Legislative Updates 2026

Legislative Update – Week of February 24- 27,  2026

Mar 1, 2026

Brenda Steady • State Representative, Chittenden-25 House District

Legislative Update

Human Services Committee Work

The Human Services Committee worked on the following bills this week:

• H.582 – Adult Protective Services — Updates and strengthens Vermont’s adult protective services framework.

• H.545 – Immunization Recommendations — Addresses the process for issuing statewide immunization recommendations.

• 26‑0766 – Vermont Homelessness Response Continuum — Establishes a coordinated statewide homelessness response system.

• H.657 – Services for Unaccompanied Homeless Youth — Enables unaccompanied homeless youth to access certain services without parental consent.

The committee also participated in a joint hearing with the House Education Committee, which was livestreamed on the House Education YouTube channel: https://legislature.vermont.gov/committee/streaming/house-education

In addition, the committee completed its work on the Governor’s Proposed FY2027 Budget, which will now be presented to the House Appropriations Committee.

Bills Passed by the House

The following bills passed on the House floor and will now move to the Senate. The Senate will review each bill through its committee process, and if any changes are made, the bill will return to the House for another vote.

H.566 — Sealing Court Diversion Records

This bill changes how records from post‑charge court diversion programs are handled. Instead of being expunged, records will be sealed once a person successfully completes diversion—hidden from public view but still available for limited, authorized use. The bill also expands adult diversion to include certain municipal ordinance violations under these same sealing provisions.

H.907 — Legislative Review of State Reporting Requirements

H.907 revises and extends the Legislature’s process for reviewing state reporting requirements. It delays scheduled repeal reviews and exempts certain reports from automatic expiration. The goal is to ensure appropriate legislative oversight of agency and program reporting while reducing unnecessary churn.

H.694 — Bennington Town Charter Amendments

This bill approves amendments to the Town of Bennington’s charter regarding the removal of the Town Manager. The changes allow a contract‑based exception to the current requirement for notice, cause, and a hearing. This gives the Town legal authority to adopt the removal process approved by Bennington voters.

H.639 — Genetic Information Privacy Act

H.639 creates new protections for Vermonters’ genetic data. Direct‑to‑consumer genetic testing companies must obtain separate, express consent for how genetic information is collected, used, stored, shared, marketed, and destroyed. The bill also grants consumers the right to access and delete their data, limits sharing without consent, and prohibits discrimination against individuals who exercise these rights.

Town Meeting Week

The Legislature is off next week for Town Meeting Day. I encourage everyone to participate in your local meeting and make your voice heard.

Please feel free to reach out with any feedback or concerns. I can be reached by email at bsteady@leg.state.vt.us or by phone at 802‑338‑8374.

Respectfully, Representative Steady

Legislative Update – Week of February 17- 20, 2026

Feb 23, 2026

Brenda Steady • State Representative, Chittenden-25 House District

Legislative Update

The Human Services Committee continued working on the Governor’s proposed FY2027 budget. We heard extensive testimony from many organizations requesting first‑time funding or asking for increases beyond what the Governor recommended. It is difficult to listen to these requests knowing the trickle‑down effect on taxpayers. I asked where the additional money would come from, as I am concerned about people leaving Vermont — and even more concerned about Vermonters becoming homeless.

Two bills were passed over to the Senate, where they will be reviewed in committee before moving to the full Senate. If the Senate makes changes, the bill will return to the House for further review and another vote.

H.710 – An act relating to defining electricity generating facilities. This bill clarifies how electricity‑generating “plants” are defined under Vermont law, including when multiple renewable energy facilities on the same or contiguous parcels must be treated as a single project. It outlines limited exceptions for certain net‑metering and co‑located systems and adds definitions for several key terms, including common interest community, contiguous, electricity generating technology, and point of interconnection. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026. I voted yes.

H.898 – An act relating to copper‑based to fiber‑based telecommunications network transitions and consumer protections. This bill establishes consumer protections as telecommunications carriers transition from copper‑based networks to fiber‑based VoIP service. It includes advance‑notice requirements, disclosures, and backup‑power information to protect access to E‑911 services. It also requires annual reporting, enhanced State oversight, enforcement authority, and consumer education to ensure reliable service and emergency access during and after the transition. I voted yes.

On Thursday, I learned the process for voting in a new Vermont Adjutant General. I met both candidates beforehand, and each brought strong qualities to the role. The two candidates were Brigadier General Henry “Hank” Harder and Colonel Roger “Brent” Zeigler. The Legislature voted 147–23 to elect Brigadier General Henry “Hank” Harder.

