H.352 establishes Vermont's Renewable Energy for Communities Program, requiring retail electricity providers to solicit distributed renewable projects (like community solar) that meet specific community-focused criteria. The program prioritizes projects benefiting marginalized communities, affordable housing tenants, schools, and municipal buildings, while requiring utilities to evaluate proposals based on community engagement and local benefits - not just cost. Utilities must issue these solicitations starting by 2027, with the Public Utility Commission developing detailed rules for implementation by January 1, 2027. This directly affects Vermont’s electricity providers and the communities they serve, aiming to expand equitable access to renewable energy benefits.
This bill creates a program allowing Vermont towns and cities in areas affected by major floods (specifically in counties with a 2023-2024 FEMA disaster declaration) to use increases in property tax revenue to fund flood-related improvements. Municipalities must develop a project plan for repairs, infrastructure, or affordable housing, secure local approval, and get the Vermont Economic Progress Council to review it for compliance with criteria like flood resiliency or brownfield cleanup. The program uses existing tax revenue growth - without requiring new taxes - to finance projects that meet specific community needs, administered by the Vermont Economic Progress Council.
H 253 aims to increase housing availability and affordability in Vermont by establishing "workforce housing zones" and supporting modular construction. These zones are defined by their proximity to job centers and will receive higher thresholds for environmental review under Act 250 for housing projects and subdivisions. The bill also creates a revolving fund at the Vermont Housing Finance Agency to incentivize the development of low-cost, energy-efficient modular homes through bulk purchasing and grants for off-site construction. Additionally, state funding for public water and wastewater systems will be prioritized within these workforce housing zones to support development.
H 445 creates the Land Access and Opportunity Revolving Fund to support affordable housing for historically marginalized communities in Vermont. It is funded by a 1.5% income tax surcharge on earnings above $500,000 (repealed in 2031), administered by a new Land Access and Opportunity Board. The fund provides grants or loans for tenant-owned housing purchases, multi-unit renovations, cooperative housing development, and transitional housing projects with priority for marginalized groups. Projects must align with community resource integration, sustainable design, and support for those facing homelessness, disabilities, or justice system involvement.
This bill changes how Vermont calculates the land use change tax when agricultural or forest land is partially developed. Instead of valuing the changed portion as a separate parcel, it requires a proportional calculation based on acreage. It also creates a new tax exemption for land withdrawn specifically to build affordable housing, provided the land fronts a public road, is within three miles of a downtown area, and doesn’t fragment existing parcels. This directly affects developers building affordable housing projects meeting these criteria by eliminating the tax on qualifying land conversions. The changes apply to land no longer eligible for agricultural/forest land valuation under current rules.
H 378 establishes a new program allowing Vermont municipalities to use tax increment financing (TIF) to fund housing infrastructure projects. It enables cities and towns to leverage future increases in property tax revenue - specifically from education and municipal property taxes - to finance infrastructure like utilities, brownfield cleanup, and transportation improvements that stimulate new housing development. Municipalities must create a housing infrastructure project plan, hold public hearings, and get approval from the Vermont Economic Progress Council before using TIF funds. The bill directly affects local governments seeking to finance housing-related infrastructure without increasing tax rates, with funds restricted to approved projects and related costs.
