| 1 | | - | BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.127 |
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| 2 | | - | 2025 Page1of54 |
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| 3 | | - | S.127 |
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| 4 | | - | IntroducedbyCommitteeonEconomicDevelopment,HousingandGeneral |
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| 5 | | - | Affairs |
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| 6 | | - | Date:March18,2025 |
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| 7 | | - | Subject:Housing;housingprograms;conservationanddevelopment;landuse; |
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| 8 | | - | municipalzoning;VermontBondBank;taxationandfinance;tax |
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| 9 | | - | credits |
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| 10 | | - | Statementofpurposeofbillasintroduced:Thisbillproposestomake |
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| 11 | | - | multiplechangesrelatedtohousingprograms.Specifically,thebillproposes |
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| 12 | | - | tomakeamendmentstotheVermontRentalHousingImprovementProgram |
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| 13 | | - | andcreatetheManufacturedHomeImprovementandRepairProgram,create |
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| 14 | | - | theVermontInfrastructureSustainabilityFund,allowfortaxcreditsforthe |
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| 15 | | - | First-GenerationHomebuyerandDownPaymentAssistanceProgram,make |
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| 16 | | - | changestotheBrownfieldPropertyCleanupProgram,createastudy |
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| 17 | | - | committeerelatedtodisabilityhousing,andrequiremultiplehousing-related |
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| 18 | | - | reports.ThisbilladditionallyproposestocreatetheCommunityHousing |
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| 19 | | - | InfrastructureProgram,administeredbytheVermontEconomicProgress |
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| 20 | | - | Council,toauthorizemunicipalitiestousetaxincrementfinancingtopayfor |
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| 21 | | - | infrastructurethatwillstimulatethedevelopmentofhousing. |
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| 22 | | - | Anactrelatingtohousingandhousingdevelopment |
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| 42 | | - | 20 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.127 |
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| 43 | | - | 2025 Page2of54 |
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| 44 | | - | ItisherebyenactedbytheGeneralAssemblyoftheStateofVermont: |
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| 45 | | - | ***VermontRentalHousingImprovementProgram*** |
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| 46 | | - | Sec.1.10V.S.A.§ 699isamendedtoread: |
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| 47 | | - | §699.VERMONTRENTALHOUSINGIMPROVEMENT PROGRAM |
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| 48 | | - | (a)CreationofProgram. |
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| 49 | | - | *** |
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| 50 | | - | (5)(A)TheDepartmentmaycooperatewithandsubgrantfundstoState |
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| 51 | | - | agenciesandgovernmentalsubdivisionsandpublicandprivateorganizations |
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| 52 | | - | inordertocarryoutthepurposesofthissubsection(a). |
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| 53 | | - | (B)Solelywithregardstoactionsundertakenpursuanttothis |
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| 54 | | - | subdivision(5),entities,includinggrantees,subgrantees,andcontractorsofthe |
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| 55 | | - | State,shallbeexemptfromtheprovisionsof8V.S.A.chapter73(licensed |
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| 56 | | - | lenders,mortgagebrokers,mortgageloanoriginators,salesfinancecompanies, |
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| 57 | | - | andloansolicitationcompanies). |
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| 58 | | - | *** |
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| 59 | | - | (d)Programrequirementsapplicabletograntsandforgivableloans. |
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| 60 | | - | (1)(A)Agrantorloanshallnotexceed: |
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| 61 | | - | (i)$70,000.00perunit,forrehabilitationorcreationofaneligible |
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| 62 | | - | rentalhousingunitmeetingtheapplicablebuildingaccessibilityrequirements |
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| 63 | | - | undertheVermontAccessRules;or |
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| 85 | | - | (ii)$50,000.00perunit,forrehabilitationorcreationofanyother |
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| 86 | | - | eligiblerentalhousingunit.Uptoanadditional$20,000.00perunitmaybe |
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| 87 | | - | madeavailableforspecificelementsthatcollectivelybringtheunittothe |
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| 88 | | - | visitablestandardoutlinedintherulesadoptedbytheVermontAccessBoard. |
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| 89 | | - | *** |
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| 90 | | - | (e)Programrequirementsapplicabletograntsandfive-yearforgivable |
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| 91 | | - | loans.Foragrantorfive-yearforgivableloanawardedthroughtheProgram, |
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| 92 | | - | thefollowingrequirementsapplyforaminimumperiodoffiveyears: |
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| 93 | | - | (1)Alandlordshallcoordinatewithnonprofithousingpartnersand |
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| 94 | | - | localcoordinatedentryhomelessnessserviceorganizationsapprovedbythe |
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| 95 | | - | Departmenttoidentifypotentialtenants. |
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| 96 | | - | (2)(A)Exceptasprovidedinsubdivision(2)(B)ofthissubsection |
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| 97 | | - | subdivision(e)(2),alandlordshallleasetheunittoahouseholdthatis: |
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| 98 | | - | (i)exitinghomelessness,includinganyindividualunder25years |
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| 99 | | - | ofagewhosecureshousingthroughamasterleaseheldbyayouthservice |
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| 100 | | - | provideronbehalfofindividualsunder25yearsofage; |
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| 101 | | - | (ii)activelyworkingwithanimmigrantorrefugeeresettlement |
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| 102 | | - | program;or |
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| 103 | | - | (iii)composedofatleastoneindividualwithadisabilitywho |
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| 104 | | - | receivesoriseligibleapprovedtoreceiveMedicaid-fundedhomeand |
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| 126 | | - | communitybasedhome-andcommunity-basedservicesorSocialSecurity |
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| 127 | | - | DisabilityInsurance; |
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| 128 | | - | (iv)displacedduetoactivityrelatedtoclimatechangeorduetoa |
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| 129 | | - | naturaldisaster;or |
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| 130 | | - | (v)withapprovalfromtheDepartmentinwriting,anorganization |
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| 131 | | - | thatwillholdamasterleasethatexplicitlystatestheunitwillbeusedin |
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| 132 | | - | serviceofthepopulationsdescribedinthissubsection(e). |
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| 133 | | - | *** |
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| 134 | | - | (4)(A)Alandlordmayconvertagranttoaforgivableloanupon |
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| 135 | | - | approvaloftheDepartmentandthehousingorganizationthatapprovedthe |
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| 136 | | - | grant. |
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| 137 | | - | (B)Alandlordwhoconvertsagranttoaforgivableloanshallreceive |
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| 138 | | - | a10-percentproratedcreditforloanforgivenessforeachyearinwhichthe |
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| 139 | | - | landlordparticipatesintheProgram. |
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| 140 | | - | (f)Requirementsapplicableto10-yearforgivableloans.Fora10-year |
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| 141 | | - | forgivableloanawardedthroughtheProgram,thefollowingrequirements |
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| 142 | | - | applyforaminimumperiodof10years: |
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| 143 | | - | (1)Alandlordshallcoordinatewithnonprofithousingpartnersand |
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| 144 | | - | localcoordinatedentryorganizationstoidentifypotentialtenantsThetotal |
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| 145 | | - | costofrentfortheunit,includingutilitiesnotcoveredbyrentpayments,shall |
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| 146 | | - | notexceedtheapplicablefairmarketrentestablishedbytheDepartmentof |
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| 169 | | - | HousingandUrbanDevelopment,exceptthatalandlordmayacceptahousing |
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| 170 | | - | voucherthatexceedsfairmarketrent,ifavailable. |
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| 171 | | - | (2)(A)Exceptasprovidedinsubdivision(2)(B)ofthissubsection(f),a |
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| 172 | | - | landlordshallleasetheunittoahouseholdthatis: |
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| 173 | | - | (i)exitinghomelessness,includinganyindividualunder25years |
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| 174 | | - | ofagewhosecureshousingthroughamasterleaseheldbyayouthservice |
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| 175 | | - | provideronbehalfofindividualsunder25yearsofage; |
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| 176 | | - | (ii)activelyworkingwithanimmigrantorrefugeeresettlement |
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| 177 | | - | program;or |
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| 178 | | - | (iii)composedofatleastoneindividualwithadisabilitywhois |
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| 179 | | - | eligibletoreceiveMedicaid-fundedhomeandcommunitybasedservices. |
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| 180 | | - | (B)If,uponpetitionofthelandlord,theDepartmentorthehousing |
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| 181 | | - | organizationthatissuedthegrantdeterminesthatahouseholdunder |
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| 182 | | - | subdivision(2)(A)ofthissubsection(f)isnotavailabletoleasetheunit,then |
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| 183 | | - | thelandlordshallleasetheunit: |
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| 184 | | - | (i)toahouseholdwithanincomeequaltoorlessthan80percent |
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| 185 | | - | ofareamedianincome;or |
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| 186 | | - | (ii)ifsuchahouseholdisunavailable,toanotherhouseholdwith |
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| 187 | | - | theapprovaloftheDepartmentorhousingorganization. |
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| 188 | | - | (3)(A)Alandlordshallacceptanyhousingvouchersthatareavailable |
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| 189 | | - | topayall,oraportionof,thetenant’srentandutilities. |
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| 212 | | - | (B)IfnohousingvoucherorfederalorStatesubsidyisavailable,the |
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| 213 | | - | costofrentfortheunit,includingutilitiesnotcoveredbyrentpayments,shall |
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| 214 | | - | notexceedtheapplicablefairmarketrentestablishedbytheDepartmentof |
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| 215 | | - | HousingandUrbanDevelopment. |
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| 216 | | - | (4)TheDepartmentshallforgive10percentoftheaproratedamountof |
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| 217 | | - | aforgivableloanforeachyearalandlordparticipatesintheloanprogram. |
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| 218 | | - | *** |
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| 219 | | - | (i)CreationoftheVermontRentalHousingImprovementProgram |
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| 220 | | - | RevolvingFund.FundsrepaidorreturnedtotheDepartmentfromforgivable |
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| 221 | | - | loansorgrantsfundedbytheProgramshallreturntotheVermontRental |
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| 222 | | - | HousingImprovementRevolvingFundtobeusedforProgramexpenditures |
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| 223 | | - | andadministrativecostsatthediscretionoftheDepartment. |
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| 224 | | - | ***MHIR*** |
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| 225 | | - | Sec.2.10V.S.A.§ 700isaddedtoread: |
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| 226 | | - | § 700.VERMONTMANUFACTURED HOMEIMPROVEMENT AND |
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| 227 | | - | REPAIRPROGRAM |
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| 228 | | - | (a)ThereiscreatedwithintheDepartmentofHousingandCommunity |
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| 229 | | - | DevelopmenttheManufacturedHomeImprovementandRepairProgram.The |
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| 230 | | - | DepartmentshalldesignandimplementtheProgramtoawardfundingto |
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| 231 | | - | statewideorregionalnonprofithousingorganizations,orboth,toprovide |
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| 232 | | - | financialassistanceorawardstomanufacturedhomeownersandmanufactured |
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| 255 | | - | homeparkownerstoimproveexistinghomes,incentivizenewslabplacement |
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| 256 | | - | forprospectivehomeowners,andincentivizeparkimprovementsforinfillof |
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| 257 | | - | morehomes. |
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| 258 | | - | (b)ThefollowingprojectsareeligibleforfundingthroughtheProgram: |
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| 259 | | - | (1)TheDepartmentmayawardupto$20,000.00toownersof |
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| 260 | | - | manufacturedhousingcommunitiestocompletesmall-scalecapitalneedsto |
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| 261 | | - | helpinfillvacantlotswithhomes,includingdisposalofabandonedhomes,lot |
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| 262 | | - | gradingandpreparation,thesitingandupgradingofelectricalboxes, |
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| 263 | | - | enhancingE-911safetyissues,transportinghomesoutoffloodzones,and |
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| 264 | | - | improvingindividualsepticsystems.Costsawardedunderthissubdivision |
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| 265 | | - | mayalsocoverlegalfeesandmarketingtohelpmakeiteasierfor |
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| 266 | | - | homeseekerstofindvacantlotsaroundtheState. |
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| 267 | | - | (2)TheDepartmentmayawardfundingtomanufacturedhomeowners |
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| 268 | | - | forwhichthehomeistheirprimaryresidencetoaddresshabitabilityand |
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| 269 | | - | accessibilityissuestobringthehomeintocompliancewithsafeliving |
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| 270 | | - | conditions. |
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| 271 | | - | (3)TheDepartmentmayawardupto$15,000.00pergranttoa |
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| 272 | | - | homeownertopayforafoundationorfederalDepartmentofHousingand |
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| 273 | | - | UrbanDevelopment-approvedslab,sitepreparation,skirting,tie-downs,and |
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| 274 | | - | utilityconnectionsonvacantlotswithinamanufacturedhomecommunity. |
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| 296 | | - | (c)TheDepartmentmayadoptrules,policies,andguidelinestoaidin |
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| 297 | | - | enactingtheProgram. |
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| 298 | | - | ***VermontInfrastructureSustainabilityFund*** |
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| 299 | | - | Sec.3.24V.S.A.chapter119,subchapter6isamendedtoread: |
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| 300 | | - | Subchapter6.SpecialFunds |
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| 301 | | - | *** |
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| 302 | | - | § 4686.VERMONTINFRASTRUCTURE SUSTAINABILITYFUND |
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| 303 | | - | (a)Creation.ThereiscreatedtheVermontInfrastructureSustainability |
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| 304 | | - | FundwithintheVermontBondBank. |
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| 305 | | - | (b)Purpose.ThepurposeoftheFundistoprovidecapitaltoextendand |
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| 306 | | - | increasecapacityofwaterandsewerserviceandotherpublicinfrastructurein |
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| 307 | | - | municipalitieswherelackofextensionorcapacityisabarriertohousing |
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| 308 | | - | development. |
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| 309 | | - | (c)Administration.TheVermontBondBankmayadministertheFundin |
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| 310 | | - | coordinationwithandsupportfromotherStateagencies,government |
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| 311 | | - | componentparts,andquasi-governmentalagencies. |
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| 312 | | - | (d)Programparameters. |
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| 313 | | - | (1)TheVermontBondBank,inconsultationwiththeDepartmentof |
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| 314 | | - | HousingandCommunityDevelopment,shalldevelopprogramguidelinesto |
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| 315 | | - | effectivelyimplementtheFund. |
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| 337 | | - | (2)Theprogramshallprovidelow-interestloansorbondsto |
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| 338 | | - | municipalitiestoexpandinfrastructurecapacity.Eligibleactivitiesinclude: |
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| 339 | | - | (A)preliminaryengineeringandplanning; |
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| 340 | | - | (B)engineeringdesignandbidspecifications; |
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| 341 | | - | (C)constructionformunicipalwasteandwastewatersystems; |
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| 342 | | - | (D)transportationinvestments,includingthoserequiredby |
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| 343 | | - | municipalregulation,themunicipality’sofficialmap,designation |
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| 344 | | - | requirements,orotherplanningorengineeringidentifyingcompletestreets |
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| 345 | | - | andtransportationandtransitrelatedimprovements,includingimprovements |
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| 346 | | - | toexistingstreets;and |
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| 347 | | - | (E)othereligibleactivitiesasdeterminedbytheguidelinesproduced |
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| 348 | | - | bytheVermontBondBankinconsultationwiththeDepartmentofHousing |
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| 349 | | - | andCommunityDevelopment. |
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| 350 | | - | (e)Applicationrequirements.Eligibleprojectapplicationsshall |
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| 351 | | - | demonstrate: |
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| 352 | | - | (1)theprojectwillcreatereservecapacitynecessaryfornewhousing |
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| 353 | | - | unitdevelopment; |
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| 354 | | - | (2)theprojecthasadirectlinktohousingunitproduction;and |
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| 355 | | - | (3)themunicipalityhasacommitmenttoownandoperatetheproject |
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| 356 | | - | throughoutitsusefullife. |
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| 378 | | - | (f)Applicationcriteria.Inadditiontoanycriteriadevelopedinthe |
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| 379 | | - | programguidelines,projectapplicationsshallbeevaluatedusingthefollowing |
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| 380 | | - | criteria: |
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| 381 | | - | (1)whetherthereisadirectconnectiontoproposedorin-progress |
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| 382 | | - | housingdevelopmentwithdemonstrableprogresstowardregionalhousing |
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| 383 | | - | targets; |
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| 384 | | - | (2)whethertheprojectisanexpansionofanexistingsystemandthe |
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| 385 | | - | proximitytoadesignatedarea; |
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| 386 | | - | (3)theprojectreadinessandestimatedtimeuntiltheneedforfinancing; |
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| 387 | | - | (4)therankingofthecommunityontheVermontDepartmentof |
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| 388 | | - | FinanceandManagement,VermontCommunityIndex;and |
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| 389 | | - | (5)thedemonstrationoffinancingforprojectcompletionorcompletion |
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| 390 | | - | ofaprojectcomponent. |
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| 391 | | - | (g)Awardterms.TheVermontBondBank,inconsultationwiththe |
|---|
| 392 | | - | DepartmentofHousingandCommunityDevelopment,shallestablishaward |
|---|
| 393 | | - | termsthatmayinclude: |
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| 394 | | - | (1)themaximumloanorbondamount; |
|---|
| 395 | | - | (2)themaximumtermoftheloanorbondamount; |
|---|
| 396 | | - | (3)thetimebywhichamortizationshallcommence; |
|---|
| 397 | | - | (4)themaximuminterestrate; |
|---|
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| 417 | | - | 20 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.127 |
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| 418 | | - | 2025 Page11of54 |
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| 419 | | - | (5)whethertheloaniseligibleforforgivenessandtowhatpercentage |
|---|
| 420 | | - | oramount; |
|---|
| 421 | | - | (6)thenecessarysecurityfortheloanorbond;and |
|---|
| 422 | | - | (7)anyadditionalcovenantsencumberingtheimprovedpropertiesto |
|---|
| 423 | | - | furthersecuretheloanorbond. |
|---|
| 424 | | - | (h)Revolvingfund.AnyfundsrepaidorreturnedfromtheInfrastructure |
|---|
| 425 | | - | SustainabilityFundshallbedepositedintotheFundandusedtocontinuethe |
|---|
| 426 | | - | programestablishedinthissection. |
|---|
| 427 | | - | ***VHFAFirst-GenerationHomebuyerProgramandDownPayment |
|---|
| 428 | | - | AssistanceProgram*** |
|---|
| 429 | | - | Sec.4.32V.S.A.§ 5930uisamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 430 | | - | §5930u.TAXCREDITFORAFFORDABLEHOUSING |
|---|
| 431 | | - | (a)Definitions.Asusedinthissection: |
|---|
| 432 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 433 | | - | (11)“First-generationhomebuyer”meansahomebuyerwhoself-attests |
|---|
| 434 | | - | thatthehomebuyerisanindividual: |
|---|
| 435 | | - | (A)whoseparentsorlegalguardians: |
|---|
| 436 | | - | (i)donothaveandduringthehomebuyer’slifetimehavenothad |
|---|
| 437 | | - | anyresidentialownershipinterestinanystate;or |
|---|
| 438 | | - | (ii)lostownershipofahomeduetoforeclosure,shortsale,or |
|---|
| 439 | | - | deed-in-lieuofforeclosureandhavenotownedahomesincethatloss;or |
|---|
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| 460 | | - | 21 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.127 |
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| 461 | | - | 2025 Page12of54 |
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| 462 | | - | (B)whohasatanytimebeenplacedinfostercare. |
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| 463 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 464 | | - | (g)Creditallocation. |
|---|
| 465 | | - | (1)Inanyfiscalyear,theallocatingagencymayawardupto: |
|---|
| 466 | | - | (A)$400,000.00intotalfirst-yearcreditallocationstoallapplicants |
|---|
| 467 | | - | forrentalhousingprojects,foranaggregatelimitof$2,000,000.00overany |
|---|
| 468 | | - | givenfive-yearperiodthatcreditsareavailableunderthissubdivision(A). |
|---|
| 469 | | - | (B)$675,000.00intotalfirst-yearcreditallocationsforloansor |
|---|
| 470 | | - | grantsforowner-occupiedunitfinancingordownpaymentloansasprovided |
|---|
| 471 | | - | insubdivision(b)(2)ofthissectionconsistentwiththeallocationplan, |
|---|
| 472 | | - | includingfornewconstructionandmanufacturedhousing,foranaggregate |
|---|
| 473 | | - | limitof$3,375,000.00overanygivenfive-yearperiodthatcreditsare |
|---|
| 474 | | - | availableunderthissubdivision(B).Ofthetotalfirst-yearcreditallocations |
|---|
| 475 | | - | madeunderthissubdivision(B),$250,000.00shallbeusedeachfiscalyearfor |
|---|
| 476 | | - | manufacturedhomepurchaseandreplacement. |
|---|
| 477 | | - | (C)$250,000.00intotalfirst-yearcreditallocationsforgrantsto |
|---|
| 478 | | - | first-timehomebuyerswhoarealsofirst-generationhomebuyersasprovidedin |
|---|
| 479 | | - | subdivision(b)(3)(D)ofthissection,foranaggregatelimitof$1,250,000.00 |
|---|
| 480 | | - | overanygivenfive-yearperiodthatcreditsareavailableunderthissubdivision |
|---|
| 481 | | - | (C). |
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| 501 | | - | 20 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.127 |
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| 502 | | - | 2025 Page13of54 |
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| 503 | | - | (2)Ifthefullamountoffirst-yearcreditsauthorizedbyanawardarenot |
