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For the most current legislative updates visit our Legislative Blog!

VBRA Legislative and Government Affairs Program covers local, county, state, and federal issues, and works to protect the industry from onerous regulations that could raise the cost of housing. In coordination with the VBRA staff, the committee works hard to:

  • Monitor and review codes, ordinances and legislation which directly impact the homebuilding industry
  • Communicate with elected officials and policy makers regarding our industry issues
  • Formulate and advocate for needed changes, and
  • Educate members of the Association about current issues, new laws, regulatory and administrative matters.

The committee works closely with business groups and trade associations on state issues and has direct contact with state legislators as well as town and city officials. Although the program's primary focus is at the state and local levels, the committee monitors and provides input on federal legislation through the National Association of Home Builders as well as directly contacting our Federal officials. It is important for Vermont's future that VBRA succeed in ensuring Vermont's housing market is open to all income levels.  

How can you support our efforts?

  • Join the Legislative Committee
  • Contact representatives when the VBRA puts out a legislative alert bulletin
  • Attend the Legislative Breakfast
  • Contribute to the Legislative Agenda Fund


The Annual Golf Tournament supports the Legislative and Government Affairs programs -

Sign up YOUR Team as a Fun Way to Support the Cause!

Legislative Updates:


VBRA  2024 Legislative Activity Update

Top issues important to our members:

  • Residential Building Energy Standards (RBES)
  • Workforce – Career technical education related to construction
  • Housing – Permitting, land use
  • Labor – Workplace regulations, wages, unemployment
  • Taxation – Property, rooms and meals, and cloud taxes


Some key legislation VBRA is following:

  • Building Energy Standards/Residential Building Code
  • Housing/Act 250
  • Workforce Development and CTE
  • Education Property Tax
  • Paid Family and Medical Leave
  • Labor Bills
  • 32-Hour Work Week
  • Contractor / subcontractor liability


VBRA Live Legislative Tracker

Residential Building Energy Standards

S.253

H.792

H.793

Act 250

S.311

H.687


Bill Title & Info Note Status Position
* H 687
 An Act Relating To Community Resilience And Biodiversity Protection Through Land Use
Rep. Amy Sheldon; Rep. Seth Bongartz
House Environment and Energy		 The major Act 250 bill House Environment and Energy. Moves appeals from courts to a new ERB. Read first time and referred to the Committee on Environment and Energy (1/9) High Priority
* H 719
 An Act Relating To Housing Development And Unit Rehabilitation
Rep. Ashley Bartley; Rep. Katherine Sims; Rep. Lisa Hango;  et al.
House Environment and Energy		 Governor's language on Act 250 modernization. Language from this bill will largely be moved to Senate Econ Dev committee bill. Read first time and referred to the Committee on Environment and Energy (1/10) High Priority
* H 792
 An Act Relating To The Residential And Commercial Building Energy Standards
Rep. R. Scott Campbell; Rep. Avram Patt; Rep. Barbara Rachelson;  et al.
House Environment and Energy		 Rep. Campbell's RBES / residential building code bill. Read first time and referred to the Committee on Environment and Energy (1/16) High Priority
* H 793
 An Act Relating To Studying The Adoption Of A Residential Building Code
Rep. R. Scott Campbell; Rep. Avram Patt; Rep. Barbara Rachelson;  et al.
House General and Housing		 Creates a study committee for IRC. Read first time and referred to the Committee on General and Housing (1/16) High Priority
* S 213
 An Act Relating To The Regulation Of Wetlands, River Corridor Development, And Dam Safety
Sen. Christopher Bray; Sen. Alison Clarkson; Sen. Andrew Perchlik;  et al.
Senate Natural Resources and Energy		 Wetlands shall be regulated and managed to produce a net gain of wetlands acreage. 2:1 ratio.

