Bill > H0493

This bill makes appropriations for the support of the government of Vermont for fiscal year 2026 and amends various existing laws. * **Department of Health:** * $475,000 from the AIDS Medication Rebates special fund for client-based support services for HIV/AIDS service and peer-support organizations in fiscal year 2026. * $295,000 from the General Fund for HIV and Harm Reduction Services in fiscal year 2026, allocated to Vermont CARES ($140,000), AIDS Project of Southern Vermont ($100,000), and HIV/HCV Resource Center ($55,000). * $400,000 from the General Fund for HIV and Harm Reduction Services by September 1, 2025. * The Department of Health is prohibited from reducing grants for HIV/AIDS services below fiscal year 2025 levels without prior approval from the Joint Fiscal Committee. * **Office of Health Equity:** Establishes the Office of Health Equity within the Department of Health to eliminate health disparities. * **Substance Misuse Prevention:** Establishes the Substance Misuse Prevention Special Fund, which will receive 30% of cannabis excise tax revenues, not to exceed $10,000,000 annually. * **Department for Children and Families:** * $29,343,655 from the General Fund to the Office of Economic Opportunity for grants to community agencies assisting individuals experiencing homelessness. * Provisions are made for General Assistance Emergency Housing, including eligibility criteria and limitations on hotel/motel stays. * **Education:** * Various appropriations are made for special education, adult education and literacy, flexible pathways programs, and technical education. * The State's contribution to the Vermont State Teachers' Retirement System is set at $199,377,627 from the General Fund and $13,375,000 from local school systems. * The contribution to the Retired Teachers' Health and Medical Benefits plan is set at $71,052,589 from the State and $8,900,000 from employers. * **Higher Education:** * The University of Vermont receives an appropriation, with $380,362 designated for the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research. * The Vermont State Colleges receive an appropriation, with $427,898 designated for the Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center. * **Vermont Student Assistance Corporation:** Appropriations include funds for the Trust Fund, a student aspirational initiative, and the Vermont Trades Scholarship Program. At least 93% of remaining funds are for direct student aid. * **Corrections:** $152,000 from the PILOT Special Fund is allocated for supplemental facility payments to Newport and Springfield. $200,000 from the General Fund is for a consultant to develop a plan to transition correctional facilities to treatment-focused facilities. * **Fiscal Year 2025 Adjustments:** Several sections amend appropriations and allocations from the 2024 Acts and Resolves, primarily adjusting funding levels for various agencies and programs. * **Repeals and Amendments:** The bill repeals certain taxes, including the telephone personal property tax and alternative telephone gross revenues tax, with phased-in effective dates. It also amends various statutes related to funding, reporting, and program administration.