|---|
| 504 | | - | allocatedtoataxpayer,theAgencymayreclaimtheamountnotallocatedand |
|---|
| 505 | | - | re-awardsuchallocationstootherapplicants,andsuchre-awardsshallnotbe |
|---|
| 506 | | - | subjecttothelimitssetforthinsubdivision(1)ofthissubsection. |
|---|
| 507 | | - | (h)Creditallocation;DownPaymentAssistanceProgram. |
|---|
| 508 | | - | (1)Infiscalyear2016throughfiscalyear2019,theallocatingagency |
|---|
| 509 | | - | mayawardupto$125,000.00intotalfirst-yearcreditallocationsforloans |
|---|
| 510 | | - | throughtheDownPaymentAssistanceProgramcreatedinsubdivision(b)(2) |
|---|
| 511 | | - | ofthissection. |
|---|
| 512 | | - | (2)Infiscalyear2020throughfiscalyear2026,theallocatingagency |
|---|
| 513 | | - | mayawardupto$250,000.00intotalfirst-yearcreditallocationsforloans |
|---|
| 514 | | - | throughtheDownPaymentAssistanceProgramcreatedinsubdivision(b)(3) |
|---|
| 515 | | - | ofthissection. |
|---|
| 516 | | - | (3)Infiscalyear2027throughfiscalyear2031,theallocatingagency |
|---|
| 517 | | - | mayawardupto$250,000.00intotalfirst-yearcreditallocationsforloans |
|---|
| 518 | | - | throughtheDownPaymentAssistanceProgramcreatedinsubdivision(b)(3) |
|---|
| 519 | | - | ofthissection. |
|---|
| 520 | | - | Sec.4.[Deleted.] |
|---|
| 521 | | - | ***VHFARentalHousingRevolvingLoanProgram*** |
|---|
| 522 | | - | Sec.4.2023ActsandResolvesNo.47,Sec.38isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 523 | | - | Sec.38.RENTALHOUSINGREVOLVINGLOANPROGRAM |
|---|
| 524 | | - | (a)Creation;administration.TheVermontHousingFinanceAgencyshall |
|---|
| 525 | | - | designandimplementaRentalHousingRevolvingLoanProgramandshall |
|---|
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| 543 | | - | 18 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.127 |
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| 544 | | - | 2025 Page14of54 |
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| 545 | | - | createandadministerarevolvingloanfundtoprovidesubsidizedloansfor |
|---|
| 546 | | - | rentalhousingdevelopmentsthatservemiddle-incomehouseholds. |
|---|
| 547 | | - | (b)Loans;eligibility;criteria. |
|---|
| 548 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 549 | | - | (7)TheAgencyshalluseoneormorelegalmechanismstoensurethat: |
|---|
| 550 | | - | (A)asubsidizedunitremainsaffordabletoahouseholdearningthe |
|---|
| 551 | | - | applicablepercentofareamedianincomeforthelongerof: |
|---|
| 552 | | - | (i)sevenyears;or |
|---|
| 553 | | - | (ii)fullrepaymentoftheloanplusthreeyears;and |
|---|
| 554 | | - | (B)duringtheaffordabilityperioddeterminedpursuantto |
|---|
| 555 | | - | subdivision(A)ofthissubdivision(7),theannualincreaseinrentfora |
|---|
| 556 | | - | subsidizedunitdoesnotexceedthreepercentoranamountotherwise |
|---|
| 557 | | - | authorizedbytheAgency. |
|---|
| 558 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 559 | | - | ***HousingandResidentialServicesPlanningCommittee*** |
|---|
| 560 | | - | Sec.5.STATEHOUSINGANDRESIDENTIALSERVICESPLANNING |
|---|
| 561 | | - | COMMITTEE;REPORT |
|---|
| 562 | | - | (a)Creation.ThereiscreatedtheStateHousingandResidentialServices |
|---|
| 563 | | - | PlanningCommitteetogenerateaStateplantodevelophousingfor |
|---|
| 564 | | - | individualswithdevelopmentaldisabilities. |
|---|
| 565 | | - | (b)Membership.TheCommitteeshallbecomposedofthefollowing |
|---|
| 566 | | - | members: |
|---|
| 567 | | - | (1)onecurrentmemberoftheHouseofRepresentatives,whoshallbe |
|---|
| 568 | | - | appointedbytheSpeakeroftheHouse; |
|---|
| 569 | | - | (2)onecurrentmemberoftheSenate,whoshallbeappointedbythe |
|---|
| 570 | | - | CommitteeonCommittees; |
|---|
| 571 | | - | 1 |
|---|
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| 573 | | - | 3 |
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| 582 | | - | 12 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.127 |
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| 583 | | - | 2025 Page15of54 |
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| 584 | | - | (3)theSecretaryoftheAgencyofHumanServicesordesignee; |
|---|
| 585 | | - | (4)theCommissioneroftheDepartmentofDisabilities,Aging,and |
|---|
| 586 | | - | IndependentLivingordesignee; |
|---|
| 587 | | - | (5)theCommissioneroftheDepartmentofHousingandCommunity |
|---|
| 588 | | - | Developmentordesignee; |
|---|
| 589 | | - | (6)theStateTreasurerordesignee; |
|---|
| 590 | | - | (7)onemember,appointedbytheDevelopmentalDisabilitiesHousing |
|---|
| 591 | | - | Initiative; |
|---|
| 592 | | - | (8)theExecutiveDirectoroftheVermontDevelopmentalDisabilities |
|---|
| 593 | | - | Council; |
|---|
| 594 | | - | (9)onemember,appointedbyGreenMountainSelf-Advocates; |
|---|
| 595 | | - | (10)onemember,appointedbyVermontCarePartners;and |
|---|
| 596 | | - | (11)onemember,appointedbytheVermontHousingandConservation |
|---|
| 597 | | - | Board. |
|---|
| 598 | | - | (c)Powersandduties.TheCommitteeshallcreateanactionableplanto |
|---|
| 599 | | - | develophousingforindividualswithdevelopmentaldisabilitiesthatreflects |
|---|
| 600 | | - | thediversityofneedsexpressedbythoseindividualsandtheirfamilies, |
|---|
| 601 | | - | includingindividualswithhigh-supportneedswhorequire24-hourcareand |
|---|
| 602 | | - | thosewithspecificcommunicationneeds.Theplanshallinclude: |
|---|
| 603 | | - | (1)ascheduleforthecreationofatleast600additionalunitsofservice- |
|---|
| 604 | | - | supportedhousing; |
|---|
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|---|
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| 625 | | - | 21 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.127 |
|---|
| 626 | | - | 2025 Page16of54 |
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| 627 | | - | (2)thenumberanddescriptionofthesupportneedsofindividualswith |
|---|
| 628 | | - | developmentaldisabilitiesanticipatedtobeservedannually; |
|---|
| 629 | | - | (3)anticipatedfundingneeds;and |
|---|
| 630 | | - | (4)recommendationsforchangesinStatelawsorpoliciesthatare |
|---|
| 631 | | - | obstaclestothedevelopmentofhousingneededbyindividualswithMedicaid- |
|---|
| 632 | | - | fundedhome-andcommunity-basedservices. |
|---|
| 633 | | - | (d)Assistance.Forpurposesofschedulingmeetingsandpreparing |
|---|
| 634 | | - | recommendedlegislation,theCommitteeshallhavetheassistanceofthe |
|---|
| 635 | | - | OfficeofLegislativeOperationsandtheOfficeofLegislativeCounsel. |
|---|
| 636 | | - | (e)Report.OnorbeforeNovember15,2025,theCommitteeshallsubmit |
|---|
| 637 | | - | awrittenreporttotheHouseCommitteesonGeneralandHousingandon |
|---|
| 638 | | - | HumanServicesandtheSenateCommitteesonEconomicDevelopment, |
|---|
| 639 | | - | HousingandGeneralAffairsandonHealthandWelfarewithitsfindingsand |
|---|
| 640 | | - | anyrecommendationsforlegislativeaction. |
|---|
| 641 | | - | (f)Meetings. |
|---|
| 642 | | - | (1)TheSecretaryofHumanServicesshallcallthefirstmeetingofthe |
|---|
| 643 | | - | CommitteetooccuronorbeforeJuly15,2025. |
|---|
| 644 | | - | (2)TheCommitteeshallselectachairfromamongitsmembersatthe |
|---|
| 645 | | - | firstmeeting. |
|---|
| 646 | | - | (3)Amajorityofthemembershipshallconstituteaquorum. |
|---|
| 647 | | - | (4)TheCommitteeshallceasetoexistonNovember30,2025. |
|---|
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| 668 | | - | 21 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.127 |
|---|
| 669 | | - | 2025 Page17of54 |
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| 670 | | - | (g)Compensationandreimbursement.Forattendanceatmeetingsduring |
|---|
| 671 | | - | adjournmentoftheGeneralAssembly,alegislativememberoftheCommittee |
|---|
| 672 | | - | servinginthemember’scapacityasalegislatorshallbeentitledtoperdiem |
|---|
| 673 | | - | compensationandreimbursementofexpensespursuantto2 V.S.A.§ 23for |
|---|
| 674 | | - | notmorethanfivemeetings.Thesepaymentsshallbemadefrommonies |
|---|
| 675 | | - | appropriatedtotheGeneralAssembly. |
|---|
| 676 | | - | ***HousingandPublicAccommodationProtections*** |
|---|
| 677 | | - | Sec.6.9V.S.A.§ 4501isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 678 | | - | §4501.DEFINITIONS |
|---|
| 679 | | - | Asusedinthischapter: |
|---|
| 680 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 681 | | - | (12)(A)“Harass”meanstoengageinunwelcomeconductthatdetracts |
|---|
| 682 | | - | from,undermines,orinterfereswithaperson’s: |
|---|
| 683 | | - | (i)useofaplaceofpublicaccommodationoranyofthe |
|---|
| 684 | | - | accommodations,advantages,facilities,orprivilegesofaplaceofpublic |
|---|
| 685 | | - | accommodationbecauseoftheperson’srace,creed,color,nationalorigin, |
|---|
| 686 | | - | citizenship,maritalstatus,sex,sexualorientation,genderidentity,ordisability; |
|---|
| 687 | | - | or |
|---|
| 688 | | - | (ii)terms,conditions,privileges,orprotectionsinthesaleor |
|---|
| 689 | | - | rentalofadwellingorotherrealestate,orintheprovisionofservicesor |
|---|
| 690 | | - | facilitiesinconnectionwithadwellingorotherrealestate,becauseofthe |
|---|
| 691 | | - | 1 |
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| 711 | | - | 21 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.127 |
|---|
| 712 | | - | 2025 Page18of54 |
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| 713 | | - | person’srace,sex,sexualorientation,genderidentity,age,maritalstatus, |
|---|
| 714 | | - | religiouscreed,color,nationalorigin,citizenship,ordisability,orbecausethe |
|---|
| 715 | | - | personintendstooccupyadwellingwithoneormoreminorchildren,or |
|---|
| 716 | | - | becausethepersonisarecipientofpublicassistance,orbecausethepersonisa |
|---|
| 717 | | - | victimofabuse,sexualassault,orstalking. |
|---|
| 718 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 719 | | - | Sec.7.9V.S.A.§ 4502isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 720 | | - | §4502.PUBLICACCOMMODATIONS |
|---|
| 721 | | - | (a)Anowneroroperatorofaplaceofpublicaccommodationoranagent |
|---|
| 722 | | - | oremployeeofsuchowneroroperatorshallnot,becauseoftherace,creed, |
|---|
| 723 | | - | color,nationalorigin,citizenship,immigrationstatus,maritalstatus,sex, |
|---|
| 724 | | - | sexualorientation,orgenderidentityofanyperson,refuse,withholdfrom,or |
|---|
| 725 | | - | denytothatpersonanyoftheaccommodations,advantages,facilities,and |
|---|
| 726 | | - | privilegesoftheplaceofpublicaccommodation. |
|---|
| 727 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 728 | | - | Sec.8.9V.S.A.§ 4503isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 729 | | - | §4503.UNFAIRHOUSINGPRACTICES |
|---|
| 730 | | - | (a)Itshallbeunlawfulforanyperson: |
|---|
| 731 | | - | (1)Torefusetosellorrent,orrefusetonegotiateforthesaleorrental |
|---|
| 732 | | - | of,orotherwisemakeunavailableordeny,adwellingorotherrealestateto |
|---|
| 733 | | - | anypersonbecauseoftherace,sex,sexualorientation,genderidentity,age, |
|---|
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| 754 | | - | 21 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.127 |
|---|
| 755 | | - | 2025 Page19of54 |
|---|
| 756 | | - | maritalstatus,religiouscreed,color,nationalorigin,citizenship,ordisability |
|---|
| 757 | | - | ofaperson,orbecauseapersonintendstooccupyadwellingwithoneormore |
|---|
| 758 | | - | minorchildren,orbecauseapersonisarecipientofpublicassistance,or |
|---|
| 759 | | - | becauseapersonisavictimofabuse,sexualassault,orstalking. |
|---|
| 760 | | - | (2)Todiscriminateagainst,ortoharass,anypersonintheterms, |
|---|
| 761 | | - | conditions,privileges,andprotectionsofthesaleorrentalofadwellingor |
|---|
| 762 | | - | otherrealestate,orintheprovisionofservicesorfacilitiesinconnectionwith |
|---|
| 763 | | - | adwellingorotherrealestate,becauseoftherace,sex,sexualorientation, |
|---|
| 764 | | - | genderidentity,age,maritalstatus,religiouscreed,color,nationalorigin, |
|---|
| 765 | | - | citizenship,ordisabilityofaperson,orbecauseapersonintendstooccupya |
|---|
| 766 | | - | dwellingwithoneormoreminorchildren,orbecauseapersonisarecipientof |
|---|
| 767 | | - | publicassistance,orbecauseapersonisavictimofabuse,sexualassault,or |
|---|
| 768 | | - | stalking. |
|---|
| 769 | | - | (3)Tomake,print,orpublish,orcausetobemade,printed,or |
|---|
| 770 | | - | publishedanynotice,statement,oradvertisement,withrespecttothesaleor |
|---|
| 771 | | - | rentalofadwellingorotherrealestatethatindicatesanypreference, |
|---|
| 772 | | - | limitation,ordiscriminationbasedonrace,sex,sexualorientation,gender |
|---|
| 773 | | - | identity,age,maritalstatus,religiouscreed,color,nationalorigin,citizenship, |
|---|
| 774 | | - | ordisabilityofaperson,orbecauseapersonintendstooccupyadwellingwith |
|---|
| 775 | | - | oneormoreminorchildren,orbecauseapersonisarecipientofpublic |
|---|
| 776 | | - | assistance,orbecauseapersonisavictimofabuse,sexualassault,orstalking. |
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| 797 | | - | 21 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.127 |
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| 798 | | - | 2025 Page20of54 |
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| 799 | | - | (4)Torepresenttoanypersonbecauseoftherace,sex,sexual |
|---|
| 800 | | - | orientation,genderidentity,age,maritalstatus,religiouscreed,color,national |
|---|
| 801 | | - | origin,citizenship,ordisabilityofaperson,orbecauseapersonintendsto |
|---|
| 802 | | - | occupyadwellingwithoneormoreminorchildren,orbecauseapersonisa |
|---|
| 803 | | - | recipientofpublicassistance,orbecauseapersonisavictimofabuse,sexual |
|---|
| 804 | | - | assault,orstalking,thatanydwellingorotherrealestateisnotavailablefor |
|---|
| 805 | | - | inspection,sale,orrentalwhenthedwellingorrealestateisinfactso |
|---|
| 806 | | - | available. |
|---|
| 807 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 808 | | - | (6)Todiscriminateagainstanypersoninthemakingorpurchasingof |
|---|
| 809 | | - | loansorprovidingotherfinancialassistanceforreal-estate-relatedtransactions |
|---|
| 810 | | - | orintheselling,brokering,orappraisingofresidentialrealproperty,because |
|---|
| 811 | | - | oftherace,sex,sexualorientation,genderidentity,age,maritalstatus, |
|---|
| 812 | | - | religiouscreed,color,nationalorigin,citizenship,ordisabilityofaperson,or |
|---|
| 813 | | - | becauseapersonintendstooccupyadwellingwithoneormoreminor |
|---|
| 814 | | - | children,orbecauseapersonisarecipientofpublicassistance,orbecausea |
|---|
| 815 | | - | personisavictimofabuse,sexualassault,orstalking. |
|---|
| 816 | | - | (7)Toengageinblockbustingpractices,forprofit,whichmayinclude |
|---|
| 817 | | - | inducingorattemptingtoinduceapersontosellorrentadwellingby |
|---|
| 818 | | - | representationsregardingtheentryintotheneighborhoodofapersonor |
|---|
| 819 | | - | personsofaparticularrace,sex,sexualorientation,genderidentity,age, |
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| 840 | | - | 21 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.127 |
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| 841 | | - | 2025 Page21of54 |
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| 842 | | - | maritalstatus,religiouscreed,color,nationalorigin,citizenship,ordisability |
|---|
| 843 | | - | ofaperson,orbecauseapersonintendstooccupyadwellingwithoneormore |
|---|
| 844 | | - | minorchildren,orbecauseapersonisarecipientofpublicassistance,or |
|---|
| 845 | | - | becauseapersonisavictimofabuse,sexualassault,orstalking. |
|---|
| 846 | | - | (8)Todenyanypersonaccesstoormembershiporparticipationinany |
|---|
| 847 | | - | multiplelistingservice,realestatebrokers’organization,orotherservice, |
|---|
| 848 | | - | organization,orfacilityrelatingtothebusinessofsellingorrentingdwellings, |
|---|
| 849 | | - | ortodiscriminateagainstanypersoninthetermsorconditionsofsuchaccess, |
|---|
| 850 | | - | membership,orparticipation,onaccountofrace,sex,sexualorientation, |
|---|
| 851 | | - | genderidentity,age,maritalstatus,religiouscreed,color,nationalorigin, |
|---|
| 852 | | - | citizenship,ordisabilityofaperson,orbecauseapersonisarecipientof |
|---|
| 853 | | - | publicassistance,orbecauseapersonisavictimofabuse,sexualassault,or |
|---|
| 854 | | - | stalking. |
|---|
| 855 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 856 | | - | (12)Todiscriminateinlandusedecisionsorinthepermittingof |
|---|
| 857 | | - | housingbecauseofrace,sex,sexualorientation,genderidentity,age,marital |
|---|
| 858 | | - | status,religiouscreed,color,nationalorigin,citizenship,disability,the |
|---|
| 859 | | - | presenceofoneormoreminorchildren,income,orbecauseofthereceiptof |
|---|
| 860 | | - | publicassistance,orbecauseapersonisavictimofabuse,sexualassault,or |
|---|
| 861 | | - | stalking,exceptasotherwiseprovidedbylaw. |
|---|
| 862 | | - | *** |
|---|
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| 883 | | - | 21 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.127 |
|---|
| 884 | | - | 2025 Page22of54 |
|---|
| 885 | | - | (d)Ifrequiredbyfederallaw,theverificationofimmigrationstatusshall |
|---|
| 886 | | - | notconstituteaviolationofsubsection(a)ofthissectionwithrespecttothe |
|---|
| 887 | | - | saleandrentalofdwellings. |
|---|
| 888 | | - | ***LURBAppealsStudy*** |
|---|
| 889 | | - | Sec.9.2024ActsandResolvesNo.181,Sec.11aisamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 890 | | - | Sec.11a.ACT250APPEALSSTUDY |
|---|
| 891 | | - | (a)OnorbeforeJanuary15,2026November15,2025,theLandUse |
|---|
| 892 | | - | ReviewBoardshallissueareportevaluatingwhethertotransferappealsof |
|---|
| 893 | | - | permitdecisionsandjurisdictionalopinionsissuedpursuantto10V.S.A. |
|---|
| 894 | | - | chapter151totheLandUseReviewBoardorwhethertheyshouldremainat |
|---|
| 895 | | - | theEnvironmentalDivisionoftheSuperiorCourt.TheBoardshallconvenea |
|---|
| 896 | | - | stakeholdergroupthatataminimumshallbecomposedofarepresentativeof |
|---|
| 897 | | - | environmentalinterests,attorneysthatpracticeenvironmentaland |
|---|
| 898 | | - | developmentlawinVermont,theVermontLeagueofCitiesandTowns,the |
|---|
| 899 | | - | VermontAssociationofPlanningandDevelopmentAgencies,theVermont |
|---|
| 900 | | - | ChamberofCommerce,theLandAccessandOpportunityBoard,theOfficeof |
|---|
| 901 | | - | RacialEquity,theVermontAssociationofRealtors,arepresentativeofnon- |
|---|
| 902 | | - | profithousingdevelopmentinterests,arepresentativeoffor-profithousing |
|---|
| 903 | | - | developmentinterests,arepresentativeofcommercialdevelopmentinterests, |
|---|
| 904 | | - | anengineerwithexperienceindevelopment,theAgencyofCommerceand |
|---|
| 905 | | - | CommunityDevelopment,andtheAgencyofNaturalResourcesinpreparing |
|---|
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| 926 | | - | 21 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.127 |
|---|
| 927 | | - | 2025 Page23of54 |
|---|
| 928 | | - | thereport.TheBoardshallprovidenoticeofthestakeholdermeetingsonits |
|---|
| 929 | | - | websiteandeachmeetingshallprovidetimeforpubliccomment. |
|---|
| 930 | | - | (b)Thereportshallatminimumrecommend: |
|---|
| 931 | | - | (1)whetherWhethertoallowconsolidationofappealsattheBoard,or |
|---|
| 932 | | - | withtheEnvironmentalDivisionoftheSuperiorCourt,andhow,including |
|---|
| 933 | | - | whatresourcestheBoardwouldneed,iftransferredtotheBoard,appealsof |
|---|
| 934 | | - | permitdecisionsissuedunder24V.S.A.chapter117andtheAgencyof |
|---|
| 935 | | - | NaturalResourcescanbeconsolidatedwithAct250appeals;. |
|---|
| 936 | | - | (2)howHowtoprioritizeandexpeditetheadjudicationofappeals |
|---|
| 937 | | - | relatedtohousingprojects,includingtheuseofhearingofficerstoexpedite |
|---|
| 938 | | - | appealsandthesettingoftimelinesforprocessingofhousingappeals;. |
|---|
| 939 | | - | (3)proceduralProceduralrulestogoverntheBoard’sadministrationof |
|---|
| 940 | | - | Act250andtheadjudicationofappealsofAct250decisions.Theserules |
|---|
| 941 | | - | shallincludeprocedurestocreateafirewallandeliminateanypotentialfor |
|---|
| 942 | | - | conflictswiththeBoardmanagingappealsandissuingpermitdecisionsand |
|---|
| 943 | | - | jurisdictionalopinions;and. |
|---|
| 944 | | - | (4)otherOtheractionstheBoardshouldtaketopromotetheefficient |
|---|
| 945 | | - | andeffectiveadjudicationofappeals,includinganyproceduralimprovements |
|---|
| 946 | | - | totheAct250permittingprocessandjurisdictionalopinionappeals. |
|---|
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| 965 | | - | 19 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.127 |
|---|
| 966 | | - | 2025 Page24of54 |
|---|
| 967 | | - | (c)ThereportshallbesubmittedtotheSenateCommitteesonEconomic |
|---|
| 968 | | - | Development,HousingandGeneralAffairsandonNaturalResourcesand |
|---|
| 969 | | - | EnergyandtheHouseCommitteeonEnvironmentandEnergy. |
|---|
| 970 | | - | ***Brownfields*** |
|---|
| 971 | | - | Sec.10.10V.S.A.§6604cisamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 972 | | - | §6604c.MANAGEMENT OFDEVELOPMENT SOILS |
|---|
| 973 | | - | (a)Managementofdevelopmentsoils.Notwithstandinganyother |
|---|
| 974 | | - | requirementsofthischaptertothecontrary,developmentsoilsmaybe |
|---|
| 975 | | - | managedatalocationpermittedpursuanttoaninsignificantwasteevent |
|---|
| 976 | | - | approvalauthorizationissuedpursuanttotheSolidWasteManagementRules |
|---|
| 977 | | - | thatcontains,ataminimum,thefollowing: |
|---|
| 978 | | - | (1)thedevelopmentsoilsaregeneratedfromahazardousmaterialssite |
|---|
| 979 | | - | managedpursuanttoacorrectiveactionplanorasoilmanagementplan |
|---|
| 980 | | - | approvedbytheSecretary; |
|---|
| 981 | | - | (2)thedevelopmentsoilshavebeentestedforarsenic,lead,and |
|---|
| 982 | | - | polyaromatichydrocarbonspursuanttoamonitoringplanapprovedbythe |
|---|
| 983 | | - | Secretarythatensuresthatthesoilsdonotleachabovegroundwater |
|---|
| 984 | | - | enforcementstandards; |
|---|
| 985 | | - | (3)thelocationwherethesoilsaremanagedisappropriateforthe |
|---|
| 986 | | - | amountandtypeofmaterialbeingmanaged; |
|---|
| 987 | | - | (4)thesoilsarecappedinamannerapprovedbytheSecretary; |
|---|
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|---|
| 1008 | | - | 21 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.127 |
|---|
| 1009 | | - | 2025 Page25of54 |
|---|
| 1010 | | - | (5)anyactivitythatmaydisturbthedevelopmentsoilsatthepermitted |
|---|
| 1011 | | - | locationshallbeconductedpursuanttoasoilmanagementplanapprovedby |
|---|
| 1012 | | - | theSecretary;and |
|---|
| 1013 | | - | (6)thepermitteefilesarecordnoticeofwherethesoilsaremanagedin |
|---|
| 1014 | | - | thelandrecords. |
|---|
| 1015 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 1016 | | - | Sec.11.REPORTONTHESTATUSOFMANAGEMENT OF |
|---|
| 1017 | | - | DEVELOPMENT SOILS |
|---|
| 1018 | | - | (a)AspartofthebiennialreporttotheHouseCommitteeonEnvironment |
|---|
| 1019 | | - | andtheSenateCommitteeonNaturalResourcesandEnergyunder10V.S.A. |
|---|
| 1020 | | - | § 6604(c),theSecretaryofNaturalResourcesshallreportonthestatusofthe |
|---|
| 1021 | | - | managementofdevelopmentsoilsintheStateunder10V.S.A.§ 6604c.The |
|---|
| 1022 | | - | reportshallinclude: |
|---|
| 1023 | | - | (1)thenumberofinsignificantwasteeventapprovalauthorizations |
|---|
| 1024 | | - | issuedbytheSecretaryintheprevioustwoyearsforthemanagementof |
|---|
| 1025 | | - | developmentsoils; |
|---|
| 1026 | | - | (2)thenumberofcertifiedcategoricalsolidwastefacilitiesoperatingin |
|---|
| 1027 | | - | theStateforthemanagementofdevelopmentsoils; |
|---|
| 1028 | | - | (3)asummaryofhowthemajorityofdevelopmentsoilsintheStateare |
|---|
| 1029 | | - | beingmanaged; |
|---|
| 1030 | | - | 1 |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
| 1049 | | - | 20 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.127 |
|---|
| 1050 | | - | 2025 Page26of54 |
|---|
| 1051 | | - | (4)anestimateofthecosttomanagedevelopmentsoils,dependingon |
|---|
| 1052 | | - | managementmethod;and |
|---|
| 1053 | | - | (5)anyadditionalinformationtheSecretarydeterminesrelevanttothe |
|---|
| 1054 | | - | managementofdevelopmentsoilsintheState. |
|---|
| 1055 | | - | (b)Asusedinthissection,“developmentsoil”hasthesamemeaningasin |
|---|
| 1056 | | - | 10V.S.A.§ 6602(39). |
|---|
| 1057 | | - | Sec.12.10V.S.A.§ 6641isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 1058 | | - | §6641.BROWNFIELDPROPERTYCLEANUPPROGRAM;CREATION; |
|---|
| 1059 | | - | POWERS |
|---|
| 1060 | | - | (a)ThereiscreatedtheBrownfieldPropertyCleanupProgramtoenable |
|---|
| 1061 | | - | certaininterestedpartiestorequesttheassistanceoftheSecretarytoreview |
|---|
| 1062 | | - | andoverseeworkplansforinvestigating,abating,removing,remediating,and |
|---|
| 1063 | | - | monitoringapropertyinexchangeforprotectionfromcertainliabilitiesunder |
|---|
| 1064 | | - | section6615ofthistitle.TheProgramshallbeadministeredbytheSecretary |
|---|
| 1065 | | - | whoshall: |
|---|
| 1066 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 1067 | | - | (c)Whenconductinganyreviewrequiredbythissubchapter,theSecretary |
|---|
| 1068 | | - | shallprioritizethereviewofremediationatasitethatcontainshousing. |
|---|
| 1069 | | - | Sec.13.BROWNFIELDSPROCESSIMPROVEMENT;REPORT |
|---|
| 1070 | | - | OnorbeforeNovember1,2025,theSecretaryofNaturalResourcesshall |
|---|
| 1071 | | - | reporttotheHouseCommitteesonEnvironmentandonGeneralandHousing |
|---|
| 1072 | | - | 1 |
|---|
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|---|
| 1092 | | - | 21 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.127 |
|---|
| 1093 | | - | 2025 Page27of54 |
|---|
| 1094 | | - | andtheSenateCommitteesonEconomicDevelopment,HousingandGeneral |
|---|
| 1095 | | - | AffairsandonNaturalResourcesandEnergywithproposalstomakethe |
|---|
| 1096 | | - | Programestablishedpursuantto10V.S.A.chapter159,subchapter3 |
|---|
| 1097 | | - | (brownfieldsreuseandliabilitylimitation)substantiallymoreefficient.Ata |
|---|
| 1098 | | - | minimum,thereportshallincludebothofthefollowing: |
|---|
| 1099 | | - | (1)Asurveyofstakeholdersinthebrownfieldsprogramtoidentify |
|---|
| 1100 | | - | areasthatpresentchallengestotheredevelopmentofcontaminatedproperties, |
|---|
| 1101 | | - | withafocusonredevelopmentforhousing.TheSecretaryshallprovide |
|---|
| 1102 | | - | recommendationstoresolvethesechallenges. |
|---|
| 1103 | | - | (2)Ananalysisofstrengthsandweaknessesofimplementingalicensed |
|---|
| 1104 | | - | siteprofessionalprogramwithintheState.TheSecretaryshallmakea |
|---|
| 1105 | | - | recommendationonwhethersuchaprogramshouldbeimplemented.Ifthe |
|---|
| 1106 | | - | Secretaryrecommendsimplementation,thereportshallincludeanychangesto |
|---|
| 1107 | | - | statuteorbudgetneededtoimplementthisprogram. |
|---|
| 1108 | | - | Sec.14.2023ActsandResolvesNo.78,Sec.B.1103,asamendedby2024 |
|---|
| 1109 | | - | ActsandResolvesNo.87,Sec.43,isfurtheramendedtoread: |
|---|
| 1110 | | - | Sec.B.1103CLIMATEANDENVIRONMENT –FISCALYEAR2024 |
|---|
| 1111 | | - | ONE-TIMEAPPROPRIATIONS |
|---|
| 1112 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 1113 | | - | (h)Infiscalyear2024,theamountof$2,500,000GeneralFundis |
|---|
| 1114 | | - | appropriatedtotheDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservationEnvironmental |
|---|
| 1115 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 1116 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 1117 | | - | 3 |
|---|
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| 1135 | | - | 21 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.127 |
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| 1136 | | - | 2025 Page28of54 |
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| 1137 | | - | ContingencyFundestablishedpursuantto10V.S.A.§1283forthe |
|---|
| 1138 | | - | BrownfieldsReuseandEnvironmentalLiabilityLimitationActascodifiedin |
|---|
| 1139 | | - | 10V.S.A.chapter159.Fundsshallbeusedfortheassessmentandcleanup, |
|---|
| 1140 | | - | planning,andcleanupofbrownfieldssites. |
|---|
| 1141 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 1142 | | - | Sec.15.BROWNFIELDFUNDING |