Please feel free to reach out with any feedback or concerns. I can be reached by email at bsteady@leg.state.vt.us or by phone at 802‑338‑8374.

Respectfully, Representative Steady

Legislative Update – Week of February 10- 13, 2026

Feb 17, 2026

Brenda Steady • State Representative, Chittenden-25 House District

Legislative Update

The Human Services Committee continues its work on the Governor’s FY27 Budget. As always, my focus is on fiscal responsibility, and I am hopeful our committee can make the difficult decisions needed to bring forward a responsible budget.

It appears that H.594, An act relating to establishing the Temporary Emergency Housing and Accountability Program and the Return to Home Program, is now being replaced with 26‑0766, An act establishing the Vermont Homeless Response Continuum. I personally felt that H.594 had some promising elements to help move people out of homelessness, although I did not support the “return to home” provision. The rest of the bill, however, had workable components.

The committee also worked on H.660, An act relating to fiscal year FY27 Opioid Abatement Special Fund. The committee voted the bill out with a 10‑0‑1 vote, and I voted yes. The funding comes from the opioid settlement and expands prevention and recovery options. Notably, the safe injection site did not receive funding in this bill.

Bills Passed by the House

H.527 – Extends provisions allowing the Public Utility Commission to use an expedited process for smaller public utility projects. My vote: YES

H.611 – Makes a variety of technical corrections for the Department of Vermont Health Access. My vote: YES

Farewell to Our First Group of Pages

On Friday, we said goodbye to our first group of legislative pages. Pages—8th grade students—assist both Senators and Representatives by delivering messages, running errands, preparing the chambers, and helping on the floor. Each group serves for six weeks. The House Speaker recognized them on the floor, and the body gave them a standing ovation.

Essex Westford High School Visit

Although the Legislature typically does not meet on Mondays, the Essex Westford High School students visited the State House, and I was invited to meet with them. They asked thoughtful, well‑prepared questions of the three legislators who met with them, and it was impressive to see their engagement.

Among the group was a Westford student who was recognized last session as a John Lewis finalist. He continues to represent Westford with maturity and pride.

Please feel free to reach out with any feedback or concerns. I can be reached by email at bsteady@leg.state.vt.us or by phone at 802‑338‑8374.

Respectfully, Representative Steady

Legislative Update – Week of February 3- 6, 2026

Feb 9, 2026

Brenda Steady • State Representative, Chittenden-25 House District

Legislative Update

Human Services Committee

The Human Services Committee continued its work on the FY27 budget, hearing testimony from the Department for Children and Families and the Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living.

After taking testimony on H.594, An act relating to establishing the Temporary Emergency Housing and Accountability Program and the Return Home Program in fiscal years 2027 and 2028, the committee shifted direction. We are now reviewing Draft 26‑0766, An act relating to establishing the Vermont Homeless Emergency Assistance and Responsive Transition to Housing Program within the Office of Economic Opportunity.

The committee also worked on H.660, An act relating to the fiscal year 2027 Opioid Abatement Special Fund, and reviewed funding requests from a wide range of organizations and agencies.

Bills Passed on the House Floor

• H.540 – An act relating to the recommendations of the Post‑Adjudication Reparative Program Working Group — Yes

• H.626 – An act relating to sexual extortion, voyeurism, and disclosure of sexually explicit images without consent — Yes

• H.5 – An act relating to the hearsay exception for a child under 16 years of age — Yes

• H.541 – An act relating to interference with voters and election officials — Yes

2026 Outdoor Recreation Day at the State House

The State House hosted the 2026 Outdoor Recreation Day, where attendees heard from speakers on issues affecting outdoor recreation and Vermont’s economy.

Milton was represented by Hannah Luman, Director of Recreation, and Ben Nappi, Assistant Director. Westford was represented by Town Administrator Tommy O’Connor.

During the lunch hour, Senator Mattos and Representatives Leland Morgan, Michael Morgan, Tony Micklus, Chris Taylor, and I joined them.

Please feel free to reach out with any feedback or concerns. I can be reached by email at bsteady@leg.state.vt.us or by phone at 802‑338‑8374.

Respectfully, Representative Steady

Legislative Update – Week of January 21-24

Jan 26, 2026

Brenda Steady • State Representative, Chittenden-25 House District

The Human Services Committee, which I serve on, continued work on H.545 – An act relating to issuing immunization recommendations. We heard additional testimony, voted the bill out of committee, and it was presented on the House floor for a roll‑call vote. It passed and now moves to the Senate. I voted yes.

