[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6288844,"mediaKeyId","2535479-786b03649a0443f0bf3c6473423e717c","parentId",2535479,"title","Committee considers expedited VOSHA rulemaking, agrees to draft changes for technical corrections bill","audioSeconds",2748,"startMs",79000,"endMs",2827000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2535479-786b03649a0443f0bf3c6473423e717c&start=79&end=2827","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2535479-786b03649a0443f0bf3c6473423e717c/thumbnail_79000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6288844/Vermont/Committee-considers-expedited-VOSHA-rulemaking-agrees-to-draft-changes-for-technical-corrections-bill","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6288844-965b14736779799bd67081764f41dceb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771087155&Signature=BJZymNgmffQtpx~dvRWiMklTkBtZIvLr8OITL9m3xfllR0ijVh0nWZ5BxvfXLIwGpo0RQWjHXym~u-sheptTQ1mF4TUjKcle9yva71sR~dP~jvFcDZovJ5O~M0zujytm6CezWK5jufbnLRn7LvpnvzVJrqYeE88DYeifRxKq9WkE7BzNJ5qyPuZhgFo83MY427ZyvJ~Upzg5~a458O9zc-br2lazB7r8mwn3CApmY85zVNMSFj41WxCapm~bY~LvuWPTVXTu3b~sB9tZyCwkwPgZ8Lr8Oiw199JLeYhpsCwKoLhKnre6-OvS79aTs-yBiWfg7a9ei606ZKHGkheBPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-11T08:26:58Z","article","The Senate Economic Development, Housing & General Affairs Committee on March 6 discussed draft request 250912, the Vermont Department of Labor Technical Corrections draft, focusing on proposed expedited rulemaking for Vermont Occupational Safety and Health (VOSHA), notice requirements for layoffs, and the handling of willful unpaid wages.

Committee members debated language that would allow VOSHA to adopt federal OSHA standards by an expedited procedure rather than the full formal rulemaking process used now. Damien Leonard of the Office of Legislative Council told the committee expedited adoption is “not unprecedented,” describing analogous exceptions for multi‑jurisdictional lottery rules and emergency rulemaking when federal or multistate timelines require a faster adoption. Leonard said the proposed process would resemble a 30–45 day notice period with a 30‑day comment window and a “safety valve” allowing any disputed rule to be pushed into the full rulemaking process, which takes roughly six to eight months.

The committee’s chair and members weighed the tradeoffs: faster adoption and staff efficiencies for the Department of Labor versus reduced opportunities for more detailed notice, public comment and Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules (LCAR) review. Leonard reported that VOSHA submitted three rule packages in the last three years and that most VOSHA rules historically have adopted federal standards verbatim.

Members asked staff to add clarifying language specifying that the expedited procedure apply only when VOSHA is adopting a corresponding federal standard verbatim and that any standard that is more protective than the federal text must proceed through the regular formal rulemaking process. Committee members also requested language to require filing adopted rules with the Secretary of State so they are placed in the Vermont Code of Rules.

Committee members discussed other parts of draft 250912. On notice of layoffs, the Department of Labor — according to the commissioner’s reply cited in committee — supports lowering the employee threshold from 25 to 20 to align with other small‑business thresholds the committee has considered. On unpaid wages, members raised concern that the draft uses “may” when describing an additional penalty for willful withholding; members asked the commissioner whether the penalty should be mandatory (\"shall\").

The committee agreed to have Sophie (committee staff) and Damien (Office of Legislative Council) coordinate amended language that: (1) limits the expedited rule procedure to adoption of verbatim federal standards, (2) requires filing of final rules with the Secretary of State, and (3) includes an option to sunset the expedited procedure (members discussed a three‑year review). Committee members said they expect to return to the bill later in the week and aim to vote it out after staff circulate the revised draft.

Members stressed oversight and transparency. Several senators asked that the draft be posted and that the committee allow time for public review before final action.

