Vermont House orders third reading and records 112–24 roll-call on FY24 budget adjustment (H.839) after hours of debate

The Vermont House took up H.839, the FY24 Budget Adjustment Act, for second reading and engaged in extended questioning and debate before taking a roll-call vote that recorded 112 members in favor and 24 opposed and ordered third reading.

Representative Lanford, speaking for the House Appropriations Committee, presented the bill as a midyear ‘‘truing up’’ of the FY24 budget, saying it addresses homelessness, flood recovery, nursing facility relief and technical agency adjustments. He described a net increase in spending associated with the bill of roughly $56,500,000 as presented and listed several targeted allocations, including $30,000,000 of general fund for FEMA matching in response to July flood damage, $6,000,000 for the emergency relief and assistance fund (ERAF) as local FEMA match funding, $10,000,000 to assist municipalities impacted by the flood for a ‘‘bridge to recovery,’’ and $5,000,000 in unobligated ARPA funds for municipalities affected by the flood.

Lanford also highlighted allocations for housing and homelessness: $13,200,000 for general assistance emergency housing; $4,000,000 to stand up shelters in five communities; and $30,000,000 in directed unobligated ARPA funds for the Vermont Housing Conservation Board, plus $25,000,000 directed unobligated ARPA to the Vermont Housing Finance Agency for middle‑income home ownership and rental loan fund programs. The bill also included $5,700,000 for the Vermont Veterans' Home and $14,000,000 in emergency financial relief for nursing facilities, among other items.

Members used interrogations to press for details. The member from Barrington asked whether language would extend housing commitments for pandemic-era cohorts and adverse weather recipients through June 30; presenters replied that the BAA would extend those requirements. In response to questions about scale and costs of the hotel/motel emergency housing program, the member from Waterbury reported roughly 1,600 households currently housed in hotels and motels and cited an average per‑household nightly cost of about $132 as the last available data.

Several members warned about potential fiscal tradeoffs. The member from Holtony said the BAA spends $32,000,000 more than the governor’s recommended adjustment and asked whether some items could be delayed until the July budget; others argued the money is urgently needed for flood‑impacted municipalities and vulnerable Vermonters. Members from flood‑impacted districts described urgent local needs; members from appropriations and other supporters said the bill is a ‘‘life raft’’ for communities still recovering from the flood.

Committee and floor procedural votes and straw polls were referenced during discussion: the House Appropriations Committee reported support (committee vote described on the floor), and the House Ways and Means Committee reported favorably. After extensive debate, the clerk called the roll. Those voting yes numbered 112 and those voting no numbered 24; the ayes prevailed and third reading was ordered.

The House later took up JR S38 and JR S39 (joint resolutions related to elections and Vermont State Colleges trustees) and adopted both in concurrence by voice. The House adjourned until Friday, January 26, 2024 at 9:30 a.m.

The bill will return for third reading; if passed on final reading it will take effect as provided in the bill text.