The February 24, 2017* issue of the VLCT Weekly Legislative Report is alive and notably well at http://www.vlct.org/assets/Advocacy/Legislative_Reports/2017-09-wlr-web.pdf. You can read other issues from the current legislative session here. Can’t link to the VLCT website directly from this email? Then try copying and pasting the link into your web browser.
In this issue:
TIF Districts and Economic Development. On Thursday, the Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs Committee voted out a bill that would lift the statutory cap on the number of tax increment financing TIF districts that are allowed in the state. TIF districts are one of the most powerful tools a municipality can use to spur development and redevelopment in downtown areas. [Read more.]
Telecommunications Siting. This week, consideration of H.50 in the House was tumultuous. The bill, as it was introduced, would extend the current expiration date of Public Service Board (PSB) jurisdiction over telecommunications siting (30 V.S.A. § 248a) from July 1, 2017, to July 1, 2020. [Read more.]
On-Farm Enterprises. This week, the House Agriculture and Forest Products Committee discussed zoning and agriculture in what may result in a committee bill later this session. The committee and the Agency of Agriculture are considering expanding the types of uses and activities farms may take part in without having to address the same levels of zoning regulations as similarly situated neighbors. [Read more.]
Workers’ Comp Mental Health Parity and PTSD Claim Presumption. On Wednesday, the House Health Care Committee heard testimony on H.197, a bill that would provide workers’ compensation coverage for mental conditions resulting from workplace situations that are characteristic of a particular occupation. [Read more.]
ANR Statewide Listening Tour. The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources is presently hosting a listening tour to hear from its “customers” about their experiences interacting with the agency. [Read more.]
Plus Advocacy staff testimony at the State House as well as a smattering – a rather sizeable smattering, in fact – of municipally-flavored new bills.