The committee did not take a formal vote on draft 250912 during this meeting. Staff were directed to prepare a revised draft for the committee’s next meeting so members may vote on a revised Draft 1.4.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Economic Development - 2025-03-10 - 1:00PM","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate Economic Development, Housing & General Affairs Committee on March 6 discussed draft request 250912, the Vermont Department of Labor Technical Corrections draft, focusing on expedited VOSHA rulemaking, notice of layoffs, and penalties for willful unpaid wages.","taxTitle","Economic Development, Housing & General Affairs, SENATE, Committees, Legislative , Vermont","taxId",37662,"location","Vermont","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6288823,"Treasurer outlines a $100,000 pilot to report on‑time rental payments to credit bureaus; staff seek opt‑in design and later start date",656,9335000,9991000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2535479-786b03649a0443f0bf3c6473423e717c&start=9335&end=9991","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2535479-786b03649a0443f0bf3c6473423e717c/thumbnail_9335000.jpg","/articles/6288823/Vermont/Treasurer-outlines-a-100000-pilot-to-report-ontime-rental-payments-to-credit-bureaus-staff-seek-optin-design-and-later-start-date","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6288823-d88fb60ce03e0e2a23c3e6625da2f56f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771087155&Signature=m1kcx2c8jiiW2cDeWzPSpOQl0NlJlnQhiKCS90pOAMNo2HIosFR3owJTqI~Sc1nS9gqeU9WTlL2rV6fAAW50KrXAVgsm0DfbcuS3ORYZnX7-zpsw-l0vBhjdsu7~W6Sk38pmFldvtGmilZNheRIN7l3hPq6rXXY633s2BWXx0Nk4t0-UVat0QxxGGlgaVZEZxOM0Q3nAm1yO3mLvgTGsSODkb6vgf4TMdkxTcUk60Ai5OmEADFF9cut7Bf9F71FmuC-Hu4bLcrHUwSVOVeBNGHoZ4ClukC1qex~YLZmWpnk7Lbh8pEFNigilnkBmOvbVRxgr7dL7jTDB307ch~3DDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Office of the State Treasurer described a pilot program to report tenants’ on‑time rental payments to consumer credit bureaus, a practice some states have used to help tenants build credit histories.

Becky Wasserman of the Treasurer’s Office told the committee the office reviewed model programs (California, Colorado and a Fannie Mae pilot) and recommended a positive‑only reporting design: participating landlords (or third‑party administrators) would report timely rent payments but not late or nonpayment. The pilot design presented to the committee would be administered by a contracted vendor; the treasurer’s office would not operate day‑to‑day reporting itself.

The Treasurer’s Office proposed a $100,000 appropriation to fund the pilot and suggested the pilot contract be in place by May 1, 2026 to allow time for an RFP, vendor selection and tenant/landlord recruitment. Staff recommended starting with an opt‑in design for tenants during the demonstration; committee members discussed opt‑out models and noted pros and cons (opt‑out increases participation but raises privacy and consent considerations).

Becky also asked that the financial‑education requirement in the draft be optional rather than mandatory, saying optional education retains tenants’ access while reducing barriers to participation. She recommended an interim report partway through the two‑year pilot with a final report at the end of the pilot period.

Committee members expressed support for testing the program and thanked the Treasurer’s Office for drafting the pilot language. The committee did not adopt any appropriation during this meeting; language and timeline adjustments were requested before the committee advances the pilot in bill form.","The Office of the State Treasurer proposed a positive rental payment pilot that would allow tenants to opt into reporting timely rent payments to credit bureaus; the treasurer’s office asked for contracting flexibility, an optional financial education component and a later start date to allow procurement.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6288828,"Lawmakers press for larger Brownfields fund and prioritization for housing in downtowns",644,6756000,7400000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2535479-786b03649a0443f0bf3c6473423e717c&start=6756&end=7400","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2535479-786b03649a0443f0bf3c6473423e717c/thumbnail_6756000.jpg","/articles/6288828/Vermont/Lawmakers-press-for-larger-Brownfields-fund-and-prioritization-for-housing-in-downtowns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6288828-a9ed84e07e3b42aa7881dc21449d3abb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771087155&Signature=nxPFK2rLWOJzZ6o0P-pmQHyAkcSFLrguAevy085rFuyVsJ7Nx2sWahnufG1tdv1fwmF4ylNHEQK~YFvAKc8LN5AD7XoAEtfuZ~gs~HMz3806aP1uYP2FPpSiWQmN74RFB1kAMZ3dUSXo3RyBz0WED124ADOD0uRWpTrM09k3BU4TLFZtWAfrsaj5mWRDntm2kDtOMs4s8NbCF2ehJsU2V6Ie1w3iZoDOfXHqUQ2uI8UMzJX1yol1K-zDiaN-5UqT4qGjCeQaYtmaLCEPG1jvr9ifi0Za1TWuHRrtvUWTjphFCM-Y3741BgnHJC3QuazMvSYH5nGYOTNe-aD9eUNfIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Regional planning commissioners and housing advocates told the Senate committee that brownfield sites are a major constraint on creating housing in Vermont’s downtowns and village centers, and they urged increased state funding and program priorities to support remediation and redevelopment.

