[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,75,86,98],{"_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",6253650,"mediaKeyId","3178694-3f34968c47900cc2c932d8b24badece7","parentId",3178694,"title","Senate budget adds transport deputy funding, moves urban search-and-rescue to base; committee questions positions and equipment costs","audioSeconds",488,"startMs",402000,"endMs",890000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3178694-3f34968c47900cc2c932d8b24badece7&start=402&end=890","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3178694-3f34968c47900cc2c932d8b24badece7/thumbnail_402000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6253650/Vermont/Senate-budget-adds-transport-deputy-funding-moves-urban-search-and-rescue-to-base-committee-questions-positions-and-equipment-costs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6253650-a025fcd7a78b3775cc1c1dbad055dd8e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775392272&Signature=oh5eAlZM-phFLH2Gt-ZK4sTk1mphYH~OzTWex7IbnjqLJxf1labcE8-WEJ9YYeBx5-APJcAF1DGTG7acDPqaufrePf-7VVOzt2n6s8BVbBsTbY7gPPZc2n~USfzMvK095eCFGev9zj5QCemeGmSgpw5QV91pdrxbRcPBUD69WE8-b~oYu6HcFvrbbp2iSTR6ArC~WslnNhui~nmnlJWBDv45IYO385GGRlimroaiGsrnKJ9uwFo7bh~xyfwX565O9YnQNvykSNTSxM6EWl2~kAA8N41FtuN46~eVnTJHT9c9kjft94pqTwGYjF5L7VXout9W36Bci6jZVf27MVRrzg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-02T11:51:56.22Z","article","The House Appropriations Committee reviewed several public-safety and corrections funding changes included in the Senate's FY2026 budget, focusing on positions and equipment costs.

Emily Byrne of the Joint Fiscal Office told the committee the Senate agreed with the House to include $650,000 for state's attorneys and sheriffs, intended to cover additional transport deputy positions. Committee discussion indicated the funding is designed to retain four filled positions and allow filling two vacant positions, while the Senate separately added two more positions (not funded in the same pot), which would increase headcount if funded later.

Byrne also noted the Senate added positions to the Labor Relations Board pursuant to S125; those new positions depend on the outcome of that bill. On emergency-response funding, Byrne said the Senate increased the urban search-and-rescue allocation by $50,000 and moved the program from one-time money to the base within the Department of Public Safety.

Committee members expressed concern about equipment-cost volatility. One member flagged that planned camera purchases could cost more than expected if tariffs and supply-chain shifts raise prices; Byrne said the budget reflects current appropriations but that agencies may revisit procurement plans if prices change.

Why it matters: the $650,000 and position changes affect staffing levels in sheriff and prosecutor offices and could change operational capacity for transport and detention. Moving urban search-and-rescue to the base creates a continuing obligation rather than a one-time investment and drew questions about permanence.

The committee asked JFO staff to clarify which positions are limited-service or permanent and to provide a positions spreadsheet that reconciles House and Senate counts; no formal votes were taken during the meeting segment summarized here.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Appropriations - 2025-05-01 - 9:35AM","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate budget restores $650,000 intended for transport deputy staffing and moves an urban search-and-rescue appropriation into the base, while the committee sought clarity on how many positions are new, funded or vacant.","taxTitle","Appropriations, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative , Vermont","taxId",30573,"location","Vermont","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6253655,"Senate budget adds Green Mountain Care Board positions to implement S126; Medicare savings eligibility raised to 150% FPL",0,1138000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3178694-3f34968c47900cc2c932d8b24badece7&start=1138&end=1138","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3178694-3f34968c47900cc2c932d8b24badece7/thumbnail_1138000.jpg","/articles/6253655/Vermont/Senate-budget-adds-Green-Mountain-Care-Board-positions-to-implement-S126-Medicare-savings-eligibility-raised-to-150-FPL","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6253655-bbdd3a8ac45480b8675463222eb29fb0/orig.mp4?Expires=1775392272&Signature=lF9Pt0GiJd3H6ThPzlOEbHu9SGBxJmzGt08F5jHejUGRm6RnbaQ0nLJlY5DfEzG1YhLHdrR~m37fqWbfw17xQTeQFTKgNDjfKtMRgJ--R6CsDknoSd~Bb5FPJX68Hb9uihopSsQt43kxS7-zIqOndLlvUM4rB4qGTHeLryIE2zqKKzB0d8ZfmVolM2~vcycAKNDvKXS6qhE5rx3Z4tgwftqcPHHt0-F-z8Yh6Pq5OsXJJQPiG-9JYEV0~hRoW9D0ET6IzT0T6yiccZCQsaj4YGYAXxuAHbyUNv0HU34IvH8MAfc8lUAu92WRdgQDdBbXuu-JGEUkq~LZWgKvnxQ1mg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the House Appropriations Committee briefing on the Senate FY2026 budget, JFO staff reported that the Senate restored several staff positions and program funding related to health-care policy implementation.