Changes dam ownership to strict liability.		 Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Natural Resources and Energy (1/4) High Priority
* S 253
 An Act Relating To Building Energy Codes
Sen. Christopher Bray; Sen. Rebecca White; Sen. Ruth Hardy
Senate Natural Resources and Energy		 This is Sen Bray's RBES bill. Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Natural Resources and Energy (1/11) High Priority
* S 308
 An Act Relating To Updates To Land Use Planning
Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy
Senate Natural Resources and Energy		 Senate Natural Resources Act 250 bill. Likely a placeholder. Gives the committee some framework for discussion.. until the get the bill from Senate Economic Development Committee. Committed to Committee on Natural Resources and Energy on motion of Senator Bray (1/31) High Priority
* S 311
 An Act Relating To Bringing Everyone Home
Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs
Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs		 This is the omnibus / Act 250 bill from the Senate Economic Develoment Committee.  Committee Bill for Second Reading (2/20) High Priority
H 850
 An Act Relating To Transitioning Education Financing To The New System For Pupil Weighting
House Committee on Ways and Means
House Appropriations; Senate Finance; House Ways and Means		 This is the bill intended to deal owth the education property tax crisis. This bill proposes to replace the transition mechanism from Act 127 of 2022 with a new mechanism to help school districts adapt to the new system for pupil weighting. This bill proposes to allow school districts to cancel a district vote on the fiscal year 2025 budget, amend the proposed budget, and hold a vote at a later date Favorable report by Committee on Finance (2/20) Monitor
* H 66
 An Act Relating To Paid Family And Medical Leave Insurance
 This issue is a priority for the House in FY24. The Senate has not shown any interest in taking up the bill. Governor Scott launched Governor Scott Launches Vermont Family and Medical Leave Insurance Plan. Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs (3/29) Monitor
H 337
 An Act Relating To The Classification Of Independent Contractors
 No action. Read first time and referred to the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development (2/22) Monitor
H 648
 An Act Relating To Contractor Licensing
Rep. Emma Mulvaney-Stanak
House Government Operations and Military Affairs		 This bill proposes to require contractors in the State to be licensed, based on the state of Washington’s contractor licensing requirements, including registration, bonding, insurance, and consumer protections regarding transparent cost estimates.

Action unlikely.		 Read first time and referred to the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs (1/4) Monitor
H 217
 An Act Relating To Child Care, Early Education, Workers' Compensation, And Unemployment Insurance
 Law. Act 76. Childcare bill.

Starting on Jan. 1, 2024, the state will reimburse child care providers at a rate 35% higher than in fiscal year 2023 — enabling them to significantly raise wages.

Paid for by .44% payroll tax beginning July 1, 2024.		 Delivered to Secretary of State on June 23, 2023 (6/20)
H 530
 An Act Relating To Increasing The Property Tax Credit Housesite Value Exclusion
Rep. James Harrison
House Ways and Means		 Income Sensitivity. This bill proposes to increase by 25 percent the housesite value exclusion used to calculate the homestead property tax credit. Read first time and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means (1/3)
H 540
 An Act Relating To The Siting Of Tiny Houses
Rep. Michelle Bos-Lun; Rep. Brian Cina; Rep. Ela Chapin;  et al.
House Environment and Energy		 This bill proposes to require municipal zoning to allow the construction or placement of a tiny house on a lot of one or more acres as a permitted use. Two tiny houses shall be a permitted use on lots of two or more acres. The tiny house is not required to have wastewater capacity if a single-family home is already constructed on the lot and the occupant of the tiny house is related to the occupant of the single family house.

Action unlikely.		 Read first time and referred to the Committee on Environment and Energy (1/3)
H 610
 An Act Relating To Making Home Modifications For Safety And Livability
Rep. Mary-Katherine Stone; Rep. Elizabeth Burrows; Rep. Emilie Krasnow
House Ways and Means		 This bill proposes to create a personal income tax credit for home modifications that enhance safety and livability.