|---|
| 1143 | | - | Thesumof$4,000,000.00isappropriatedfromtheGeneralFundtothe |
|---|
| 1144 | | - | BrownfieldRevitalizationFundestablishedin10V.S.A.§ 6654.TheAgency |
|---|
| 1145 | | - | ofCommerceandCommunityDevelopmentshallawardtheamountof |
|---|
| 1146 | | - | $2,000,000.00infiscalyear2026toregionalplanningcommissionsforthe |
|---|
| 1147 | | - | purposesofbrownfieldsassessment.Inawardingfundsunderthissection,the |
|---|
| 1148 | | - | SecretaryofCommerceandCommunityDevelopment,inconsultationwith |
|---|
| 1149 | | - | theVermontAssociationofPlanningandDevelopmentAgencies,shallselect |
|---|
| 1150 | | - | oneregionalplanningcommissiontoadministerthesefunds.Toensure |
|---|
| 1151 | | - | statewideavailability,theselectedregionalplanningcommissionshall |
|---|
| 1152 | | - | subgranttoregionalplanningcommissionswithbrownfieldprograms,with |
|---|
| 1153 | | - | notmorethan10percentofthefundsbeingusedforadministrativepurposes. |
|---|
| 1154 | | - | Sec.15.[Deleted.] |
|---|
| 1155 | | - | ***TaxIncrementFinancing*** |
|---|
| 1156 | | - | Sec.16.24V.S.A.chapter53,subchapter7isaddedtoread: |
|---|
| 1157 | | - | Subchapter7.CommunityandHousingInfrastructureProgram |
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| 1178 | | - | 21 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.127 |
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| 1179 | | - | 2025 Page29of54 |
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| 1180 | | - | § 1906.DEFINITIONS |
|---|
| 1181 | | - | Asusedinthissubchapter: |
|---|
| 1182 | | - | (1)“Affordablehousing”meanseitherofthefollowing: |
|---|
| 1183 | | - | (A)Owner-occupiedhousingforwhichthetotalannualcostof |
|---|
| 1184 | | - | ownership,includingprincipal,interest,taxes,insurance,andcondominium |
|---|
| 1185 | | - | associationfees,doesnotexceed30percentofthegrossannualincomeofa |
|---|
| 1186 | | - | householdat150percentofthehighestofthefollowing: |
|---|
| 1187 | | - | (i)thecountymedianincome,asdefinedbytheU.S.Department |
|---|
| 1188 | | - | ofHousingandUrbanDevelopment; |
|---|
| 1189 | | - | (ii)thestandardmetropolitanstatisticalareamedianincomeifthe |
|---|
| 1190 | | - | municipalityislocatedinsuchanarea,asdefinedbytheU.S.Departmentof |
|---|
| 1191 | | - | HousingandUrbanDevelopment;or |
|---|
| 1192 | | - | (iii)thestatewidemedianincome,asdefinedbytheU.S. |
|---|
| 1193 | | - | DepartmentofHousingandUrbanDevelopment. |
|---|
| 1194 | | - | (B)Rentalhousingforwhichthetotalannualcostofrenting, |
|---|
| 1195 | | - | includingrent,utilities,andcondominiumassociationfees,doesnotexceed30 |
|---|
| 1196 | | - | percentofthegrossannualincomeofahouseholdat150percentofthe |
|---|
| 1197 | | - | highestofthefollowing: |
|---|
| 1198 | | - | (i)thecountymedianincome,asdefinedbytheU.S.Department |
|---|
| 1199 | | - | ofHousingandUrbanDevelopment; |
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| 1219 | | - | 20 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.127 |
|---|
| 1220 | | - | 2025 Page30of54 |
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| 1221 | | - | (ii)thestandardmetropolitanstatisticalareamedianincomeifthe |
|---|
| 1222 | | - | municipalityislocatedinsuchanarea,asdefinedbytheU.S.Departmentof |
|---|
| 1223 | | - | HousingandUrbanDevelopment;or |
|---|
| 1224 | | - | (iii)thestatewidemedianincome,asdefinedbytheU.S. |
|---|
| 1225 | | - | DepartmentofHousingandUrbanDevelopment. |
|---|
| 1226 | | - | (21)“Brownfield”meansapropertyonwhichthepresenceorpotential |
|---|
| 1227 | | - | presenceofahazardousmaterial,pollutant,orcontaminantcomplicatesthe |
|---|
| 1228 | | - | expansion,development,redevelopment,orreuseoftheproperty. |
|---|
| 1229 | | - | (32)“Committed”meanspledgedandappropriatedforthepurposeof |
|---|
| 1230 | | - | thecurrentandfuturepaymentoffinancingandrelatedcosts. |
|---|
| 1231 | | - | (43)“Developer”meansthepersonundertakingtoconstructahousing |
|---|
| 1232 | | - | development. |
|---|
| 1233 | | - | (54)“Financing”meansdebt,includingprincipal,interest,andanyfees |
|---|
| 1234 | | - | orchargesdirectlyrelatedtothatdebt,incurredbyasponsor,orother |
|---|
| 1235 | | - | instrumentsorborrowingusedbyasponsor,topayforahousinginfrastructure |
|---|
| 1236 | | - | projectand,inthecaseofasponsorthatisamunicipality,authorizedbythe |
|---|
| 1237 | | - | municipalitypursuanttosection1910aofthissubchapter. |
|---|
| 1238 | | - | (65)“Housingdevelopment”meanstheconstructionofoneormore |
|---|
| 1239 | | - | buildingsthatincludesaffordablehousing. |
|---|
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| 1258 | | - | 19 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.127 |
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| 1259 | | - | 2025 Page31of54 |
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| 1260 | | - | (76)“Housingdevelopmentsite”meanstheparcelorparcels |
|---|
| 1261 | | - | encompassingahousingdevelopmentasauthorizedbyamunicipalitypursuant |
|---|
| 1262 | | - | tosection1908ofthissubchapter. |
|---|
| 1263 | | - | (87)“Housinginfrastructureagreement”meansalegallybinding |
|---|
| 1264 | | - | agreementtofinanceanddevelopahousinginfrastructureprojectandto |
|---|
| 1265 | | - | constructahousingdevelopmentamongamunicipality,adeveloper,and,if |
|---|
| 1266 | | - | applicable,athird-partysponsor. |
|---|
| 1267 | | - | (98)“Housinginfrastructureproject”meansoneormoreimprovements |
|---|
| 1268 | | - | authorizedbyamunicipalitypursuanttosection1908ofthissubchapter. |
|---|
| 1269 | | - | (109)“Improvements”means: |
|---|
| 1270 | | - | (A)theinstallationorconstructionofinfrastructurethatwillservea |
|---|
| 1271 | | - | publicgoodandfulfillthepurposeofhousinginfrastructuretaxincrement |
|---|
| 1272 | | - | financingasstatedinsection1907ofthissubchapter,includingutilities,digital |
|---|
| 1273 | | - | infrastructure,transportation,publicrecreation,commercialandindustrial |
|---|
| 1274 | | - | facilities,parking,publicfacilitiesandamenities,landandpropertyacquisition |
|---|
| 1275 | | - | anddemolition,brownfieldremediation,sitepreparation,andflood |
|---|
| 1276 | | - | remediationandmitigation;and |
|---|
| 1277 | | - | (B)thefundingofdebtserviceinterestpaymentsforaperiodofup |
|---|
| 1278 | | - | tofouryears,beginningonthedateonwhichthedebtisfirstincurred. |
|---|
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| 1297 | | - | 19 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.127 |
|---|
| 1298 | | - | 2025 Page32of54 |
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| 1299 | | - | (1110)“Legislativebody”meansthemayorandalderboard,thecity |
|---|
| 1300 | | - | council,theselectboard,andthepresidentandtrusteesofanincorporated |
|---|
| 1301 | | - | village,asappropriate. |
|---|
| 1302 | | - | (1211)“Municipality”meansacity,town,orincorporatedvillage. |
|---|
| 1303 | | - | (1312)“Originaltaxablevalue”meansthetotalvaluationasdetermined |
|---|
| 1304 | | - | inaccordancewith32V.S.A.chapter129ofalltaxablerealpropertylocated |
|---|
| 1305 | | - | withinahousingdevelopmentsiteasofitscreationdate,providedthatno |
|---|
| 1306 | | - | parcelwithinthehousingdevelopmentsiteshallbedividedorbisected. |
|---|
| 1307 | | - | (1413)“Relatedcosts”meansexpensesincurredandpaidbya |
|---|
| 1308 | | - | municipality,exclusiveoftheactualcostofconstructingandfinancing |
|---|
| 1309 | | - | improvements,thataredirectlyrelatedtothecreationandimplementationof |
|---|
| 1310 | | - | themunicipality’shousinginfrastructureproject,includingreimbursementof |
|---|
| 1311 | | - | sumspreviouslyadvancedbythemunicipalityforthosepurposes.Related |
|---|
| 1312 | | - | costsmayincludedirectmunicipalexpensessuchasdepartmentalorpersonnel |
|---|
| 1313 | | - | costsrelatedtocreatingoradministeringthehousinginfrastructureprojectto |
|---|
| 1314 | | - | theextenttheyarepaidfromthetaxincrementrealizedfrommunicipaland |
|---|
| 1315 | | - | noteducationtaxesandusingonlythatportionofthemunicipalincrement |
|---|
| 1316 | | - | abovethepercentagerequiredforservingdebtasdeterminedinaccordance |
|---|
| 1317 | | - | withsubsection1910c(c)ofthissubchapter. |
|---|
| 1318 | | - | (1514)“Sponsor”meansthepersonundertakingtofinanceahousing |
|---|
| 1319 | | - | infrastructureproject.Anyofamunicipality,adeveloper,oranindependent |
|---|
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| 1340 | | - | 21 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.127 |
|---|
| 1341 | | - | 2025 Page33of54 |
|---|
| 1342 | | - | agencythatmeetsStatelendingstandardsmayserveasasponsorforahousing |
|---|
| 1343 | | - | infrastructureproject. |
|---|
| 1344 | | - | § 1907.PURPOSE |
|---|
| 1345 | | - | Thepurposeofhousinginfrastructuretaxincrementfinancingistoprovide |
|---|
| 1346 | | - | revenuesforimprovementsandrelatedcoststostimulatehousingdevelopment |
|---|
| 1347 | | - | inVermont. |
|---|
| 1348 | | - | § 1907.PURPOSE |
|---|
| 1349 | | - | Thepurposeofhousinginfrastructuretaxincrementfinancingistoprovide |
|---|
| 1350 | | - | revenuesforimprovementsandrelatedcoststoencouragethedevelopmentof |
|---|
| 1351 | | - | primaryresidencesforhouseholdsoflowormoderateincome. |
|---|
| 1352 | | - | § 1908.CREATIONOFHOUSINGINFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTAND |
|---|
| 1353 | | - | HOUSINGDEVELOPMENT SITE |
|---|
| 1354 | | - | (a)Thelegislativebodyofamunicipalitymaycreatewithinitsjurisdiction |
|---|
| 1355 | | - | ahousinginfrastructureproject,whichshallconsistofimprovementsthat |
|---|
| 1356 | | - | stimulatethedevelopmentofhousing,andahousingdevelopmentsite,which |
|---|
| 1357 | | - | shallconsistoftheparcelorparcelsonwhichahousingdevelopmentis |
|---|
| 1358 | | - | installedorconstructedandanyimmediatelycontiguousparcels. |
|---|
| 1359 | | - | (b)Tocreateahousinginfrastructureprojectandhousingdevelopment |
|---|
| 1360 | | - | site,amunicipality,incoordinationwithstakeholders,shall: |
|---|
| 1361 | | - | (1)developahousingdevelopmentplan,including: |
|---|
| 1362 | | - | (A)adescriptionoftheproposedhousinginfrastructureproject,the |
|---|
| 1363 | | - | proposedhousingdevelopment,andtheproposedhousingdevelopmentsite; |
|---|
| 1364 | | - | (B)identificationofasponsor; |
|---|
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|---|
| 1384 | | - | 20 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.127 |
|---|
| 1385 | | - | 2025 Page34of54 |
|---|
| 1386 | | - | (C)ataxincrementfinancingplanmeetingthestandardsof |
|---|
| 1387 | | - | subsection1910(f)ofthissubchapter; |
|---|
| 1388 | | - | (D)aproformaprojectionofexpectedcostsoftheproposedhousing |
|---|
| 1389 | | - | infrastructureproject; |
|---|
| 1390 | | - | (E)aprojectionofthetaxincrementtobegeneratedbytheproposed |
|---|
| 1391 | | - | housingdevelopment;and |
|---|
| 1392 | | - | (F)adevelopmentschedulethatincludesalist,acostestimate,anda |
|---|
| 1393 | | - | schedulefortheproposedhousinginfrastructureprojectandtheproposed |
|---|
| 1394 | | - | housingdevelopment; |
|---|
| 1395 | | - | (2)developaplandescribingthehousingdevelopmentsitebyits |
|---|
| 1396 | | - | boundariesandthepropertiestherein,entitled“ProposedHousing |
|---|
| 1397 | | - | DevelopmentSite(municipalname),Vermont”; |
|---|
| 1398 | | - | (3)holdoneormorepublichearings,afterpublicnotice,onthe |
|---|
| 1399 | | - | proposedhousinginfrastructureproject,includingtheplansdeveloped |
|---|
| 1400 | | - | pursuanttothissubsection;and |
|---|
| 1401 | | - | (4)adoptbyactofthelegislativebodyofthemunicipalitytheplan |
|---|
| 1402 | | - | developedundersubdivision(2)ofthissubsection,whichshallberecorded |
|---|
| 1403 | | - | withthemunicipalclerkandlisterorassessor. |
|---|
| 1404 | | - | (c)Thecreationofahousingdevelopmentsiteshalloccurat12:01a.m.on |
|---|
| 1405 | | - | April1ofthecalendaryearinwhichtheVermontEconomicProgressCouncil |
|---|
| 1406 | | - | 1 |
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| 1424 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 1425 | | - | 20 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.127 |
|---|
| 1426 | | - | 2025 Page35of54 |
|---|
| 1427 | | - | approvestheuseoftaxincrementfinancingforthehousinginfrastructure |
|---|
| 1428 | | - | projectpursuanttosection1910ofthissubchapter. |
|---|
| 1429 | | - | § 1909.HOUSINGINFRASTRUCTURE AGREEMENT |
|---|
| 1430 | | - | (a)Thehousinginfrastructureagreementforahousinginfrastructure |
|---|
| 1431 | | - | projectshall: |
|---|
| 1432 | | - | (1)clearlyidentifythesponsorforthehousinginfrastructureproject; |
|---|
| 1433 | | - | (2)clearlyidentifythedeveloperandthehousingdevelopmentforthe |
|---|
| 1434 | | - | housingdevelopmentsite; |
|---|
| 1435 | | - | (3)obligatethetaxincrementsretainedpursuanttosection1910cofthis |
|---|
| 1436 | | - | subchapterfornotmorethanthefinancingandrelatedcostsforthehousing |
|---|
| 1437 | | - | infrastructureproject;and |
|---|
| 1438 | | - | (4)provideforperformanceassurancestoreasonablysecurethe |
|---|
| 1439 | | - | obligationsofallpartiesunderthehousinginfrastructureagreement. |
|---|
| 1440 | | - | (b)Amunicipalityshallprovidenoticeofthetermsofthehousing |
|---|
| 1441 | | - | infrastructureagreementforthemunicipality’shousinginfrastructureproject |
|---|
| 1442 | | - | tothelegalvotersofthemunicipalityandshallprovidethesameinformation |
|---|
| 1443 | | - | assetforthinsubsection1910a(e)ofthissubchapter. |
|---|
| 1444 | | - | 1 |
|---|
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|---|
| 1460 | | - | 17 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.127 |
|---|
| 1461 | | - | 2025 Page36of54 |
|---|
| 1462 | | - | § 1910.HOUSINGINFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTAPPLICATION; |
|---|
| 1463 | | - | VERMONTECONOMICPROGRESSCOUNCIL |
|---|
| 1464 | | - | (a)Application.Amunicipality,uponapprovalofitslegislativebody,may |
|---|
| 1465 | | - | applytotheVermontEconomicProgressCounciltousetaxincrement |
|---|
| 1466 | | - | financingforahousinginfrastructureproject. |
|---|
| 1467 | | - | (b)Review.TheVermontEconomicProgressCouncilmayapproveonly |
|---|
| 1468 | | - | applicationsmeetingtheprocessrequirements,theprojectcriterion,andanyof |
|---|
| 1469 | | - | thelocationcriteriaofthissection. |
|---|
| 1470 | | - | (b)Review.TheVermontEconomicProgressCouncilmayapproveonly |
|---|
| 1471 | | - | applicationsthat: |
|---|
| 1472 | | - | (1)meettheprocessrequirements,theprojectcriterion,andanyofthe |
|---|
| 1473 | | - | locationcriteriaofthissection;and |
|---|
| 1474 | | - | (2)aresubmittedonorbeforeDecember31,2035. |
|---|
| 1475 | | - | (c)Processrequirements.TheVermontEconomicProgressCouncilshall |
|---|
| 1476 | | - | reviewamunicipality’shousinginfrastructureprojectapplicationtodetermine |
|---|
| 1477 | | - | whetherthemunicipalityhas: |
|---|
| 1478 | | - | (1)createdahousinginfrastructureprojectandhousingdevelopment |
|---|
| 1479 | | - | sitepursuanttosection1908ofthissubchapter; |
|---|
| 1480 | | - | (2)executedahousinginfrastructureagreementforthehousing |
|---|
| 1481 | | - | infrastructureprojectadheringtothestandardsofsection1909ofthis |
|---|
| 1482 | | - | subchapterwithadeveloperand,ifthemunicipalityisnotfinancingthe |
|---|
| 1483 | | - | housinginfrastructureprojectitself,asponsor;and |
|---|
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|---|
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|---|
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| 1500 | | - | 17 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.127 |
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| 1502 | | - | (3)approvedorpledgedtouseincrementalmunicipaltaxrevenuesfor |
|---|
| 1503 | | - | thehousinginfrastructureprojectintheproportionprovidedformunicipaltax |
|---|
| 1504 | | - | revenuesinsection1910cofthissubchapter. |
|---|
| 1505 | | - | (d)Projectcriterion.TheVermontEconomicProgressCouncilshall |
|---|
| 1506 | | - | reviewamunicipality’shousinginfrastructureprojectapplicationtodetermine |
|---|
| 1507 | | - | whethertheprojectedhousingdevelopmentincludesaffordablehousing. |
|---|
| 1508 | | - | (e)Locationcriteria.TheVermontEconomicProgressCouncilshall |
|---|
| 1509 | | - | reviewamunicipality’shousinginfrastructureprojectapplicationtodetermine |
|---|
| 1510 | | - | whetherthehousingdevelopmentsiteislocatedwithinoneofthefollowing |
|---|
| 1511 | | - | areas: |
|---|
| 1512 | | - | (1)anareadesignatedTier1AorTier1Bpursuantto10V.S.A.chapter |
|---|
| 1513 | | - | 151(Statelanduseanddevelopmentplans)oranareaexemptfromthe |
|---|
| 1514 | | - | provisionsofthatchapterpursuantto10V.S.A.§ 6081(dd)(interimhousing |
|---|
| 1515 | | - | exemptions); |
|---|
| 1516 | | - | (2)anareadesignatedTier2pursuantto10V.S.A.chapter151(State |
|---|
| 1517 | | - | landuseanddevelopmentplans)oranareainwhichthehousingdevelopment |
|---|
| 1518 | | - | siteiscompatiblewithregionalandtownlanduseplansasevidencedbya |
|---|
| 1519 | | - | letterofsupportfromtheregionalplanningcommissionforthemunicipality; |
|---|
| 1520 | | - | or |
|---|
| 1521 | | - | (3)anexistingsettlementoranareawithinone-halfmileofanexisting |
|---|
| 1522 | | - | settlement,asthattermisdefinedin10V.S.A.§ 6001(16). |
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| 1543 | | - | 21 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.127 |
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| 1544 | | - | 2025 Page38of54 |
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| 1545 | | - | (f)Taxincrementfinancingplan.TheVermontEconomicProgress |
|---|
| 1546 | | - | Councilshallapproveamunicipality’staxincrementfinancingplanpriortoa |
|---|
| 1547 | | - | sponsor’sincurrenceofdebtforthehousinginfrastructureproject,including, |
|---|
| 1548 | | - | ifthesponsorisamunicipality,priortoapublicvotetopledgethecreditof |
|---|
| 1549 | | - | themunicipalityundersection1910aofthissubchapter.Thetaxincrement |
|---|
| 1550 | | - | financingplanshallinclude: |
|---|
| 1551 | | - | (1)astatementofcostsandsourcesofrevenue; |
|---|
| 1552 | | - | (2)estimatesofassessedvalueswithinthehousingdevelopmentsite; |
|---|
| 1553 | | - | (3)theportionofthoseassessedvaluestobeappliedtothehousing |
|---|
| 1554 | | - | infrastructureproject; |
|---|
| 1555 | | - | (4)theresultingtaxincrementsineachyearofthefinancialplan; |
|---|
| 1556 | | - | (5)theamountofbondedindebtednessorotherfinancingtobe |
|---|
| 1557 | | - | incurred; |
|---|
| 1558 | | - | (6)othersourcesoffinancingandanticipatedrevenues;and |
|---|
| 1559 | | - | (7)thedurationofthefinancialplan. |
|---|
| 1560 | | - | § 1910a.INDEBTEDNESS |
|---|
| 1561 | | - | (a)Amunicipalityapprovedfortaxincrementfinancingundersection |
|---|
| 1562 | | - | 1910ofthissubchaptermayincurindebtednessagainstrevenuesofthe |
|---|
| 1563 | | - | housingdevelopmentsiteatanytimeduringaperiodofuptofiveyears |
|---|
| 1564 | | - | followingthecreationofthehousingdevelopmentsite.TheVermont |
|---|
| 1565 | | - | EconomicProgressCouncilmayextendthisdebtincursionperiodbyupto |
|---|
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| 1586 | | - | 21 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.127 |
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| 1587 | | - | 2025 Page39of54 |
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| 1588 | | - | threeyears.Ifnodebtisincurredforthehousinginfrastructureprojectduring |
|---|
| 1589 | | - | thedebtincursionperiod,whetherbythemunicipalityorsponsor,thehousing |
|---|
| 1590 | | - | developmentsiteshallterminate. |
|---|
| 1591 | | - | (b)Notwithstandinganyprovisionofanymunicipalcharter,eachinstance |
|---|
| 1592 | | - | ofborrowingbyamunicipalitytofinanceorotherwisepayforahousing |
|---|
| 1593 | | - | infrastructureprojectshalloccuronlyafterthelegalvotersofthemunicipality, |
|---|
| 1594 | | - | byamajorityvoteofallvoterspresentandvotingonthequestionataspecial |
|---|
| 1595 | | - | orannualmunicipalmeetingdulywarnedforthepurpose,authorizethe |
|---|
| 1596 | | - | legislativebodytopledgethecreditofthemunicipality,borrow,orotherwise |
|---|
| 1597 | | - | securethedebtforthespecificpurposessowarned. |
|---|
| 1598 | | - | (c)Anyindebtednessincurredunderthissectionmayberetiredoverany |
|---|
| 1599 | | - | periodauthorizedbythelegislativebodyofthemunicipality. |
|---|
| 1600 | | - | (d)Thehousingdevelopmentsiteshallcontinueuntilthedateandhourthe |
|---|
| 1601 | | - | indebtednessisretiredor,ifnodebtisincurred,fiveyearsfollowingthe |
|---|
| 1602 | | - | creationofthehousingdevelopmentsite. |
|---|
| 1603 | | - | (e)Amunicipallegislativebodyshallprovideinformationtothepublic |
|---|
| 1604 | | - | priortothepublicvoterequiredundersubsection(b)ofthissection.This |
|---|
| 1605 | | - | informationshallincludetheamountandtypesofdebtandrelatedcoststobe |
|---|
| 1606 | | - | incurred,includingprincipal,interest,andfees;termsofthedebt;thehousing |
|---|
| 1607 | | - | infrastructureprojecttobefinanced;thehousingdevelopmentprojectedto |
|---|
| 1608 | | - | occurbecauseofthehousinginfrastructureproject;andnoticetothevoters |
|---|
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| 1629 | | - | 21 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.127 |
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| 1630 | | - | 2025 Page40of54 |
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| 1631 | | - | thatifthetaxincrementreceivedbythemunicipalityfromanypropertytax |
|---|
| 1632 | | - | sourceisinsufficienttopaytheprincipalandinterestonthedebtinanyyear, |
|---|
| 1633 | | - | themunicipalityshallremainliableforthefullpaymentoftheprincipaland |
|---|
| 1634 | | - | interestforthetermoftheindebtedness.Ifinterfundloanswithinthe |
|---|
| 1635 | | - | municipalityareused,theinformationmustalsoincludedocumentationofthe |
|---|
| 1636 | | - | termsandconditionsoftheloan. |
|---|
| 1637 | | - | (f)Ifinterfundloanswithinthemunicipalityareusedasthemethodof |
|---|
| 1638 | | - | financing,nointerestshallbecharged. |
|---|
| 1639 | | - | (g)Theuseofabondanticipationnoteshallnotbeconsideredafirst |
|---|
| 1640 | | - | incurrenceofdebtpursuanttosubsection(a)ofthissection. |
|---|
| 1641 | | - | § 1910b.ORIGINALTAXABLEVALUE;TAXINCREMENT |
|---|
| 1642 | | - | (a)Asofthedatethehousingdevelopmentsiteiscreated,thelisteror |
|---|
| 1643 | | - | assessorforthemunicipalityshallcertifytheoriginaltaxablevalueandshall |
|---|
| 1644 | | - | certifytothelegislativebodyineachyearthereafterduringthelifeofthe |
|---|
| 1645 | | - | housingdevelopmentsitetheamountbywhichthetotalvaluationas |
|---|
| 1646 | | - | determinedinaccordancewith32V.S.A.chapter129ofalltaxablereal |
|---|
| 1647 | | - | propertywithinthehousingdevelopmentsitehasincreasedordecreased |
|---|
| 1648 | | - | relativetotheoriginaltaxablevalue. |
|---|
| 1649 | | - | (b)Annuallythroughoutthelifeofthehousingdevelopmentsite,thelister |
|---|
| 1650 | | - | orassessorshallincludenotmorethantheoriginaltaxablevalueofthereal |
|---|
| 1651 | | - | propertyintheassessedvaluationuponwhichthetreasurercomputestherates |
|---|
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| 1672 | | - | 21 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.127 |
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| 1673 | | - | 2025 Page41of54 |
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| 1674 | | - | ofalltaxesleviedbythemunicipalityandeveryothertaxingdistrictinwhich |
|---|
| 1675 | | - | thehousingdevelopmentsiteissituated,butthetreasurershallextendallrates |
|---|
| 1676 | | - | sodeterminedagainsttheentireassessedvaluationofrealpropertyforthat |
|---|
| 1677 | | - | year. |
|---|
| 1678 | | - | (c)Annuallythroughoutthelifeofthehousingdevelopmentsite,a |
|---|
| 1679 | | - | municipalityshallremitnotlessthantheaggregateeducationpropertytaxdue |
|---|
| 1680 | | - | ontheoriginaltaxablevaluetotheEducationFund. |
|---|
| 1681 | | - | (d)Annuallythroughoutthelifeofthehousingdevelopmentsite,the |
|---|
| 1682 | | - | municipalityshallholdapart,ratherthanremittothetaxingdistricts,that |
|---|
| 1683 | | - | proportionofalltaxespaidthatyearontherealpropertywithinthehousing |
|---|
| 1684 | | - | developmentsitethattheexcessvaluationbearstothetotalassessedvaluation. |
|---|
| 1685 | | - | Theamountheldaparteachyearisthe“taxincrement”forthatyear.Thetax |
|---|
| 1686 | | - | incrementshallonlybeusedforfinancingandrelatedcosts. |
|---|
| 1687 | | - | (e)Notmorethanthepercentagesestablishedpursuanttosection1910cof |
|---|
| 1688 | | - | thissubchapterofthemunicipalandStateeducationtaxincrementsreceived |
|---|
| 1689 | | - | withrespecttothehousingdevelopmentsiteandcommittedforthepayment |
|---|
| 1690 | | - | forfinancingforimprovementsandrelatedcostsshallbesegregatedbythe |
|---|
| 1691 | | - | municipalityinaspecialtaxincrementfinancingaccountandinitsofficial |
|---|
| 1692 | | - | booksandrecordsuntilallcapitalindebtednessincurredforthehousing |
|---|
| 1693 | | - | infrastructureprojecthasbeenfullypaid.Thefinalpaymentshallbereported |
|---|
| 1694 | | - | tothetreasurer,whoshallthereafterincludetheentireassessedvaluationof |
|---|
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| 1715 | | - | 21 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.127 |
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| 1716 | | - | 2025 Page42of54 |
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| 1717 | | - | thehousingdevelopmentsiteintheassessedvaluationsuponwhichthe |
|---|
| 1718 | | - | municipalandothertaxratesarecomputedandextended,andthereafterno |
|---|
| 1719 | | - | taxesfromthehousingdevelopmentsiteshallbedepositedinthespecialtax |
|---|
| 1720 | | - | incrementfinancingaccount. |
|---|
| 1721 | | - | (f)Notwithstandinganycharterprovisionorotherprovision,allproperty |
|---|
| 1722 | | - | taxesassessedwithinahousingdevelopmentsiteshallbesubjecttothe |
|---|
| 1723 | | - | provisionsofthissection.Specialassessmentsleviedunderchapter76Aor87 |
|---|
| 1724 | | - | ofthistitleorunderamunicipalchartershallnotbeconsideredpropertytaxes |
|---|
| 1725 | | - | forthepurposeofthissectioniftheproceedsareusedexclusivelyfor |
|---|
| 1726 | | - | operatingexpensesrelatedtopropertieswithinthehousingdevelopmentsite |
|---|
| 1727 | | - | andnotforimprovementswithinthehousingdevelopmentsite. |
|---|
| 1728 | | - | § 1910c.USEOFTAXINCREMENT;RETENTIONPERIOD |
|---|
| 1729 | | - | (a)Usesoftaxincrements.Amunicipalitymayapplytaxincrements |
|---|
| 1730 | | - | retainedpursuanttothissubchaptertodebtincurredwithintheperiod |
|---|
| 1731 | | - | permittedundersection1910aofthissubchapter,torelatedcosts,andtothe |
|---|
| 1732 | | - | directpaymentofthecostofahousinginfrastructureproject.Anydirect |
|---|
| 1733 | | - | paymentshallbesubjecttothesamepublicvoteprovisionsofsection1910a |
|---|
| 1734 | | - | ofthissubchapterasapplytodebt. |
|---|
| 1735 | | - | (b)Educationpropertytaxincrement.Upto80percentoftheeducation |
|---|
| 1736 | | - | propertytaxincrementmayberetainedforupto20years,beginningthefirst |
|---|
| 1737 | | - | yearinwhichdebtisincurredforthehousinginfrastructureproject.Upon |
|---|
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| 1758 | | - | 21 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.127 |
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| 1760 | | - | incurringthefirstdebt,amunicipalityshallnotifytheDepartmentofTaxes |
|---|
| 1761 | | - | andtheVermontEconomicProgressCouncilofthebeginningoftheretention |
|---|
| 1762 | | - | periodoftheeducationpropertytaxincrement. |
|---|
| 1763 | | - | (c)Municipalpropertytaxincrement.Notlessthan100percentofthe |
|---|
| 1764 | | - | municipalpropertytaxincrementmayberetained,beginningthefirstyearin |
|---|
| 1765 | | - | whichdebtisincurredforthehousinginfrastructureproject. |
|---|
| 1766 | | - | (d)Excesstaxincrement. |
|---|
| 1767 | | - | (1)Ofthemunicipalandeducationpropertytaxincrementsreceivedin |
|---|
| 1768 | | - | anytaxyearthatexceedtheamountscommittedforthepaymentofthe |
|---|
| 1769 | | - | financingandrelatedcostsforahousinginfrastructureproject,equalportions |
|---|
| 1770 | | - | ofeachincrementmayberetainedforthefollowingpurposes: |