We also continued our work on H.594 – Temporary Emergency Housing and Accountability Program; Return Home Program.

Carrie Stahler from the Vermont Foodbank, a resident of Lyndon, testified about the Foodbank’s request for a $5 million appropriation in the FY27 budget. The request includes:

• $2 million to support their network of partners

• $2 million for the Vermonters Feeding Vermonters program

• $1 million for the Ready Response program to support food access during disasters and emergencies

If I understood correctly, these funds would be directed to the Northeast Kingdom (Caledonia, Orleans, and Essex Counties). As a Chittenden County representative, I have to consider the impact of allocating this amount solely to the NEK. I asked for a breakdown of how the hours and funds would be used, but was told that information is not available at this time. This is a significant amount of taxpayer money, and I want my constituents to know that I will do my homework before voting on large appropriations. I am deeply concerned about the hardships Vermonters are facing and want to ensure funds are used efficiently.

Our committee also heard testimony from the Department of Health regarding their FY27 budget. The Governor’s recommended budget for the department is $227,741,970. The Governor sets the total amount, and then Commissioner Hildebrant and his agency determine how those funds are allocated.

Two additional bills passed on the House floor this week:

• H.84 – Telehealth appointments may be recorded with patient and provider consent. I voted yes.

• H.534 – An act relating to community action agencies. I voted yes.

The Secretary of State also introduced the newly elected Kid Governor, a 5th grader from Highgate to our committee. Her platform focuses on helping the homeless, and she shared several ideas for her community, including a Fun Run, a potluck meal, and a food and clothing drive. I look forward to seeing how her initiatives develop.

Please feel free to reach out with any feedback or concerns. I can be reached by email at bsteady@leg.state.vt.us or by phone at 802‑338‑8374.

Respectfully, Representative Steady

Legislative Update – Week of January 12-17

Jan 19, 20265

Brenda Steady • State Representative, Chittenden-25 House District

Action on the floor included passing two bills.

H.649 – This bill proposes to prohibit certain loans and investments made by a risk retention group; restructure report and statement requirements applicable to a risk retention group; and require a certification statement from each protected cell within a sponsored captive insurance company.

S.60 – This bill proposes to establish the Farm Security Special Fund to provide financial assistance to farms that experienced qualifying losses due to weather conditions.

The Human Services Committee continued hearing testimony on H.545, an act relating to issuing immunization recommendations.

The committee is also working on a new housing bill following the veto of H.91 last session. The new bill being presented is H.594, an act relating to establishing the Temporary Emergency Housing and Accountability Program and the Return Home Program in fiscal years 2027 and 2028. With this bill comes a significant cost: $60 million in 2027 and $50 million in 2028. I am personally extremely concerned about these costs, and with my ongoing focus on affordability, I am doing my best to keep an open mind as we hear testimony. I agree there is a well‑known problem with homelessness, but I have learned from experience that putting more money into an issue is not always the solution.

I urge constituents to listen to the livestreams as these bills are discussed. The agenda with the livestream link can be found by searching the State of Vermont committee page. I welcome feedback and suggestions so I can make an informed decision when a vote is taken.

The highlight of my week was welcoming the Milton Varsity Boys Soccer Team to the State House with Representatives Michael Morgan, Leland Morgan, Chris Taylor, Tony Micklus, and Senator Mattos. Governor Scott met with the team and posed for a picture with them. They sat in the balcony on the House floor when Resolution H.C.R. 159 was read in recognition of their achievement in winning the 2025 Division II Championship Title. They enjoyed a tour, and as they left the building, they met Lt. Governor Rodgers and had a picture taken with him as well.

Please feel free to view my website at SteadyforVTHouse.org. I have an open‑door policy and welcome questions or concerns. I can be reached by email at bsteady@leg.state.vt.us or by phone at 802‑338‑8374.

Respectfully, Representative Steady

Legislative Update – Week of January 6

Jan 11, 2025

Brenda Steady • State Representative, Chittenden-25 House District

The State House was buzzing on Tuesday, January 6th, as the new Legislative Session began. I continue to serve on the House Human Services Committee.

H.545 – Immunization Recommendations

Our first bill was H.545, which updates how Vermont issues and funds immunization recommendations. Dr. Rick Hildebrant, MD, the new Commissioner of Health, provided testimony.