Action unlikely		 Read first time and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means (1/3)
H 652
 An Act Relating To Updates To The Home Act
Rep. Seth Bongartz
House Environment and Energy		 Technical updates to Act 47 Read first time and referred to the Committee on Environment and Energy (1/5)
H 675
 An Act Relating To Issuing Grants For Permanent Supportive Housing
Rep. Michelle Bos-Lun; Rep. Brian Cina; Rep. Emma Mulvaney-Stanak;  et al.
House General and Housing		 This bill proposes to require the Agency of Human Services to establish a grant program for acquisition of or acquisition and renovation of permanent supportive housing sites by municipalities or other entities. Read first time and referred to the Committee on General and Housing (1/5)
H 683
 An Act Relating To Modernizing The State Designated Areas Program
Rep. Seth Bongartz
House Environment and Energy		 This bill proposes to update the State Designated Areas Program by streamlining the designations and changing the application process. Read first time and referred to the Committee on Environment and Energy (1/9)
H 686
 An Act Relating To Measuring Progress Toward Statewide And Regional Housing Targets
Rep. Ashley Bartley; Rep. Brian Cina; Rep. Caleb Elder;  et al.
House General and Housing		 This bill proposes to require the Housing Division within the Department of Housing and Community Development to measure progress toward the statewide and regional housing targets published in the Statewide Housing Needs Assessment and to report annually through 2030 on the Division’s findings and any recommendations for accelerating progress toward the statewide and regional housing targets. Read first time and referred to the Committee on General and Housing (1/9)
H 713
 An Act Relating To Establishing A 32-hour Workweek
Rep. Monique Priestley; Rep. Emma Mulvaney-Stanak; Rep. Jonathan Williams;  et al.
House General and Housing		 This bill proposes to establish a 32- hour workweek by requiring employers to pay overtime for hours worked in excess of 32 and making corresponding amendments to other employment statutes. Read first time and referred to the Committee on General and Housing (1/9)
H 715
 An Act Relating To Climate Change Resilience Under Act 250
Rep. James Harrison; Rep. Katherine Sims; Rep. Laura Sibilia;  et al.
House Environment and Energy		 Action unlikely Read first time and referred to the Committee on Environment and Energy (1/10)
H 723
 An Act Relating To Flood Recovery
Rep. Conor Casey; Rep. Jonathan Williams; Rep. Kate McCann;  et al.
House Environment and Energy		 Omnibus flood recovery and resilience bill. $85 million. Read first time and referred to the Committee on Environment and Energy (1/10)
H 746
 An Act Relating To Unemployment Insurance Eligibility And Benefits
Rep. Dennis LaBounty
House Commerce and Economic Development		 Action Unlikely Read first time and referred to the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development (1/11)
H 751
 An Act Relating To Expanding Equal Pay Protections
Rep. Robin Chesnut-Tangerman; Rep. Caleb Elder; Rep. Dennis LaBounty;  et al.
Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs; House General and Housing		 This bill proposes to extend equal pay protections to individuals in all protected classes. In addition to sex, race, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity, adds: color, religion, ancestry, place of birth, crime victim status, or age. Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs (2/13)
H 757
 An Act Relating To A Property Transfer Tax Surcharge To Fund Housing
Rep. Tesha Buss
House Ways and Means		 This bill proposes to create an optional property transfer tax surcharge on properties transferred with a value of $1,000,000.00 or greater. Read first time and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means (1/11)
H 758
 An Act Relating To The Local Property Tax Exemption For Homes And Dwellings
Rep. Tesha Buss
House Ways and Means		 This bill proposes to amend the local property tax exemption for homes and dwellings. A town may vote to exempt from taxes the first $75,000.00 $125,000.00 or a smaller amount of the appraised value of buildings used and occupied exclusively as homes, dwelling houses, or farm buildings. Not for short-term rentals. Read first time and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means (1/11)
H 760
 An Act Relating To Act 250 Transparency