|---|
| 1771 | | - | (A)toprepayprincipalandinterestonthefinancing; |
|---|
| 1772 | | - | (B)toplaceinaspecialtaxincrementfinancingaccountrequired |
|---|
| 1773 | | - | pursuanttosubsection1910b(e)ofthissubchapteranduseforfuturefinancing |
|---|
| 1774 | | - | payments;or |
|---|
| 1775 | | - | (C)tousefordefeasanceofthefinancing. |
|---|
| 1776 | | - | (2)Anyremainingportionoftheexcesseducationpropertytax |
|---|
| 1777 | | - | incrementshallbedistributedtotheEducationFund.Anyremainingportion |
|---|
| 1778 | | - | oftheexcessmunicipalpropertytaxincrementshallbedistributedtothecity, |
|---|
| 1779 | | - | town,orvillagebudgetintheproportionthateachbudgetbearstothe |
|---|
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| 1799 | | - | 20 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.127 |
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| 1801 | | - | combinedtotalofthebudgetsunlessotherwisenegotiatedbythecity,town,or |
|---|
| 1802 | | - | village. |
|---|
| 1803 | | - | § 1910d.INFORMATIONREPORTING |
|---|
| 1804 | | - | (a)Amunicipalitywithanactivehousinginfrastructureprojectshall: |
|---|
| 1805 | | - | (1)developasystem,segregatedforthehousinginfrastructureproject, |
|---|
| 1806 | | - | toidentify,collect,andmaintainalldataandinformationnecessarytofulfill |
|---|
| 1807 | | - | thereportingrequirementsofthissection; |
|---|
| 1808 | | - | (2)providetimelynotificationtotheDepartmentofTaxesandthe |
|---|
| 1809 | | - | VermontEconomicProgressCouncilofanyhousinginfrastructureproject |
|---|
| 1810 | | - | debt,publicvote,orvotebythemunicipallegislativebodyimmediately |
|---|
| 1811 | | - | followingthedebtincurrenceorpublicvoteonaformprescribedbythe |
|---|
| 1812 | | - | Council,includingcopiesofpublicnotices,agendas,minutes,votetally,anda |
|---|
| 1813 | | - | copyoftheinformationprovidedtothepublicpursuanttosubsection1910a(e) |
|---|
| 1814 | | - | ofthissubchapter;and |
|---|
| 1815 | | - | (3)annuallyonorbeforeFebruary15,submitonaformprescribedby |
|---|
| 1816 | | - | theVermontEconomicProgressCouncilanannualreporttotheCounciland |
|---|
| 1817 | | - | theDepartmentofTaxes,includingtheinformationrequiredbysubdivision(2) |
|---|
| 1818 | | - | ofthissubsectionifnotpreviouslysubmitted,theinformationrequiredfor |
|---|
| 1819 | | - | annualauditundersection1910eofthissubchapter,andanyinformation |
|---|
| 1820 | | - | requiredbytheCouncilortheDepartmentofTaxesforthereportrequired |
|---|
| 1821 | | - | pursuanttosubsection(b)ofthissection. |
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| 1844 | | - | (b)AnnuallyonorbeforeApril1,theVermontEconomicProgress |
|---|
| 1845 | | - | CouncilandtheDepartmentofTaxesshallsubmitareporttotheSenate |
|---|
| 1846 | | - | CommitteesonEconomicDevelopment,HousingandGeneralAffairsandon |
|---|
| 1847 | | - | FinanceandtheHouseCommitteesonCommerceandEconomicDevelopment |
|---|
| 1848 | | - | andonWaysandMeansonhousinginfrastructureprojectsapprovedpursuant |
|---|
| 1849 | | - | tothissubchapter,includingforeachofthefollowing: |
|---|
| 1850 | | - | (1)thedateofapproval; |
|---|
| 1851 | | - | (2)adescriptionofthehousinginfrastructureproject; |
|---|
| 1852 | | - | (3)theoriginaltaxablevalueofthehousingdevelopmentsite; |
|---|
| 1853 | | - | (4)thescopeandvalueofprojectedandactualimprovementsand |
|---|
| 1854 | | - | developmentsinthehousingdevelopmentsite,includingthenumberof |
|---|
| 1855 | | - | housingunitscreated; |
|---|
| 1856 | | - | (5)thenumberandtypesofhousingunitsforwhichapermitisbeing |
|---|
| 1857 | | - | pursuedunder10V.S.A.chapter151(Statelanduseanddevelopmentplans) |
|---|
| 1858 | | - | and,foreachapplicablehousingdevelopment,thecurrentstageofthe |
|---|
| 1859 | | - | permittingprocess; |
|---|
| 1860 | | - | (56)projectedandactualincrementalrevenueamounts; |
|---|
| 1861 | | - | (67)theallocationofincrementalrevenue;and |
|---|
| 1862 | | - | (78)projectedandactualfinancing. |
|---|
| 1863 | | - | (c)OnorbeforeJanuary15,2035,theVermontEconomicProgress |
|---|
| 1864 | | - | CouncilshallsubmitareporttotheSenateCommitteesonEconomic |
|---|
| 1865 | | - | Development,HousingandGeneralAffairsandonFinanceandtheHouse |
|---|
| 1866 | | - | CommitteesonCommerceandEconomicDevelopmentandonWaysand |
|---|
| 1867 | | - | MeansevaluatingthesuccessoftheCommunityandHousingInfrastructure |
|---|
| 1868 | | - | Programinachievingitspurpose,asstatedinsection1907ofthischapter, |
|---|
| 1869 | | - | includingbyidentifyingtheamountandkindsofhousingproducedthroughthe |
|---|
| 1870 | | - | Programandbydeterminingwhetherhousingdevelopmentpursuedthrough |
|---|
| 1871 | | - | theProgrammeetstheprojectcriterionandlocationcriteriaofsection1910of |
|---|
| 1872 | | - | thischapter. |
|---|
| 1873 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 1874 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 1875 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 1876 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 1877 | | - | 5 |
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| 1878 | | - | 6 |
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| 1879 | | - | 7 |
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| 1880 | | - | 8 |
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| 1881 | | - | 9 |
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| 1882 | | - | 10 |
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| 1883 | | - | 11 |
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| 1884 | | - | 12 |
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| 1885 | | - | 13 |
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| 1886 | | - | 14 |
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| 1887 | | - | 15 |
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| 1888 | | - | 16 |
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| 1889 | | - | 17 |
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| 1890 | | - | 18 |
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| 1891 | | - | 19 |
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| 1892 | | - | 20 |
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| 1893 | | - | 21 |
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| 1894 | | - | 22 |
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| 1895 | | - | 23 |
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| 1896 | | - | 24 |
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| 1897 | | - | 25 |
|---|
| 1898 | | - | 26 |
|---|
| 1899 | | - | 27 |
|---|
| 1900 | | - | 28 |
|---|
| 1901 | | - | 29 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.127 |
|---|
| 1902 | | - | 2025 Page46of54 |
|---|
| 1903 | | - | § 1910e.AUDITING |
|---|
| 1904 | | - | AnnuallyonorbeforeApril1untiltheyearfollowingtheendoftheperiod |
|---|
| 1905 | | - | forretentionofeducationpropertytaxincrement,amunicipalitywitha |
|---|
| 1906 | | - | housinginfrastructureprojectapprovedunderthissubchaptershallensurethat |
|---|
| 1907 | | - | thespecialtaxincrementfinancingaccountrequiredbysection1910bofthis |
|---|
| 1908 | | - | subchapterissubjecttotheannualauditprescribedinsection1681or1690of |
|---|
| 1909 | | - | thistitleandsubmitacopytotheVermontEconomicProgressCouncil.Ifan |
|---|
| 1910 | | - | accountissubjectonlytotheauditundersection1681ofthistitle,theCouncil |
|---|
| 1911 | | - | shallensureaprocessisinplacetosubjecttheaccounttoanindependent |
|---|
| 1912 | | - | audit.Proceduresfortheauditmustincludeverificationoftheoriginaltaxable |
|---|
| 1913 | | - | valueandannualandtotalmunicipalandeducationpropertytaxincrements |
|---|
| 1914 | | - | generated,expendituresforfinancingandrelatedcosts,andcurrentbalance. |
|---|
| 1915 | | - | § 1910f.GUIDANCE |
|---|
| 1916 | | - | (a)TheSecretaryofCommerceandCommunityDevelopment,after |
|---|
| 1917 | | - | reasonablenoticetoamunicipalityandanopportunityforahearing,mayissue |
|---|
| 1918 | | - | decisionstoamunicipalityonquestionsandinquiriesconcerningthe |
|---|
| 1919 | | - | administrationofhousinginfrastructureprojects,statutes,rules, |
|---|
| 1920 | | - | noncompliancewiththissubchapter,andanyinstancesofnoncompliance |
|---|
| 1921 | | - | identifiedinauditreportsconductedpursuanttosection1910eofthis |
|---|
| 1922 | | - | subchapter. |
|---|
| 1923 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 1924 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 1925 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 1926 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 1927 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 1928 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 1929 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 1930 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 1931 | | - | 9 |
|---|
| 1932 | | - | 10 |
|---|
| 1933 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 1934 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 1935 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 1936 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 1937 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 1938 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 1939 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 1940 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 1941 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 1942 | | - | 20 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.127 |
|---|
| 1943 | | - | 2025 Page47of54 |
|---|
| 1944 | | - | (b)TheVermontEconomicProgressCouncilshallprepare |
|---|
| 1945 | | - | recommendationsfortheSecretaryofCommerceandCommunity |
|---|
| 1946 | | - | Developmentpriortoanydecisionissuedpursuanttosubsection(a)ofthis |
|---|
| 1947 | | - | section.TheCouncilmaypreparerecommendationsinconsultationwiththe |
|---|
| 1948 | | - | CommissionerofTaxes,theAttorneyGeneral,andtheStateTreasurer.In |
|---|
| 1949 | | - | preparingrecommendations,theCouncilshallprovideamunicipalitywitha |
|---|
| 1950 | | - | reasonableopportunitytosubmitwritteninformationinsupportofitsposition. |
|---|
| 1951 | | - | (c)TheSecretaryofCommerceandCommunityDevelopmentshallreview |
|---|
| 1952 | | - | therecommendationsoftheCouncilandissueafinalwrittendecisiononeach |
|---|
| 1953 | | - | matterwithin60daysfollowingreceiptoftherecommendations.The |
|---|
| 1954 | | - | SecretarymaypermitanappealtobetakenbyanypartytoaSuperiorCourt |
|---|
| 1955 | | - | fordeterminationofquestionsoflawinthesamemannerastheSupreme |
|---|
| 1956 | | - | CourtmaybyruleprovideforappealsbeforefinaljudgmentfromaSuperior |
|---|
| 1957 | | - | Courtbeforeissuingafinaldecision. |
|---|
| 1958 | | - | (d)TheVermontEconomicProgressCouncilmayadoptrulesthatare |
|---|
| 1959 | | - | reasonablynecessarytoimplementthissubchapter. |
|---|
| 1960 | | - | Sec.17.32V.S.A.§ 3325isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 1961 | | - | § 3325.VERMONTECONOMICPROGRESSCOUNCIL |
|---|
| 1962 | | - | (a)Creation.TheVermontEconomicProgressCounciliscreatedto |
|---|
| 1963 | | - | exercisetheauthorityandperformthedutiesassignedtoit,includingits |
|---|
| 1964 | | - | authorityanddutiesrelatingto: |
|---|
| 1965 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 1966 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 1967 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 1968 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 1969 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 1970 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 1971 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 1972 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 1973 | | - | 9 |
|---|
| 1974 | | - | 10 |
|---|
| 1975 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 1976 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 1977 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 1978 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 1979 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 1980 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 1981 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 1982 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 1983 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 1984 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 1985 | | - | 21 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.127 |
|---|
| 1986 | | - | 2025 Page48of54 |
|---|
| 1987 | | - | (1)theVermontEmploymentGrowthIncentiveProgrampursuantto |
|---|
| 1988 | | - | subchapter2ofthischapter;and |
|---|
| 1989 | | - | (2)taxincrementfinancingdistrictspursuantto24V.S.A.chapter53, |
|---|
| 1990 | | - | subchapter5andsection5404aofthistitle;and |
|---|
| 1991 | | - | (3)housinginfrastructuretaxincrementfinancingpursuantto24V.S.A. |
|---|
| 1992 | | - | chapter53,subchapter7. |
|---|
| 1993 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 1994 | | - | (g)Decisionsnotsubjecttoreview.AdecisionoftheCounciltoapprove |
|---|
| 1995 | | - | ordenyanapplicationundersubchapter2ofthischapter,ortoapproveor |
|---|
| 1996 | | - | denyataxincrementfinancingdistrictpursuantto24V.S.A.chapter53, |
|---|
| 1997 | | - | subchapter5andsection5404aofthistitle,ortoapproveordenyahousing |
|---|
| 1998 | | - | infrastructureprojectpursuantto24V.S.A.chapter53,subchapter7isan |
|---|
| 1999 | | - | administrativedecisionthatisnotsubjecttothecontestedcasehearing |
|---|
| 2000 | | - | requirementsunder3V.S.A.chapter25andisnotsubjecttojudicialreview. |
|---|
| 2001 | | - | ***SmokeandCarbonMonoxideAlarms*** |
|---|
| 2002 | | - | Sec.17a.9V.S.A.chapter77isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 2003 | | - | CHAPTER77.SMOKEDETECTORSALARMSANDCARBONMONOXIDE |
|---|
| 2004 | | - | DETECTORSALARMS |
|---|
| 2005 | | - | §2881.DEFINITIONS |
|---|
| 2006 | | - | Asusedinthischapter: |
|---|
| 2007 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 2008 | | - | (2)“Smokedetectoralarm”meansadevicethatdetectsvisibleor |
|---|
| 2009 | | - | invisibleparticlesofcombustionandsoundsawarningalarm,isoperated |
|---|
| 2010 | | - | fromapowersupplywithintheunitorwiredtoitfromanoutsidesource,and |
|---|
| 2011 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 2012 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 2013 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 2014 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 2015 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 2016 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 2017 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 2018 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 2019 | | - | 9 |
|---|
| 2020 | | - | 10 |
|---|
| 2021 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 2022 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 2023 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 2024 | | - | 14 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.127 |
|---|
| 2025 | | - | 2025 Page49of54 |
|---|
| 2026 | | - | isapprovedorlistedforthepurposebyUnderwritersLaboratoryorby |
|---|
| 2027 | | - | anothernationallyrecognizedindependenttestinglaboratory. |
|---|
| 2028 | | - | (3)“Carbonmonoxidedetectoralarm”meansadevicewithan |
|---|
| 2029 | | - | assemblythatincorporatesasensorcontrolcomponentandanalarm |
|---|
| 2030 | | - | notificationthatdetectselevationsincarbonmonoxidelevelsandsoundsa |
|---|
| 2031 | | - | warningalarm,isoperatedfromapowersupplywithintheunitorwiredtoit |
|---|
| 2032 | | - | fromanoutsidesource,andisapprovedorlistedforthepurposeby |
|---|
| 2033 | | - | UnderwritersLaboratoryorbyanothernationallyrecognizedindependent |
|---|
| 2034 | | - | testinglaboratory. |
|---|
| 2035 | | - | §2882.INSTALLATION |
|---|
| 2036 | | - | (a)Apersonwhoconstructsasingle-familydwellingshallinstall |
|---|
| 2037 | | - | photoelectric-only-typephotoelectric-typeorUL217compliantsmoke |
|---|
| 2038 | | - | detectorsalarmsinthevicinityofanybedroomsandoneachlevelofthe |
|---|
| 2039 | | - | dwelling,andoneormorecarbonmonoxidedetectorsalarmsinthevicinityof |
|---|
| 2040 | | - | anybedroomsinthedwellinginaccordancewiththemanufacturer’s |
|---|
| 2041 | | - | instructions.Inadwellingprovidedwithelectricalpower,detectorsalarms |
|---|
| 2042 | | - | shallbepoweredbytheelectricalserviceinthebuildingandbybattery. |
|---|
| 2043 | | - | (b)Anysingle-familydwellingwhentransferredbysaleorexchangeshall |
|---|
| 2044 | | - | containphotoelectric-only-typephotoelectric-typeorUL217compliantsmoke |
|---|
| 2045 | | - | detectorsalarmsinthevicinityofanybedroomsandoneachlevelofthe |
|---|
| 2046 | | - | dwellinginstalledinaccordancewiththemanufacturer’sinstructionsandone |
|---|
| 2047 | | - | ormorecarbonmonoxidedetectorsalarmsinstalledinaccordancewiththe |
|---|
| 2048 | | - | manufacturer’sinstructions.Asingle-familydwellingconstructedbefore |
|---|
| 2049 | | - | January1,1994maycontainsmokedetectorsalarmspoweredbytheelectrical |
|---|
| 2050 | | - | serviceinthebuildingorbybattery,orbyacombinationofboth.Inasingle- |
|---|
| 2051 | | - | familydwellingnewlyconstructedafterJanuary1,1994thatisprovidedwith |
|---|
| 2052 | | - | electricalpower,smokedetectorsalarmsshallbepoweredbytheelectrical |
|---|
| 2053 | | - | serviceinthebuildingandbybattery.Inasingle-familydwellingnewly |
|---|
| 2054 | | - | constructedafterJuly1,2005thatisprovidedwithelectricalpower,carbon |
|---|
| 2055 | | - | monoxidedetectorsalarmsshallbepoweredbytheelectricalserviceinthe |
|---|
| 2056 | | - | buildingandbybattery. |
|---|
| 2057 | | - | (c)Nothinginthissectionshallrequireanowneroroccupantofasingle- |
|---|
| 2058 | | - | familydwellingtomaintainoruseasmokedetectoralarmoracarbon |
|---|
| 2059 | | - | monoxidedetectoralarmafterinstallation. |
|---|
| 2060 | | - | §2883.REQUIREMENTSFORTRANSFEROFDWELLING |
|---|
| 2061 | | - | (a)Thesellerofasingle-familydwelling,includingoneconstructedfor |
|---|
| 2062 | | - | firstoccupancy,whetherthetransferisbysaleorexchange,shallcertifytothe |
|---|
| 2063 | | - | buyerattheclosingofthetransactionthatthedwellingisprovidedwith |
|---|
| 2064 | | - | photoelectric-only-typephotoelectric-typeorUL217compliantsmoke BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.127 |
|---|
| 2065 | | - | 2025 Page50of54 |
|---|
| 2066 | | - | detectorsalarmsandcarbonmonoxidedetectorsalarmsinaccordancewith |
|---|
| 2067 | | - | thischapter.Thiscertificationshallbesignedanddatedbytheseller. |
|---|
| 2068 | | - | (b)Ifthebuyernotifiesthesellerwithin10daysbycertifiedmailfromthe |
|---|
| 2069 | | - | dateofconveyanceofthedwellingthatthedwellinglacksanyphotoelectric- |
|---|
| 2070 | | - | only-typephotoelectric-typeorUL217compliantsmokedetectorsalarms,or |
|---|
| 2071 | | - | anycarbonmonoxidedetectorsalarms,orthatanydetectoralarmisnot |
|---|
| 2072 | | - | operable,thesellershallcomplywiththischapterwithin10daysafter |
|---|
| 2073 | | - | notification. |
|---|
| 2074 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 2075 | | - | Sec.17b.20V.S.A.§ 2731isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 2076 | | - | §2731.RULES;INSPECTIONS;VARIANCES |
|---|
| 2077 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 2078 | | - | (j)DetectorsAlarms.Rulesadoptedunderthissectionshallrequirethat |
|---|
| 2079 | | - | informationwritten,approved,anddistributedbytheCommissioneronthe |
|---|
| 2080 | | - | type,placement,andinstallationofphotoelectricphotoelectric-typeorUL217 |
|---|
| 2081 | | - | compliantsmokedetectorsalarmsandcarbonmonoxidedetectorsalarmsbe |
|---|
| 2082 | | - | conspicuouslypostedintheretailsalesareawherethedetectorsalarmsare |
|---|
| 2083 | | - | sold. |
|---|
| 2084 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 2085 | | - | ***Taxes*** |
|---|
| 2086 | | - | Sec.18.32V.S.A.§ 5811(21)(C)isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 2087 | | - | (C)decreasedbythefollowingexemptionsanddeductions: |
|---|
| 2088 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 2089 | | - | (iv)anamountequaltotheitemizeddeductionformedical |
|---|
| 2090 | | - | expensestakenatthefederallevelbythetaxpayer,under26U.S.C.§213: |
|---|
| 2091 | | - | (I)minustheamountoftheVermontstandarddeductionand |
|---|
| 2092 | | - | Vermontpersonalexemptionstakenbythetaxpayerunderthissubdivision(C); |
|---|
| 2093 | | - | and |
|---|
| 2094 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 2095 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 2096 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 2097 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 2098 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 2099 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 2100 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 2101 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 2102 | | - | 9 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.127 |
|---|
| 2103 | | - | 2025 Page51of54 |
|---|
| 2104 | | - | (II)minusanyamountdeductedatthefederallevelthatis |
|---|
| 2105 | | - | attributabletothepaymentofanentrancefeeorrecurringmonthlypayment |
|---|
| 2106 | | - | madetoacontinuingcareretirementcommunityregulatedunder8V.S.A. |
|---|
| 2107 | | - | chapter151,whichexceedsthedeductibilitylimitsforpremiumspaidduring |
|---|
| 2108 | | - | thetaxableyearonqualifiedlong-termcareinsurancecontractsunder26 |
|---|
| 2109 | | - | U.S.C.213(d)(10)(A). |
|---|
| 2110 | | - | Sec.19.32V.S.A.§ 3800isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 2111 | | - | § 3800.STATUTORYPURPOSES |
|---|
| 2112 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 2113 | | - | (r)Thestatutorypurposeoftheexemptionundersection 3851ofthistitle |
|---|
| 2114 | | - | forcertainnewconstructionandimprovementsistoincentivizethose |
|---|
| 2115 | | - | activities. |
|---|
| 2116 | | - | Sec.20.32V.S.A.§ 3851isaddedtoread: |
|---|
| 2117 | | - | § 3851.NEWACCESSORYDWELLINGUNITSANDCERTAIN |
|---|
| 2118 | | - | PROPERTYIMPROVEMENTS |
|---|
| 2119 | | - | (a)Anincreaseintheappraisalvalueofapropertyshallbeexemptedfrom |
|---|
| 2120 | | - | propertytaxationbyfixingandmaintainingthetaxablevalueattheproperty’s |
|---|
| 2121 | | - | grandlistvalueintheyearimmediatelyprecedingimprovementsinthe |
|---|
| 2122 | | - | followingcases: |
|---|
| 2123 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 2124 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 2125 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 2126 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 2127 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 2128 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 2129 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 2130 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 2131 | | - | 9 |
|---|
| 2132 | | - | 10 |
|---|
| 2133 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 2134 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 2135 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 2136 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 2137 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 2138 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 2139 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 2140 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 2141 | | - | 19 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.127 |
|---|
| 2142 | | - | 2025 Page52of54 |
|---|
| 2143 | | - | (1)thepropertyhasbeenrehabilitatedorimprovedusingagrantorloan |
|---|
| 2144 | | - | fromtheVermontHousingImprovementProgramandconstructionhasbeen |
|---|
| 2145 | | - | fullycompletedintheprevious12months;or |
|---|
| 2146 | | - | (2)thepropertyhasbeenimprovedthroughtheconstructionofanew |
|---|
| 2147 | | - | accessorydwellingunit,asdefinedby24V.S.A.§4303(38),andconstruction |
|---|
| 2148 | | - | hasbeenfullycompletedintheprevious12months. |
|---|
| 2149 | | - | (b)Adecreaseinappraisalvalueofapropertysubjecttothisexemption |
|---|
| 2150 | | - | duetodamageordestructionfromfireoractofnaturemayreducethe |
|---|
| 2151 | | - | property’staxablevaluebelowthefixedvalueundersubsection(a)ofthis |
|---|
| 2152 | | - | section. |
|---|
| 2153 | | - | (c)TheexemptionunderthissectionshallapplytotheStateeducation |
|---|
| 2154 | | - | propertytaximposedunderchapter135ofthistitleandtomunicipalproperty |
|---|
| 2155 | | - | tax. |
|---|
| 2156 | | - | (d)Anexemptionunderthissectionshallremainineffectforthreeyears. |
|---|
| 2157 | | - | Whentheexemptionperiodends,thepropertyshallbetaxedatitsmost |
|---|
| 2158 | | - | recentlyappraisedgrandlistvalue. |
|---|
| 2159 | | - | ***Appropriations*** |
|---|
| 2160 | | - | Sec.21.APPROPRIATIONS |
|---|
| 2161 | | - | ThefollowingshallbeappropriatedfromtheGeneralFundinfiscalyear |
|---|
| 2162 | | - | 2026: |
|---|
| 2163 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 2164 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 2165 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 2166 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 2167 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 2168 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 2169 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 2170 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 2171 | | - | 9 |
|---|
| 2172 | | - | 10 |
|---|
| 2173 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 2174 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 2175 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 2176 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 2177 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 2178 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 2179 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 2180 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 2181 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 2182 | | - | 20 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.127 |
|---|
| 2183 | | - | 2025 Page53of54 |
|---|
| 2184 | | - | (1)Thesumof$45,600,000.00totheDepartmentofHousingand |
|---|
| 2185 | | - | CommunityDevelopmentforthefollowingpurposes: |
|---|
| 2186 | | - | (A)$15,000,000.00grantedtotheVermontHousingFinanceAgency |
|---|
| 2187 | | - | tocontinueimplementationoftheMiddle-IncomeHomeownership |
|---|
| 2188 | | - | DevelopmentProgram; |
|---|
| 2189 | | - | (B)$15,000,000.00grantedtotheVermontHousingFinanceAgency |
|---|
| 2190 | | - | tocontinueimplementationoftheRentalHousingRevolvingLoanFund; |
|---|
| 2191 | | - | (C)$9,100,000.00grantedtotheVermontBondBanktoimplement |
|---|
| 2192 | | - | theVermontInfrastructureSustainabilityFund; |
|---|
| 2193 | | - | (D)$4,000,000.00fortherehabilitationofeligiblerentalhousing |
|---|
| 2194 | | - | unitsundertheRentalHousingImprovementProgramestablishedin10V.S.A. |
|---|
| 2195 | | - | §699; |
|---|
| 2196 | | - | (E)$2,000,000.00toimprovemobilehomeparkinfrastructureunder |
|---|
| 2197 | | - | theManufacturedHomeImprovementandRepairProgramestablishedin10 |
|---|
| 2198 | | - | V.S.A.§700;and |
|---|
| 2199 | | - | (F)$500,000.00forgrantstobemadeforthepurposeofproviding |
|---|
| 2200 | | - | homebuyereducation,financialliteracycounseling,andforeclosureprevention |
|---|
| 2201 | | - | programsoperatedbythefiveNeighborWorksAmericaaffiliated |
|---|
| 2202 | | - | HomeOwnershipCenters. |
|---|
| 2203 | | - | (2)Thesumof$100,000.00totheStateTreasurertoimplementthe |
|---|
| 2204 | | - | PositiveRentalPaymentPilotProgram. |
|---|
| 2205 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 2206 | | - | 2 |
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| 2225 | | - | 21 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.127 |
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| 2226 | | - | 2025 Page54of54 |
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| 2227 | | - | ***EffectiveDate*** |
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| 2228 | | - | Sec.2218.EFFECTIVEDATE |
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| 2229 | | - | ThisactshalltakeeffectonJuly1,2025. |
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| 2230 | | - | ***EffectiveDates*** |
