
We continued to honor and support our veterans by increasing funding of the Veterans
home in Bennington, creating a National Guard tuition assistance program through
VSAC, and expanding the Veterans Cemetery in Randolph while reducing its operating
expenses.
We preserved on commitment to affordable housing, support for community planning
and municipal planning grants, and investment in our working landscape through
continued funding of the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board
We provided funding of dual enrollments, enabling Vermont high school students more
educational opportunities and the accumulation of college credits.
We protected the low-income heating assistance program (LIHEAP) by directing
revenues in excess of anticipated receipts go first to LIHEAP.

Greater Oversight and Accountability (Sarah Buxton)

The Legislature created and charged two commissions with recommending changes to
important aspects of management, delivery, and oversight in state government. Each
commission will have nongovernmental members with expertise in specific and relevant
areas of practice.

The first is a Government Restructuring and Operations Review Commission, tasked with
identifying opportunities for increasing government efficiency and productivity in order to
reduce spending trends and related resource needs. The oversight, use, and expansion of
public-private partnerships will be among the topics this group reviews. The second
commission will be charged with evaluating the governance and management structure of
the State of Vermonts overall IT system and programs. Prompted by series of
underperforming technology projects, this group will take inventory of the States current
resources, expertise, and need for updated structures.


Making Tough Decisions (Matt Trieber)

The FY 2016 budget was unprecedented in its difficulty for the legislature. In addition to
the cuts proposed by the Governor, underperforming taxes resulted in less state money
than anticipated. As the Governor also stated that he would not raise progressive taxes to
help support programs for the neediest Vermonters, we were left with no choice other than
cutting programs.

We pushed back on the administration's initial plan for the layoff of state workers by
implementing a retirement incentive program to protect these middle class jobs. Recently
the Governor proposed an additional $3 million of cuts, which would have likely resulted in
a loss of more state jobs. This proposal was rejected.

This budget created a new program that will allow working families to receive an
additional year of childcare at the 100% subsidy rate. This program will help working
Vermonters struggling to move ahead when they need this assistance most.

The budget crisis necessitated the removal of the state funding of LIHEAP. We feel strongly
that in our state, with such cold, harsh winters, ALL Vermonters deserve to be warm. As
such, we mandated that the first $5 million of end of the year surplus is dedicated to
heating assistance for needy Vermonters.

Although this budget crisis was difficult, we fought hard to ensure that needy Vermonters
are cared for. This budget embodies our obligations to our neighbors and friends. As
economic times improve in Vermont, we will continue to fight to help people move
forward, and to make Vermont an even better state.

Commerce and Economic Development

Ensuring a Strong Insurance Industry and Reforming LLC Law (Warren Kitzmiller)

Vermont has a strong national reputation for our regulation of the insurance industry.
Insurance companies have conveyed that they sincerely appreciate the clear rules and
speedy service they get from the Department of Financial Regulation (DFR). The
Legislature continues to work diligently with our business and regulatory partners to
ensure that we retain this prominent position. While the matters may seem quite technical,
this work is important in ensuring that companies, citizens, and oversight authorities can
do business in a predictable, responsible, and accountable manner. A few of the important
updates that we approved this year include:

Group-wide supervision of internationally active insurance groups and the
establishment of domestic insurers in Vermont. This work lays out the conditions
that must be met for a new company to be able to start doing business. Further, it
sets standards for the supervision, by DFR, of companies that do business in a
number of different countries.

Transparency in corporate governance structures of insurance companies that are
domiciled in Vermont. The Commissioner of DFR will now have access to a summary
of the companys corporate governance structure, policies and practices, along with
the requirements of their annual disclosure, and the confidential treatment of these
disclosures.

Simplification and realignment of governance structure and reserve requirements
for captive insurance companies. We work very hard to keep Vermont reputation as
the gold standard of domiciles for the captive insurance industry and we are
rightfully proud of the work we have done over the last several decades to be sure
that position. In that effort, we made small tweaks to our laws and regulations this
year, with appreciation from the industry for our efforts.

Working with the Secretary of State and the Vermont Bar Association we updated
Vermonts LLC (Limited Liability Corporations) law. The revisions make Vermont
law consistent with other states, simplify the creation and dissolution of LLCs and
keep Vermont at the forefront of e-commerce legislation.

Protecting Vermonts Consumers (Maureen Dakin)

The Legislature adopted a suite of consumer protections that address current needs and
looks proactively at the future of commerce in Vermont.

Rent-to-Own businesses: This business model provides a segment of consumers a path to
ownership. Because few agreements result in actual ownership of the merchandise it is
incumbent to provide protections from unreasonable interest rates while providing
reasonable rates of return for the business.

Financial Literacy: Saving, planning, budgeting, and navigating the financial world are
competencies necessary for peoples economic well-being and protection. A Financial
Literacy Commission and Fund were created based on the recommendations of the
Vermont Financial Literacy Task Force convened by the Center for Financial Literacy at
Champlain College in 2014. There is no appropriation to the fund since monies will be
raised privately through foundations, grants and other sources. The funds will reside with
the State Treasurer for disbursement upon recommendation of the Commission.

Disclosure of Fee for Automatic Dialing Service: If youve purchased or leased a security
system, for example, you may not have realized at the time that there are likely to be
additional fees from a provider such as a police or fire department. This piece requires the
seller of the system to disclose in writing the possibility for these fees for service.

Consumer Litigation Funding: Consumer Litigation Funding is a financial product for
consumers to quickly access monies for immediate needs while litigation proceeds. It is a
relatively new but burgeoning industry in VT that, like rent-to-own agreements, doesnt fall

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into the traditional regulated financial services. With little experience and really no history
with them we ask the Department of Financial Regulation to make recommendations while
prohibiting the business until July 1, 2016.

Discount Membership Programs: If youve ever been invited to a free seminar at a hotel
or conference center that ends with an offer of a free trip, for example, and all you have to
do is become a member it is often misunderstood that there are several other entities up
the ladder that are involved. This clearly excludes entities who have only incidental
business with the membership discounter.

Security Breach Notice: This sets forth the various ways including electronically a
provider can notify consumers when a security breach is suspected or has occurred.
Limitation of Liability for Advertisers: This amends 9 VSA sec 2452 by applying the same
protections from liability to interactive computer services that other media enjoys for
advertisement content they publish as part of their businesses.

Rent-to-Own Regulations (Jean OSullivan)

After many years of effort, Vermont has joined 31 other states in regulating the practices of
the rent-to-own industry. Stores using this business model advertise no credit checks and
rent new or used merchandise at a premium to Vermonters with bad or no credit. They
set low weekly payments that can stretch out for years before you own the item. 75% of
their customers never own anything, making multiple payments with nothing to show.

Rent-to-Own Stores are now prohibited from advertising no credit checks and their
prices are capped. They must post all price options clearly and conspicuously in their
advertising, signage, and rental agreements. The merchants cost is the actual cost to the
merchant. Total cost is the sum of the all payments, charges and fees paid to own the
merchandise under the agreement. Cash price is now capped and determined by
multiplying the merchants cost by a factor set in law by the type of item. An option to
purchase may occur anytime by paying the cash price minus 50% of previous payments
made.

To further ensure that consumers are not mislead while contracting with the companies,
agreements will include cost disclosures printed and grouped in a specified manner. All
warranties repair and maintenance, and service obligations of the parties must be
disclosed. Fees and charges will be clearly explained, reinstatement periods will be defined
based on weekly or monthly payment plans, and collection practices will be outlined with
prohibited acts clearly defined. If an item is used, the number of times it has been rented
out will be disclosed and late fees are limited to one missed payment. Notice of default is
now set at 14 days prior to commencing civil action and a customers right to take the
unsigned agreement with them to review or to comparison shop has been established.

11


Telecommunications (Steve Carr)

For several years, the Legislature has worked very hard with private industry, federal
partners, and regulatory authorities to make high-speed internet and cellular service
available to all regions of the state.

Last year, a new Division for Connectivity was created. The Secretary of Administration has
since recommended that it be combined with an existing division in the Department of
Public Service, now named the Division for Telecommunications and Connectivity (DTC).

To help Vermont meet our statewide telecommunications and connectivity goals, the
Legislature instituted new governance, duties, and oversight within DTC. We established a
Telecommunications and Connectivity Board to review and advise the Commissioner on:

Grant awards under the Connectivity Initiative,
Development of state policy and planning,
Recommendations for the apportionment of Connectivity Funds between the High-
Cost Program and the Connectivity Initiative, and
Recommendations for appropriate Internet access speeds for publicly-funded
telecommunication and connectivity projects.

In addition, the Public Service Department (rather than the Board) will now oversee the
Universal Service Fund (USF), which will be used to continue promoting higher speed
broadband to unserved and underserved areas in Vermont. The Legislature also approved
a measure that would increase (to 55%) use of USF money to fund the Connectivity
initiative.

Finally, the Legislature approved the creation of Communications Union Districts
(CUDs). These are groups of municipalities that have voted to join together for the purpose
of delivering communication services to member municipalities and seek funding from the
Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA). Districts will have the power to
operate, own, manage, and finance a communications plant. A number of financial
regulations and protections were adopted to ensure that CUDs are operated within optimal
parameters.

Economic Development (Jean OSullivan, Bill Botzow)

The well being of Vermonters depends on quality employers and an excellent workforce.
This years economic development bill focuses on connecting employees and employers to
build our economy. The development of our states workforce is of paramount importance.
Many Vermonters do not have the skills for current career track job openings, and
employers are challenged filling good paying jobs. The Legislature began honing our
support for workforce readiness from multiple angles. Here are a few of the approaches we
adopted:

12

Streamlining administration of our Vermont Strong Scholars Program and

Internship Initiative and adding performance measures. We narrowed the focus of
the grant criteria from broad sectors to specific occupations and expanded
participation to independent colleges within the state (e.g. Middlebury, Champlain,
Green Mountain, Goddard, Marlboro, Bennington etc.).

Consolidating our internship programs into The Vermont Strong Internship

Program. We used Workforce Education and Training funds to pay for training or
retraining workers for new or existing job openings when that training would not
occur within the normal course of business.
Expanding opportunities for disabled Vermonters to work. We increased the saving
limits within Medicaid eligibility and established a special savings account program
consistent with federal law that will help people pay for education, training, and
similar expenses. Representatives from the Office of Veterans Affairs and the States
Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired were added to The Governors
Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities to support ongoing work.