Rep. Tesha Buss; Rep. Ashley Bartley; Rep. Caleb Elder;  et al.
House Environment and Energy		 Would require NRB to post on its website all previous decisions of the Environmental Court including all pleadings and attachments and all previous decisions by the District Commissions. All documentation that is part of an application. Read first time and referred to the Committee on Environment and Energy (1/11)
H 768
 An Act Relating To Municipal Delegation Of Act 250 Authority
Rep. Gabrielle Stebbins
House Environment and Energy		 This bill proposes to create a process for municipalities to be delegated authority to review development in lieu of Act 250 permits. Language may be considered inother Act 250 bills. Read first time and referred to the Committee on Environment and Energy (1/11)
H 856
 An Act Relating To Medical Leave For A Serious Injury
Rep. Thomas Stevens; Rep. Avram Patt; Rep. Carol Ode;  et al.
House General and Housing		 Read first time and referred to the Committee on General and Housing (2/14)
S 45
 An Act Relating To An Elective Pass-through Entity Income Tax And Credit
Sen. Thomas Chittenden; Sen. Alison Clarkson; Sen. Kesha Ram Hinsdale;  et al.
Senate Finance; House Ways and Means		 SALT tax workaround Rep. Harrison of Chittenden moved to relieve the Committee on Ways and Means, which was disagreed to (5/12)
* S 100
 An Act Relating To Housing Opportunities Made For Everyone
Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs
House Appropriations; Senate Appropriations; Senate Finance; House Ways and Means; Senate Natural Resources and Energy; House General and Housing; House Environment and Energy		 Law. Act 47. Senate Message, signed by Governor June 5, 2023 (5/12)
S 102
 An Act Relating To Expanding Employment Protections And Collective Bargaining Rights
Sen. Kesha Ram Hinsdale; Sen. Alison Clarkson; Sen. Andrew Perchlik;  et al.
Senate Appropriations; Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs; House General and Housing		 An employer shall not discharge, discipline, penalize, or otherwise discriminate against, or threaten thereof an employee because the employee declines to attend or participate in an employer-sponsored meeting that has the primary purpose of communicating the employer’s opinion about religious or political matters. Read first time and referred to the Committee on General and Housing (4/5)
S 103
 An Act Relating To Amending The Prohibitions Against Discrimination
Sen. Kesha Ram Hinsdale; Sen. Alison Clarkson; Sen. Andrew Perchlik;  et al.
House Education; Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs; House General and Housing		 Law. Act 80. Harassment and discrimination need not be severe or pervasive to be unlawful. Prohibit agreements to settle a claim of employment discrimination from including a provision that prevents the employee from working for the employer or an affiliate of the employer in the future. Senate Message, signed by Governor June 28, 2023 (6/20)
S 228
 An Act Relating To Requiring A Jurisdictional Opinion To Be Exempt From Act 250
Sen. Wendy Harrison; Sen. Anne Watson; Sen. Irene Wrenner
Senate Natural Resources and Energy		 This bill proposes to only require a jurisdictional opinion for projects temporarily exempt from Act 250 if the project will not be complete by June 30, 2026. Refers to the 3-year trial period of increasing jurisdiction to 25 units in Act 47(S.100) Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Natural Resources and Energy (1/9)
S 275
 An Act Relating To Municipal Ordinances Governing Unoccupied Commercial Buildings
Sen. Wendy Harrison; Sen. Alison Clarkson; Sen. Andrew Perchlik
Senate Government Operations		 This bill proposes to authorize municipalities to assess a civil penalty to the owner of a commercial property that remains unoccupied and vacant for any 180-day period. Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Government Operations (1/17)
S 294
 An Act Relating To Minimum Timeframes To Act On Applications Related To The Development Of Housing
Sen. Randolph Brock
Senate Natural Resources and Energy		 This bill proposes to require municipalities to act upon applications for the development of housing within 60 days following the submission of an application for development. Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Natural Resources and Energy (1/17)
       



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