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| 2231 | | - | Sec.18.EFFECTIVEDATES |
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| 2232 | | - | ThisactshalltakeeffectonJuly1,2025,exceptthatSec.4andthissection |
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| 2233 | | - | shalltakeeffectonpassage. |
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| 2234 | | - | 1 |
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| 2235 | | - | 2 |
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| 1 | + | BILL AS INTRODUCED S.127 |
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| 2 | + | 2025 Page 1 of 50 |
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| 3 | + | |
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| 4 | + | |
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| 5 | + | VT LEG #381201 v.6 |
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| 6 | + | S.127 1 |
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| 7 | + | Introduced by Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General 2 |
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| 8 | + | Affairs 3 |
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| 9 | + | Date: 4 |
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| 10 | + | Subject: Housing; housing programs; conservation and development; land use; 5 |
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| 11 | + | municipal zoning; Vermont Bond Bank; taxation and finance; tax 6 |
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| 12 | + | credits 7 |
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| 13 | + | Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to make multiple 8 |
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| 14 | + | changes related to housing programs. Specifically, the bill proposes to make 9 |
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| 15 | + | amendments to the Vermont Rental Housing Improvement Program and create 10 |
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| 16 | + | the Manufactured Home Improvement and Repair Program, create the 11 |
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| 17 | + | Vermont Infrastructure Sustainability Fund, allow for tax credits for the First-12 |
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| 18 | + | Generation Homebuyer and Down Payment Assistance Program, make 13 |
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| 19 | + | changes to the Brownfield Property Cleanup Program, create a study 14 |
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| 20 | + | committee related to disability housing, and require multiple housing-related 15 |
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| 21 | + | reports. This bill additionally proposes to create the Community Housing 16 |
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| 22 | + | Infrastructure Program, administered by the Vermont Economic Progress 17 |
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| 23 | + | Council, to authorize municipalities to use tax increment financing to pay for 18 |
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| 24 | + | infrastructure that will stimulate the development of housing. 19 |
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| 25 | + | An act relating to housing and housing development 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.127 |
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| 26 | + | 2025 Page 2 of 50 |
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| 27 | + | |
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| 28 | + | |
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| 29 | + | VT LEG #381201 v.6 |
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| 30 | + | It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: 1 |
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| 31 | + | * * * Vermont Rental Housing Improvement Program * * * 2 |
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| 32 | + | Sec. 1. 10 V.S.A. § 699 is amended to read: 3 |
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| 33 | + | § 699. VERMONT RENTAL HOUSING IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM 4 |
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| 34 | + | (a) Creation of Program. 5 |
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| 35 | + | * * * 6 |
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| 36 | + | (5)(A) The Department may cooperate with and subgrant funds to State 7 |
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| 37 | + | agencies and governmental subdivisions and public and private organizations 8 |
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| 38 | + | in order to carry out the purposes of this subsection (a). 9 |
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| 39 | + | (B) Solely with regards to actions undertaken pursuant to this 10 |
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| 40 | + | subdivision (5), entities, including grantees, subgrantees, and contractors of the 11 |
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| 41 | + | State, shall be exempt from the provisions of 8 V.S.A. chapter 73 (licensed 12 |
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| 42 | + | lenders, mortgage brokers, mortgage loan originators, sales finance companies, 13 |
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| 43 | + | and loan solicitation companies). 14 |
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| 44 | + | * * * 15 |
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| 45 | + | (d) Program requirements applicable to grants and forgivable loans. 16 |
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| 46 | + | (1)(A) A grant or loan shall not exceed: 17 |
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| 47 | + | (i) $70,000.00 per unit, for rehabilitation or creation of an eligible 18 |
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| 48 | + | rental housing unit meeting the applicable building accessibility requirements 19 |
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| 49 | + | under the Vermont Access Rules; or 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.127 |
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| 50 | + | 2025 Page 3 of 50 |
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| 51 | + | |
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| 52 | + | |
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| 53 | + | VT LEG #381201 v.6 |
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| 54 | + | (ii) $50,000.00 per unit, for rehabilitation or creation of any other 1 |
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| 55 | + | eligible rental housing unit. Up to an additional $20,000.00 per unit may be 2 |
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| 56 | + | made available for specific elements that collectively bring the unit to the 3 |
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| 57 | + | visitable standard outlined in the rules adopted by the Vermont Access Board. 4 |
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| 58 | + | * * * 5 |
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| 59 | + | (e) Program requirements applicable to grants and five-year forgivable 6 |
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| 60 | + | loans. For a grant or five-year forgivable loan awarded through the Program, 7 |
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| 61 | + | the following requirements apply for a minimum period of five years: 8 |
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| 62 | + | (1) A landlord shall coordinate with nonprofit housing partners and local 9 |
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| 63 | + | coordinated entry homelessness service organizations approved by the 10 |
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| 64 | + | Department to identify potential tenants. 11 |
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| 65 | + | (2)(A) Except as provided in subdivision (2)(B) of this subsection 12 |
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| 66 | + | subdivision (e)(2), a landlord shall lease the unit to a household that is: 13 |
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| 67 | + | (i) exiting homelessness, including any individual under 25 years 14 |
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| 68 | + | of age who secures housing through a master lease held by a youth service 15 |
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| 69 | + | provider on behalf of individuals under 25 years of age; 16 |
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| 70 | + | (ii) actively working with an immigrant or refugee resettlement 17 |
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| 71 | + | program; or 18 |
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| 72 | + | (iii) composed of at least one individual with a disability who 19 |
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| 73 | + | receives or is eligible approved to receive Medicaid-funded home and 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.127 |
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| 74 | + | 2025 Page 4 of 50 |
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| 75 | + | |
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| 76 | + | |
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| 77 | + | VT LEG #381201 v.6 |
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| 78 | + | community based home- and community-based services or Social Security 1 |
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| 79 | + | Disability Insurance; 2 |
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| 80 | + | (iv) displaced due to activity related to climate change or due to a 3 |
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| 81 | + | natural disaster; or 4 |
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| 82 | + | (v) with approval from the Department in writing, an organization 5 |
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| 83 | + | that will hold a master lease that explicitly states the unit will be used in 6 |
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| 84 | + | service of the populations described in this subsection (e). 7 |
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| 85 | + | * * * 8 |
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| 86 | + | (4)(A) A landlord may convert a grant to a forgivable loan upon 9 |
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| 87 | + | approval of the Department and the housing organization that approved the 10 |
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| 88 | + | grant. 11 |
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| 89 | + | (B) A landlord who converts a grant to a forgivable loan shall receive 12 |
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| 90 | + | a 10-percent prorated credit for loan forgiveness for each year in which the 13 |
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| 91 | + | landlord participates in the Program. 14 |
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| 92 | + | (f) Requirements applicable to 10-year forgivable loans. For a 10-year 15 |
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| 93 | + | forgivable loan awarded through the Program, the following requirements 16 |
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| 94 | + | apply for a minimum period of 10 years: 17 |
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| 95 | + | (1) A landlord shall coordinate with nonprofit housing partners and local 18 |
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| 96 | + | coordinated entry organizations to identify potential tenants The total cost of 19 |
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| 97 | + | rent for the unit, including utilities not covered by rent payments, shall not 20 |
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| 98 | + | exceed the applicable fair market rent established by the Department of 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.127 |
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| 99 | + | 2025 Page 5 of 50 |
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| 100 | + | |
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| 101 | + | |
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| 102 | + | VT LEG #381201 v.6 |
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| 103 | + | Housing and Urban Development, except that a landlord may accept a housing 1 |
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| 104 | + | voucher that exceeds fair market rent, if available. 2 |
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| 105 | + | (2)(A) Except as provided in subdivision (2)(B) of this subsection (f), a 3 |
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| 106 | + | landlord shall lease the unit to a household that is: 4 |
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| 107 | + | (i) exiting homelessness, including any individual under 25 years 5 |
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| 108 | + | of age who secures housing through a master lease held by a youth service 6 |
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| 109 | + | provider on behalf of individuals under 25 years of age; 7 |
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| 110 | + | (ii) actively working with an immigrant or refugee resettlement 8 |
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| 111 | + | program; or 9 |
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| 112 | + | (iii) composed of at least one individual with a disability who is 10 |
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| 113 | + | eligible to receive Medicaid-funded home and community based services. 11 |
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| 114 | + | (B) If, upon petition of the landlord, the Department or the housing 12 |
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| 115 | + | organization that issued the grant determines that a household under 13 |
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| 116 | + | subdivision (2)(A) of this subsection (f) is not available to lease the unit, then 14 |
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| 117 | + | the landlord shall lease the unit: 15 |
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| 118 | + | (i) to a household with an income equal to or less than 80 percent 16 |
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| 119 | + | of area median income; or 17 |
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| 120 | + | (ii) if such a household is unavailable, to another household with 18 |
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| 121 | + | the approval of the Department or housing organization. 19 |
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| 122 | + | (3)(A) A landlord shall accept any housing vouchers that are available to 20 |
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| 123 | + | pay all, or a portion of, the tenant’s rent and utilities. 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.127 |
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| 124 | + | 2025 Page 6 of 50 |
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| 125 | + | |
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| 126 | + | |
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| 127 | + | VT LEG #381201 v.6 |
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| 128 | + | (B) If no housing voucher or federal or State subsidy is available, the 1 |
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| 129 | + | cost of rent for the unit, including utilities not covered by rent payments, shall 2 |
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| 130 | + | not exceed the applicable fair market rent established by the Department of 3 |
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| 131 | + | Housing and Urban Development. 4 |
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| 132 | + | (4) The Department shall forgive 10 percent of the a prorated amount of 5 |
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| 133 | + | a forgivable loan for each year a landlord participates in the loan program. 6 |
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| 134 | + | * * * 7 |
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| 135 | + | (i) Creation of the Vermont Rental Housing Improvement Program 8 |
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| 136 | + | Revolving Fund. Funds repaid or returned to the Department from forgivable 9 |
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| 137 | + | loans or grants funded by the Program shall return to the Vermont Rental 10 |
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| 138 | + | Housing Improvement Revolving Fund to be used for Program expenditures 11 |
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| 139 | + | and administrative costs at the discretion of the Department. 12 |
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| 140 | + | * * * MHIR * * * 13 |
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| 141 | + | Sec. 2. 10 V.S.A. § 700 is added to read: 14 |
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| 142 | + | § 700. VERMONT MANUFACTURED HOME IMPROVEMENT AND 15 |
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| 143 | + | REPAIR PROGRAM 16 |
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| 144 | + | (a) There is created within the Department of Housing and Community 17 |
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| 145 | + | Development the Manufactured Home Improvement and Repair Program. The 18 |
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| 146 | + | Department shall design and implement the Program to award funding to 19 |
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| 147 | + | statewide or regional nonprofit housing organizations, or both, to provide 20 |
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| 148 | + | financial assistance or awards to manufactured homeowners and manufactured 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.127 |
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| 149 | + | 2025 Page 7 of 50 |
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| 150 | + | |
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| 151 | + | |
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| 152 | + | VT LEG #381201 v.6 |
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| 153 | + | home park owners to improve existing homes, incentivize new slab placement 1 |
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| 154 | + | for prospective homeowners, and incentivize park improvements for infill of 2 |
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| 155 | + | more homes. 3 |
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| 156 | + | (b) The following projects are eligible for funding through the Program: 4 |
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| 157 | + | (1) The Department may award up to $20,000.00 to owners of 5 |
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| 158 | + | manufactured housing communities to complete small-scale capital needs to 6 |
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| 159 | + | help infill vacant lots with homes, including disposal of abandoned homes, lot 7 |
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| 160 | + | grading and preparation, the siting and upgrading of electrical boxes, 8 |
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| 161 | + | enhancing E-911 safety issues, transporting homes out of flood zones, and 9 |
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| 162 | + | improving individual septic systems. Costs awarded under this subdivision 10 |
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| 163 | + | may also cover legal fees and marketing to help make it easier for homeseekers 11 |
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| 164 | + | to find vacant lots around the State. 12 |
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| 165 | + | (2) The Department may award funding to manufactured homeowners 13 |
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| 166 | + | for which the home is their primary residence to address habitability and 14 |
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| 167 | + | accessibility issues to bring the home into compliance with safe living 15 |
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| 168 | + | conditions. 16 |
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| 169 | + | (3) The Department may award up to $15,000.00 per grant to a 17 |
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| 170 | + | homeowner to pay for a foundation or federal Department of Housing and 18 |
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| 171 | + | Urban Development-approved slab, site preparation, skirting, tie-downs, and 19 |
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| 172 | + | utility connections on vacant lots within a manufactured home community. 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.127 |
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| 173 | + | 2025 Page 8 of 50 |
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| 174 | + | |
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| 175 | + | |
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| 176 | + | VT LEG #381201 v.6 |
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| 177 | + | (c) The Department may adopt rules, policies, and guidelines to aid in 1 |
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| 178 | + | enacting the Program. 2 |
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| 179 | + | * * * Vermont Infrastructure Sustainability Fund * * * 3 |
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| 180 | + | Sec. 3. 24 V.S.A. chapter 119, subchapter 6 is amended to read: 4 |
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| 181 | + | Subchapter 6. Special Funds 5 |
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| 182 | + | * * * 6 |
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| 183 | + | § 4686. VERMONT INFRASTRUCTURE SUSTAINABILITY FUND 7 |
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| 184 | + | (a) Creation. There is created the Vermont Infrastructure Sustainability 8 |
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| 185 | + | Fund within the Vermont Bond Bank. 9 |
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| 186 | + | (b) Purpose. The purpose of the Fund is to provide capital to extend and 10 |
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| 187 | + | increase capacity of water and sewer service and other public infrastructure in 11 |
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| 188 | + | municipalities where lack of extension or capacity is a barrier to housing 12 |
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| 189 | + | development. 13 |
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| 190 | + | (c) Administration. The Vermont Bond Bank may administer the Fund in 14 |
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| 191 | + | coordination with and support from other State agencies, government 15 |
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| 192 | + | component parts, and quasi-governmental agencies. 16 |
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| 193 | + | (d) Program parameters. 17 |
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| 194 | + | (1) The Vermont Bond Bank, in consultation with the Department of 18 |
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| 195 | + | Housing and Community Development, shall develop program guidelines to 19 |
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| 196 | + | effectively implement the Fund. 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.127 |
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| 197 | + | 2025 Page 9 of 50 |
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| 198 | + | |
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| 199 | + | |
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| 200 | + | VT LEG #381201 v.6 |
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| 201 | + | (2) The program shall provide low-interest loans or bonds to 1 |
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| 202 | + | municipalities to expand infrastructure capacity. Eligible activities include: 2 |
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| 203 | + | (A) preliminary engineering and planning; 3 |
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| 204 | + | (B) engineering design and bid specifications; 4 |
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| 205 | + | (C) construction for municipal waste and wastewater systems; 5 |
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| 206 | + | (D) transportation investments, including those required by municipal 6 |
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| 207 | + | regulation, the municipality’s official map, designation requirements, or other 7 |
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| 208 | + | planning or engineering identifying complete streets and transportation and 8 |
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| 209 | + | transit related improvements, including improvements to existing streets; and 9 |
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| 210 | + | (E) other eligible activities as determined by the guidelines produced 10 |
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| 211 | + | by the Vermont Bond Bank in consultation with the Department of Housing 11 |
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| 212 | + | and Community Development. 12 |
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| 213 | + | (e) Application requirements. Eligible project applications shall 13 |
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| 214 | + | demonstrate: 14 |
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| 215 | + | (1) the project will create reserve capacity necessary for new housing 15 |
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| 216 | + | unit development; 16 |
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| 217 | + | (2) the project has a direct link to housing unit production; and 17 |
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| 218 | + | (3) the municipality has a commitment to own and operate the project 18 |
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| 219 | + | throughout its useful life. 19 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.127 |
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| 220 | + | 2025 Page 10 of 50 |
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| 221 | + | |
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| 222 | + | |
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| 223 | + | VT LEG #381201 v.6 |
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| 224 | + | (f) Application criteria. In addition to any criteria developed in the 1 |
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| 225 | + | program guidelines, project applications shall be evaluated using the following 2 |
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| 226 | + | criteria: 3 |
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| 227 | + | (1) whether there is a direct connection to proposed or in-progress 4 |
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| 228 | + | housing development with demonstrable progress toward regional housing 5 |
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| 229 | + | targets; 6 |