Directing the Agency of Education, Department of Labor, and Agency of Commerce

and Community Development to work together to use Vermonts Centers for Career
Technical Education (CTEs) to provide training aligned with high-wage, high-skill,
and high-demand employment opportunities.

Creating more jobs and on-the-job training by reforming the Vermont Economic
Growth Initiative (VEGI). We lowered the qualifying wage threshold for employers
seeking the incentive in areas of the state with higher than average unemployment,
expanding job opportunities in rural areas. Though the wage threshold is lowered,
companies must include benefits in their compensation packages. We approved
enhanced on-the-job training for new employees, frontloading incentives for VEGI
participant employers as they create qualifying jobs, and removing barriers for
companies claiming credits when circumstances beyond their control keep them
from meeting program deadlines.

Our economic development bill also moves Vermont forward by:

Helping first time homebuyers with a down payment assistance transferable tax
credit. Too often young families with college and other debt are stopped from
buying homes and putting down roots because of down payment costs. This
initiative will also help stimulate the housing market.

Creating the Southern Vermont Economic Development Zone as a pilot program to
create opportunities between counties and strengthen collaboration between hard
hit areas and state government by deferring to local and regional planning efforts.

Modernizing Vermonts liquor control system to be more efficient, effective, and
profitable and a permitting the sale of fortified wine wine and beer.

13

Supporting our tech sector by repealing the sales tax on remotely accessed
prewritten software. This is the cloud tax and repeal will give us a competitive
advantage with neighboring states while helping Vermonts growing tech sector.

Committing funding and resources to marketing Vermonts economic development

opportunities along with our recreational and tourism opportunities. Vermont is a
highly valued place to live, work, and play.

Corrections and Institutions

Capital Bill Highlights (Rachael Fields)
Consistent with our long-standing tradition of prudent investment our infrastructure, the
Legislature will invest $158 million over the next two years into Vermont communities and
the systems that facilitate state services.

In FY2016 we will be investing $1 million into Vermont Technical College (VTC)

Engineering Labs with an additional $500,000 in FY2017 for a matching grant.
Across our state, businesses are expanding and seeking a skilled workforce. VTC can
partner with these businesses to give Vermonters the training and skills needed to
enter into these high quality career fields. The vast majority of VTC graduates stay
in Vermont and this lab upgrade is a huge investment in Vermont's future workforce
and economy.

A tri-partisan coalition of legislators committed to being all-in on addressing

water quality this year. While the capital bill has historically made investments in
infrastructure to improve the quality of our rivers and lakes, this year we expanded
the effort. Support for the Vermont Housing Conservation Board, Agency of
Agriculture's Best Management Practices and Conservation Reserve Enhancement
Program, and the Agency of Natural Resources clean water and pollution control
projects will be key in ensuring our success.

The Building Communities Grants program is one of the most tangible ways that we
contribute to our cultural legacy through support for a variety of projects in
communities throughout the state. These projects help fund capital projects on
historic preservation, historic barns and agriculture, cultural facilities, recreational
facilities, human service and educational facilities, and agricultural fairs.

Vermont-based construction companies and workers have complained that out-of-

state operations regularly underbid them on state projects because they pay their
workers less than the federal prevailing wage. This year, the Capital Bill requires
that state construction projects over $100,000 must pay workers the mean wage
plus additional benefits totaling at least of 42.5% of the wage. Benefits include
health insurance, retirement, paid leave and other similar benefits. This will take
effect in FY2017. In FY2018, the wage and benefit requirement will be extended to
construction projects that are $200,000 or more and are funded by at least 50% in

14


state construction dollars. These changes ensure that those we hire to do our work
will be paid fair wages, have good and usable benefits and that their employers will
know that they are competing for work on a level-playing field.

Education
Creating A More Equitable & Sustainable Education System (Emily Long, Sarah Buxton)
Sustainability, accountability, and equity are key elements of our education reform bill this
year. Expanding school district size and oversight will encourage improvements in quality
and diversity of educational opportunities for students at a cost that taxpayers can afford.
Broad goals designed to encourage and support local decisions and action that, among
other things, meet the States Education Quality Standards stand at the forefront of the bill.
The bill passed by the Legislature defines preferred governance structures that would
serve 900+ students through one of our four most common forms. New pre-K to grade 12
districts will be managed by a board responsible for providing comprehensive education to
all resident students. Acknowledging that one of the preferred structures may not be
possible in some regions of the state, the bill provides for alternative structures if a
different structure would best achieve specific quality, equity, and accountability goals.
The Secretary of Education will review governance structures of districts as they are
anticipated to be and by June 1, 2018, will publishes a proposal that meets the education
delivery goals set out. Districts that agree to merge under certain models on an accelerated
timeline will receive enhanced property tax reductions for five years.
If a district merges into a preferred structure by July 1, 2019 local small school grant
become a merger support grant for the whole district unless the small school is closed
unless closure occurs because consolidation with other districts into a new or renovated
school. If a school that currently receives a small school grant is not part of a merged
district, it may retain eligibility for the grant if is geographically isolated or if it
demonstrates academic excellence and operational efficiency. The State Board of Education
will adopt and publish metrics that schools must meet for eligibility. Schools that have been
experiencing declining enrollment and have met the criteria for the 3.5% hold-harmless
provision (a.k.a. having phantom students) will experience a phase out over a 3-year
transition period.
Cost Constraint and Financial Accountability (Sarah Buxton)
For fiscal years 2017 and 2018 only, the way the excess spending penalty is triggered will
be changed. If a district exceeds its allowable growth in spending for either of those years,
then any spending above the allowable growth will be counted twice for purposes of
calculating tax rates. Allowable growth is determined on a sliding scale, from zero to 5.5%,
depending on how much the district spent in the prior year. The more the district spent in
the prior year, the less its allowable growth will be the following year.

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In addition, if a supervisory union or district fails to comply with current statutes requiring
the performance of specified duties the tax rates for each district is increased by 5 % until
compliance. While the law becomes effective on July 1, 2016, the tax rates are not subject to
increase until fiscal year 2018.
Health Care Costs in Education Spending (Ann Manwaring)
The Legislature recognizes the burden that escalating health care costs has on schools and
total education spending statewide. The Director of Health Care Reform, working with
stakeholders, will be required to consider alternatives available to school districts,
supervisory unions, and their employees to address the high cost of health care and
recommend options that do not trigger the federal tax on high-cost, employer-sponsored
insurance plans (referred to as the Cadillac Tax). Among other options, the Director is
required to consider the possibility of transitioning to plans offered through Vermont
Health Connect, the Vermont Education Health Initiative, and other mechanisms. A report
on these findings will be submitted by November 15 of this year.
Vermont State Colleges (Tim Jerman)
Currently, the fifteen member Vermont State College Board consists of the Governor, a
student trustee chosen annually by the Student Association, four legislative trustees elected
by the General Assembly, and nine gubernatorial appointees. The Legislature changed this
to five gubernatorial appointments with an additional four chosen by the existing board.
This will more closely mirror similar other Vermont higher education boards and allow the
inclusion of new trustees with specific skill sets, geographic diversity, or other criteria
which would add to the boards effectiveness.
A separate bill now allows three of the Vermont State Colleges to apportion their numbers
of the very successful early college program among the colleges without an individual
quota for each. Initial legislation limited the number of participants at each college, but
practice has shown that some colleges have slightly higher enrollments than others. This
change means no eligible student will be denied access to one of our state colleges if there
space is available.
Universal Childrens Savings Account Program (Sarah Buxton)
Universal college savings accounts for children is one strategy we can use to knock down
barriers to higher education and help end generational poverty in Vermont. This year, the
Legislature created a special fund that would provide every Vermont child with college
savings account with seed money at birth. The Vermont Student Assistance Corporation
(VSAC) will administer and manage the program, including working with private
foundations, philanthropists and other donors to fund the accounts. VSAC will also work
with families and children to provide financial counseling, education, and support for
future investment. Children of low-income families may receive additional initial deposits if
the money is available. Families will be invited to match contributions and participate in
savings programs.

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Improving Educational Quality Evaluation (Ann Manwaring)
Public education is among the most important investments we make as a society. Not only
does it enhance the lives of all Vermonters, but also serves as the foundation for the
common good of our communities. This session, the Legislature emphasized the
importance of using solid and consistent evaluation tools to chart continuous progress
schools are making toward better outcomes for all our children. We codified criteria for
tiered systems of support, helping schools realize the individual needs of each student. In
our major education reformation bill, we focused on governance changes and cost
containment while supporting the vital work done to meet our recently revised Education
Quality Standards. These are principles that help guide curriculum and student learning.
Education Tax Rates & Reporting Education Tax by its Yield (Sarah Buxton)
The fiscal year 2016 property tax rates have been set as follows:
Nonresidential rate $1.535
Homestead Rate $0.99

Base Income Rate: 1.80 %
Base Education Amount: $9,459.00

Our current tax system requires the state to recommend a base homestead tax rate and
base education amount each December. Depending on state education spending,
projections and the economic condition of the education fund sources, the base homestead
rate is generally adjusted by the legislature. This gives the appearance that the state is
increasing or decreasing taxes. The statutorily set base amount is designed to allow per
pupil spending to grow annually by the New England Economic Project (NEEP) index
without raising tax rates. However, the NEEP index and the Ed Fund sources dont change
at the same rate. The NEEP index is based on the purchase of goods and services by state
and local government and Ed Fund sources are based on economic conditions. If spending
grows when the economic conditions decline, rates need to go up. The current system
makes this hard to see. The Yield Proposal changes our formula so that rather than
announcing a base per pupil spending amount and a base homestead tax rate each year, we
announce what a unit of the homestead property tax rate will produce. This better reflects
what the economic conditions will allow and the state does not need to change the
homestead rate. If districts increase per pupil spending beyond the yield amount, it will be
more clear to voters how their budgets impact their local tax rate.

Supporting Afterschool Programs (Ann Manwaring)
Research shows the value of extended learning opportunities, both after school and during
the summer, resulting in a higher level of retaining what a child has learned in school and
showing long term savings in the cost of public education. This year, the Legislature
approved a bill that sets up a special fund within the Agency of Education for the purpose
of seeking private funding to support grants to the many existing private and school based
programs and to expand the capacity to serve more children.

