Rep Sibilia: Week 20 of the 2025 Legislative Session

Good evening,

This week, I had the opportunity to make my first trip up into the dome of the State House and enjoyed a close-up view of Ceres, the Goddess of Agriculture statue that stands atop the dome, as well as a sweeping view of Montpelier. It was a rare and welcome moment of perspective during this final stretch of the legislative session. As I leave the State House tonight at 6 PM, the Senate is still on the floor debating the Education Bill. Much work remains in these final days, but we are heading into what we hope will be the final week of the session. While we are here longer than usual, the Legislature is still operating within budget. However, if we do not adjourn by May 31st, it will cost taxpayers an estimated $300,000 for every additional week the Legislature remains in session. I’m hopeful we’ll complete our work in time to avoid that additional expense.

Two versions of major housing legislation have now passed both the House and Senate. There are still significant differences between the two versions, particularly in the level of guardrails placed on development and the amount of support included for utility infrastructure. The Rural Caucus was successful in influencing the removal of location-based criteria and a duplicative housing oversight board that would have added complexity and cost. However, efforts to further amend the bill’s “but for” provision, reduce minimum housing proportion requirements, and ensuring utility inclusion in infrastructure financing were unsuccessful. These two versions will now be worked out by a conference committee, and I’ll have more to say next week about what the final result is.

You’ll find updates on education reform, health care legislation, land use planning, and environmental protections throughout this newsletter. As always, thank you for staying engaged and informed.

Education updates

This week, the Senate abandoned its original education proposal which had prioritized protections for private schools and imposed deep, cuts ahead of long-needed governance reforms. The revised bill is closer to the House’s approach: advancing class size standards, initiating a multi-year redistricting process, and establishing a path toward statewide graduation requirements and beginning to address funding equity and administrative efficiency. Governor Scott weighed in this afternoon, reaffirming his commitment to bold, student-centered change and fiscal responsibility. The updated fiscal note will be posted here once available, and the full text of the amended Senate bill is available here. As we look ahead, significant work remains to reconcile the Legislature’s proposal with the Governor’s vision to deliver meaningful education transformation for Vermont’s students and taxpayers.

This week, the Senate abandoned its original education proposal which had prioritized protections for private schools and mandated deep cuts before structural reform. The Senate is now trying to pass a comprehensive amendment to the House passed H.454, closer to the House’s approach. The amended bill maintains key provisions: phasing in class size standards, launching a multi-year redistricting effort, and initiating a shift to a foundation formula. The updated fiscal note outlines new infrastructure measures, including a school construction aid program that would provide annual debt service grants of 20–40% and shift rulemaking authority to AOE. It also includes tighter restrictions on tuition to independent schools and a new homestead property tax exemption projected to cost $45 million more than the current credit system. Governor Scott weighed in this afternoon, reiterating the urgency of aligning legislative action with his call for sustainable transformation.and the full text of the amended Senate bill is available here. Significant work remains to reconcile the Legislature’s proposal with the Governor’s vision to deliver education transformation for Vermont’s students and taxpayers.

H.266 The 340B prescription Drug Pricing Program

This week, the House passed the Senate’s amended version of H.266, which establishes new state-level rules for the federal 340B drug pricing program. This program allows certain hospitals and health centers to purchase prescription medications at discounted prices, with the goal of supporting patient services. The bill prohibits drug manufacturers from limiting or restricting how 340B medications are delivered to local pharmacies that contract with eligible providers. It also requires hospitals participating in the program to submit annual reports detailing how they use 340B revenues, including payments to vendors and any community benefit programs supported through the program. In addition, the bill addresses the practice of “white bagging,” where insurers or pharmacy benefit managers require medications to be delivered from a specific pharmacy rather than dispensed locally. The current restriction on white bagging will be lifted temporarily and reinstated in 2030, following a state study on its financial and operational impacts. H.266 is intended to improve transparency and establish clear guidelines for how 340B-related activities operate in Vermont. Some hospitals are concerned that the bill adds new administrative and reporting requirements for a federal program they already comply with, and that public disclosure of financial details could lead to misunderstandings about how 340B revenues are used.

S.126 — Health Care Payment and Delivery System Reform

S.126 proposes reforms to stabilize Vermont’s health care system. The bill focuses on controlling costs and increasing coordination across the health care system through several measures:

Directing the Green Mountain Care Board (GMCB) to implement reference-based pricing for hospital services and allowing this pricing approach for services provided outside of hospitals.
Authorizing the GMCB to review hospital network structures and financial operations, and to recommend corrective actions as needed.
Requiring the Agency of Human Services (AHS), in collaboration with GMCB, the Department of Financial Regulation, the Vermont Program for Quality in Health Care, the Office of the Health Care Advocate, and other stakeholders, to develop an integrated statewide Health Care Delivery Plan.
Encouraging evaluation of a potential integrated system for clinical and claims data to improve monitoring of quality and costs.
Directing AHS to facilitate collaboration among health care providers to reduce hospital spending by at least 2.5% in fiscal year 2026 in response to financial pressures on the system.
Establishing two advisory committees — the Health Care Delivery Advisory Committee and the Comprehensive Primary Health Care Steering Committee — to guide ongoing efforts, with members serving without compensation.

