Legislative View
2026 Legislative News and Information
Week One – January 5, 2026
I’m back! A hip surgery, an infection, and a second surgery were apparently not enough to keep me from the State House on opening day. Do-or-die energy persists. We’ll see if committees allow testimony from a prone position.
The first week of the session felt like jumping onto a treadmill already going 50 miles per hour. Committees were immediately up and running, a high volume of bills were introduced, and the pace made clear this will be a challenging session shaped by federal shifts, constrained resources, and difficult tradeoffs.
Week Two – January 12, 2026
Week 2 at the State House was a whirlwind of presentations, testimony, and big-picture conversations, all highlighting how Vermont’s policy and budget decisions affect the people we serve.
Week Three – January 19, 2026
The Governor delivered his annual budget address this week, framing the FY27 proposal around three stated priorities: growing the economy, making Vermont more affordable, and protecting the most vulnerable. He emphasized fiscal discipline in the face of downgraded revenue forecasts, uncertainty in federal funding, and rising structural costs – particularly in education, healthcare, pensions, housing, and public safety.
Week Four – January 26, 2026
The 11th Annual Mental Health Advocacy Day took over the State House and Pavilion this week, and in the best possible way. Nearly 200 people joined in person, with almost 100 more tuning in virtually, all under the banner “Together for Dignity, United for Change: Reclaiming Mental Health in Vermont.”
Week Five – February 2, 2026
This past week at the State House made clear just how much is in motion at once as Vermont heads into the FY27 budget process. Committees heard directly from AHS, DAIL, DCF, VDH, and DVHA about their budget proposals and the limits of what those proposals can reach.
Week Six – February 9, 2026
This past week at the State House FY27 budget testimony was front and center, including the public budget hearing with House and Senate Appropriations. Thank you to Mark Schmoll (Elder Care), Meaghan Malboeuf (Reach Up), and Beth Sightler, Kelsey Stavseth, and Tonya Mason for representing the network both virtually and in person.
Week Seven – February 16, 2026
This past week at the State House, FY27 budget testimony remained front and center, including the second public budget hearing with House and Senate Appropriations committees. Vermont Care Partners’ Amy Johnson testified, highlighting the promise made to Vermonters when the Brandon Training School closed: a commitment to move away from institutionalized care and invest in strong, community-based services that allow people to live, thrive, and receive support in their own homes and communities.
Week Ten – March 9, 2026
Policy crossover was here… and now it’s gone. Did your favorites make it over the line? From AI bills to mental health in schools, healthcare reform, private equity oversight, the new forensic facility, the housing bill, and the DCF omnibus bill (H.657) – many key measures raced toward the finish line this week.
Week Eleven – March 16, 2026
A long chocolate-fueled experience and a little luck of the Irish might best describe money crossover week. House Appropriations moved a significant number of bills, including one of the most important of the session, the FY27 budget.
Week Twelve – March 23, 2026
At the State House this week, it was all about the floor. Both the House and Senate logged long hours passing bills, advancing priorities, and in some cases, letting bills lie as the reality of deadlines and decisions set in.
Week Thirteen – March 30, 2026
At the State House this week, budget season kicked into high gear in the Senate Appropriations and Health & Welfare Committees. The administration’s frustration with the House version of the budget was on full display, but there were lighter moments too.
Week Fourteen – April 6, 2026
It was a full week at the State House, with committees continuing to move through both policy and budget work that will shape the final stretch of the session. When will it all end? There’s much debate about that right now!
Week Fifteen – April 13, 2026
It was a full (and sneezy) week at the State House. The House spent significant time on the education bill, including a Caucus of the Whole, where CESAs were mentioned in the context of strengthening mental health supports for youth – particularly how this model could better connect providers and expand capacity in schools.
Week Sixteen – April 20, 2026
The budget finally made it out of Senate Appropriations after a lot of long hours rotating between cozy and not so cozy seats to see where everything landed.
Week Seventeen – April 27, 2026
If you squint, it kind of feels like we’re nearing the end. The budget conference committee quietly kicked things off with a very unpopulated Friday meeting (binders in hand, doors mostly closed) to get organized and map out this week’s negotiations.
Week Eighteen – May 4, 2026
This past week at the State House felt a bit like legislative limbo. The budget conference committee met to discuss future meetings about eventually maybe meeting again, while rumors continued to swirl about when this session will actually end. Two more weeks?
Week Nineteen – May 11, 2026
It was another long, gray, rainy week under the Golden Dome where the coffee was scarce, the snack tables were absent, and not a single Cedar Creek reception appeared to lift morale. Even the card room failed us…no orgs, no candy, no joy. Meanwhile, legislators continued their annual tradition of insisting adjournment is just around the corner while simultaneously scheduling more hearings, more caucuses, and more conference committees.
Week Twenty – May 18, 2026
Happy Memorial Day, y’all! It was a hot, hot, HOT week under the State House dome, and not just because the weather finally remembered what season we’re in.
Week Twenty-One – FINAL WEEK
The 2026 legislative session officially came to a close at 8:00 p.m. on Friday night, ending in the way Vermont legislative sessions often do: with a mix of major policy decisions, last-minute dealmaking, a few surprises, and more than a little drama.