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Energy and Natural Resources

Transforming our Renewable Energy Policies (Rebecca Ellis)
Over the past decade, Vermont has led the nation with its energy efficiency programs,
lowering both electricity costs and rates. With this years Renewable Energy Standard
(RES) law, Vermont will launch a new energy transformation in the heating and
transportation sectors. The law will incentivize a shift in these sectors from fossil fuels to
clean electricity, reduce carbon emissions, and save Vermonters money.
The house of the future, as envisioned under this law, will be well insulated and tightly
sealed. Appliances and heat sources, such as air source heat pumps, will be highly efficient.
Solar panels will promote energy independence and reduce transmission and distribution
costs for all Vermonters. Electric vehicles will harness local sources of clean energy and
reduce carbon-emissions in transportation. Specifically, the legislation:

Establishes a renewable energy standard that will protect the value of in-state
sources of renewable energy and requires total renewables, including hydro, to
grow from 55% of total retail electric sales in 2017 to 75% in 2032.
Incentivizes construction of new distributed renewable energy from 1% of total
retail electric sales in 2017 to 10% in 2032, growing local jobs and promoting
energy independence.
Requires utilities to offer products and services, such as heat pumps and home
weatherization, that will reduce Vermonters fossil fuel consumption and
greenhouse gas emissions.

Through energy conservation, efficiency and local generation, our energy transformation
programs are projected to save Vermonters $275 million on energy costs over 15 years,
and exert downward pressure on electricity rates resulting in a half-percent reduction in
electricity costs by 2032.
Solar Siting (Rebecca Ellis)
Going forward, communities will have greater say in the siting of ground-mounted solar
projects. Municipalities and planning commissions will have automatic party status in
permit proceedings before the public service board. They will be empowered to adopt
screening requirements for solar projects, either as a zoning bylaw or standalone
ordinance, which must be adhered to by the public service board. In addition, the public
service board must follow the recommendations of the town regarding screening unless
the recommendations would have the effect of prohibiting the project. And finally, solar
projects will be required to comply with minimum statewide setback requirements. Towns
can request larger setbacks if they feel the minimum setbacks are inadequate.

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Urban Development Soils (Rebecca Ellis)
A new program that provides for safe and cost-effective management of contaminated
urban soils that are excavated during construction projects will promote Vermonts
traditional pattern of village and urban centers surrounded by rural countryside. Only soils
that qualify for treatment as solid waste will be eligible for this program. This bill will
promote downtown development, reduce construction costs, and save space at Vermonts
only lined landfill.
Air Pollution (Rebecca Ellis)
The House made changes to Vermonts air pollution statutes this session. Under present
law, sources of air pollution are required to register with the state only if they emit more
than 5 tons of pollutants per year. Going forward, the Agency of Natural Resources would
have the authority to require registration of smaller sources of emissions, which will help
the Agency track and monitor air pollution across Vermont. The Senate is expected to
review and consider the proposal next session.
Municipal Planning (Rebecca Ellis)
The House adopted a bill to extend the expiration date for municipal plans from 5 years to
10 years. This change would give municipalities more time to engage the public and do
better planning, and more time to implement their plans. Towns would be required to
check-in with their regional planning commissions halfway through the 10-year period to
review progress on implementation of their plans. During the 10-year period, towns could
also amend their plans, or re-write chapters, without changing the expiration date.
Carbon Tax (Rebecca Ellis)
The House Natural Resources and Energy Committee began taking testimony on a proposal
for a carbon pollution tax developed by Energy Independent Vermont (EIV). Although the
Legislature did not take action on a carbon tax proposal this year, the committee took
testimony to learn how a pollution tax might reduce carbon emissions and, at the same
time, promote economic growth in Vermont.
The EIV proposal would tax retail sales of gasoline, diesel and home heating fuels based on
their carbon emissions at one of three potential prices: LOW (a tax peaking at $50 per
metric ton of carbon dioxide), MEDIUM ($100 per metric ton) and HIGH ($150 per metric
ton). For a gallon of gasoline, this translates to a tax of $.45/gallon, $.90/gallon or
$1.35/gallon.
The proposal is 90% revenue neutral, meaning that 90% of the revenues would be
returned directly to taxpayers, including a proposed reduction in the sales tax, a tax credit
for filers, a tax rebate for low-income people, and a per-employee rebate to companies. The
remaining 10% of revenues would be used for carbon-reducing programs such as
weatherization.

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Under the proposed tax, taxpayers would end up with roughly the same amount of money
in their pocket before and after the tax but the relative prices of goods would change, with
carbon-based products becoming more expensive. Economists predict that consumers
would modify their behavior to consume less carbon-based goods (e.g. carpool one day a
week) and use that money to buy other goods (e.g. renovate the kitchen).
British Columbia imposed a revenue-neutral carbon pollution tax in 2008 and has seen
both economic growth and a substantial reduction in carbon emissions. In contrast, the rest
of Canada saw carbon emissions grow slightly. If nothing else, the British Columbia
experience justifies a close look at a carbon pollution tax here in Vermont.
Universal Recycling and Solid Waste Disposal (Rebecca Ellis)
This summer, key components of our Universal Recycling Law will take effect. Beginning on
July 1, residential trash charges must be based on volume or weight, recyclables are banned
from the landfill, transfer stations/drop-off facilities must accept leaf and yard debris,
haulers must offer residential recycling collection at no separate charge, public buildings
must provide recycling containers alongside all trash containers in public spaces
(exception for restrooms), and food scrap generators of 52 tons/year (1 ton/week) must
divert material to any certified facility within 20 miles. The Legislature adopted a waiver
process from parallel collection or haulers and municipalities that are attaining the state's
disposal and diversion goals through alternative means. The Agency of Natural Resources
will work with municipalities that want to take advantage of this waiver process.

Fish, Wildlife and Water Resources

Cleaning up our Water (Bob Krebs) (long)
Clean water is a huge economic driver in Vermont bringing in more tourism dollars than
all of our ski areas combined. Held deeply as part of the Vermont brand, clean water helps
contribute nearly $2 billion in tourism activities, providing joy to Vermonters and visitors
alike. Yet our lakes, rivers and ponds are struggling from pollution and our efforts over the
decades have not kept pace with the impact of stormwater runoff, agricultural use, and
high water events.
This year, a comprehensive and far-reaching water quality bill passed the Legislature. It
engages all land use sectors, including roads and highways, agricultural operations,
developed land and urban areas, treatment plants, and forestlands. All will be required to
improve practices and participate in providing resources to fund and finance a sustained,
dedicated effort.
The bill requires the owners and operators of small farms to certify their compliance with
Required Agricultural Practices (RAPs). The RAPs will be amended to include management
and operational improvements, including water quality training and custom applicator

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certification. The enforcement provisions with regard to agriculture and water quality will
be enhanced to provide a defined path to resolve conflicts and violations.
All commercial development will be required to implement and maintain best management
practices (BMPs), especially in impaired watersheds. Regulations will be determined by
size and impact, and will be further guided by regional basin plans. Rules adopted to
manage regulated stormwater runoff will focus on compliance with Vermont water quality
standards and the maintenance of predevelopment runoff characteristics. State residual
designation authority (RDA) as outlined in the federal Clean Water Act will allow a case-by-
case determination of a permit requirement based on the basin planning process.
Municipalities will also be required to obtain a stormwater general permit for discharges
from town roads. Towns will have to inventory all their roads and develop a prioritized
implementation plan for improvements, which will need to comply with BMPs.
A key part of ensuring that we remain accountable for improving our water quality is to
fund meaningful efforts to achieve our goal. A special fund will be created as a mechanism
to assist municipalities in complying with requirements and implementation schedules.
Non-profits, regional organizations, and other entities will also be able to contribute to this
fund. Money from this source will also support the required staffing of the Agency of
Agriculture, Food, and Markets and the Agency of Natural Resources to administer and
implement technical assistance and enforcement.
Improving the Quality of the States Water (Bob Krebs) (short)
Our lakes, rivers and ponds are struggling from pollution and our efforts over the decades
have not kept pace with the impact of stormwater runoff, agricultural use, and high water
events. This year, a comprehensive and far-reaching water quality bill passed the
Legislature. It engages all land use sectors, including roads and highways, agricultural
operations, developed land and urban areas, treatment plants, and forestlands. All will be
required to improve practices and participate in providing resources to fund and finance a
sustained, dedicated effort.
A key part of ensuring that we remain accountable for improving our water quality is to
fund meaningful efforts to achieve our goal. A special fund will be created as a mechanism
to assist municipalities in complying with requirements and implementation schedules.
Money from this source will also support the required staffing of the Agency of Agriculture,
Food, and Markets and the Agency of Natural Resources to administer and implement
technical assistance and enforcement.
Healthy Water; Healthy Fish (Banning Microbeads) (Bob Krebs)
Microbeads are pinhead-sized plastic orbs found in personal care products, household
cleaners, and over-the-counter drugs. Approved by the FDA in 1972 and in wide use in the
1990s, microbeads were seen as the cheaper alternative to almond meal. The original
designers of these products have since realized that they failed to take the long view and
follow these products to the end of life. Microbeads are often too small to be captured by

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wastewater management facilities and are not broken down in septic system processes.
Once on land or in water, they persist for decades acting as sponges for toxic chemicals and
pollutants, and damage the health of aquatic life that confuses them for food. Numerous
alternatives are already available.
The House passed bill to prohibit the sale of products containing microbeads beginning in
2019. Manufacturers are currently finding alternatives to microbeads and phasing them
out of products, partially due to legislation like ours.
Expanding Responsible Fishing, Hunting, and Trapping in Vermont (Bob Krebs)
Fishing, hunting, and trapping are an inextricable part of our heritage and culture. This
year, the Legislature passed measures that support these widespread activities in Vermont.
First, we eliminated the origination fee for businesses that sell Vermont licenses. Second,
we granted more access to free hunting and fishing licenses for people with disabilities and
expanded eligibility for moose hunting permits to all members of the US Armed forces.
Third, we expanded methods of enforcement regarding the threatened and endangered
species in Vermont so that our wildlife populations remain strong and balanced. Finally, we
repealed the prohibition on the manufacture of suppressors (a.k.a. silencers) and
additionally approved their sale and use by citizens only at shooting ranges, not for
hunting. Suppressors reduce noise levels by an average of 20-35 dB, about the same as
wearing earmuffs. They also reduce rifle recoil and help mitigate some noise complaints
from those living near shooting ranges. 37 other states allow the use of suppressors by
citizens, though strict federal regulations for suppressors also exist.
Municipal Permitting (Bob Krebs)
Currently, Vermont towns and cities may work with the state to administer water and
wastewater permits, including on-site disposal. Only two towns have elected to accept that
authority, however. This year the House passed a bill that will allow partial delegation of
permitting for land subdivisions, buildings or structures, or campgrounds served by public
water and sewer. The connections must be owned and controlled by the delegated
municipality and there must be sufficient capacity to accept new flows or demands. The
Senate will have an opportunity to review and consider the changes next session.
Petroleum Cleanup Assistance (Bob Krebs)
The House amended the Petroleum Cleanup Fund to allow for increased financial
assistance regarding underground and aboveground fuel oil storage tanks. Grant limits for
replacement or upgrade were increased to $3000 for an aboveground tank and $4000 for
an underground tank. The bill also provides for a $50,000 increase in transfer between the
two cleanup funds. The Senate will have an opportunity to review and consider the changes
next session.

