Vermont House advances H.952, a $159.6 million capital and bonding adjustment with targeted funding for corrections, water and veterans' facilities

The Vermont House advanced H.952 — an act adjusting capital construction appropriations and state bonding — and ordered a third reading after extended, section-by-section committee reports. Committees said the adjustment phase of the two‑year capital plan totals roughly $159,550,000 and includes a mix of bonded and cash additions for state facilities and local projects.

Representative Emmons, speaking for the Committee on Corrections and Institutions, described the bill as an economic development and infrastructure vehicle that "touches every person in this state," and directed members to committee spreadsheets showing the governor's recommendations alongside committee changes. The bill was carried to Ways and Means because it affects state revenue and to Appropriations because it carries appropriations.

Committee highlights presented on the floor included:

- Agency of Administration and General Services: added major maintenance ($1.281 million cash, $513,000 bonded), $225,000 cash for physical security enhancements, completion funding for Asa Bloomer roof/sewage ($3.6 million cash), a $900,000 addition for the Rutland Multimodal Garage renovation, design funding for proposed Statehouse entryway upgrades ($1.3 million bonded) and $3 million cash for 32 Cherry Street Garage repairs.

- Corrections and Human Services: approximately $8.426 million in bonded funds were added for HVAC upgrades at DOC facilities (bringing the committee's available amount cited on the floor to about $20.426 million for work across facilities). The amendment added $225,000 in cash for correctional facility safety and $700,000 cash for door controls; $1 million cash for the Northern Correctional Facility boiler; $772,000 cash for design of a DCF Youth Stabilization facility; $3 million cash to install Wi‑Fi in correctional facilities; and $1.25 million cash for replacement work at the Women's Reentry and Correctional Facilities. Section 17 requires the Commissioner of Corrections and the Chief Information Officer of Digital Services to report monthly on Wi‑Fi installation to the Joint Legislative Justice Oversight Committee while the General Assembly is adjourned sine die in 2026.

- Historic preservation and community grants: funding was shifted to add approximately 28 roadside historical markers in anticipation of America's 250th anniversary; Building Community Grants remain level funded to support infrastructure projects at nonprofits and municipalities.

- Vermont Veterans Home, Bennington: committee site visits and federal inspection findings prompted additional bonded funding and flexible language to allow moving funds between projects at the Vets Home to address sprinkler, septic and other urgent upgrades.

- Agency of Natural Resources / Clean Water: the committee retained and adjusted drinking water and clean water funding lines, including a $590,000 bonded line for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and a roughly $10 million clean water package across water-quality grants, municipal pollution control grants and agricultural/land conservation projects intended to draw federal match.

- Policy changes: the committee amended 24 VSA §4752 to define "eligible mobile home park water system" (resident-owned or nonprofit community systems) to make them eligible for more accessible, low-interest loans; the committee also amended 22 VSA §725 to allow the Division of Historic Preservation to fundraise for state-owned historic projects.

Committee chairs reported standard revocations and recaptures of prior unencumbered appropriations (committee commentary estimated reclaiming about $3.3 million in bonded funds and returning roughly $5.4 million in general fund dollars to the infrastructure fund).

Ways and Means and Appropriations reported unanimous or near‑unanimous committee support (Ways and Means 10‑0‑1; Appropriations 11‑0‑0). Following questions from members about line‑item specifics (including a confirmation that $140,000 continues to be allocated for work on Windsor's Old Constitution House), the Clerk announced that "the eyes have it" and ordered a third reading. The transcript records the voice result but no roll‑call tally.

What happens next: H.952 will proceed to a third reading on the House floor per the order recorded on the day; final enactment would follow the regular legislative process and any required concurrence in the Senate and gubernatorial action.