The bill would:

• Allow the Commissioner to issue immunization recommendations for children and adults

• Enable the Department of Health to secure the lowest vaccine prices

• Require no co‑pays, coinsurance, or deductibles for recommended immunizations

• Update the membership of the Vermont Immunization Advisory Council

• Require insurers to cover recommended immunizations without cost‑sharing

• Provide liability protection for health care professionals who administer recommended immunizations, unless their actions involve gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct

Governor’s State of the State

Governor Phil Scott Delivers 2026 State of the State Address | Office of Governor Phil Scott

On Wednesday, I listened to the Governor’s State of the State address. His primary focus was Education Reform, which he described as essential for affordability, housing, workforce development, and Vermont’s long‑term future. He also spoke about childcare, infrastructure, public safety, and rising education spending that may lead to double‑digit property tax increases.

Budget Adjustment Act

Throughout the week, our committee worked on the Budget Adjustment. Many organizations requested additional funds. While some needs were understandable, others raised concerns about whether original budgets were managed effectively. A few requests stemmed from fiscal errors, which can happen. Requests for new funding were not approved, as the Budget Adjustment is not intended for new initiatives.

Supervised Visitation

We also heard testimony on Supervised Visitation. Not all counties currently have options for families who need supervised visits when ordered by the court, and this remains an area needing attention.

I welcome your feedback and questions. You can reach me at bsteady@leg.state.vt.us or 802‑338‑8374.

Respectfully Submitted, Representative Steady

Legislative Update – Week of January 27-30

Feb 2, 2026

Brenda Steady • State Representative, Chittenden-25 House District

Legislative Update

This week in the Human Services Committee we continued hearing testimony on H.594, an act relating to establishing the Temporary Emergency Housing and Accountability Program and the Return Home Program in fiscal years 2027 and 2028. I continue to listen and still have concerns about the Return Home component. The representative from End Homelessness Vermont shared similar concerns, noting that when individuals say they have a place to go in another state, that is not always accurate.

We also continued reviewing the Governor’s proposed FY2027 budget. Our committee began looking at requests for the 2027 Opioid Abatement Special Fund appropriations. Many of the requests are from the same organizations that received funding last session. What I find concerning is that there is no documentation showing how last year’s funds were actually used. I have begun emailing and calling recipients to request a simple spreadsheet of expenditures. For example, one organization received $200,000 last year and is now requesting $288,000. Before approving an additional $88,000, I believe it is reasonable to understand how the previous allocation was spent.

Votes this week:

• H.648 – Banking, insurance, and securities – Yes

• H.516 – Amendments to the charter of the Town of Essex – Yes

• H.270 – Confidentiality in peer support sessions for emergency service providers – Yes

• H.532 – Mandatory retirement of college professors – Yes

• H.508 – Amendments to the charter of the City of Burlington – Yes

We also passed H.790, the Budget Adjustment Act, which is Vermont’s mid‑year update to the FY2026 budget. Each committee reviews its sections and makes recommendations to Appropriations. The bill passed the House unanimously, 133–0.

I have also received questions about Act 73, so I wanted to share a helpful summary from a colleague on the Education Committee. Their update captured the ongoing conversations well: The committee continued its work on Act 73 and met with the Vermont Superintendents Association in Montpelier. It was a valuable opportunity to hear directly from superintendents across the state about what is working, what challenges they face, and how they would like to see the law evolve. These conversations help provide important context, highlight regional differences, and guide future considerations around flexibility, funding stability, and governance.

My Vote on H.R.12

I have received emails regarding my no vote on House Resolution H.R.12, and I want to explain my thinking. Like many of you, I was deeply troubled by the tragic events in Minnesota, and I fully support Governor Scott’s message that “enough is enough.” No American should be harmed or killed while exercising their constitutional right to protest, and I stand firmly behind that principle.

At the same time, after reading the full resolution, I felt that some of the statements went beyond simply expressing support for the Governor’s call for accountability. Several of the incidents referenced are still under investigation, and without the full facts, I was not comfortable endorsing conclusions that may ultimately prove incomplete or inaccurate.

Over the past week, I heard from Vermonters with a wide range of views — some strongly supported the resolution, some felt Vermont should stay focused on Vermont issues, and many were somewhere in between. I appreciate all of that feedback. My vote reflected my effort to be both compassionate and responsible: to support the Governor’s call for accountability while also being careful and measured about what we put into the official record while investigations are ongoing.

Please feel free to reach out with any feedback or concerns. I can be reached by email at bsteady@leg.state.vt.us or by phone at 802‑338‑8374.

Respectfully, Representative Steady