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General, Housing, & Military Affairs

Earned Sick Leave (Helen Head)
Currently, about 20 percent of working Vermonters an estimated 60,000 people have to
make the difficult choice between a paycheck and taking care of a sick child. These jobs are
concentrated in low-wage service-sector fields and are disproportionately held by women,
who are more likely to be the primary caregiver for family members. The workers that
come into greatest contact with the general public are currently the least likely to be
provided with paid time off, including most restaurant and retail store workers.
The House passed a bill that provides a minimum standard of paid sick days to long-term
employees because a robust economy depends on a strong and supported workforce. The
legislation also provides safe days for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and
stalking critical time during the workday to seek protection. The bill awaits action by the
Senate in 2016.
Paid sick days allow working Vermonters to balance their responsibilities as parents and
caregivers with their duties as employees. The bill also recognizes the public health impact
of people going to work and school sick. Everyone gets sick, but right now in Vermont not
everyone has the ability to take the time to recover without putting at risk their livelihood
and the health of co-workers and the general public. We need to change that.
Supporting Safe, Affordable Housing (Helen Head)
The Legislature continued its legacy of support for safe, affordable, and accessible housing.
Despite extraordinarily tough budget challenges, we still maintained our significant
commitment to the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board (VHCB) and the emergency
housing network. This commitment underscores the importance of stable housing and
homelessness prevention in enabling all Vermonters to lead healthy and productive lives.
Two of the first bills signed into law this session promoted safe and fair housing. The
mobile home park bill recognizes that a safe, healthy community should not depend on
housing choices. This bill ensures that residents of mobile home parks have access to
emergency response services and will not be needlessly subjected to blighted, abandoned
homes in their communities. It also gives the Department of Housing and Community
Development the ability to certify habitability standards and non-discriminatory leases.
Fair housing standards protect citizens from discrimination and other unfair housing
practices. Another key housing bill ensures Vermont continues its role in maintaining and
surpassing federal fair housing standards. The bill also clarifies rights and responsibilities
for landlords and tenants regarding personal property.

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New Tools for Resolving Grievances (Gabrielle Luke)
Last session, the Legislature established a study committee to assess the relative merits of
various grievance procedures for state employees. The current process takes place before
the Vermont Labor Relations Board. This is a relatively formal process, typically involving
lawyers and publication of decisions. State employees sought access to a less formal, more
private binding arbitration process. Relying on the study committees recommendations,
this year the Legislature added a tool to the toolbox of the State and the Vermont State
Employees Association. We gave them the right to bargain during contract negotiations for
binding arbitration or the Vermont Labor Relations Board process. Our goal is to ensure
that grievance protocols are economical, timely, just, and provide for appropriate privacy
protections for the parties.
Military Suicide Prevention (Tommy Walz)
An average of 22 military veterans commit suicide each day across the country. According
to news reports, the national military hotline receives 22,000 calls a year. This year, the
Legislature passed a resolution calling for full backing and expansion of the existing
support systems for our veterans, including the Vermont Veterans Legal Assistance Project,
Vermont Vet to Vet, and the provisions in the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American
Veterans Act. In addition, we asked the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to designate Vermont
as one of five pilot programs in the treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It
is our hope that both raising awareness and increasing our efforts to help these veterans
will save the precious lives of those who have protected ours.
Green Burials (Tommy Walz)
Green burials are increasingly in demand and represent an extension of what we can
already choose for burial in Vermont. A green or natural burial does not involve embalming
or a casket, unless it is biodegradable, and often does not include a marker or groomed
lawn. Input from green burial proponents, funeral directors, town clerks, and bankers
spurred action to encourage cemeteries to create natural burial areas. This would require
the formulation of basic guidelines: distance from water sources, depth of graves,
registration of the exact location of the grave, and the identity of the person buried therein.
This bill is a reasonable solution that protects the public and allows a clear path for those
who choose a green burial.
Protecting Teachers Collective Bargaining Rights (Tom Stevens)
Education reform was a top priority this session. In that context, the House took a hard
look at the role of collective bargaining between school boards and teachers through
proposals to end strikes and impositions. Our work was guided by concerns that changing
the status quo would require replacing it with a mechanism that created a fair bargaining
process, including a level of finality. In the end, we made no changes to the law and
anticipate continuing the discussion regarding outcomes for students, parents, taxpayers,
teachers, and school boards.

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Government Operations

Breaking Down Barriers to Democracy (Linda Martin)

Election Day Registration (S.29) eliminates our current voter registration deadline so that
eligible citizens can register to vote at their polling place on the day of an election, and then
vote in that election. By removing barriers to voting, we strengthen our democracy and
bring the voice of everyday Vermonters back into our collective decision-making. In 2014,
Vermont ranked 27th in voter turnout. In 2012, we ranked 30th. The results of our last
gubernatorial election underscore the importance of strong voter participation.
Election Day Registration (EDR) is a time-tested and proven pro-voter reform measure.
States who have enacted EDRincluding the nine states and the District of Columbia who
participated in EDR during the 2012 Presidential Electionsstand as a testament to its
benefits. Along with other states that have enacted similar laws since 2012, early adopters
have experienced an easing of problems at the polls, while maintaining the integrity of the
vote.
In response to concerns about implementation of EDR during a presidential election, the
law will not take effect until 2017. The Secretary of States Office will work with our local
town clerks addressing their concerns on how they will implement the new law in a
seamless manner. The Secretary of State will report back to the Legislature in January
2016 with any recommendations or concerns.
Lobbying Disclosure and Prohibited Lobbyist Conduct (Maida Townsend)
Over the last decade, the opportunity for professional lobbyists to influence or augment our
legislative process has grown dramatically. As a citizen Legislature, resources like
administrative, policy, and legal staff are limited while demands for greater engagement
and expertise have grown. Nearly 400 registered lobbyists will be paid over $6 million for
their work this session. While we acknowledge the valuable work of lobbyists and the
contribution they make to democracy by giving voice to citizen interests, the Legislature
felt it important to increase transparency and accountability for those seeking to influence
legislative decisions.
Lobbyists, lobbyists firms, and lobbyists employers will now be required to publicly
disclose when they spend $1000 or more on advertising during the legislative session
within 48 hours of the expenditure. This ensures that the general public and
legislatorshave information, in real time, about large advertising expenditures
designed to influence the legislative process. Further, an easily understood and
prominently positioned Paid for By statement must be contained on any such
advertising. Second, more frequent public reports of overall lobbyist activity will be
required. The Secretary of State will establish an on-line database for lobbying disclosures,
allowing any person to have instant access to the individual data elements in each
disclosure.

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Finally, the Legislature took decisive action to prevent the perception of improper lobbyist
influence by prohibiting them from contributing to certain political committees when the
Legislature is in session. On a nearly unanimous vote, lawmakers sent a clear message to
Vermonters that the will of the people is and will always be the driving force in our work.
Protecting Forests and their Stewards (Maida Townsend)
The health and long-term economic viability of our forests is of critical importance to all
Vermonters. We depend on our forestland for critical flora and fauna habitat and to
support an array of products, jobs, and recreational activities. To ensure that our forests
are appropriately maintainedand to safeguard private landowners from bad practices
the House passed a law requiring the licensure of professional foresters.
The work of a professional forester encompasses more than identifying which trees should
be cut, and which not. Their work is based on science: biology, chemistry, zoology,
entomology, plant pathology, plant physiology, and genetics. The level of education,
training, and experience that professional licensure requires will protect landowners, help
foresters stay informed on evolving best management practices, ensure that foresters
understand applicable regulations, and provide a basic level of accountability for the
profession.
Once licensing is in effect, an aggrieved landowner will be able to file a complaint with the
Office of Professional Regulation, with investigation and adjudication to follow as
appropriate. Individual landowners and institutions of higher learning may continue to
practice forestry on their own land. In addition, a professional foresters employee may
still carry out forest practices when the forester is off-site, so long as the licensee remains
involved in and accepts responsibility for the forest work performed by the employee. The
Senate will likely take up the bill in January 2016.
Upgrading Our Emergency Call System (Debbie Evans)
The Vermont State Police currently operate four Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs)
located in Derby, Williston, Rutland and Rockingham. The current 911 system in Vermont
relies on call taking services provided by these PSAPS and four others, operated by local
police departments and a sheriffs department in Lamoille, St. Albans, Hartford and
Shelburne.
This year, the Administration set forth a proposal to close two state PSAPs (in Rutland and
Derby), saving approximately $250,000. The Commissioner of Public Safety testified that
advances in technology would allow for the same services to be provided without threat to
public safety. Because the elimination required the elimination of jobs and generated
widespread concern about the impact on dispatch services, the Legislature decided to delay
consolidation until September 15, 2015. This time extension will give the municipalities in
these areas the time to consider and review how dispatch centers operated by local police
and sheriff's departments are managed. This compromise demonstrates how receptive and
responsive legislators were to the needs and concerns of Vermonters.