The bill comes at a critical time as premiums for health insurance continue to rise and future federal premium supports may be dramatically reduced. Current average premiums for a family plan are approximately $3,908.06 per month and are projected to increase to about $4,818.68 next year. For a family of three earning $107,000 annually, this would translate to roughly $58,000 per year in premiums alone.

I voted in favor of this bill because it begins necessary reforms to help manage rising costs and improve coordination in Vermont’s health care system. Read the fiscal note here

Upcoming Trainings on Land Use and Act 181

The Windham Regional Commission is providing two important remote training sessions that I encourage all municipal officials and Vermonters interested in land use and planning to attend.

These sessions are particularly important because Act 181 of 2024 directs the creation of a statewide map identifying whether every parcel in Vermont is subject to or exempt from Act 250 jurisdiction. The goal of Act 181 was to bring clarity and consistency to land use regulation. This process could also have implications for land development and property values, depending on how parcels are classified. While these meetings are aimed at municipal officials, they are open to the public and will likely offer useful information for anyone involved in municipal planning or land use decisions.

Basics of Land Use Planning
Tuesday, May 28 | 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. | Zoom
The Basics of Land Use Planning training provides an overview of the statutory authority for planning and zoning in Vermont, and best practices for meetings, public hearings, and the decision-making process. The training is geared towards Planning Commission, ZBA, and DRB members, and municipal staff. The training will be recorded and posted on WRC’s website.

Act 181 Workshop for Municipal Officials
Thursday, June 5 | 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. | Zoom
This workshop will cover the history of Act 181, new requirements for municipal and regional plans, changes to Act 250 jurisdiction and the State Designation Program, and WRC’s process for collaborating with municipalities and implementing these changes. The workshop will be recorded and posted on WRC’s website for viewing. WRC will begin work with its member towns to implement the Act 181 requirements in the fall of 2025.

Wetlands Mapping Update

Vermont is updating the Vermont Significant Wetlands Inventory (VSWI) using new data from the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI), as required by the Flood Safety Act (Act 121 of 2024). This update is designed to identify wetlands that may qualify for Class II protection, which could lead to changes in how these areas are regulated under the Vermont Wetland Rules.

Our region has not yet been mapped in this update, and this work is being completed in phases across the state. As new maps are finalized, some newly identified wetlands may be subject to regulation, particularly for property owners or developers planning construction, excavation, or other land use changes near potential wetland areas.

You can follow the mapping process and sign up to receive notifications as new maps are released and approved: Click here to follow the wetland mapping project and get updates

Protecting yourself when protesting, Know Your Rights: What to Do if You or a Loved One is Detained

This is a live webpage from the Joint Fiscal Office dedicated to tracking the impact of federal policy on states. The current presidential administration has issued executive orders freezing federal funds, discussed the elimination of federal programs, and has proposed significant changes to tax policy. Congressional budgetary actions could further impact states.

Recent Reports to the Legislature

Health Equity Data Legislative Report The 2024 Vermont Health Equity Data Report highlights the Department of Health’s progress in identifying and addressing disparities across race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, and socioeconomic factors. A new centralized data hub now hosts detailed analyses showing continued inequities in access to insurance, primary care, mental health, and basic needs like food and housing particularly among BIPOC, LGBTQ+, disabled, and unhoused Vermonters. The report draws from sources like the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, Vermont Vital Statistics, and includes new tools like the Community Resilience Index and dashboards from the Healthy Vermonters 2030 initiative. For the first time, the State Health Assessment includes qualitative data, offering a deeper look at lived experiences and identifying four top priorities for the State Health Improvement Plan: access to housing, cost of living, access to care, and mental health and substance use.

Bills That Have Passed Into Law and Signed by Governor

H.13, An act relating to Medicaid payment rates for community-based service providers
H.96, An act relating to increasing the monetary thresholds for certificates of need
H.206, An act relating to the Uniform Commercial Code
H.218, An act relating to fiscal year 2026 appropriations from the Opioid Abatement Special Fund
H.463, An act relating to technical corrections for the 2025 legislative session
S.18,An act relating to licensure of freestanding birth centers
S.28, An act relating to access to certain legally protected health care services
H.21 An act relating to service of writs of possession
H.243 An act relating to the regulation of business organizations
H.118 An act relating to expanding the scope of hate-motivated crimes
S.30 An act relating to updating & reorganizing the health insurance statutes in 8 V.S.A. chapter 107
S.9 An act relating to after-hours access to orders against sexual assault
H.259 An act relating to preventing workplace violence in hospitals
S.3 An act relating to the transfer of property to a trust
H.80 An act relating to the Office of the Health Care Advocate
H.154 An act relating to designating November as the Vermont Month of the Veteran
H.2 An act relating to increasing the minimum age for delinquency proceedings
H.31 An act relating to claim edit standards and prior authorization requirements
H.35 An act relating to unmerging the individual and small group health insurance markets
H.78 An act relating to the use of the Australian ballot system in local elections

