Bill > H0951

This bill appropriates funds for the support of the government for fiscal year 2027, with some provisions extending into fiscal years 2028 and 2029. * **Agency of Education:** $2,865,000 from the General Fund for education transformation in fiscal year 2026. This includes $1,452,500 for transition grants to school districts and cooperative educational service areas, $562,500 for established positions, and $850,000 for contracted services to support school boards in studying the formation of union school districts and for administrative activities related to consolidation. * **Federal Funding Adjustments:** For fiscal years 2026 through 2029, the Secretary of Administration is authorized to adjust spending authority in response to reductions in federal revenues, with varying levels of notification and approval required from the Joint Fiscal Committee depending on the percentage and dollar amount of the reduction. * **Property Transfer Tax Allocations:** Specific amounts are allocated from the Current Use Administration Special Fund ($608,137 to the Department of Taxes), the Vermont Housing and Conservation Trust Fund (up to $37,653,750), and the Municipal and Regional Planning and Resilience Fund ($10,179,975 to regional planning commissions, municipalities, and the Agency of Digital Services). Excess funds from these sources are transferred to the General Fund. * **Fund Transfers:** Numerous transfers are outlined between various state funds, including significant transfers from the General Fund to the General Obligation Bonds Debt Service Fund ($73,797,962), the Education Fund ($104,908,097), and the Capital Infrastructure Subaccount ($17,016,160). * **Reversions:** In fiscal year 2027, various unexpended amounts from different agencies are designated to revert to the General Fund. * **Reserves:** The General Fund 27/53 Reserve is adjusted, a $30,000,000 reserve is unreserved, and any remaining General Fund balance that would have been subject to a specific provision is reserved for future use, potentially for property tax relief or housing initiatives. * **Positions:** The bill authorizes the establishment of six permanent positions in fiscal year 2027 and the conversion of four limited-service positions to permanent status in fiscal year 2026 within various state offices. Additionally, 26 limited-service positions in the Judiciary are authorized for conversion to permanent exempt status in fiscal year 2026. * **Collective Bargaining Agreements:** The bill fully funds the first and second years of collective bargaining agreements for fiscal years 2027 and 2028, respectively, for state employees, including across-the-board and step increases. Similar provisions are made for exempt employees and statutory salaries across the Executive, Judicial, and Legislative branches. * **Medicaid School-Based Services Program:** Significant changes are made to the Medicaid School-Based Services Program, including the establishment of a School-Based Medicaid Reimbursement Fund and a reallocation of federal reimbursement monies. The Agency of Human Services is responsible for program compliance, while the Agency of Education coordinates with statewide education policy. * **Other Appropriations:** The bill includes various other appropriations and provisions, such as funding for education transformation grants, HIV/AIDS services, opioid abatement, supervised visitation programs, and support for higher education institutions.