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Building Smarter Money Habits (Debbie Evans)
Many Vermonters are not learning the basics of personal finance in school or through life
experience. Lack of knowledge and skill can result in severe, negative consequences to their
own financial security and also to Vermont's economy. Financial illiteracy affects
everyonemen and women, young and oldand crosses all racial and socio-economic
boundaries. Vermont needs to hone its focus on helping Vermonters become wiser
consumers, savers, and investors.
To better support Vermonters and decrease the likelihood that bad money decisions will
result in need for public safety nets, the Legislature created a Financial Literacy
Commission. Only 10% of high schools in Vermont have a financial literacy graduation
requirement. The commission will work with the Agency of Education to build financial
literacy components into math and social studies so that Vermont high school graduates
should, at a minimum, understand how credit works, how to budget, and how to save and
invest. In addition, the Commission will make policy recommendations on issues related to
Vermonters' fiscal wellbeing, identify ways to equip Vermonters with the training,
information, skills, and tools they need to make sound financial decisions, and create
incentives for Vermont' schools, businesses, community organizations, and governmental
agencies to implement financial literacy programs.
Data Driven Decision-Making (Debbie Evans)
One of our key tasks in Montpelier is to move from problem analysis to developing
solutions that produce measurable change in peoples lives. Results-based Accountability
(RBA) is a disciplined, data-driven way of approaching policy matters that keeps us focused
on three main accountability questions:
1. How much did we do?
2. How well did we do it?
3. Is anyone better off?

This is an improved way of doing business in state government and in the public sector. As
agencies, departments, and partners become adept at sharing knowledge using this data-
driven process, we can more accurately monitor progress, revise policy, and evaluate the
impact of our investments. The Legislature formally amended our statutes this year to
reflect the language of RBA and assure that our program performance analysis is consistent
throughout state government. While this action did not make substantive changes to our
laws, it did make us considerably more accountable for the policies concerning public
health, safety, and welfare improvements.

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Health Care
Accountability of Vermont Health Connect Exchange (Tim Briglin)

Only 3% of Vermonters are uninsured one of the lowest in the nation. Many individuals
and families are finding affordable coverage through Vermont Health Connect, the states
health care exchange. Though improvements continue to be made, many Vermonters
have been unacceptably caught in a bureaucratic backlog as they seek to change their
circumstances or overall coverage. This session, the Legislature established clear
performance benchmarks for Vermont Health Connect, while making contingency plans in
the event the exchanges performance continues to lag.

Among these benchmarks will be delivery of functioning technology by May 31, 2015. This
will include addressing the account paralysis when a change of circumstance occurs and
delivering a fully automated system by October 1, 2015in time for 2016 enrollment. We
required the Agency of Administration to explore alternatives to the Exchange should the
General Assembly decide to seek an alternate path

In the meantime, the Legislature responded to the very real frustrations of Vermonters by
insisting that individuals be allowed to purchase health insurance policies directly from
insurance carriers (Blue Cross/Blue Shield or MVP), bypassing the Exchange website and
telephone system.

Improving Health Outcomes & Access to Care (Tim Briglin)

The Legislature took measurable steps to address two key components of our health care
reform agenda this session: access to care and improvement in health outcomes. By
investing additional resources in our Blueprint for Health, expanding the responsibilities
and support of the Green Mountain Care Board, sustaining Medicaid funding for
underinsured Vermonters, and increasing support for educational loan forgiveness for
primary care doctors, weve made an appreciable difference for all Vermonters.
Additional detail on the major provisions in the bill:

Strengthening the Blueprint for Health (B4H): Increases B4H funding by $2.45
million in FY16 ($1.1 million state funding supplemented by a $1.35 million federal
match). B4H directs health care resources at the community level to better
coordinate patient services with a focus on primary care and preventative medicine.
B4H moves Vermont from reactive to proactive health care. It is proven to save
money and improve outcomes, and is currently being promoted at the national level
as a model program for enhancing community health.

Expanding the work of the Green Mountain Care Board (GMCB): Funding
provides the resources for the GMCB to establish the rate setting mechanisms
necessary to pursue the All-Payer Model. The All-Payer Model is a system whereby
health providers are paid to improve patient outcomes rather than for the quantity
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of care they provide. The GMCB has proven to be effective at curbing costs in
Vermonts hospital system, and capitalizing on this effectiveness will be critical to
reducing health care cost inflation and moving toward universal coverage for
Vermonters.

Increasing Medicaid reimbursement rates: Directed $2 million in FY16
($930,000 state funding and $1.15million federal match) to doctors treating
Medicaid patients. Increasing these reimbursement rates enhances access to the
health care system for Medicaid patients and supports providers in treating some of
our most vulnerable citizens.

Restoring funding to support the underinsured: Sustained funding to help
reduce deductibles and the out-of-pocket costs for middle-income Vermonters.

Focus on primary care: Strengthening the Blueprint for Health and increasing the
Medicaid reimbursement directs resources to the most cost-effective element in our
health care system primary care. In addition we provided $700,000 of annual
educational loan forgiveness to encourage primary care doctors to practice in VT.

Healthy Kids & Communities: Increasing Vaccination Rates (Tim Briglin)

Since 1979, Vermont has mandated that students attending school receive required
immunizations. School has broadly all public and private schools and colleges. Initially,
required immunizations included MMR (mumps, measles, rubella), DTaP (diphtheria,
tetanus, pertussis), and the polio vaccine. In the last five years, Vermonts list of required
vaccines has been expanded to include varicella (chicken pox) and Hepatitis B, while the
state broadened the mandate to include children attending licensed daycare centers.

There are three ways by which children can be exempted from receiving required
vaccines. A medical exemption, which exists in all 50 states, allows a medical practitioner
who is authorized to prescribe vaccines to certify that a specific vaccine is or may be
detrimental to a persons health. A religious exemption, which exists in 48 states (not in
West Virginia or Mississippi), allows a parent to annually certify that they hold religious
beliefs opposed to immunization. A philosophical exemption, which currently exists in 20
states including Vermont, allows a parent to annually certify that they hold philosophical
beliefs opposed to immunization. Students may enter school without the required vaccines
with a provisional exemption if a medical practitioner who is authorized to prescribe
vaccines confirms that a student is in the process catching up on their immunizations.

The vast majority of medical doctors testifying to the Legislature were in favor of removing
the philosophical exemption (PE). These medical professionals acknowledged that
vaccines can have side effects, but that serious issues were very rare. In contrast, the risks
associated with skipping vaccination were deemed far greater for the child and, ultimately,
for their classmates.

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After significant testimony, the eleven members of the House Health Care Committee had
developed varying opinions on what the fate of the PE should be. However, there was
unanimity on one goal: increasing Vermonts immunization rates. Vermonts vaccination
rates of about 90 percent for children starting school are not catastrophically low, though
our rates are the lowest in New England while Vermonts use of non-medical exemptions is
the second highest in the nation. The real alarm is from the many pockets of very low
immunization rates we have in our state. While there are a few public schools that have
vaccination rates below 80-85 percent, there are several private schools with vaccination
rates of below 70 percent.

Human Services
Expanding Treatment Options for Alcohol and Substance Abuse (Chip Troiano) (long)

Addiction is a complex disorder, impacting individuals in very different ways. Specialists in
substance abuse and mental health are a key component of diagnosis, treatment, and
recovery. With over 10% of Vermonters coping with alcohol and substance abuse
problems, Medicaid patients are often put on long waiting lists to access appropriate
treatment. The Legislature took action this year to offers more choice and availability of
treatment to patients by allowing licensed alcohol and drug abuse counselors (LACDs), who
are in private practice, to participate in the Medicaid program, regardless of whether they
are employed by a preferred substance abuse provider.

Medicaid recipients currently have access to mental health care provided by private
practitioners such as Licensed Independent Clinical Social Workers (LICSW) and Licensed
Clinical Mental Health Counselors (LCMHC). This bill will ensure that Medicaid recipients
have access to substance abuse treatment services from any private practitioner licensed
as a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors (LADC). Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors
have similar educational and professional requirements for licensure as private
practitioners, including a master's degree in a relevant field, successful passage of an exam
and documentation of over 3000 hours of supervised practice.

This bill takes an important bill to address parity, access to treatment, and appropriate
service delivery. It allows LADC professionals to be afforded the same billing privileges as
other behavioral health professionals. It provides appropriate compensation and will
increase treatment access for Vermonters with primary substance abuse disorders.

Expanding Treatment Options for Alcohol and Substance Abuse (Chip Troiano) (short)

Addiction is a complex disorder, impacting individuals in very different ways. Specialists in
substance abuse and mental health are a key component of diagnosis, treatment, and
recovery. The Legislature took action this year to offers more choice and availability of
treatment to patients by allowing licensed alcohol and drug abuse counselors (LACDs), who
are in private practice, to participate in the Medicaid program, regardless of whether they
are employed by a preferred substance abuse provider. Medicaid recipients currently have

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access to mental health care provided by private practitioners such as Licensed
Independent Clinical Social Workers (LICSW) and Licensed Clinical Mental Health
Counselors (LCMHC). This bill will ensure that Medicaid recipients have access to
substance abuse treatment services from any private practitioner licensed as a Licensed
Alcohol and Drug Counselors (LADC).

This bill takes an important bill to address parity, access to treatment, and appropriate
service delivery. It provides appropriate compensation and will increase treatment access
for Vermonters with primary substance abuse disorders.

Organ and Tissue Donation (Chip Troiano)

In 2013, the Organ and Tissue Donation Working Group was formed to make
recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly about increasing and
facilitating these life-saving donations. At the time, the rate of organ and tissue donations
was at 4%. Because of the work of this group and collaboration with the Department of
Motor Vehicles (allowing for an individual to check a box on driver license renewal
applications to indicate consent to organ and tissue donation) this rate has increased to
31%. Driver license renewals come in four-year intervals, so the rate of increase comes at
the half way mark of license renewals.

Realizing the value of the Working Group, the Legislature acted to extend its charge to 2020
and provide it the administrative, technical, and legal assistance of the Department of
Health. The group will submit a report on its findings and recommendations to appropriate
legislative committees by January 15, 2017.

