House Appropriations chair outlines H.839 changes, adds funding for shelters, flood relief and food programs

Representative Lampfer, chair of the House Appropriations Committee, led a caucus briefing on Jan. 24 reviewing H.839, the FY24 budget adjustment bill, and the documents members should review before the chamber takes action on Thursday.

Lampfer said the committee worked from the governor's Jan. 5 recommendation and incorporated committee testimony and eight days of review. She told members the most useful materials are the committee's highlight sheet, the JFO web report, an overview 'budget on a page' and the bill text (H.839) that contains both numeric rollups and the statutory language for one‑time investments and transfers.

The chair described several substantive changes in the bill. On general assistance and homelessness, she said the governor had recommended $8,000,000 to the general assistance account, including $4,000,000 intended for shelter build‑out; the committee added what Lampfer called an additional $2,500,000 to provide runway through the fiscal year. Lampfer also said the bill includes language to cap room rates for shelter stays—she cited a current average of $132 per night and said a $75 cap is being negotiated—to generate savings that extend funding through June 30.

Lampfer said the administration had proposed roughly $50,000,000 in rescissions and reversions; the Appropriations Committee scrutinized those items and restored or reduced specific reversions after committee review. She cited one example in childcare readiness where a proposed $3,800,000 reversion was reduced to $2,800,000 and the committee put $1,000,000 back into the program. She also said $500,000 was restored for transitional housing under the justice reinvestment umbrella.

On disaster recovery, Lampfer said recent revenue forecasting produced an unusual upgrade and that the package includes funding aimed at flood response. Of the roughly $29,000,000 figure she discussed, $10,000,000 is currently fenced for further refinement in the Senate to assist municipalities with flood recovery. Lampfer also described language that would allow some ARPA balances to be redirected to disaster relief, and cited housing‑related ARPA items that she said include amounts for the Vermont Housing Finance Association and the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board (VHCB). She reported a $30,000,000 down payment in the BAA for state building repairs related to flood damage and said FEMA coverage is being coordinated under a 90/10 match.

Lampfer listed smaller one‑time investments added after public testimony: $1,000,000 each for food banks and meals on wheels, $500,000 for adult education, and approximately $253,000 to complete grants under an organic dairy program passed last year. She also referenced S.100 (Act 47) sections 43–45, saying the policy language enacted earlier that had not been funded was being restored in this package as funds permitted.

Representative Moricki thanked the committee for the additional food assistance funding, saying food banks had seen 'almost a 100% increase in use' since July; Lampfer replied that the committee provided what it could. Lampfer closed by reminding members that staff and JFO are available for follow‑up and to expect committee amendments and additional technical language before the bill is acted on by the House.

The committee did not take formal votes during the caucus briefing; Lampfer encouraged members to review the posted materials and to raise questions before the House considers H.839 the following day.