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| 230 | + | (2) whether the project is an expansion of an existing system and the 7 |
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| 231 | + | proximity to a designated area; 8 |
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| 232 | + | (3) the project readiness and estimated time until the need for financing; 9 |
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| 233 | + | (4) the ranking of the community on the Vermont Department of 10 |
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| 234 | + | Finance and Management, Vermont Community Index; and 11 |
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| 235 | + | (5) the demonstration of financing for project completion or completion 12 |
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| 236 | + | of a project component. 13 |
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| 237 | + | (g) Award terms. The Vermont Bond Bank, in consultation with the 14 |
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| 238 | + | Department of Housing and Community Development, shall establish award 15 |
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| 239 | + | terms that may include: 16 |
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| 240 | + | (1) the maximum loan or bond amount; 17 |
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| 241 | + | (2) the maximum term of the loan or bond amount; 18 |
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| 242 | + | (3) the time by which amortization shall commence; 19 |
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| 243 | + | (4) the maximum interest rate; 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.127 |
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| 244 | + | 2025 Page 11 of 50 |
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| 245 | + | |
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| 246 | + | |
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| 247 | + | VT LEG #381201 v.6 |
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| 248 | + | (5) whether the loan is eligible for forgiveness and to what percentage or 1 |
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| 249 | + | amount; 2 |
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| 250 | + | (6) the necessary security for the loan or bond; and 3 |
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| 251 | + | (7) any additional covenants encumbering the improved properties to 4 |
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| 252 | + | further secure the loan or bond. 5 |
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| 253 | + | (h) Revolving fund. Any funds repaid or returned from the Infrastructure 6 |
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| 254 | + | Sustainability Fund shall be deposited into the Fund and used to continue the 7 |
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| 255 | + | program established in this section. 8 |
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| 256 | + | * * * VHFA First-Generation Homebuyer Program and Down Payment 9 |
|---|
| 257 | + | Assistance Program * * * 10 |
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| 258 | + | Sec. 4. 32 V.S.A. § 5930u is amended to read: 11 |
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| 259 | + | § 5930u. TAX CREDIT FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING 12 |
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| 260 | + | (a) Definitions. As used in this section: 13 |
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| 261 | + | * * * 14 |
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| 262 | + | (11) “First-generation homebuyer” means a homebuyer who self-attests 15 |
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| 263 | + | that the homebuyer is an individual: 16 |
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| 264 | + | (A) whose parents or legal guardians: 17 |
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| 265 | + | (i) do not have and during the homebuyer’s lifetime have not had 18 |
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| 266 | + | any residential ownership interest in any state; or 19 |
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| 267 | + | (ii) lost ownership of a home due to foreclosure, short sale, or 20 |
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| 268 | + | deed-in-lieu of foreclosure and have not owned a home since that loss; or 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.127 |
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| 269 | + | 2025 Page 12 of 50 |
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| 270 | + | |
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| 271 | + | |
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| 272 | + | VT LEG #381201 v.6 |
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| 273 | + | (B) who has at any time been placed in foster care. 1 |
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| 274 | + | * * * 2 |
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| 275 | + | (g) Credit allocation. 3 |
|---|
| 276 | + | (1) In any fiscal year, the allocating agency may award up to: 4 |
|---|
| 277 | + | (A) $400,000.00 in total first-year credit allocations to all applicants 5 |
|---|
| 278 | + | for rental housing projects, for an aggregate limit of $2,000,000.00 over any 6 |
|---|
| 279 | + | given five-year period that credits are available under this subdivision (A). 7 |
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| 280 | + | (B) $675,000.00 in total first-year credit allocations for loans or 8 |
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| 281 | + | grants for owner-occupied unit financing or down payment loans as provided 9 |
|---|
| 282 | + | in subdivision (b)(2) of this section consistent with the allocation plan, 10 |
|---|
| 283 | + | including for new construction and manufactured housing, for an aggregate 11 |
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| 284 | + | limit of $3,375,000.00 over any given five-year period that credits are 12 |
|---|
| 285 | + | available under this subdivision (B). Of the total first-year credit allocations 13 |
|---|
| 286 | + | made under this subdivision (B), $250,000.00 shall be used each fiscal year for 14 |
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| 287 | + | manufactured home purchase and replacement. 15 |
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| 288 | + | (C) $250,000.00 in total first-year credit allocations for grants to 16 |
|---|
| 289 | + | first-time homebuyers who are also first-generation homebuyers as provided in 17 |
|---|
| 290 | + | subdivision (b)(3)(D) of this section, for an aggregate limit of $1,250,000.00 18 |
|---|
| 291 | + | over any given five-year period that credits are available under this subdivision 19 |
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| 292 | + | (C). 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.127 |
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| 293 | + | 2025 Page 13 of 50 |
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| 294 | + | |
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| 295 | + | |
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| 296 | + | VT LEG #381201 v.6 |
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| 297 | + | (2) If the full amount of first-year credits authorized by an award are not 1 |
|---|
| 298 | + | allocated to a taxpayer, the Agency may reclaim the amount not allocated and 2 |
|---|
| 299 | + | re-award such allocations to other applicants, and such re-awards shall not be 3 |
|---|
| 300 | + | subject to the limits set forth in subdivision (1) of this subsection. 4 |
|---|
| 301 | + | (h) Credit allocation; Down Payment Assistance Program. 5 |
|---|
| 302 | + | (1) In fiscal year 2016 through fiscal year 2019, the allocating agency 6 |
|---|
| 303 | + | may award up to $125,000.00 in total first-year credit allocations for loans 7 |
|---|
| 304 | + | through the Down Payment Assistance Program created in subdivision (b)(2) 8 |
|---|
| 305 | + | of this section. 9 |
|---|
| 306 | + | (2) In fiscal year 2020 through fiscal year 2026, the allocating agency 10 |
|---|
| 307 | + | may award up to $250,000.00 in total first-year credit allocations for loans 11 |
|---|
| 308 | + | through the Down Payment Assistance Program created in subdivision (b)(3) 12 |
|---|
| 309 | + | of this section. 13 |
|---|
| 310 | + | (3) In fiscal year 2027 through fiscal year 2031, the allocating agency 14 |
|---|
| 311 | + | may award up to $250,000.00 in total first-year credit allocations for loans 15 |
|---|
| 312 | + | through the Down Payment Assistance Program created in subdivision (b)(3) 16 |
|---|
| 313 | + | of this section. 17 |
|---|
| 314 | + | * * * Housing and Residential Services Planning Committee * * * 18 |
|---|
| 315 | + | Sec. 5. STATE HOUSING AND RESIDENTIAL SERVICES PLANNING 19 |
|---|
| 316 | + | COMMITTEE; REPORT 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.127 |
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| 317 | + | 2025 Page 14 of 50 |
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| 318 | + | |
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| 319 | + | |
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| 320 | + | VT LEG #381201 v.6 |
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| 321 | + | (a) Creation. There is created the State Housing and Residential Services 1 |
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| 322 | + | Planning Committee to generate a State plan to develop housing for individuals 2 |
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| 323 | + | with developmental disabilities. 3 |
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| 324 | + | (b) Membership. The Committee shall be composed of the following 4 |
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| 325 | + | members: 5 |
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| 326 | + | (1) one current member of the House of Representatives, who shall be 6 |
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| 327 | + | appointed by the Speaker of the House; 7 |
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| 328 | + | (2) one current member of the Senate, who shall be appointed by the 8 |
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| 329 | + | Committee on Committees; 9 |
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| 330 | + | (3) the Secretary of the Agency of Human Services or designee; 10 |
|---|
| 331 | + | (4) the Commissioner of the Department of Disabilities, Aging, and 11 |
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| 332 | + | Independent Living or designee; 12 |
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| 333 | + | (5) the Commissioner of the Department of Housing and Community 13 |
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| 334 | + | Development or designee; 14 |
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| 335 | + | (6) the State Treasurer or designee; 15 |
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| 336 | + | (7) one member, appointed by the Developmental Disabilities Housing 16 |
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| 337 | + | Initiative; 17 |
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| 338 | + | (8) the Executive Director of the Vermont Developmental Disabilities 18 |
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| 339 | + | Council; 19 |
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| 340 | + | (9) one member, appointed by Green Mountain Self-Advocates; 20 |
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| 341 | + | (10) one member, appointed by Vermont Care Partners; and 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.127 |
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| 342 | + | 2025 Page 15 of 50 |
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| 343 | + | |
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| 344 | + | |
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| 345 | + | VT LEG #381201 v.6 |
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| 346 | + | (11) one member, appointed by the Vermont Housing and Conservation 1 |
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| 347 | + | Board. 2 |
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| 348 | + | (c) Powers and duties. The Committee shall create an actionable plan to 3 |
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| 349 | + | develop housing for individuals with developmental disabilities that reflects 4 |
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| 350 | + | the diversity of needs expressed by those individuals and their families, 5 |
|---|
| 351 | + | including individuals with high-support needs who require 24-hour care and 6 |
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| 352 | + | those with specific communication needs. The plan shall include: 7 |
|---|
| 353 | + | (1) a schedule for the creation of at least 600 additional units of service-8 |
|---|
| 354 | + | supported housing; 9 |
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| 355 | + | (2) the number and description of the support needs of individuals with 10 |
|---|
| 356 | + | developmental disabilities anticipated to be served annually; 11 |
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| 357 | + | (3) anticipated funding needs; and 12 |
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| 358 | + | (4) recommendations for changes in State laws or policies that are 13 |
|---|
| 359 | + | obstacles to the development of housing needed by individuals with Medicaid-14 |
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| 360 | + | funded home-and community-based services. 15 |
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| 361 | + | (d) Assistance. For purposes of scheduling meetings and preparing 16 |
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| 362 | + | recommended legislation, the Committee shall have the assistance of the 17 |
|---|
| 363 | + | Office of Legislative Operations and the Office of Legislative Counsel. 18 |
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| 364 | + | (e) Report. On or before November 15, 2025, the Committee shall submit 19 |
|---|
| 365 | + | a written report to the House Committees on General and Housing and on 20 |
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| 366 | + | Human Services and the Senate Committees on Economic Development, 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.127 |
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| 367 | + | 2025 Page 16 of 50 |
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| 368 | + | |
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| 369 | + | |
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| 370 | + | VT LEG #381201 v.6 |
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| 371 | + | Housing and General Affairs and on Health and Welfare with its findings and 1 |
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| 372 | + | any recommendations for legislative action. 2 |
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| 373 | + | (f) Meetings. 3 |
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| 374 | + | (1) The Secretary of Human Services shall call the first meeting of the 4 |
|---|
| 375 | + | Committee to occur on or before July 15, 2025. 5 |
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| 376 | + | (2) The Committee shall select a chair from among its members at the 6 |
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| 377 | + | first meeting. 7 |
|---|
| 378 | + | (3) A majority of the membership shall constitute a quorum. 8 |
|---|
| 379 | + | (4) The Committee shall cease to exist on November 30, 2025. 9 |
|---|
| 380 | + | (g) Compensation and reimbursement. For attendance at meetings during 10 |
|---|
| 381 | + | adjournment of the General Assembly, a legislative member of the Committee 11 |
|---|
| 382 | + | serving in the member’s capacity as a legislator shall be entitled to per diem 12 |
|---|
| 383 | + | compensation and reimbursement of expenses pursuant to 2 V.S.A. § 23 for 13 |
|---|
| 384 | + | not more than five meetings. These payments shall be made from monies 14 |
|---|
| 385 | + | appropriated to the General Assembly. 15 |
|---|
| 386 | + | * * * Housing and Public Accommodation Protections * * * 16 |
|---|
| 387 | + | Sec. 6. 9 V.S.A. § 4501 is amended to read: 17 |
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| 388 | + | § 4501. DEFINITIONS 18 |
|---|
| 389 | + | As used in this chapter: 19 |
|---|
| 390 | + | * * * 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.127 |
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| 391 | + | 2025 Page 17 of 50 |
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| 392 | + | |
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| 393 | + | |
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| 394 | + | VT LEG #381201 v.6 |
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| 395 | + | (12)(A) “Harass” means to engage in unwelcome conduct that detracts 1 |
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| 396 | + | from, undermines, or interferes with a person’s: 2 |
|---|
| 397 | + | (i) use of a place of public accommodation or any of the 3 |
|---|
| 398 | + | accommodations, advantages, facilities, or privileges of a place of public 4 |
|---|
| 399 | + | accommodation because of the person’s race, creed, color, national origin, 5 |
|---|
| 400 | + | citizenship, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability; 6 |
|---|
| 401 | + | or 7 |
|---|
| 402 | + | (ii) terms, conditions, privileges, or protections in the sale or rental 8 |
|---|
| 403 | + | of a dwelling or other real estate, or in the provision of services or facilities in 9 |
|---|
| 404 | + | connection with a dwelling or other real estate, because of the person’s race, 10 |
|---|
| 405 | + | sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, religious creed, 11 |
|---|
| 406 | + | color, national origin, citizenship, or disability, or because the person intends 12 |
|---|
| 407 | + | to occupy a dwelling with one or more minor children, or because the person is 13 |
|---|
| 408 | + | a recipient of public assistance, or because the person is a victim of abuse, 14 |
|---|
| 409 | + | sexual assault, or stalking. 15 |
|---|
| 410 | + | * * * 16 |
|---|
| 411 | + | Sec. 7. 9 V.S.A. § 4502 is amended to read: 17 |
|---|
| 412 | + | § 4502. PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS 18 |
|---|
| 413 | + | (a) An owner or operator of a place of public accommodation or an agent 19 |
|---|
| 414 | + | or employee of such owner or operator shall not, because of the race, creed, 20 |
|---|
| 415 | + | color, national origin, citizenship, immigration status, marital status, sex, 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.127 |
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| 416 | + | 2025 Page 18 of 50 |
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| 417 | + | |
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| 418 | + | |
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| 419 | + | VT LEG #381201 v.6 |
|---|
| 420 | + | sexual orientation, or gender identity of any person, refuse, withhold from, or 1 |
|---|
| 421 | + | deny to that person any of the accommodations, advantages, facilities, and 2 |
|---|
| 422 | + | privileges of the place of public accommodation. 3 |
|---|
| 423 | + | * * * 4 |
|---|
| 424 | + | Sec. 8. 9 V.S.A. § 4503 is amended to read: 5 |
|---|
| 425 | + | § 4503. UNFAIR HOUSING PRACTICES 6 |
|---|
| 426 | + | (a) It shall be unlawful for any person: 7 |
|---|
| 427 | + | (1) To refuse to sell or rent, or refuse to negotiate for the sale or rental 8 |
|---|
| 428 | + | of, or otherwise make unavailable or deny, a dwelling or other real estate to 9 |
|---|
| 429 | + | any person because of the race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, 10 |
|---|
| 430 | + | marital status, religious creed, color, national origin, citizenship, or disability 11 |
|---|
| 431 | + | of a person, or because a person intends to occupy a dwelling with one or more 12 |
|---|
| 432 | + | minor children, or because a person is a recipient of public assistance, or 13 |
|---|
| 433 | + | because a person is a victim of abuse, sexual assault, or stalking. 14 |
|---|
| 434 | + | (2) To discriminate against, or to harass, any person in the terms, 15 |
|---|
| 435 | + | conditions, privileges, and protections of the sale or rental of a dwelling or 16 |
|---|
| 436 | + | other real estate, or in the provision of services or facilities in connection with 17 |
|---|
| 437 | + | a dwelling or other real estate, because of the race, sex, sexual orientation, 18 |
|---|
| 438 | + | gender identity, age, marital status, religious creed, color, national origin, 19 |
|---|
| 439 | + | citizenship, or disability of a person, or because a person intends to occupy a 20 |
|---|
| 440 | + | dwelling with one or more minor children, or because a person is a recipient of 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.127 |
|---|
| 441 | + | 2025 Page 19 of 50 |
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| 442 | + | |
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| 443 | + | |
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| 444 | + | VT LEG #381201 v.6 |
|---|
| 445 | + | public assistance, or because a person is a victim of abuse, sexual assault, or 1 |
|---|
| 446 | + | stalking. 2 |
|---|
| 447 | + | (3) To make, print, or publish, or cause to be made, printed, or published 3 |
|---|
| 448 | + | any notice, statement, or advertisement, with respect to the sale or rental of a 4 |
|---|
| 449 | + | dwelling or other real estate that indicates any preference, limitation, or 5 |
|---|
| 450 | + | discrimination based on race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, 6 |
|---|
| 451 | + | marital status, religious creed, color, national origin, citizenship, or disability 7 |
|---|
| 452 | + | of a person, or because a person intends to occupy a dwelling with one or more 8 |
|---|
| 453 | + | minor children, or because a person is a recipient of public assistance, or 9 |
|---|
| 454 | + | because a person is a victim of abuse, sexual assault, or stalking. 10 |
|---|
| 455 | + | (4) To represent to any person because of the race, sex, sexual 11 |
|---|
| 456 | + | orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, religious creed, color, national 12 |
|---|
| 457 | + | origin, citizenship, or disability of a person, or because a person intends to 13 |
|---|
| 458 | + | occupy a dwelling with one or more minor children, or because a person is a 14 |
|---|
| 459 | + | recipient of public assistance, or because a person is a victim of abuse, sexual 15 |
|---|
| 460 | + | assault, or stalking, that any dwelling or other real estate is not available for 16 |
|---|
| 461 | + | inspection, sale, or rental when the dwelling or real estate is in fact so 17 |
|---|
| 462 | + | available. 18 |
|---|
| 463 | + | * * * 19 |
|---|
| 464 | + | (6) To discriminate against any person in the making or purchasing of 20 |
|---|
| 465 | + | loans or providing other financial assistance for real-estate-related transactions 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.127 |
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| 466 | + | 2025 Page 20 of 50 |
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| 467 | + | |
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| 468 | + | |
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| 469 | + | VT LEG #381201 v.6 |
|---|
| 470 | + | or in the selling, brokering, or appraising of residential real property, because 1 |
|---|
| 471 | + | of the race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, 2 |
|---|
| 472 | + | religious creed, color, national origin, citizenship, or disability of a person, or 3 |
|---|
| 473 | + | because a person intends to occupy a dwelling with one or more minor 4 |
|---|
| 474 | + | children, or because a person is a recipient of public assistance, or because a 5 |
|---|
| 475 | + | person is a victim of abuse, sexual assault, or stalking. 6 |
|---|
| 476 | + | (7) To engage in blockbusting practices, for profit, which may include 7 |
|---|
| 477 | + | inducing or attempting to induce a person to sell or rent a dwelling by 8 |
|---|
| 478 | + | representations regarding the entry into the neighborhood of a person or 9 |
|---|
| 479 | + | persons of a particular race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, 10 |
|---|
| 480 | + | marital status, religious creed, color, national origin, citizenship, or disability 11 |
|---|
| 481 | + | of a person, or because a person intends to occupy a dwelling with one or more 12 |
|---|
| 482 | + | minor children, or because a person is a recipient of public assistance, or 13 |
|---|
| 483 | + | because a person is a victim of abuse, sexual assault, or stalking. 14 |
|---|
| 484 | + | (8) To deny any person access to or membership or participation in any 15 |
|---|
| 485 | + | multiple listing service, real estate brokers’ organization, or other service, 16 |
|---|
| 486 | + | organization, or facility relating to the business of selling or renting dwellings, 17 |
|---|
| 487 | + | or to discriminate against any person in the terms or conditions of such access, 18 |
|---|
| 488 | + | membership, or participation, on account of race, sex, sexual orientation, 19 |
|---|
| 489 | + | gender identity, age, marital status, religious creed, color, national origin, 20 |
|---|
| 490 | + | citizenship, or disability of a person, or because a person is a recipient of 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.127 |
|---|
| 491 | + | 2025 Page 21 of 50 |
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| 492 | + | |
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| 493 | + | |
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| 494 | + | VT LEG #381201 v.6 |
|---|
| 495 | + | public assistance, or because a person is a victim of abuse, sexual assault, or 1 |
|---|
| 496 | + | stalking. 2 |
|---|
| 497 | + | * * * 3 |
|---|
| 498 | + | (12) To discriminate in land use decisions or in the permitting of 4 |
|---|
| 499 | + | housing because of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital 5 |
|---|
| 500 | + | status, religious creed, color, national origin, citizenship, disability, the 6 |
|---|
| 501 | + | presence of one or more minor children, income, or because of the receipt of 7 |
|---|
| 502 | + | public assistance, or because a person is a victim of abuse, sexual assault, or 8 |
|---|
| 503 | + | stalking, except as otherwise provided by law. 9 |
|---|
| 504 | + | * * * 10 |
|---|
| 505 | + | (d) If required by federal law, the verification of immigration status shall 11 |
|---|
| 506 | + | not constitute a violation of subsection (a) of this section with respect to the 12 |
|---|
| 507 | + | sale and rental of dwellings. 13 |
|---|
| 508 | + | * * * LURB Appeals Study * * * 14 |
|---|
| 509 | + | Sec. 9. 2024 Acts and Resolves No. 181, Sec. 11a is amended to read: 15 |
|---|
| 510 | + | Sec. 11a. ACT 250 APPEALS STUDY 16 |
|---|
| 511 | + | (a) On or before January 15, 2026 November 15, 2025, the Land Use 17 |
|---|
| 512 | + | Review Board shall issue a report evaluating whether to transfer appeals of 18 |
|---|
| 513 | + | permit decisions and jurisdictional opinions issued pursuant to 10 V.S.A. 19 |
|---|
| 514 | + | chapter 151 to the Land Use Review Board or whether they should remain at 20 |
|---|
| 515 | + | the Environmental Division of the Superior Court. The Board shall convene a 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.127 |
|---|
| 516 | + | 2025 Page 22 of 50 |