Reportable Disease Registry (Patsy French)

Since 1994, the Department of Health has collected information on patients with cancer,
patients with HIV or AIDS, and immunizations of adults and children. This is important
data, used to support and improve public health. The Legislature approved minor changes
to support the work of those collecting, keeping, and using the data mainly to allow
greater reporting time, information sharing privileges with Vermonts Ladies First, and an
annual evaluation of confidentiality procedures.

Information from Vermonts immunization registry, maintained by the Department of
Health, already allows information on a particular child to be provided to a school nurse,
and now a school administrator when the school does not have a nurse. The Department
may now share registry information with other states, provide it to health care provider
networks, and to certain researchers. All this information, and the limited allowable
sharing of it, falls under the umbrella of HIPPA regulations to protect the privacy of our
health information.

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Emergency Involuntary Procedures (Ann Pugh)

An integral guiding principle for Vermonts mental health system is to reduce the use of
coercion and legislation this year reiterated this; nevertheless when an individual in a
psychiatric crisis is in immediate danger of inflicting harm on themselves or others, for the
protection of themselves and others, emergency involuntary procedures (seclusion,
restraint and emergency involuntary medication) may be utilized. Emergency involuntary
medication is NOT court-ordered medication. Its only allowed when there is an immediate
threat to the patient or others, it is short term, and its purpose is to calm/sedate, and not to
treat the underlying problem. It is not administered in outpatient settings. With legislation
passed this session, the Department of Mental Health to promulgate rules that identify 1)
Who can prescribe emergency involuntary medication -a psychiatrist, advanced practice
nurse practitioner licensed as a nurse practitioner in psychiatric nursing or a certified
physician assistant licensed and supervised by a psychiatrist and 2) To Whom: Adults who
are in the custody or temporary custody of the Commissioner of DMH who are admitted to
a psychiatric inpatient unit.

Patient Choices at End of Life (Patsy French)

The Legislature voted to continue the procedural safeguards in Vermonts end of life bill,
which took effect two years ago. As passed in 2013, the explicit procedure set forth in the
Patient Choice at End of Life act was set to sunset (be repealed) in 2016 and be replaced by
provisions giving much less guidance to doctors and less protection for patients. The
Legislature removed the sunset to assure that those patient safeguards will stay in place.

Available only to patients with a terminal illness and a prognosis of six months or less to
live, the law sets up a procedure for the patient to obtain a prescription for lethal
medication to be self-administered. The patient must request the medication three
separate times, including once in writing (with disinterested witnesses) and wait at least
17 days from the first request to receipt of the prescription. The doctor writing the
prescription must report to the Vermont Department of Health and affirm that all the
requirements in the law have been satisfied including that the patient is a Vermont
resident, does not have impaired judgment, made the request voluntarily, and was offered
all end of life services (e.g. palliative care and hospice).

Participation under the law is completely voluntary for all parties the patient, the doctor,
the consulting doctor, the pharmacist and any facility where the patient may reside.
Clarification that the safeguards will continue assures that this law will work properly for
the small number of Vermonters who choose to use it.

Child Protection Bill (Ann Pugh)

The Protection of Children is one of the most basic and important functions of a society. In
the past year the number of reports of child abuse and neglect has continued to increase
and has led to an increase in the number of child safety investigations and more children in

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the custody of the Department of Children and Families (DCF). There has been an 82%
increase in the number of children under 6 who are in custody.

Serious child maltreatment associated with adult substance abuse has challenged our
system as well. These increased pressures are not just on DCF. In the past year,
prosecutors and the judiciary have seen an increase in the number of petitions filed for
both children in need of supervision (CHINS) and termination of parental rights (TPR). No
single agency or system can keep all children safe from harm. Child Protection is a
community responsibility requiring collaboration among the various departments within
DCF, families, the courts, treatment providers, other stakeholders, and the public.
Legislation that we passed this session will go far in improving how we in Vermont protect
our children by requiring better communication between these stakeholders, clarifying and
strengthening the mandatory child abuse reporting law, focusing on the best interests of
children rather than a rigid placement hierarchy, and enhancing the penalties for those
who harm children with death resulting, serious bodily injury or sexual acts.

Judiciary

Protecting Life, Liberty, and Property (Martin LaLonde)

Vermont is one of the safest states in the country and our citizens rightfully expect the
Legislature to prioritize public safety. In considering bills that aim to protect us, we must
ensure that individual liberties and freedoms and not unduly infringed. This year, the
Legislature focused heavily on the protection of vulnerable citizens, balancing concerns
about ready and equitable access to justice and the due process rights of every citizen.

The Legislature made considerable progress in fortifying the safety of our citizens this year.
We strengthened the sex offender registry requirements, ensuring that convicted sex
offenders report updated information to the Department of Public Safety prior to release
from a correctional facility. Our groundbreaking Revenge Porn bill made it a crime to
disseminate sexually explicit photographs or videos of individuals without their consent
and with the intent to harm. We helped law enforcement combat drug trafficking by
modifying rules related to the forfeiture of assets used in perpetrating certain crimes,
including drug-related crimes and dog fighting. We also prohibited violent felons from
owning firearms and required courts to submit the names of those whom a judge has
deemed to be a danger to themselves or others due to mental illness to the National Instant
Criminal Background Check System (NICS).

While addressing these efforts to improve public safety, the Legislature was careful to
protect individual liberties. Changes to the sex offender registry included a mechanism for
individuals to challenge the accuracy of information listed. Forfeiture of assets does not
occur unless an individual is actually convicted of a specific crimeunlike federal law that
does not require conviction. Finally, a person who is prohibited from owning a firearm
because of an adjudicated proceeding related to metal illness is eligible to have their right
restored if he or she successfully complete a proscribed process.

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Fighting off Fraud (Martin LaLonde)

The Legislature enacted a law that penalizes those who knowingly submit false or
fraudulent claims to the state. Full enforcement of this law should bring revenues to the
state while also providing a further deterrent to those who would defraud the government.
Addressing a separate type of fraud, the Legislature amended laws related to home
improvement, making it easier for prosecutors to prove that a contractor has engaged in
home improvement fraud.

False Claims Act: The Vermont False Claims Act improves the states ability to recover
penalties from businesses and others who defraud state government. It helps detect fraud
by providing incentives to individuals to bring actions against companies that have made
false claims in their dealings with the state. The state stands to collect significant money
should the Legislature enact the law.
Our law is modeled after the federal False Claims Act, which has resulted in the recovery by
the U.S. of billions of dollars. The federal law is frequently used to address Medicaid fraud,
including in Vermont. Because Medicaid is a joint federal and state program, approximately
46% of any recovery in such actions is shared with Vermont. To give states an incentive to
enact their own False Claims Act, and thus increase recovery of funds, the U.S. Congress has
provided that any state adopting such an act would receive an additional 10% of any
Medicaid-related recoveries.
Home Improvement Fraud: To improve consumer protections for homeowners
contracting for home improvement services, Act 13 makes it easier for prosecutors to
prove that a contractor has engaged in home improvement fraud. It had been nearly
impossible to prosecute such fraud because the law had required a showing that a
contractor had promised performance that he or she did not intend to perform or knew
would not be performed. Proving such intent was an obstacle to enforcing this law. Act 13
instead requires only that the contractor has failed to perform the contract or agreement
and has failed to refund any payment made by the owner.
Repairing our Criminal Justice System (Martin LaLonde)

House Judiciary took testimony on an important bill that broadly reforms Vermonts
criminal justice system. The bill would reduce the number of crimes punishable as felonies;
eliminate jail time for non-violent offenders; prevent people from being kept in jail past the
end of their sentence due to lack of housing; expand parole eligibility for individuals who
have serious medical conditions, were sentenced for an offense committed as a juvenile, or
are 65 years of age or older; and eliminate incarceration for violations of parole conditions
that are not new crimes. Although the bill was not advanced in this session, such issues will
likely be at the forefront of the committees work next session, as it continues to deliberate
on the penalties for the various crimes, reduce costly incarceration rates, and minimize the
collateral consequences of conviction.

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Collateral Consequences of Conviction (Martin LaLonde) (long)

Criminal convictions often result in consequences for Vermonters beyond court-imposed
penalties and sentences, particularly for felons. For example, even after serving time and
paying penalties, rehabilitated or former youth offenders suffer from an inability to obtain
housing or employment because of their criminal record. Incarceration for non-violent
offenders is often costly and counterproductive.

Collateral consequences and counterproductive incarceration are particularly problematic
for juvenile offenders. Science shows that our brains continue to change and mature
throughout childhood and adolescence. Adolescents are more likely to act on impulse and
misread or misinterpret social cues, and less likely to pause to consider the consequences
of their actions, making them more likely to commit crimes. As long as their record follows
them, juvenile offenders will suffer the consequences of their errors long after they have
reached adulthood and completed the punishment for the crime.

The Legislature enacted a law that will alleviate the problem of collateral consequences and
counterproductive incarceration for juveniles by creating a quicker path to criminal record
expungement for those who committed crimes when younger than 25 years old. The House
also passed a bill seeking to change the law to allow States Attorneys to file more cases in
Family Court than Criminal Court when those cases involve juveniles. It ensures that a
juveniles record will not be public and fend off the collateral consequences of a conviction
traveling with him or her into adulthood. We anticipate that the Senate will address this bill
during the next session. Finally, in line with these important reforms of our juvenile justice
system, we prohibited the sentencing of life in prison without parole for minors.

Collateral Consequences of Conviction (Martin LaLonde) (Short)

To reduce the adverse collateral consequences for individuals who have committed certain
nonviolent crimes and who have served their time, we expanded the availability of
expungement in a comprehensive bill. It allows for wiping from the record convictions that
were based on conduct that has been decriminalized, such as convictions for possession of
marijuana in an amount that is no longer criminal, and for burglary. In addition, the bill
provides an alternative avenue for expungement of crimes committed by an individual who
was 25 years old or younger at the time of the qualifying offense. Under this provision such
a person can petition for expungement 5 years (as opposed to 10 to 20 years) after
satisfying the terms and conditions of his or her conviction and successfully completing a
term of public service programming as approved by the Community Justice Network. In
addition, the individual has to have paid any restitution order of the Court and cannot have
been convicted of a later crime. The Court also must find that the expungement serves the
interest of justice.