During the 2025 legislative session from January through May I will continue to meet on the 1st Saturday of the month at the Dover Free Library from 11-noon and at your group’s invitation as schedules allow. Monitor my votes and the bills I am sponsoring at: https://legislature.vermont.gov/people/single/2026/24023 As always, if you have suggestions, concerns or critiques please be in touch so we can schedule one on one time to discuss. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need assistance navigating government services at (802) 384-0233 or lsibilia@leg.state.vt.us. Follow my regular posts online at http://www.laurasibiliavt.com

Rural Caucus

Act 181 and Tier 3 – What’s at Stake for Rural Vermont

Become a Legislative Page for the 2026 Session!

If you have an 8th grader interested in government and public affairs, serving as a legislative page in the Vermont State House is a unique opportunity to see how our legislature works firsthand. Pages deliver messages for Senators, Representatives, and legislative offices, and get a front-row seat to the important debates and decisions that happen in Montpelier.

My son was a Page and it was a great experience for him where he made lifelong friends and learned more about how our government works.

To apply, students must submit a completed application, a personal cover letter, and a letter of permission from their principal by September 30, 2025. Only one student per family may serve, and pages serve in three different six-week groups throughout the session.

Pages are expected to follow a dress code, communicate respectfully, and maintain professionalism. They receive a weekly salary and support whether commuting or staying in Montpelier.

For full details and to download the application, visit:
https://legislature.vermont.gov/the-state-house/civic-education/become-a-legislative-page/

If you have questions, contact:
Agatha Kessler, Sergeant at Arms — 802-828-2228

Protecting yourself when protesting, Know Your Rights: What to Do if You or a Loved One is Detained

Federal Funds under the Trump Administration

Recent Reports to the Legislature

2024 Reference-Based Pricing and Data Analysis Report Issued 12-17-2024 by the Green Mountain Care Board: Pursuant to Act 113 of 2024, the Green Mountain Care Board conducted an analysis to determine the potential savings had Vermont’s State Employees’ Health Benefit Plan and the Vermont Education Health Initiative (VEHI) used a reference-based pricing (RBP) model, benchmarked to Medicare rates, for hospital services between 2018 and 2023. The study, encompassing approximately 59,000 beneficiaries, found that payments to hospitals for these groups averaged 289% of Medicare rates. If those payments had been capped at 200% of Medicare, an estimated $400 million could have been saved over the study period—$79 million in 2022 alone. Most savings were attributed to outpatient services, and the majority of impacts were seen at Prospective Payment System (PPS) hospitals, not Critical Access Hospitals. While the findings highlight a significant opportunity to reduce healthcare costs and curb rising taxes that fund these health plans, the report also underscores the financial challenges facing Vermont hospitals. The Board recommends that any move toward RBP be carefully designed to maintain healthcare access and quality while ensuring fair compensation for providers. The report will inform legislative discussions about cost containment, health plan sustainability, and systemwide reform.

Bills That Have Passed Into Law and Signed by Governor

H.13, An act relating to Medicaid payment rates for community-based service providers
H.96, An act relating to increasing the monetary thresholds for certificates of need
H.206, An act relating to the Uniform Commercial Code
H.218, An act relating to fiscal year 2026 appropriations from the Opioid Abatement Special Fund
H.463, An act relating to technical corrections for the 2025 legislative session
S.18, An act relating to licensure of freestanding birth centers
S.28, An act relating to access to certain legally protected health care services
H.21 An act relating to service of writs of possession
H.243 An act relating to the regulation of business organizations
H.118 An act relating to expanding the scope of hate-motivated crimes
S.30 An act relating to updating & reorganizing the health insurance statutes in 8 V.S.A. chapter 107
S.9 An act relating to after-hours access to orders against sexual assault
H.259 An act relating to preventing workplace violence in hospitals
S.3 An act relating to the transfer of property to a trust
H.80 An act relating to the Office of the Health Care Advocate
H.154 An act relating to designating November as the Vermont Month of the Veteran
H.2 An act relating to increasing the minimum age for delinquency proceedings
H.31 An act relating to claim edit standards and prior authorization requirements
H.35 An act relating to unmerging the individual and small group health insurance markets
H.78 An act relating to the use of the Australian ballot system in local elections

Monitor my votes and the bills I am sponsoring at: https://legislature.vermont.gov/people/single/2026/24023

As always, if you have suggestions, concerns or critiques please be in touch so we can schedule one on one time to discuss. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need assistance navigating government services at (802) 384-0233 or lsibilia@leg.state.vt.us. Follow my regular posts online at http://www.laurasibiliavt.com