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| 517 | + | |
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| 518 | + | |
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| 519 | + | VT LEG #381201 v.6 |
|---|
| 520 | + | stakeholder group that at a minimum shall be composed of a representative of 1 |
|---|
| 521 | + | environmental interests, attorneys that practice environmental and 2 |
|---|
| 522 | + | development law in Vermont, the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, the 3 |
|---|
| 523 | + | Vermont Association of Planning and Development Agencies, the Vermont 4 |
|---|
| 524 | + | Chamber of Commerce, the Land Access and Opportunity Board, the Office of 5 |
|---|
| 525 | + | Racial Equity, the Vermont Association of Realtors, a representative of non-6 |
|---|
| 526 | + | profit housing development interests, a representative of for-profit housing 7 |
|---|
| 527 | + | development interests, a representative of commercial development interests, 8 |
|---|
| 528 | + | an engineer with experience in development, the Agency of Commerce and 9 |
|---|
| 529 | + | Community Development, and the Agency of Natural Resources in preparing 10 |
|---|
| 530 | + | the report. The Board shall provide notice of the stakeholder meetings on its 11 |
|---|
| 531 | + | website and each meeting shall provide time for public comment. 12 |
|---|
| 532 | + | (b) The report shall at minimum recommend: 13 |
|---|
| 533 | + | (1) whether Whether to allow consolidation of appeals at the Board, or 14 |
|---|
| 534 | + | with the Environmental Division of the Superior Court, and how, including 15 |
|---|
| 535 | + | what resources the Board would need, if transferred to the Board, appeals of 16 |
|---|
| 536 | + | permit decisions issued under 24 V.S.A. chapter 117 and the Agency of 17 |
|---|
| 537 | + | Natural Resources can be consolidated with Act 250 appeals;. 18 |
|---|
| 538 | + | (2) how How to prioritize and expedite the adjudication of appeals 19 |
|---|
| 539 | + | related to housing projects, including the use of hearing officers to expedite 20 |
|---|
| 540 | + | appeals and the setting of timelines for processing of housing appeals;. 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.127 |
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| 541 | + | 2025 Page 23 of 50 |
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| 542 | + | |
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| 543 | + | |
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| 544 | + | VT LEG #381201 v.6 |
|---|
| 545 | + | (3) procedural Procedural rules to govern the Board’s administration of 1 |
|---|
| 546 | + | Act 250 and the adjudication of appeals of Act 250 decisions. These rules 2 |
|---|
| 547 | + | shall include procedures to create a firewall and eliminate any potential for 3 |
|---|
| 548 | + | conflicts with the Board managing appeals and issuing permit decisions and 4 |
|---|
| 549 | + | jurisdictional opinions; and. 5 |
|---|
| 550 | + | (4) other Other actions the Board should take to promote the efficient 6 |
|---|
| 551 | + | and effective adjudication of appeals, including any procedural improvements 7 |
|---|
| 552 | + | to the Act 250 permitting process and jurisdictional opinion appeals. 8 |
|---|
| 553 | + | (c) The report shall be submitted to the Senate Committees on Economic 9 |
|---|
| 554 | + | Development, Housing and General Affairs and on Natural Resources and 10 |
|---|
| 555 | + | Energy and the House Committee on Environment and Energy. 11 |
|---|
| 556 | + | * * * Brownfields * * * 12 |
|---|
| 557 | + | Sec. 10. 10 V.S.A. § 6604c is amended to read: 13 |
|---|
| 558 | + | § 6604c. MANAGEMENT OF DEVELOPMENT SOILS 14 |
|---|
| 559 | + | (a) Management of development soils. Notwithstanding any other 15 |
|---|
| 560 | + | requirements of this chapter to the contrary, development soils may be 16 |
|---|
| 561 | + | managed at a location permitted pursuant to an insignificant waste event 17 |
|---|
| 562 | + | approval authorization issued pursuant to the Solid Waste Management Rules 18 |
|---|
| 563 | + | that contains, at a minimum, the following: 19 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.127 |
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| 564 | + | 2025 Page 24 of 50 |
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| 565 | + | |
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| 566 | + | |
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| 567 | + | VT LEG #381201 v.6 |
|---|
| 568 | + | (1) the development soils are generated from a hazardous materials site 1 |
|---|
| 569 | + | managed pursuant to a corrective action plan or a soil management plan 2 |
|---|
| 570 | + | approved by the Secretary; 3 |
|---|
| 571 | + | (2) the development soils have been tested for arsenic, lead, and 4 |
|---|
| 572 | + | polyaromatic hydrocarbons pursuant to a monitoring plan approved by the 5 |
|---|
| 573 | + | Secretary that ensures that the soils do not leach above groundwater 6 |
|---|
| 574 | + | enforcement standards; 7 |
|---|
| 575 | + | (3) the location where the soils are managed is appropriate for the 8 |
|---|
| 576 | + | amount and type of material being managed; 9 |
|---|
| 577 | + | (4) the soils are capped in a manner approved by the Secretary; 10 |
|---|
| 578 | + | (5) any activity that may disturb the development soils at the permitted 11 |
|---|
| 579 | + | location shall be conducted pursuant to a soil management plan approved by 12 |
|---|
| 580 | + | the Secretary; and 13 |
|---|
| 581 | + | (6) the permittee files a record notice of where the soils are managed in 14 |
|---|
| 582 | + | the land records. 15 |
|---|
| 583 | + | * * * 16 |
|---|
| 584 | + | Sec. 11. REPORT ON THE STATUS OF MANAGEMENT OF 17 |
|---|
| 585 | + | DEVELOPMENT SOILS 18 |
|---|
| 586 | + | (a) As part of the biennial report to the House Committee on Environment 19 |
|---|
| 587 | + | and the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy under 10 V.S.A. 20 |
|---|
| 588 | + | § 6604(c), the Secretary of Natural Resources shall report on the status of the 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.127 |
|---|
| 589 | + | 2025 Page 25 of 50 |
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| 590 | + | |
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| 591 | + | |
|---|
| 592 | + | VT LEG #381201 v.6 |
|---|
| 593 | + | management of development soils in the State under 10 V.S.A. § 6604c. The 1 |
|---|
| 594 | + | report shall include: 2 |
|---|
| 595 | + | (1) the number of insignificant waste event approval authorizations 3 |
|---|
| 596 | + | issued by the Secretary in the previous two years for the management of 4 |
|---|
| 597 | + | development soils; 5 |
|---|
| 598 | + | (2) the number of certified categorical solid waste facilities operating in 6 |
|---|
| 599 | + | the State for the management of development soils; 7 |
|---|
| 600 | + | (3) a summary of how the majority of development soils in the State are 8 |
|---|
| 601 | + | being managed; 9 |
|---|
| 602 | + | (4) an estimate of the cost to manage development soils, depending on 10 |
|---|
| 603 | + | management method; and 11 |
|---|
| 604 | + | (5) any additional information the Secretary determines relevant to the 12 |
|---|
| 605 | + | management of development soils in the State. 13 |
|---|
| 606 | + | (b) As used in this section, “development soil” has the same meaning as in 14 |
|---|
| 607 | + | 10 V.S.A. § 6602(39). 15 |
|---|
| 608 | + | Sec. 12. 10 V.S.A. § 6641 is amended to read: 16 |
|---|
| 609 | + | § 6641. BROWNFIELD PROPERTY CLEANUP PROGRAM; CREATION; 17 |
|---|
| 610 | + | POWERS 18 |
|---|
| 611 | + | (a) There is created the Brownfield Property Cleanup Program to enable 19 |
|---|
| 612 | + | certain interested parties to request the assistance of the Secretary to review 20 |
|---|
| 613 | + | and oversee work plans for investigating, abating, removing, remediating, and 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.127 |
|---|
| 614 | + | 2025 Page 26 of 50 |
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| 615 | + | |
|---|
| 616 | + | |
|---|
| 617 | + | VT LEG #381201 v.6 |
|---|
| 618 | + | monitoring a property in exchange for protection from certain liabilities under 1 |
|---|
| 619 | + | section 6615 of this title. The Program shall be administered by the Secretary 2 |
|---|
| 620 | + | who shall: 3 |
|---|
| 621 | + | * * * 4 |
|---|
| 622 | + | (c) When conducting any review required by this subchapter, the Secretary 5 |
|---|
| 623 | + | shall prioritize the review of remediation at a site that contains housing. 6 |
|---|
| 624 | + | Sec. 13. BROWNFIELDS PROCESS IMPROVEMENT; REPORT 7 |
|---|
| 625 | + | On or before November 1, 2025, the Secretary of Natural Resources shall 8 |
|---|
| 626 | + | report to the House Committees on Environment and on General and Housing 9 |
|---|
| 627 | + | and the Senate Committees on Economic Development, Housing and General 10 |
|---|
| 628 | + | Affairs and on Natural Resources and Energy with proposals to make the 11 |
|---|
| 629 | + | Program established pursuant to 10 V.S.A. chapter 159, subchapter 3 12 |
|---|
| 630 | + | (brownfields reuse and liability limitation) substantially more efficient. At a 13 |
|---|
| 631 | + | minimum, the report shall include both of the following: 14 |
|---|
| 632 | + | (1) A survey of stakeholders in the brownfields program to identify 15 |
|---|
| 633 | + | areas that present challenges to the redevelopment of contaminated properties, 16 |
|---|
| 634 | + | with a focus on redevelopment for housing. The Secretary shall provide 17 |
|---|
| 635 | + | recommendations to resolve these challenges. 18 |
|---|
| 636 | + | (2) An analysis of strengths and weaknesses of implementing a licensed 19 |
|---|
| 637 | + | site professional program within the State. The Secretary shall make a 20 |
|---|
| 638 | + | recommendation on whether such a program should be implemented. If the 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.127 |
|---|
| 639 | + | 2025 Page 27 of 50 |
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| 640 | + | |
|---|
| 641 | + | |
|---|
| 642 | + | VT LEG #381201 v.6 |
|---|
| 643 | + | Secretary recommends implementation, the report shall include any changes to 1 |
|---|
| 644 | + | statute or budget needed to implement this program. 2 |
|---|
| 645 | + | Sec. 14. 2023 Acts and Resolves No. 78, Sec. B.1103, as amended by 2024 3 |
|---|
| 646 | + | Acts and Resolves No. 87, Sec. 43, is further amended to read: 4 |
|---|
| 647 | + | Sec. B.1103 CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENT – FISCAL YEAR 2024 5 |
|---|
| 648 | + | ONE-TIME APPROPRIATIONS 6 |
|---|
| 649 | + | * * * 7 |
|---|
| 650 | + | (h) In fiscal year 2024, the amount of $2,500,000 General Fund is 8 |
|---|
| 651 | + | appropriated to the Department of Environmental Conservation Environmental 9 |
|---|
| 652 | + | Contingency Fund established pursuant to 10 V.S.A. § 1283 for the 10 |
|---|
| 653 | + | Brownfields Reuse and Environmental Liability Limitation Act as codified in 11 |
|---|
| 654 | + | 10 V.S.A. chapter 159. Funds shall be used for the assessment and cleanup, 12 |
|---|
| 655 | + | planning, and cleanup of brownfields sites. 13 |
|---|
| 656 | + | * * * 14 |
|---|
| 657 | + | Sec. 15. BROWNFIELD FUNDING 15 |
|---|
| 658 | + | The sum of $4,000,000.00 is appropriated from the General Fund to the 16 |
|---|
| 659 | + | Brownfield Revitalization Fund established in 10 V.S.A. § 6654. The Agency 17 |
|---|
| 660 | + | of Commerce and Community Development shall award the amount of 18 |
|---|
| 661 | + | $2,000,000.00 in fiscal year 2026 to regional planning commissions for the 19 |
|---|
| 662 | + | purposes of brownfields assessment. In awarding funds under this section, the 20 |
|---|
| 663 | + | Secretary of Commerce and Community Development, in consultation with the 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.127 |
|---|
| 664 | + | 2025 Page 28 of 50 |
|---|
| 665 | + | |
|---|
| 666 | + | |
|---|
| 667 | + | VT LEG #381201 v.6 |
|---|
| 668 | + | Vermont Association of Planning and Development Agencies, shall select one 1 |
|---|
| 669 | + | regional planning commission to administer these funds. To ensure statewide 2 |
|---|
| 670 | + | availability, the selected regional planning commission shall subgrant to 3 |
|---|
| 671 | + | regional planning commissions with brownfield programs, with not more than 4 |
|---|
| 672 | + | 10 percent of the funds being used for administrative purposes. 5 |
|---|
| 673 | + | * * * Tax Increment Financing * * * 6 |
|---|
| 674 | + | Sec. 16. 24 V.S.A. chapter 53, subchapter 7 is added to read: 7 |
|---|
| 675 | + | Subchapter 7. Community and Housing Infrastructure Program 8 |
|---|
| 676 | + | § 1906. DEFINITIONS 9 |
|---|
| 677 | + | As used in this subchapter: 10 |
|---|
| 678 | + | (1) “Affordable housing” means either of the following: 11 |
|---|
| 679 | + | (A) Owner-occupied housing for which the total annual cost of 12 |
|---|
| 680 | + | ownership, including principal, interest, taxes, insurance, and condominium 13 |
|---|
| 681 | + | association fees, does not exceed 30 percent of the gross annual income of a 14 |
|---|
| 682 | + | household at 150 percent of the highest of the following: 15 |
|---|
| 683 | + | (i) the county median income, as defined by the U.S. Department 16 |
|---|
| 684 | + | of Housing and Urban Development; 17 |
|---|
| 685 | + | (ii) the standard metropolitan statistical area median income if the 18 |
|---|
| 686 | + | municipality is located in such an area, as defined by the U.S. Department of 19 |
|---|
| 687 | + | Housing and Urban Development; or 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.127 |
|---|
| 688 | + | 2025 Page 29 of 50 |
|---|
| 689 | + | |
|---|
| 690 | + | |
|---|
| 691 | + | VT LEG #381201 v.6 |
|---|
| 692 | + | (iii) the statewide median income, as defined by the U.S. 1 |
|---|
| 693 | + | Department of Housing and Urban Development. 2 |
|---|
| 694 | + | (B) Rental housing for which the total annual cost of renting, 3 |
|---|
| 695 | + | including rent, utilities, and condominium association fees, does not exceed 30 4 |
|---|
| 696 | + | percent of the gross annual income of a household at 150 percent of the highest 5 |
|---|
| 697 | + | of the following: 6 |
|---|
| 698 | + | (i) the county median income, as defined by the U.S. Department 7 |
|---|
| 699 | + | of Housing and Urban Development; 8 |
|---|
| 700 | + | (ii) the standard metropolitan statistical area median income if the 9 |
|---|
| 701 | + | municipality is located in such an area, as defined by the U.S. Department of 10 |
|---|
| 702 | + | Housing and Urban Development; or 11 |
|---|
| 703 | + | (iii) the statewide median income, as defined by the U.S. 12 |
|---|
| 704 | + | Department of Housing and Urban Development. 13 |
|---|
| 705 | + | (2) “Brownfield” means a property on which the presence or potential 14 |
|---|
| 706 | + | presence of a hazardous material, pollutant, or contaminant complicates the 15 |
|---|
| 707 | + | expansion, development, redevelopment, or reuse of the property. 16 |
|---|
| 708 | + | (3) “Committed” means pledged and appropriated for the purpose of the 17 |
|---|
| 709 | + | current and future payment of financing and related costs. 18 |
|---|
| 710 | + | (4) “Developer” means the person undertaking to construct a housing 19 |
|---|
| 711 | + | development. 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.127 |
|---|
| 712 | + | 2025 Page 30 of 50 |
|---|
| 713 | + | |
|---|
| 714 | + | |
|---|
| 715 | + | VT LEG #381201 v.6 |
|---|
| 716 | + | (5) “Financing” means debt, including principal, interest, and any fees 1 |
|---|
| 717 | + | or charges directly related to that debt, incurred by a sponsor, or other 2 |
|---|
| 718 | + | instruments or borrowing used by a sponsor, to pay for a housing infrastructure 3 |
|---|
| 719 | + | project and, in the case of a sponsor that is a municipality, authorized by the 4 |
|---|
| 720 | + | municipality pursuant to section 1910a of this subchapter. 5 |
|---|
| 721 | + | (6) “Housing development” means the construction of one or more 6 |
|---|
| 722 | + | buildings that includes affordable housing. 7 |
|---|
| 723 | + | (7) “Housing development site” means the parcel or parcels 8 |
|---|
| 724 | + | encompassing a housing development as authorized by a municipality pursuant 9 |
|---|
| 725 | + | to section 1908 of this subchapter. 10 |
|---|
| 726 | + | (8) “Housing infrastructure agreement” means a legally binding 11 |
|---|
| 727 | + | agreement to finance and develop a housing infrastructure project and to 12 |
|---|
| 728 | + | construct a housing development among a municipality, a developer, and, if 13 |
|---|
| 729 | + | applicable, a third-party sponsor. 14 |
|---|
| 730 | + | (9) “Housing infrastructure project” means one or more improvements 15 |
|---|
| 731 | + | authorized by a municipality pursuant to section 1908 of this subchapter. 16 |
|---|
| 732 | + | (10) “Improvements” means: 17 |
|---|
| 733 | + | (A) the installation or construction of infrastructure that will serve a 18 |
|---|
| 734 | + | public good and fulfill the purpose of housing infrastructure tax increment 19 |
|---|
| 735 | + | financing as stated in section 1907 of this subchapter, including utilities, digital 20 |
|---|
| 736 | + | infrastructure, transportation, public recreation, commercial and industrial 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.127 |
|---|
| 737 | + | 2025 Page 31 of 50 |
|---|
| 738 | + | |
|---|
| 739 | + | |
|---|
| 740 | + | VT LEG #381201 v.6 |
|---|
| 741 | + | facilities, parking, public facilities and amenities, land and property acquisition 1 |
|---|
| 742 | + | and demolition, brownfield remediation, site preparation, and flood 2 |
|---|
| 743 | + | remediation and mitigation; and 3 |
|---|
| 744 | + | (B) the funding of debt service interest payments for a period of up to 4 |
|---|
| 745 | + | four years, beginning on the date on which the debt is first incurred. 5 |
|---|
| 746 | + | (11) “Legislative body” means the mayor and alderboard, the city 6 |
|---|
| 747 | + | council, the selectboard, and the president and trustees of an incorporated 7 |
|---|
| 748 | + | village, as appropriate. 8 |
|---|
| 749 | + | (12) “Municipality” means a city, town, or incorporated village. 9 |
|---|
| 750 | + | (13) “Original taxable value” means the total valuation as determined in 10 |
|---|
| 751 | + | accordance with 32 V.S.A. chapter 129 of all taxable real property located 11 |
|---|
| 752 | + | within a housing development site as of its creation date, provided that no 12 |
|---|
| 753 | + | parcel within the housing development site shall be divided or bisected. 13 |
|---|
| 754 | + | (14) “Related costs” means expenses incurred and paid by a 14 |
|---|
| 755 | + | municipality, exclusive of the actual cost of constructing and financing 15 |
|---|
| 756 | + | improvements, that are directly related to the creation and implementation of 16 |
|---|
| 757 | + | the municipality’s housing infrastructure project, including reimbursement of 17 |
|---|
| 758 | + | sums previously advanced by the municipality for those purposes. Related 18 |
|---|
| 759 | + | costs may include direct municipal expenses such as departmental or personnel 19 |
|---|
| 760 | + | costs related to creating or administering the housing infrastructure project to 20 |
|---|
| 761 | + | the extent they are paid from the tax increment realized from municipal and not 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.127 |
|---|
| 762 | + | 2025 Page 32 of 50 |
|---|
| 763 | + | |
|---|
| 764 | + | |
|---|
| 765 | + | VT LEG #381201 v.6 |
|---|
| 766 | + | education taxes and using only that portion of the municipal increment above 1 |
|---|
| 767 | + | the percentage required for serving debt as determined in accordance with 2 |
|---|
| 768 | + | subsection 1910c(c) of this subchapter. 3 |
|---|
| 769 | + | (15) “Sponsor” means the person undertaking to finance a housing 4 |
|---|
| 770 | + | infrastructure project. Any of a municipality, a developer, or an independent 5 |
|---|
| 771 | + | agency that meets State lending standards may serve as a sponsor for a housing 6 |
|---|
| 772 | + | infrastructure project. 7 |
|---|
| 773 | + | § 1907. PURPOSE 8 |
|---|
| 774 | + | The purpose of housing infrastructure tax increment financing is to provide 9 |
|---|
| 775 | + | revenues for improvements and related costs to stimulate housing development 10 |
|---|
| 776 | + | in Vermont. 11 |
|---|
| 777 | + | § 1908. CREATION OF HOUSING INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT AND 12 |
|---|
| 778 | + | HOUSING DEVELOPMENT SITE 13 |
|---|
| 779 | + | (a) The legislative body of a municipality may create within its jurisdiction 14 |
|---|
| 780 | + | a housing infrastructure project, which shall consist of improvements that 15 |
|---|
| 781 | + | stimulate the development of housing, and a housing development site, which 16 |
|---|
| 782 | + | shall consist of the parcel or parcels on which a housing development is 17 |
|---|
| 783 | + | installed or constructed and any immediately contiguous parcels. 18 |
|---|
| 784 | + | (b) To create a housing infrastructure project and housing development 19 |
|---|
| 785 | + | site, a municipality, in coordination with stakeholders, shall: 20 |
|---|
| 786 | + | (1) develop a housing development plan, including: 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.127 |
|---|
| 787 | + | 2025 Page 33 of 50 |
|---|
| 788 | + | |
|---|
| 789 | + | |
|---|
| 790 | + | VT LEG #381201 v.6 |
|---|
| 791 | + | (A) a description of the proposed housing infrastructure project, the 1 |
|---|
| 792 | + | proposed housing development, and the proposed housing development site; 2 |
|---|
| 793 | + | (B) identification of a sponsor; 3 |
|---|
| 794 | + | (C) a tax increment financing plan meeting the standards of 4 |
|---|
| 795 | + | subsection 1910(f) of this subchapter; 5 |
|---|
| 796 | + | (D) a pro forma projection of expected costs of the proposed housing 6 |
|---|
| 797 | + | infrastructure project; 7 |
|---|
| 798 | + | (E) a projection of the tax increment to be generated by the proposed 8 |
|---|
| 799 | + | housing development; and 9 |
|---|
| 800 | + | (F) a development schedule that includes a list, a cost estimate, and a 10 |
|---|
| 801 | + | schedule for the proposed housing infrastructure project and the proposed 11 |
|---|
| 802 | + | housing development; 12 |
|---|
| 803 | + | (2) develop a plan describing the housing development site by its 13 |
|---|
| 804 | + | boundaries and the properties therein, entitled “Proposed Housing 14 |
|---|
| 805 | + | Development Site (municipal name), Vermont”; 15 |
|---|
| 806 | + | (3) hold one or more public hearings, after public notice, on the 16 |
|---|
| 807 | + | proposed housing infrastructure project, including the plans developed 17 |
|---|
| 808 | + | pursuant to this subsection; and 18 |
|---|
| 809 | + | (4) adopt by act of the legislative body of the municipality the plan 19 |
|---|
| 810 | + | developed under subdivision (2) of this subsection, which shall be recorded 20 |
|---|
| 811 | + | with the municipal clerk and lister or assessor. 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.127 |
|---|
| 812 | + | 2025 Page 34 of 50 |
|---|
| 813 | + | |
|---|
| 814 | + | |
|---|
| 815 | + | VT LEG #381201 v.6 |
|---|
| 816 | + | (c) The creation of a housing development site shall occur at 12:01 a.m. on 1 |
|---|
| 817 | + | April 1 of the calendar year in which the Vermont Economic Progress Council 2 |
|---|
| 818 | + | approves the use of tax increment financing for the housing infrastructure 3 |
|---|
| 819 | + | project pursuant to section 1910 of this subchapter. 4 |
|---|
| 820 | + | § 1909. HOUSING INFRASTRUCTURE AGREEMENT 5 |
|---|
| 821 | + | (a) The housing infrastructure agreement for a housing infrastructure 6 |
|---|
| 822 | + | project shall: 7 |
|---|
| 823 | + | (1) clearly identify the sponsor for the housing infrastructure project; 8 |
|---|
| 824 | + | (2) clearly identify the developer and the housing development for the 9 |
|---|
| 825 | + | housing development site; 10 |
|---|
| 826 | + | (3) obligate the tax increments retained pursuant to section 1910c of this 11 |
|---|
| 827 | + | subchapter for not more than the financing and related costs for the housing 12 |
|---|
| 828 | + | infrastructure project; and 13 |
|---|
| 829 | + | (4) provide for performance assurances to reasonably secure the 14 |
|---|
| 830 | + | obligations of all parties under the housing infrastructure agreement. 15 |
|---|
| 831 | + | (b) A municipality shall provide notice of the terms of the housing 16 |
|---|
| 832 | + | infrastructure agreement for the municipality’s housing infrastructure project 17 |
|---|
| 833 | + | to the legal voters of the municipality and shall provide the same information 18 |
|---|
| 834 | + | as set forth in subsection 1910a(e) of this subchapter. 19 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.127 |
|---|
| 835 | + | 2025 Page 35 of 50 |
|---|
| 836 | + | |
|---|
| 837 | + | |
|---|
| 838 | + | VT LEG #381201 v.6 |
|---|
| 839 | + | § 1910. HOUSING INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT APPLICATION; 1 |
|---|
| 840 | + | VERMONT ECONOMIC PROGRESS COUNCIL 2 |
|---|
| 841 | + | (a) Application. A municipality, upon approval of its legislative body, may 3 |
|---|
| 842 | + | apply to the Vermont Economic Progress Council to use tax increment 4 |
|---|
| 843 | + | financing for a housing infrastructure project. 5 |
|---|
| 844 | + | (b) Review. The Vermont Economic Progress Council may approve only 6 |
|---|
| 845 | + | applications meeting the process requirements, the project criterion, and any of 7 |
|---|
| 846 | + | the location criteria of this section. 8 |
|---|
| 847 | + | (c) Process requirements. The Vermont Economic Progress Council shall 9 |
|---|
| 848 | + | review a municipality’s housing infrastructure project application to determine 10 |
|---|
| 849 | + | whether the municipality has: 11 |
|---|
| 850 | + | (1) created a housing infrastructure project and housing development 12 |
|---|
| 851 | + | site pursuant to section 1908 of this subchapter; 13 |
|---|
| 852 | + | (2) executed a housing infrastructure agreement for the housing 14 |
|---|
| 853 | + | infrastructure project adhering to the standards of section 1909 of this 15 |
|---|
| 854 | + | subchapter with a developer and, if the municipality is not financing the 16 |
|---|
| 855 | + | housing infrastructure project itself, a sponsor; and 17 |
|---|
| 856 | + | (3) approved or pledged to use incremental municipal tax revenues for 18 |
|---|
| 857 | + | the housing infrastructure project in the proportion provided for municipal tax 19 |
|---|
| 858 | + | revenues in section 1910c of this subchapter. 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.127 |
|---|
| 859 | + | 2025 Page 36 of 50 |
|---|
| 860 | + | |
|---|
| 861 | + | |
|---|
| 862 | + | VT LEG #381201 v.6 |
|---|
| 863 | + | (d) Project criterion. The Vermont Economic Progress Council shall review 1 |
|---|
| 864 | + | a municipality’s housing infrastructure project application to determine whether 2 |
|---|
| 865 | + | the projected housing development includes affordable housing. 3 |
|---|
| 866 | + | (e) Location criteria. The Vermont Economic Progress Council shall review 4 |
|---|
| 867 | + | a municipality’s housing infrastructure project application to determine whether 5 |
|---|
| 868 | + | the housing development site is located within one of the following areas: 6 |
|---|
| 869 | + | (1) an area designated Tier 1A or Tier 1B pursuant to 10 V.S.A. chapter 7 |
|---|
| 870 | + | 151 (State land use and development plans) or an area exempt from the 8 |
|---|
| 871 | + | provisions of that chapter pursuant to 10 V.S.A. § 6081(dd) (interim housing 9 |