Internet Protections I (Barbara Rachelson)

After several years of debating how to combat the growing number of people harmed by
nonconsensual disclosure of sexually explicit images, the Legislature passed a law that

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would make the act unlawful. The crime is popularly but sometimes misleadingly referred
to as revenge porn because not all perpetrators are motivated by vengeance. Many act
out of a desire for profit, notoriety, or entertainment. Creating explicit images within the
context of a private, intimate relationship is an increasingly common practice, but often
occurs with the expectation of privacy.

A vengeful ex-partner, hacker, or rapist may upload an explicit image to pornographic
websites with the victims name, contact information, and links to social media profiles.
Some websites charge a fee to have the materials removed. In a matter of days, the image
can dominate the first entries of search engine results using the victims name and remain
quite publicly exhibited to the victims family, employers, co-workers, and peers. Victims
experience a loss of reputation and opportunity, and are frequently threatened with sexual
assault, stalked, harassed, fired from jobs, and forced to change schools. Some victims have
committed suicide. Whether images were made with or without a victims knowledge
and even if they were selfies sent to a lover the nonconsensual publication of private,
sexually explicit material is an act of aggression akin to sexual harassment. Like other
forms of abuse, this phenomenon has become another way for someone to exert power and
control. This harmful act is not new, but its prevalence and impact have increased in recent
years, nationally and in Vermont. Sixteen states have revenge porn laws and bills have been
introduced in another 21 this year. Senator Patrick Leahy has been a vocal champion for
criminalizing revenge porn in the US Senate.

The revenge porn bill creates penalties to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions,
ensures that the victims receive remuneration or other remedies, and serves as a deterrent
to those who would otherwise consider harming someone in this way. The new law
includes a misdemeanor for a less severe offense and a felony for posting an image for
financial gain and causing harm. There are exceptions for voluntary exposure in public or
commercial settings related to free speech, and for disclosures made in the public interest
such as law enforcement, court proceedings, and medical treatment. The bill also creates a
private cause of action against a defendant who violates the law and causes the plaintiff
emotional distress or economic loss.

Internet Protections II (Martin LaLonde)

The Legislature took steps to enhance public safety by creating criminal sanctions and civil
remedies for knowingly disclosing a visual image of an identifiable person who is nude or
who is engaged in sexual conduct, without his or her consent, with the intent to harm,
harass, intimidate, threaten, or coerce the person depicted. The bill creates exceptions for
voluntary exposure in public or commercial settings, and disclosures made in the public
interest such as law enforcement, court proceedings and medical treatment. The act also
prohibits a website from charging a fee for the removal of such images or for the removal of
booking photographs (mug shots). Finally, the act amends 2014 Acts and Resolves No. 141
to expand the scope of practice for Level II certified law enforcement officers.

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Sex Offender Registry (Martin LaLonde)

The General Assembly passed two bills related to the Sex Offender Registry that assist in
protecting public safety. Act 1 requires inmates to report to the Sex Offender Registry prior
to their release from a correctional facility. It addresses offenders who are "maxing out"
their sentences and are leaving a corrections facility without any further supervision or
contact with the Department of Corrections. It ensures that Vermonters know when these
sex offenders have come into their community so that precautions can be taken.

The General Assembly also passed a bill that will modify procedures related to placement
on the Sex Offender Registry. Currently, the Department of Public Safety administers the
Registry, making decisions as to the posting of an offenders information to the Registry
before his or her release from incarceration. The bill will instead have a court make
determinations related to an offenders inclusion on the Registry at the time of sentencing,
deciding whether the offender should be placed on the Registry and, if so, for how long.

The bill protects the rights of individuals by providing a procedure to allow individuals to
challenge the information on, or to request removal from, the Registry. These changes were
prompted by audits of the Registrys error-rate, which were performed to determine
whether address information would be included on the Internet version of the Registry.
The bill imposes a high standard of accuracy before an individuals address information can
be placed on the Internet Registry, which would be widely available to the public.

Juvenile Justice (Martin LaLonde)

Science shows that the brain continues to change and mature throughout childhood and
adolescence. Due to the stage of their brain development, adolescents are more likely to
act on impulse and misread or misinterpret social cues, and less likely to think twice,
change their mind, or pause to consider the consequences of their actions. The Judiciary
Committee has recognized this as it has delved into issues related to juvenile justice.

The Legislature passed a bill that prohibits sentences of life without parole for a person
who committed his or her offense as a minor. The United States is the only country in the
world that sentences its children to life imprisonment without the possibility of release or
parole. No inmates are currently serving such a sentence in Vermont. Nevertheless, this bill
recognizes that, because their brains are not fully developed, juvenile offenders are less
culpable and have the unique ability to be rehabilitated. The bill does not guarantee
release. Rather, it provides the opportunity for an offender to demonstrate rehabilitation
to a parole board. This bill will ensure that Vermont is in compliance with a series of recent
U.S. Supreme Court decisions related to the Eighth Amendment, which prohibits cruel and
unusual punishment. It promotes a common sense policy that protects public safety and
recognizes that juvenile offenders are different than adult offenders.

In addition, the House passed H.95, which relates to jurisdiction over delinquency
proceedings by the Family Division of the Superior Court. The objective of the bill is to
ensure that States Attorneys file more cases involving juveniles in the Family Division of

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state court, where certain confidentiality and other procedural protections are in place,
rather than in adult criminal court, which lacks such protections. The Senate has not taken
action on this bill.

Firearm Possession (Martin LaLonde)

Act 14 enhances public safety by prohibiting violent felons from owning firearms and
requiring state courts to submit to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System
the names of those whom a court has adjudged to be a danger to themselves or others due
to mental illness. In addition, it protects individual liberties by establishing a process for
individuals who are no longer adjudged to be a danger to themselves or others to regain
their rights to purchase and possess firearms. The act both respects the Second
Amendment and protects public safety.

Access to Weapons (Sam Young)

The Legislature approved a bill that places restrictions on the possession or purchase of
guns by certain persons. The bill makes it illegal under state law for people convicted of
violent felonies to possess a gun. This is already illegal under federal law, and this would
make Vermont the final state to adopt a parallel law to allow State's Attorneys to charge it
as a crime. The bill also requires that anyone who has been adjudicated mentally ill be
reported to the federal background check database. This should not be confused with just
anyone who has sought help for a mental illness. This would only be in cases where
someone who has been found Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity, Incompetent to Stand Trial,
or has been adjudicated by a judge to be a danger to themselves or others. Finally, the bill
also creates a process by which those who have been adjudicated mentally ill at one point
in their life to apply to have their ability to possess a firearm restored.

The issues around mental health were intensely personal and were debated at length.
After changes were made to the bill in the House, the Vermont Federation of Sportsmen's
Clubs (Vermont Chapter of the NRA) removed their opposition and remained neutral on
the legislation.

Forfeiture (Martin LaLonde)

The Legislature passed a bill that will offset certain law enforcement costs and provide
revenue to the State through creating a procedure for forfeiture of property associated
with certain regulated drug possession, sale, and trafficking violations and with dog
fighting. The bill allows the state to seek forfeiture of such property after an individual has
been convicted of the underlying crime. Proceeds from the forfeiture are first used to cover
expenses related to the storage, care, or sale of the property. Of the remaining proceeds,
40% is provided to the Governors Criminal Justice and Substance Abuse Cabinet for
disbursement to law enforcement agencies and 60% is deposited into the general fund.
The bill also creates a crime for the possession of equipment and paraphernalia possessed
for the purpose of dog fighting.

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Collection of Child Support (Martin LaLonde)

By amending the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA), Act 16 improves the
enforcement of Vermont child support orders abroad and ensures that children residing in
Vermont will receive the financial support due from parents, wherever they reside. UIFSA,
originally enacted in Vermont in 1996, establishes uniform rules for interstate enforcement
of both child support and spousal support orders. The law has two overall goals: first, only
one support order should control the parties obligations at any given point in time, and
second, the terms of the support order should be readily enforceable in any state. UIFSA
helps ensure that children are being supported when a noncustodial parent owing support
resides in a different state than the child. There are roughly 15 million child support cases
nationwide and about half of these involve parents in different states or countries.

Increasingly, it is important to have uniformity not just among states, but also among
countries. To that end, in November 2007, the United States signed a treaty establishing
uniform procedures for processing international child support cases, which the Uniform
Law Commission incorporated into proposed amendments to UIFSA. This bill incorporates
those changes into Vermonts UIFSA.

Child Protection (Martin LaLonde)

To better ensure that our laws protect children, the Legislature revised the law to
designate lewd and lascivious conduct with a child as a violent offense for the purpose of
bail determination. This change ensures that denial of bail is an option in cases where the
defendant is charged with lewd and lascivious acts with a child, the evidence of guilt is
great, and the Court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the persons release poses
a substantial threat of physical violence to any person and that no conditions of release will
reasonably prevent the physical violence. The bill also restricts the Courts ability to order
release to the custody of a responsible adult as a pretrial condition to cases where the
defendant is charged with a violent offense.

Transportation
Changing our Transportation Habits (Curt MacCormack)

The Vermont Transportation Board commissioned a study of the Millennial Generation
(people aged 22 39) and transportation. The results are very encouraging. New drivers
licenses, new car registrations and miles driven per person have all been on a decline since
2005 for all ages in the U.S. But the change has been driven by young people. The study of
Vermont Millennials finds that our youth are consistent with this trend. Clearly, this is
related to the 21% increase in public transit we have seen in the State in the last ten years.
This moment in time needs to be exploited for all it is worth. Thanks to the Millennials, it is
time to begin a great shift from almost exclusive automobile transportation to mass transit
and walkable, bikable communities with infrastructure that encourages these modes, not
the present infrastructure that discourages it.

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Amtrak Trains, the Ethan Allen Express, and the Vermonter (Curt MacCormack)

Ridership numbers on both trains continues to grow. The more fares the trains receive, to
lower the State subsidy. It is the State that benefits from increased revenues from fares, not
as much, Amtrak. The Vermonter no longer travels through Palmer, MA where it used to
have to turn around and add 17 miles to the trip. The new route stops at Northampton and
Greenfield, MA, Holyoke will be added soon as well. The only lost stop was Amherst, which
is not far from Northampton. There is more track work needed on the new route and until
that work is completed the schedule times are the same as they were however, when the
work is finished, the new route will shave about 25 minutes off of the schedule.
Negotiations continue with Montreal to terminate the train there instead of St. Albans.

