The Vermont House passed S.325 on May 8 after two days of debate, according to State Representative Lisa Hango. The bill repeals many provisions of Act 181, which Hango said rural Vermonters had opposed.
Hango said the amendments debated reflected a desire to maintain compromise from the Senate and aimed to help small communities across Vermont participate in housing development if they choose. She said, “My colleagues who voted against these amendments yet decry the lack of affordable housing in our state must take a long, hard look at the economic realities that we face: declining enrollment in our schools, lack of employees for the few businesses that remain in rural areas, demise of farms and forest products producers, and migration of young people out of state to find employment and a more affordable way of life that doesn’t involve long commutes to school, work, the grocery store, or to seek medical care. Without adequate housing, there is no remedy for these realities.”
The House considered seven proposed amendments. The Burditt Amendment failed; it would have allowed Tier 1B towns without appropriate staff to contract for staff. Two Burtt Amendments passed: one changed definitions related to smart-growth principles supporting agriculture and forestry industry use while allowing on-farm housing; another exempted accessory on-farm businesses from Act 250 review. Other amendments failed or were declared non-germane: Charlton’s proposal sought extended timeframes for community housing targets; Dobrovich’s two attempts aimed at extending interim Act 250 exemptions for towns lacking zoning; Higley’s amendment concerned land conservation goals under Act 59 but was ruled non-germane.
Hango said passage was possible because legislators listened to concerns from constituents and local Selectboards about S.325.
Roll call votes on most amendments and details about the bill are available in the House Journal from May 6 on the Vermont General Assembly website.
Hango concluded her update by saying it is an honor to serve as representative.