|---|
| 872 | + | exemptions); 10 |
|---|
| 873 | + | (2) an area designated Tier 2 pursuant to 10 V.S.A. chapter 151 (State 11 |
|---|
| 874 | + | land use and development plans) or an area in which the housing development 12 |
|---|
| 875 | + | site is compatible with regional and town land use plans as evidenced by a 13 |
|---|
| 876 | + | letter of support from the regional planning commission for the municipality; 14 |
|---|
| 877 | + | or 15 |
|---|
| 878 | + | (3) an existing settlement or an area within one-half mile of an existing 16 |
|---|
| 879 | + | settlement, as that term is defined in 10 V.S.A. § 6001(16). 17 |
|---|
| 880 | + | (f) Tax increment financing plan. The Vermont Economic Progress 18 |
|---|
| 881 | + | Council shall approve a municipality’s tax increment financing plan prior to a 19 |
|---|
| 882 | + | sponsor’s incurrence of debt for the housing infrastructure project, including, if 20 |
|---|
| 883 | + | the sponsor is a municipality, prior to a public vote to pledge the credit of the 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.127 |
|---|
| 884 | + | 2025 Page 37 of 50 |
|---|
| 885 | + | |
|---|
| 886 | + | |
|---|
| 887 | + | VT LEG #381201 v.6 |
|---|
| 888 | + | municipality under section 1910a of this subchapter. The tax increment 1 |
|---|
| 889 | + | financing plan shall include: 2 |
|---|
| 890 | + | (1) a statement of costs and sources of revenue; 3 |
|---|
| 891 | + | (2) estimates of assessed values within the housing development site; 4 |
|---|
| 892 | + | (3) the portion of those assessed values to be applied to the housing 5 |
|---|
| 893 | + | infrastructure project; 6 |
|---|
| 894 | + | (4) the resulting tax increments in each year of the financial plan; 7 |
|---|
| 895 | + | (5) the amount of bonded indebtedness or other financing to be incurred; 8 |
|---|
| 896 | + | (6) other sources of financing and anticipated revenues; and 9 |
|---|
| 897 | + | (7) the duration of the financial plan. 10 |
|---|
| 898 | + | § 1910a. INDEBTEDNESS 11 |
|---|
| 899 | + | (a) A municipality approved for tax increment financing under section 12 |
|---|
| 900 | + | 1910 of this subchapter may incur indebtedness against revenues of the 13 |
|---|
| 901 | + | housing development site at any time during a period of up to five years 14 |
|---|
| 902 | + | following the creation of the housing development site. The Vermont 15 |
|---|
| 903 | + | Economic Progress Council may extend this debt incursion period by up to 16 |
|---|
| 904 | + | three years. If no debt is incurred for the housing infrastructure project during 17 |
|---|
| 905 | + | the debt incursion period, whether by the municipality or sponsor, the housing 18 |
|---|
| 906 | + | development site shall terminate. 19 |
|---|
| 907 | + | (b) Notwithstanding any provision of any municipal charter, each instance 20 |
|---|
| 908 | + | of borrowing by a municipality to finance or otherwise pay for a housing 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.127 |
|---|
| 909 | + | 2025 Page 38 of 50 |
|---|
| 910 | + | |
|---|
| 911 | + | |
|---|
| 912 | + | VT LEG #381201 v.6 |
|---|
| 913 | + | infrastructure project shall occur only after the legal voters of the municipality, 1 |
|---|
| 914 | + | by a majority vote of all voters present and voting on the question at a special 2 |
|---|
| 915 | + | or annual municipal meeting duly warned for the purpose, authorize the 3 |
|---|
| 916 | + | legislative body to pledge the credit of the municipality, borrow, or otherwise 4 |
|---|
| 917 | + | secure the debt for the specific purposes so warned. 5 |
|---|
| 918 | + | (c) Any indebtedness incurred under this section may be retired over any 6 |
|---|
| 919 | + | period authorized by the legislative body of the municipality. 7 |
|---|
| 920 | + | (d) The housing development site shall continue until the date and hour the 8 |
|---|
| 921 | + | indebtedness is retired or, if no debt is incurred, five years following the 9 |
|---|
| 922 | + | creation of the housing development site. 10 |
|---|
| 923 | + | (e) A municipal legislative body shall provide information to the public 11 |
|---|
| 924 | + | prior to the public vote required under subsection (b) of this section. This 12 |
|---|
| 925 | + | information shall include the amount and types of debt and related costs to be 13 |
|---|
| 926 | + | incurred, including principal, interest, and fees; terms of the debt; the housing 14 |
|---|
| 927 | + | infrastructure project to be financed; the housing development projected to 15 |
|---|
| 928 | + | occur because of the housing infrastructure project; and notice to the voters 16 |
|---|
| 929 | + | that if the tax increment received by the municipality from any property tax 17 |
|---|
| 930 | + | source is insufficient to pay the principal and interest on the debt in any year, 18 |
|---|
| 931 | + | the municipality shall remain liable for the full payment of the principal and 19 |
|---|
| 932 | + | interest for the term of the indebtedness. If interfund loans within the 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.127 |
|---|
| 933 | + | 2025 Page 39 of 50 |
|---|
| 934 | + | |
|---|
| 935 | + | |
|---|
| 936 | + | VT LEG #381201 v.6 |
|---|
| 937 | + | municipality are used, the information must also include documentation of the 1 |
|---|
| 938 | + | terms and conditions of the loan. 2 |
|---|
| 939 | + | (f) If interfund loans within the municipality are used as the method of 3 |
|---|
| 940 | + | financing, no interest shall be charged. 4 |
|---|
| 941 | + | (g) The use of a bond anticipation note shall not be considered a first 5 |
|---|
| 942 | + | incurrence of debt pursuant to subsection (a) of this section. 6 |
|---|
| 943 | + | § 1910b. ORIGINAL TAXABLE VALUE; TAX INCREMENT 7 |
|---|
| 944 | + | (a) As of the date the housing development site is created, the lister or 8 |
|---|
| 945 | + | assessor for the municipality shall certify the original taxable value and shall 9 |
|---|
| 946 | + | certify to the legislative body in each year thereafter during the life of the 10 |
|---|
| 947 | + | housing development site the amount by which the total valuation as 11 |
|---|
| 948 | + | determined in accordance with 32 V.S.A. chapter 129 of all taxable real 12 |
|---|
| 949 | + | property within the housing development site has increased or decreased 13 |
|---|
| 950 | + | relative to the original taxable value. 14 |
|---|
| 951 | + | (b) Annually throughout the life of the housing development site, the lister 15 |
|---|
| 952 | + | or assessor shall include not more than the original taxable value of the real 16 |
|---|
| 953 | + | property in the assessed valuation upon which the treasurer computes the rates 17 |
|---|
| 954 | + | of all taxes levied by the municipality and every other taxing district in which 18 |
|---|
| 955 | + | the housing development site is situated, but the treasurer shall extend all rates 19 |
|---|
| 956 | + | so determined against the entire assessed valuation of real property for that 20 |
|---|
| 957 | + | year. 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.127 |
|---|
| 958 | + | 2025 Page 40 of 50 |
|---|
| 959 | + | |
|---|
| 960 | + | |
|---|
| 961 | + | VT LEG #381201 v.6 |
|---|
| 962 | + | (c) Annually throughout the life of the housing development site, a 1 |
|---|
| 963 | + | municipality shall remit not less than the aggregate education property tax due 2 |
|---|
| 964 | + | on the original taxable value to the Education Fund. 3 |
|---|
| 965 | + | (d) Annually throughout the life of the housing development site, the 4 |
|---|
| 966 | + | municipality shall hold apart, rather than remit to the taxing districts, that 5 |
|---|
| 967 | + | proportion of all taxes paid that year on the real property within the housing 6 |
|---|
| 968 | + | development site that the excess valuation bears to the total assessed valuation. 7 |
|---|
| 969 | + | The amount held apart each year is the “tax increment” for that year. The tax 8 |
|---|
| 970 | + | increment shall only be used for financing and related costs. 9 |
|---|
| 971 | + | (e) Not more than the percentages established pursuant to section 1910c of 10 |
|---|
| 972 | + | this subchapter of the municipal and State education tax increments received 11 |
|---|
| 973 | + | with respect to the housing development site and committed for the payment 12 |
|---|
| 974 | + | for financing for improvements and related costs shall be segregated by the 13 |
|---|
| 975 | + | municipality in a special tax increment financing account and in its official 14 |
|---|
| 976 | + | books and records until all capital indebtedness incurred for the housing 15 |
|---|
| 977 | + | infrastructure project has been fully paid. The final payment shall be reported 16 |
|---|
| 978 | + | to the treasurer, who shall thereafter include the entire assessed valuation of the 17 |
|---|
| 979 | + | housing development site in the assessed valuations upon which the municipal 18 |
|---|
| 980 | + | and other tax rates are computed and extended, and thereafter no taxes from 19 |
|---|
| 981 | + | the housing development site shall be deposited in the special tax increment 20 |
|---|
| 982 | + | financing account. 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.127 |
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| 983 | + | 2025 Page 41 of 50 |
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| 984 | + | |
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| 985 | + | |
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| 986 | + | VT LEG #381201 v.6 |
|---|
| 987 | + | (f) Notwithstanding any charter provision or other provision, all property 1 |
|---|
| 988 | + | taxes assessed within a housing development site shall be subject to the 2 |
|---|
| 989 | + | provisions of this section. Special assessments levied under chapter 76A or 87 3 |
|---|
| 990 | + | of this title or under a municipal charter shall not be considered property taxes 4 |
|---|
| 991 | + | for the purpose of this section if the proceeds are used exclusively for 5 |
|---|
| 992 | + | operating expenses related to properties within the housing development site 6 |
|---|
| 993 | + | and not for improvements within the housing development site. 7 |
|---|
| 994 | + | § 1910c. USE OF TAX INCREMENT; RETENTION PERIOD 8 |
|---|
| 995 | + | (a) Uses of tax increments. A municipality may apply tax increments 9 |
|---|
| 996 | + | retained pursuant to this subchapter to debt incurred within the period 10 |
|---|
| 997 | + | permitted under section 1910a of this subchapter, to related costs, and to the 11 |
|---|
| 998 | + | direct payment of the cost of a housing infrastructure project. Any direct 12 |
|---|
| 999 | + | payment shall be subject to the same public vote provisions of section 1910a of 13 |
|---|
| 1000 | + | this subchapter as apply to debt. 14 |
|---|
| 1001 | + | (b) Education property tax increment. Up to 80 percent of the education 15 |
|---|
| 1002 | + | property tax increment may be retained for up to 20 years, beginning the first 16 |
|---|
| 1003 | + | year in which debt is incurred for the housing infrastructure project. Upon 17 |
|---|
| 1004 | + | incurring the first debt, a municipality shall notify the Department of Taxes 18 |
|---|
| 1005 | + | and the Vermont Economic Progress Council of the beginning of the retention 19 |
|---|
| 1006 | + | period of the education property tax increment. 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.127 |
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| 1007 | + | 2025 Page 42 of 50 |
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| 1008 | + | |
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| 1009 | + | |
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| 1010 | + | VT LEG #381201 v.6 |
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| 1011 | + | (c) Municipal property tax increment. Not less than 100 percent of the 1 |
|---|
| 1012 | + | municipal property tax increment may be retained, beginning the first year in 2 |
|---|
| 1013 | + | which debt is incurred for the housing infrastructure project. 3 |
|---|
| 1014 | + | (d) Excess tax increment. 4 |
|---|
| 1015 | + | (1) Of the municipal and education property tax increments received in 5 |
|---|
| 1016 | + | any tax year that exceed the amounts committed for the payment of the 6 |
|---|
| 1017 | + | financing and related costs for a housing infrastructure project, equal portions 7 |
|---|
| 1018 | + | of each increment may be retained for the following purposes: 8 |
|---|
| 1019 | + | (A) to prepay principal and interest on the financing; 9 |
|---|
| 1020 | + | (B) to place in a special tax increment financing account required 10 |
|---|
| 1021 | + | pursuant to subsection 1910b(e) of this subchapter and use for future financing 11 |
|---|
| 1022 | + | payments; or 12 |
|---|
| 1023 | + | (C) to use for defeasance of the financing. 13 |
|---|
| 1024 | + | (2) Any remaining portion of the excess education property tax 14 |
|---|
| 1025 | + | increment shall be distributed to the Education Fund. Any remaining portion 15 |
|---|
| 1026 | + | of the excess municipal property tax increment shall be distributed to the city, 16 |
|---|
| 1027 | + | town, or village budget in the proportion that each budget bears to the 17 |
|---|
| 1028 | + | combined total of the budgets unless otherwise negotiated by the city, town, or 18 |
|---|
| 1029 | + | village. 19 |
|---|
| 1030 | + | § 1910d. INFORMATION REPORTING 20 |
|---|
| 1031 | + | (a) A municipality with an active housing infrastructure project shall: 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.127 |
|---|
| 1032 | + | 2025 Page 43 of 50 |
|---|
| 1033 | + | |
|---|
| 1034 | + | |
|---|
| 1035 | + | VT LEG #381201 v.6 |
|---|
| 1036 | + | (1) develop a system, segregated for the housing infrastructure project, 1 |
|---|
| 1037 | + | to identify, collect, and maintain all data and information necessary to fulfill 2 |
|---|
| 1038 | + | the reporting requirements of this section; 3 |
|---|
| 1039 | + | (2) provide timely notification to the Department of Taxes and the 4 |
|---|
| 1040 | + | Vermont Economic Progress Council of any housing infrastructure project 5 |
|---|
| 1041 | + | debt, public vote, or vote by the municipal legislative body immediately 6 |
|---|
| 1042 | + | following the debt incurrence or public vote on a form prescribed by the 7 |
|---|
| 1043 | + | Council, including copies of public notices, agendas, minutes, vote tally, and a 8 |
|---|
| 1044 | + | copy of the information provided to the public pursuant to subsection 1910a(e) 9 |
|---|
| 1045 | + | of this subchapter; and 10 |
|---|
| 1046 | + | (3) annually on or before February 15, submit on a form prescribed by 11 |
|---|
| 1047 | + | the Vermont Economic Progress Council an annual report to the Council and 12 |
|---|
| 1048 | + | the Department of Taxes, including the information required by subdivision (2) 13 |
|---|
| 1049 | + | of this subsection if not previously submitted, the information required for 14 |
|---|
| 1050 | + | annual audit under section 1910e of this subchapter, and any information 15 |
|---|
| 1051 | + | required by the Council or the Department of Taxes for the report required 16 |
|---|
| 1052 | + | pursuant to subsection (b) of this section. 17 |
|---|
| 1053 | + | (b) Annually on or before April 1, the Vermont Economic Progress Council 18 |
|---|
| 1054 | + | and the Department of Taxes shall submit a report to the Senate Committees on 19 |
|---|
| 1055 | + | Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs and on Finance and the 20 |
|---|
| 1056 | + | House Committees on Commerce and Economic Development and on Ways 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.127 |
|---|
| 1057 | + | 2025 Page 44 of 50 |
|---|
| 1058 | + | |
|---|
| 1059 | + | |
|---|
| 1060 | + | VT LEG #381201 v.6 |
|---|
| 1061 | + | and Means on housing infrastructure projects approved pursuant to this 1 |
|---|
| 1062 | + | subchapter, including for each of the following: 2 |
|---|
| 1063 | + | (1) the date of approval; 3 |
|---|
| 1064 | + | (2) a description of the housing infrastructure project; 4 |
|---|
| 1065 | + | (3) the original taxable value of the housing development site; 5 |
|---|
| 1066 | + | (4) the scope and value of projected and actual improvements and 6 |
|---|
| 1067 | + | developments in the housing development site, including the number of 7 |
|---|
| 1068 | + | housing units created; 8 |
|---|
| 1069 | + | (5) projected and actual incremental revenue amounts; 9 |
|---|
| 1070 | + | (6) the allocation of incremental revenue; and 10 |
|---|
| 1071 | + | (7) projected and actual financing. 11 |
|---|
| 1072 | + | § 1910e. AUDITING 12 |
|---|
| 1073 | + | Annually on or before April 1 until the year following the end of the period 13 |
|---|
| 1074 | + | for retention of education property tax increment, a municipality with a 14 |
|---|
| 1075 | + | housing infrastructure project approved under this subchapter shall ensure that 15 |
|---|
| 1076 | + | the special tax increment financing account required by section 1910b of this 16 |
|---|
| 1077 | + | subchapter is subject to the annual audit prescribed in section 1681 or 1690 of 17 |
|---|
| 1078 | + | this title and submit a copy to the Vermont Economic Progress Council. If an 18 |
|---|
| 1079 | + | account is subject only to the audit under section 1681 of this title, the Council 19 |
|---|
| 1080 | + | shall ensure a process is in place to subject the account to an independent audit. 20 |
|---|
| 1081 | + | Procedures for the audit must include verification of the original taxable value 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.127 |
|---|
| 1082 | + | 2025 Page 45 of 50 |
|---|
| 1083 | + | |
|---|
| 1084 | + | |
|---|
| 1085 | + | VT LEG #381201 v.6 |
|---|
| 1086 | + | and annual and total municipal and education property tax increments 1 |
|---|
| 1087 | + | generated, expenditures for financing and related costs, and current balance. 2 |
|---|
| 1088 | + | § 1910f. GUIDANCE 3 |
|---|
| 1089 | + | (a) The Secretary of Commerce and Community Development, after 4 |
|---|
| 1090 | + | reasonable notice to a municipality and an opportunity for a hearing, may issue 5 |
|---|
| 1091 | + | decisions to a municipality on questions and inquiries concerning the 6 |
|---|
| 1092 | + | administration of housing infrastructure projects, statutes, rules, 7 |
|---|
| 1093 | + | noncompliance with this subchapter, and any instances of noncompliance 8 |
|---|
| 1094 | + | identified in audit reports conducted pursuant to section 1910e of this 9 |
|---|
| 1095 | + | subchapter. 10 |
|---|
| 1096 | + | (b) The Vermont Economic Progress Council shall prepare 11 |
|---|
| 1097 | + | recommendations for the Secretary of Commerce and Community 12 |
|---|
| 1098 | + | Development prior to any decision issued pursuant to subsection (a) of this 13 |
|---|
| 1099 | + | section. The Council may prepare recommendations in consultation with the 14 |
|---|
| 1100 | + | Commissioner of Taxes, the Attorney General, and the State Treasurer. In 15 |
|---|
| 1101 | + | preparing recommendations, the Council shall provide a municipality with a 16 |
|---|
| 1102 | + | reasonable opportunity to submit written information in support of its position. 17 |
|---|
| 1103 | + | (c) The Secretary of Commerce and Community Development shall review 18 |
|---|
| 1104 | + | the recommendations of the Council and issue a final written decision on each 19 |
|---|
| 1105 | + | matter within 60 days following receipt of the recommendations. The 20 |
|---|
| 1106 | + | Secretary may permit an appeal to be taken by any party to a Superior Court 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.127 |
|---|
| 1107 | + | 2025 Page 46 of 50 |
|---|
| 1108 | + | |
|---|
| 1109 | + | |
|---|
| 1110 | + | VT LEG #381201 v.6 |
|---|
| 1111 | + | for determination of questions of law in the same manner as the Supreme Court 1 |
|---|
| 1112 | + | may by rule provide for appeals before final judgment from a Superior Court 2 |
|---|
| 1113 | + | before issuing a final decision. 3 |
|---|
| 1114 | + | (d) The Vermont Economic Progress Council may adopt rules that are 4 |
|---|
| 1115 | + | reasonably necessary to implement this subchapter. 5 |
|---|
| 1116 | + | Sec. 17. 32 V.S.A. § 3325 is amended to read: 6 |
|---|
| 1117 | + | § 3325. VERMONT ECONOMIC PROGRESS COUNCIL 7 |
|---|
| 1118 | + | (a) Creation. The Vermont Economic Progress Council is created to 8 |
|---|
| 1119 | + | exercise the authority and perform the duties assigned to it, including its 9 |
|---|
| 1120 | + | authority and duties relating to: 10 |
|---|
| 1121 | + | (1) the Vermont Employment Growth Incentive Program pursuant to 11 |
|---|
| 1122 | + | subchapter 2 of this chapter; and 12 |
|---|
| 1123 | + | (2) tax increment financing districts pursuant to 24 V.S.A. chapter 53, 13 |
|---|
| 1124 | + | subchapter 5 and section 5404a of this title; and 14 |
|---|
| 1125 | + | (3) housing infrastructure tax increment financing pursuant to 24 V.S.A. 15 |
|---|
| 1126 | + | chapter 53, subchapter 7. 16 |
|---|
| 1127 | + | * * * 17 |
|---|
| 1128 | + | (g) Decisions not subject to review. A decision of the Council to approve 18 |
|---|
| 1129 | + | or deny an application under subchapter 2 of this chapter, or to approve or 19 |
|---|
| 1130 | + | deny a tax increment financing district pursuant to 24 V.S.A. chapter 53, 20 |
|---|
| 1131 | + | subchapter 5 and section 5404a of this title, or to approve or deny a housing 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.127 |
|---|
| 1132 | + | 2025 Page 47 of 50 |
|---|
| 1133 | + | |
|---|
| 1134 | + | |
|---|
| 1135 | + | VT LEG #381201 v.6 |
|---|
| 1136 | + | infrastructure project pursuant to 24 V.S.A. chapter 53, subchapter 7 is an 1 |
|---|
| 1137 | + | administrative decision that is not subject to the contested case hearing 2 |
|---|
| 1138 | + | requirements under 3 V.S.A. chapter 25 and is not subject to judicial review. 3 |
|---|
| 1139 | + | * * * Taxes * * * 4 |
|---|
| 1140 | + | Sec. 18. 32 V.S.A. § 5811(21)(C) is amended to read: 5 |
|---|
| 1141 | + | (C) decreased by the following exemptions and deductions: 6 |
|---|
| 1142 | + | * * * 7 |
|---|
| 1143 | + | (iv) an amount equal to the itemized deduction for medical 8 |
|---|
| 1144 | + | expenses taken at the federal level by the taxpayer, under 26 U.S.C. § 213: 9 |
|---|
| 1145 | + | (I) minus the amount of the Vermont standard deduction and 10 |
|---|
| 1146 | + | Vermont personal exemptions taken by the taxpayer under this subdivision 11 |
|---|
| 1147 | + | (C); and 12 |
|---|
| 1148 | + | (II) minus any amount deducted at the federal level that is 13 |
|---|
| 1149 | + | attributable to the payment of an entrance fee or recurring monthly payment 14 |
|---|
| 1150 | + | made to a continuing care retirement community regulated under 8 V.S.A. 15 |
|---|
| 1151 | + | chapter 151, which exceeds the deductibility limits for premiums paid during 16 |
|---|
| 1152 | + | the taxable year on qualified long-term care insurance contracts under 26 17 |
|---|
| 1153 | + | U.S.C. 213(d)(10)(A). 18 |
|---|
| 1154 | + | Sec. 19. 32 V.S.A. § 3800 is amended to read: 19 |
|---|
| 1155 | + | § 3800. STATUTORY PURPOSES 20 |
|---|
| 1156 | + | * * * 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.127 |
|---|
| 1157 | + | 2025 Page 48 of 50 |
|---|
| 1158 | + | |
|---|
| 1159 | + | |
|---|
| 1160 | + | VT LEG #381201 v.6 |
|---|
| 1161 | + | (r) The statutory purpose of the exemption under section 3851 of this title 1 |
|---|
| 1162 | + | for certain new construction and improvements is to incentivize those 2 |
|---|
| 1163 | + | activities. 3 |
|---|
| 1164 | + | Sec. 20. 32 V.S.A. § 3851 is added to read: 4 |
|---|
| 1165 | + | § 3851. NEW ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND CERTAIN 5 |
|---|
| 1166 | + | PROPERTY IMPROVEMENTS 6 |
|---|
| 1167 | + | (a) An increase in the appraisal value of a property shall be exempted from 7 |
|---|
| 1168 | + | property taxation by fixing and maintaining the taxable value at the property’s 8 |
|---|
| 1169 | + | grand list value in the year immediately preceding improvements in the 9 |
|---|
| 1170 | + | following cases: 10 |
|---|
| 1171 | + | (1) the property has been rehabilitated or improved using a grant or loan 11 |
|---|
| 1172 | + | from the Vermont Housing Improvement Program and construction has been 12 |
|---|
| 1173 | + | fully completed in the previous 12 months; or 13 |
|---|
| 1174 | + | (2) the property has been improved through the construction of a new 14 |
|---|
| 1175 | + | accessory dwelling unit, as defined by 24 V.S.A. § 4303(38), and construction 15 |
|---|
| 1176 | + | has been fully completed in the previous 12 months. 16 |
|---|
| 1177 | + | (b) A decrease in appraisal value of a property subject to this exemption 17 |
|---|
| 1178 | + | due to damage or destruction from fire or act of nature may reduce the 18 |
|---|
| 1179 | + | property’s taxable value below the fixed value under subsection (a) of this 19 |
|---|
| 1180 | + | section. 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.127 |
|---|
| 1181 | + | 2025 Page 49 of 50 |
|---|
| 1182 | + | |
|---|
| 1183 | + | |
|---|
| 1184 | + | VT LEG #381201 v.6 |
|---|
| 1185 | + | (c) The exemption under this section shall apply to the State education 1 |
|---|
| 1186 | + | property tax imposed under chapter 135 of this title and to municipal property 2 |
|---|
| 1187 | + | tax. 3 |
|---|
| 1188 | + | (d) An exemption under this section shall remain in effect for three years. 4 |
|---|
| 1189 | + | When the exemption period ends, the property shall be taxed at its most 5 |
|---|
| 1190 | + | recently appraised grand list value. 6 |
|---|
| 1191 | + | * * * Appropriations * * * 7 |
|---|
| 1192 | + | Sec. 21. APPROPRIATIONS 8 |
|---|
| 1193 | + | The following shall be appropriated from the General Fund in fiscal year 9 |
|---|
| 1194 | + | 2026: 10 |
|---|
| 1195 | + | (1) The sum of $45,600,000.00 to the Department of Housing and 11 |
|---|
| 1196 | + | Community Development for the following purposes: 12 |
|---|
| 1197 | + | (A) $15,000,000.00 granted to the Vermont Housing Finance Agency 13 |
|---|
| 1198 | + | to continue implementation of the Middle-Income Homeownership 14 |
|---|
| 1199 | + | Development Program; 15 |
|---|
| 1200 | + | (B) $15,000,000.00 granted to the Vermont Housing Finance Agency 16 |
|---|
| 1201 | + | to continue implementation of the Rental Housing Revolving Loan Fund; 17 |
|---|
| 1202 | + | (C) $9,100,000.00 granted to the Vermont Bond Bank to implement 18 |
|---|
| 1203 | + | the Vermont Infrastructure Sustainability Fund; 19 BILL AS INTRODUCED S.127 |
|---|
| 1204 | + | 2025 Page 50 of 50 |
|---|
| 1205 | + | |
|---|
| 1206 | + | |
|---|
| 1207 | + | VT LEG #381201 v.6 |
|---|
| 1208 | + | (D) $4,000,000.00 for the rehabilitation of eligible rental housing 1 |
|---|
| 1209 | + | units under the Rental Housing Improvement Program established in 10 V.S.A. 2 |
|---|
| 1210 | + | § 699; 3 |
|---|
| 1211 | + | (E) $2,000,000.00 to improve mobile home park infrastructure under 4 |
|---|
| 1212 | + | the Manufactured Home Improvement and Repair Program established in 10 5 |
|---|
| 1213 | + | V.S.A. § 700; and 6 |
|---|
| 1214 | + | (F) $500,000.00 for grants to be made for the purpose of providing 7 |
|---|
| 1215 | + | homebuyer education, financial literacy counseling, and foreclosure prevention 8 |
|---|
| 1216 | + | programs operated by the five NeighborWorks America affiliated 9 |
|---|
| 1217 | + | HomeOwnership Centers. 10 |
|---|
| 1218 | + | (2) The sum of $100,000.00 to the State Treasurer to implement the 11 |
|---|
| 1219 | + | Positive Rental Payment Pilot Program. 12 |
|---|
| 1220 | + | * * * Effective Date * * * 13 |
|---|
| 1221 | + | Sec. 22. EFFECTIVE DATE 14 |
|---|
| 1222 | + | This act shall take effect on July 1, 2025. 15 |
|---|