Commuter Train Study (Curt MacCormack)

A commuter train that would run from Burlington and St. Albans to Montpelier is in the
2015 (FY 16) Transportation Construction bill. Ridership on public transit and Amtrak has
been on the rise for the past ten years and studies indicate this trend is going to continue.
The proposal has never had a comprehensive study before. Stops could include Winooski,
Essex Jct, IBM plant, Richmond and Waterbury. Future extensions could include Barre,
Middlebury, Shelburne and South Burlington.

Transparency in Road Maintenance (Sarah Buxton)

The State is responsible for maintaining over 3,200 miles of pavement, 4,000 bridges,
advancing hundreds of projects, and fixing thousands of smaller infrastructure projects
each year. To learn more about where specific roads (or segments), bridges, or projects are
in the queue for attention, visit http://vtrans.vermont.gov/projects.

Ways and Means

Paying for Promises We Keep (Sam Young) (short)

We began the session facing a substantial gap between revenue and appropriations,
creating real challenges in sustaining the states commitments to Vermonters. After more
than a half-dozen years of cautious budgeting, the opportunities to trim redundancy or
excess in the states budget had largely disappeared. In partnership with members from all
parties, we developed the most fiscally conservative revenue package possible so that the
most severe and ill-advised budget cuts could be avoided.

The House opted to raise the necessary funds by capping income tax deductions at 2.5
times the standard deduction. This only raised taxes on those who itemize deductions and
increased the progressively of our income tax and the burden was significantly born by the
wealthiest Vermonters. After long negotiations and veiled veto threats by the Governor a

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compromise was reached. The changes to the income tax still only affect those who itemize
their deductions. The changes removed the deductibility of prior years state income taxes
and capped other deductions at 2.5 times the standard deduction. Medical expenses and
charitable contributions are exempted from this cap. This reduced the overall progressively
of the tax package. It also established a 3% minimum tax for taxpayers making over
$150,000 per year as a percentage of their adjusted gross income. These changes raised a
total of $22.9 million dollars. The remainder of the necessary funds were raised by
applying the sales tax to soft drinks ($5.1M) and applying a meals tax to purchases from
vending machines ($1M) as is done in many other states.
Our revenue package promotes long-term sustainability by making structural changes to
the income tax that should result in increasing revenue from the income tax in subsequent
years and help minimize subsequent budget gaps.
Paying for Promises We Keep (Sam Young, Sarah Buxton) (long)
We began the session facing a substantial gap between revenue and appropriations,
creating real challenges in sustaining the states commitments to Vermonters. After more
than a half-dozen years of cautious budgeting, the opportunities to trim redundancy or
excess in the states budget had largely disappeared. In partnership with members from all
parties, we developed the most fiscally conservative revenue package possible so that the
most severe and ill-advised budget cuts could be avoided.
The House opted to raise the necessary funds by capping income tax deductions at 2.5
times the standard deduction. This only raised taxes on those who itemize deductions and
increased the progressively of our income tax and the burden was significantly born by the
wealthiest Vermonters. By limiting the ability of taxpayers to deduct certain expenses,
more money remains in the taxable portion of the formula, resulting in higher returns for
the State. Typically, changes of this kind are considered progressive (as opposed to
regressive) because they tend to impact taxpayers in the highest tax-brackets and mean
that their proportional tax contribution is boosted.
After long negotiations and veiled veto threats by the Governor a compromise was reached.
The changes to the income tax still only affect those who itemize their deductions. The
changes removed the deductibility of prior years state income taxes and capped other
deductions at 2.5 times the standard deduction. Medical expenses and charitable
contributions are exempted from this cap. When applied to actual numbers, the impact is
easier to grasp. For example, a typical married couple would still be eligible to deduct about
$30,000 from their taxes for qualifying items. The amount a taxpayer paid in Vermont
income taxes from the previous year will also no longer be deductible from current year
income.
The revenue bill also established a 3% minimum tax for taxpayers making over $150,000
per year as a percentage of their adjusted gross income. These changes raised a total of
$22.9 million dollars. The remaining funds needed to balance the budget were raised by
applying the sales tax to soft drinks ($5.1M) and applying the meals tax to purchases from

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vending machines ($1M). Note that vending machine sales are not taxed twice; they incur
the meals tax, but not the sales tax.
Our revenue package promotes long-term sustainability by making structural changes to
the income tax that should result in increasing revenue from the income tax in subsequent
years and help minimize subsequent budget gaps.
Current Use (Alison Clarkson, Sarah Buxton) (short)
Current Use is among the most successful conservation program in Vermont. Over one
third of Vermonts 6 million acres of land is enrolled in our Current Use program. Nearly
two-thirds of the acres are forestland while the remaining third is in active agricultural use.
These acres represent about 18,000 parcels and 14,500 owners, 75% of who are Vermont
residents. Enacted in 1978, this program allows the tax rate for lands in active agriculture
and forestry to be calculated on their use value rather than their real estate development
value. This has helped Vermont maintain open landscapes and scenic beauty upon which
our dairy, forestry, specialty foods, furniture and tourism industries have been built.
Given the current pressure on the property tax, the Legislature acted this year to make sure
the program is used for its intended purpose and not abused. We reinstated a meaningful
penalty when owners withdraw land for development and adopted measures to forge more
consistent methods for assessing conserved land value. In addition, we subjected Current
Use owners of agricultural lands that continue to be in violation of agricultural water
quality standards to removal from the program. Putting the teeth back into the programs
penalties will help rebalance the finances of this program and reduce abuse of Current Use.
Current Use (Alison Clarkson) (long)
Current Use is among the most successful conservation program in Vermont. Over one
third of Vermonts 6 million acres of land is enrolled in our Current Use program. Nearly
two-thirds of the acres are forestland while the remaining third is in active agricultural use.
These acres represent about 18,000 parcels and 14,500 owners, 75% of who are Vermont
residents.
Enacted in 1978, this program allows the tax rate for lands in active agriculture and
forestry to be calculated on their use value rather than their real estate development value.
This has helped Vermont maintain open landscapes and scenic beauty upon which our
dairy, forestry, specialty foods, furniture and tourism industries have been built. Its success
has helped VT maintain its open landscape and scenic beauty upon which our dairy,
forestry, specialty foods, furniture and tourism industries have been built. It is estimated
that Current Use has an over $4 billion impact in VT from dairy, to specialty foods (meats,
cheeses and maple syrup) to the wood that heats our office buildings, homes and schools or
is used in making furniture, to the jobs that are sustained (butchers, loggers, farmers,
truckers, feed and seed businesses, vets, foresters, artists, furniture makers), to the huge
economic impact on our tourism industry.

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Given the current pressure on the property tax, the Legislature acted this year to make sure
the program is used for its intended purpose and not abused. We reinstated a meaningful
penalty when owners withdraw land for development and adopted measures to forge more
consistent methods for assessing conserved land value. In addition, we subjected Current
Use owners of agricultural lands that continue to be in violation of agricultural water
quality standards to removal from the program.
Each year we see between 3,000 to 5,000 acres removed from our Current Use program,
incurring penalties of about $500,000. In the future, with the new fair market value
penalty in place, we expect to see an increase in revenue from penalties and the
land use change tax of between $2.7 to $3 million a year. When coupled with the fiscal
impact of properties withdrawn under our short-term easy out provision, the FY2016
revenue from the program is expected to increase by $1.5 million increase.
Finding the governors proposal on Current Use unacceptable (enact a 3 year moratorium
on the program and tax farm buildings at 30% of their value) the Legislature proposed our
own plan to make the program more fair and financially sustainable. We reinstated a
meaningful penalty of 10% of fair market value when owners withdraw land for
development. Immediate family members will still be able to step into the shoes of the
previous owner allowing the land to be continuously enrolled. New owners may keep the
land in Current Use but would have to re-enroll it and start the clock afresh.
Putting the teeth back into the penalty will help rebalance the finances of this program
and reduce abuse of Current Use by deterring short-term enrollment of land not intended
for long-term agricultural and forestry use. Our reform provides an easy out, that allows a
landowner to remove all or parcel of a property from the program. Having discovered that
the rate at which the state reimburses towns is wildly inequitable, even among
similar towns, the Legislature developed a process to look at the municipal reimbursement
rates and create a consistent method of assessing enrolled land.
Funding Clean Water (Jim Masland, Janet Ancel)

A key part of ensuring that we meet our water quality improvement goals rests in our
commitment to adequately fund these efforts. Approximately $8 million will be raised
through a myriad of sources to help assist municipalities in complying with requirements
and implementation schedules and support the required staffing to administer and
implement technical assistance and enforcement.

The largest revenue source for this effort is a surcharge on the property transfer tax of
.20% of the purchase price of the property, raising $6 million each year. The Legislature
chose this funding source because it is paid throughout the state, uses an existing tax (the
property transfer tax), and therefore doesnt require any new infrastructure or rules to
implement. It is a surcharge and will sunset in a few years. We also raised existing
agricultural fees and environmental fees (e.g. potable water, stormwater, and fees for
medium and large farms, etc.) to pay for positions in the Agency of Agriculture and Agency
of Natural Resources to help farmers and municipalities reduce pollutant runoff. The

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Legislature rejected a proposal to add a $15 fee to every parcel of land, which would have
been collected as an additional property tax.

Investing in Health Care (Sarah Buxton)

At the start of the session, the Governor proposed a new .07% payroll tax on employers
that would raise $90 million to increase Medicaid reimbursements and other healthcare
related initiatives. Alternative proposals for funding health care included a tiered increase
in employer assessments, the expansion of products subject to sales tax, an increase and
expansion of the tobacco tax, and a per-ounce tax on sugar-sweetened beverages.
Advocates for each proposal argued the importance of creating an adequate, sustainable
source of funding that has a clear nexus with our broad health care reform goals.

After arduous deliberation in each chamber, in the committee of conference, and with the
Administration, the Legislature agreed to increase the tobacco tax on cigarettes by $ .33 per
pack. A proportional increase on the tax on other tobacco products was also approved. The
taxing of electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) was not included in agreed upon package. In total,
these changes will raise $3.2 million to support important health care reform initiatives
and lessen the impact of out-of-pocket health care costs on the under-insured.

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