Emily Byrne, Joint Fiscal Office, said the Senate added three positions at the Green Mountain Care Board specifically to implement S126 (health-care transformation legislation). Byrne noted there are three existing positions in the package; with the Senate additions the total referenced in committee materials would reach six positions related to implementation if the other 3 are approved in the base.

In a separate item, Byrne said the Senate adjusted the eligibility threshold for the Medicare Savings Program (sometimes referenced in testimony as QMB/SLMB categories) to 150% of the federal poverty level for administrative ease. JFO estimated the net impact of raising the threshold from the negotiated 145% to 150% would be about $160,000.

Committee members said the Green Mountain Care Board positions are tied to implementation tasks in S126 and asked whether the committee expects funding to be sustained; Byrne said some positions are in the base and additional appropriations are still under consideration in health-care-related committees.

Why it matters: additional board staffing supports implementation of ongoing health-care reform legislation; small changes to income-eligibility thresholds can produce administrative costs and enrollment implications that the legislature must weigh as part of FY2026 appropriations.

The committee recorded no formal vote on the positions during the session summarized here and requested follow-up on whether the positions are limited-service or permanent and on the scope of work expected under S126.","The Senate added positions at the Green Mountain Care Board tied to implementing S126 and adjusted the Medicare Savings Program eligibility threshold from 145% to 150% of the federal poverty level, a change JFO estimated would cost about $160,000.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6253660,"Committee examines Senate's cash-fund shifts and one-time appropriations, including $6 million treasurer reversion and PCB remediation increase",2150,2146000,4296000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3178694-3f34968c47900cc2c932d8b24badece7&start=2146&end=4296","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3178694-3f34968c47900cc2c932d8b24badece7/thumbnail_2146000.jpg","/articles/6253660/Vermont/Committee-examines-Senates-cash-fund-shifts-and-one-time-appropriations-including-6-million-treasurer-reversion-and-PCB-remediation-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6253660-827908032b634379b65d5ce3a5318981/orig.mp4?Expires=1775392272&Signature=G4YoGrojiwvScxE-cAsE~O~XNrLIgEGKR1tQ4ercDWfnGuA9Xg0t3z7aiZF-~lQO9jQpp48CpkgsFdD5RTdjGNq757qopOBk99s~WIjAs8yU3y0VATA48C2XkLNDqgA7zMH4IXHEa88-AeMQVyoSXuIJNWalcatIgR-C9zwHSXcIfa5YAb~2ed1OyD2pQ6F6Fs-OF7Wf-MZdoBerEKqEiW9mepabb-YEAYw84xU~CYLd0YUvHI0Ng4Iy3RKg9AKLaz9J88-GIMjGvv3y9hjL2O0ElJicZzE3R4iX09gkDZA-brRp2YekQULmo05Y4z2e2feXfe5~DoQGJkOzCraowQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Appropriations Committee spent substantial time Wednesday reviewing revenue-side changes in the Senate's FY2026 budget, including reversions and cash-fund transfers that raise the pool of one-time resources available for appropriations.