Thomas Kennedy, director of community development at a regional commission, said the administration’s proposal for brownfields funding is insufficient to address known needs; in his quick estimate he identified roughly $48 million in brownfield cleanup needs across downtowns. Committee members discussed an administration proposal that includes $2 million for the agency program plus additional money; during the meeting a staff witness said a package could include $4 million directed to the revolving remediation program and an additional $2 million for a manufactured home improvement program — a combined $6 million in requests was discussed.

Members discussed prioritization for housing and mixed‑use projects in walkable centers. Committee members instructed staff and agency partners to add language prioritizing remediation funding for sites that enable housing or mixed‑use redevelopment and to consider density and affordability outcomes when awarding grants or loans. Some senators warned against an overly narrow restriction that would exclude job‑creating projects; others argued state money should be directed to projects that produce the most housing units and the deepest affordability.

Committee members also raised technical questions about remediation rules and the cost of managing contaminated soils; planners asked the agency of natural resources for review of standards that raise costs (for example, transport and handling of contaminated soils across long distances). Staff said they would coordinate with DEC and ACCD to refine program criteria and funding allocations before returning to the committee.

No appropriation was adopted during the session; committee members asked staff to return with language tying brownfield remediation funding to housing prioritization and with more precise cost estimates.","Regional planners and advocates urged larger appropriations for brownfield assessment and cleanup to enable housing and mixed‑use development in village centers; committee discussed a multi‑million funding need and directed staff to refine prioritization language.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6288833,"Proposal would bar zoning rules that exclude manufactured homes where year‑round housing is allowed",147,6320000,6467000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2535479-786b03649a0443f0bf3c6473423e717c&start=6320&end=6467","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2535479-786b03649a0443f0bf3c6473423e717c/thumbnail_6320000.jpg","/articles/6288833/Vermont/Proposal-would-bar-zoning-rules-that-exclude-manufactured-homes-where-yearround-housing-is-allowed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6288833-83f894cc0cf87e23aea6b3f61bff14cd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771087155&Signature=HR6NJajqlzeAl~7nKLK22FjutkZykXZVnl~eQDMUdBIe6GXABdjSCog1CPsQvvnciET6Z~qpYIXd~h3uH9cglToYgiBrh2OWaWezk16BMRKvd~myqEDOkfUIODMcbEwKNwVbT5AHsqHh9t1y5UwPHxUE8Rob0eoLSDeOXQHxDcJWoJJrfSuXwAn-zL5Qlmw9Dff2sTsOadEOrLVdBMLmkR2cY-R0irj3cvDQny0uJ4eBYCbx1HPCkTc4t2WtxL~YJaWYh4tvHc06L5gAHtMurrpbu-0dVtTdc4kw5ldHzcA6DOXoUBhITjpN05w0eL1wvUfWO1-vH3970ueWgXGlbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee reviewed a proposed change to municipal zoning law intended to reduce barriers to manufactured housing. Ellen Tchaikovsky of the Office of Legislative Council explained the amendment to Title 24 (section 4412) would make clear that mobile homes, modular homes and other factory‑built dwellings must be permitted in any zoning district that allows year‑round residential development.

Under current statute, municipalities may not exclude manufactured housing from the municipality entirely, but local bylaws sometimes constrain where such housing may locate. The amendment being discussed would clarify that manufactured housing cannot be excluded from any residential district and therefore should be treated on equal terms with conventional, “stick‑built” housing where year‑round residential use is permitted.

Supporters said the change is intended to reduce stigma and increase access to an affordable form of homeownership. Some committee members asked for more notice and municipal input; staff said the draft has been posted and that the committee will seek comment from organizations such as the Vermont League of Cities and Towns. No formal vote was taken during the session.

Ellen said the language is an amendment to an existing municipal zoning statute and that towns that require bylaws for special cases such as flood hazard areas (which remain excluded) are unaffected. Committee members asked staff to solicit comment from municipal associations before further action.","Committee considered language to require municipalities to allow manufactured housing types in any district that permits year‑round residential development; department counsel said the change clarifies existing statute and expands access in towns with zoning.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6288838,"Committee debates extending minimum wage to agricultural workers, raises questions about evidence and enforcement",1451,3031000,4482000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2535479-786b03649a0443f0bf3c6473423e717c&start=3031&end=4482","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2535479-786b03649a0443f0bf3c6473423e717c/thumbnail_3031000.jpg","/articles/6288838/Vermont/Committee-debates-extending-minimum-wage-to-agricultural-workers-raises-questions-about-evidence-and-enforcement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6288838-97a474f9504b32941a6f10ff05165aea/orig.mp4?Expires=1771087155&Signature=feUfohkILjZO8h4hK-Id6yF~3Lr5Ij-fU5oEnuFRzfvXJ9y3Edw1pH-CpNvd2MsOR8KnyGv-3qvybVWl6UvRGvfha46~6hCtvSnVoxyGo6EQ878DYv6HA~12GWzCbEoxPyreyPreZAs3gqUKaNbnzBttrfMZqFVyGU8DFmH0tWa8wB5vabGbjhv5dYnoVCtbaAWgnsUuRANx44uSWDnVqj-Iu0vbe-jvs6XGrjVh02GOsfb0-MJBb9fexLm6x~RakG3MdqUkDiJsm749SkTxlysFCtaeI39ieYEm0r2WvyLUJ8~TJJWXxqntftCPIqct6OdEsYUU~cq5hrPAqTCaYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Economic Development, Housing & General Affairs Committee examined sections of draft bill 652 that would (1) extend Vermont’s minimum wage to agricultural workers and (2) create new overtime coverage for some agricultural employees.

Senators described mixed testimony. Committee members said advocates, including Migrant Justice, filed survey responses indicating wage concerns; members recalled that roughly 304 survey respondents participated and that about one quarter reported earning less than the minimum wage. Industry testimony from dairy representatives reported higher pay levels for many dairy employers, with some dairy employers saying they pay above minimum wage and others citing participation in voluntary programs such as Milk with Dignity.

Some committee members said testimony was uneven and that migrant workers are often the least able to file formal complaints, which complicates the committee’s fact base. Questions included how many agricultural workers actually earn below the statutory minimum and whether housing and other in‑kind benefits provided to workers should be counted as compensation. Lawmakers also discussed how recent federal immigration enforcement activity might affect worker willingness to come forward.

On overtime, the committee heard it is a newer policy option for agriculture in many states and that additional testimony is needed on how overtime pay for agricultural employees who work more than 60 hours weekly would affect farm operations and costs. Members suggested splitting the package: advance the minimum wage extension piece for further committee consideration while taking overtime proposals to a workforce bill or studying them further.

No formal vote was taken on bill 652 during this session. Committee leadership and staff said they will solicit additional testimony from agricultural stakeholders, migrant worker advocates and economists to produce more evidence about wages, benefits (including employer‑provided housing), and the likely economic effects of overtime rules before the committee considers moving sections forward.","Members discussed draft 652, which would extend minimum wage protections to agricultural workers and amend overtime rules; lawmakers cited limited testimony from workers and industry and asked for more data before moving forward.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee considers expedited VOSHA rulemaking, agrees to draft changes for technical corrections bill

Treasurer outlines a $100,000 pilot to report on‑time rental payments to credit bureaus; staff seek opt‑in design and later start date

Lawmakers press for larger Brownfields fund and prioritization for housing in downtowns

Proposal would bar zoning rules that exclude manufactured homes where year‑round housing is allowed

Committee debates extending minimum wage to agricultural workers, raises questions about evidence and enforcement