Emily Byrne of the Joint Fiscal Office said the Senate's numbers include a $6,000,000 reversion from the treasurer's bond redemption appropriation; $1,000,000 of that $6 million is proposed for S27 (medical debt relief) and the remaining $5,000,000 would increase the bottom-line one-time carryforward. Byrne also said the Senate increased the projected available cannabis fund transfer by $3,000,000 and added roughly $1,300,000 to a newly created substance-use prevention fund financed with cannabis receipts.

On environmental remediation, Byrne said the Senate increased the transfer to the Environmental Contingency Fund by $4,000,000 to match the governor's recommended level for PCB testing and remediation. Committee members asked whether a change to the transfer implies a parallel change to the appropriation; Byrne confirmed the transfer and appropriation are tied in the budget construct.

The committee reviewed several cash-fund capital items that differ from the House's position. Byrne noted the Senate proposed using cash funds for several projects that the House had reduced or shifted, including a set of three town redevelopment infrastructure projects (referred to in committee materials as the '23s' or the '3b' package). Members raised philosophical concerns about using capital cash funds for private or non-state projects.

Why it matters: changes to reversions and cash-fund transfers affect the universe of one-time dollars available for FY2026 appropriations and can alter which programs receive funding or how projects are financed (general fund vs. cash fund vs. special funds). Committee members requested follow-up detail on cash-fund balances and on how specific projects were scored for capital versus non-capital treatment.

The committee did not take formal votes on these transfers during the session summarized here and asked JFO and institutional staff to supply further spreadsheets and clarifying notes before conference negotiations.","JFO staff outlined how the Senate redirected cash funds and one-time balances: $6 million from a treasurer bond redemption reversion, a $3 million increase in projected cannabis fund transfers, a $1.3 million substance-use prevention fund increase and a $4 million boost for PCB remediation from the Environmental Contingency Fund.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6253665,"Senate restores $19 million to general fund, shifting Child Care Contribution Special Fund revenue into base budget",152,987000,1139000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3178694-3f34968c47900cc2c932d8b24badece7&start=987&end=1139","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3178694-3f34968c47900cc2c932d8b24badece7/thumbnail_987000.jpg","/articles/6253665/Vermont/Senate-restores-19-million-to-general-fund-shifting-Child-Care-Contribution-Special-Fund-revenue-into-base-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6253665-7580e81872869f317a140f12c985b063/orig.mp4?Expires=1775392272&Signature=QjwRCIm4sMdU81WSt9ZDva3tx9UcDNkDXojRQOmeZQ1nbkzXAtqCTvb-6ckjKMyaUWy7c4o37YdajQLEqYcpSVPjB8mtWurZ3rTNwp2mU4Bdg6zHzrO9pdo0A44K2pV0lJOb7W-5mOq7cYd~d9SfpNjbleQ6~O-lORuEUZ88U-KUjfTgU4kUCoQwRFDae~qaiJAFlty8aKXbBJwFx32hdvDhY4V5ca~C2MyN6fRKOyEShVxD0J3UiMDq63N7EjBRQaUtqcjwrNkVZ3eLbX-s33eZT5oDAEwOTmE8qCCXe-i9ZlxahRTDlcQrb5fJScEp8If9ALMwgmQ~yuBqLryD7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Appropriations Committee reviewed the Senate's FY2026 budget Wednesday, where the Senate restored a $19 million general-fund appropriation tied to childcare instead of implementing the governor's proposed reduction and relying on the Child Care Contribution Special Fund.

Emily Byrne, Joint Fiscal Office, told the committee the Senate left the general-fund amount in place and proposed transferring anticipated additional revenue from the Child Care Contribution Special Fund into the general fund to \"make the general fund whole.\" Byrne said the Senate also increased infant and toddler reimbursement rates from 4.5% to 5.5%.

The change reverses the governor's recommendation to reduce general-fund support while increasing spending authority from the special fund. A committee member noted that the special fund's purpose is to support childcare and warned that transferring special-fund revenue into the general fund \"may or may not be used for childcare,\" and said that could be a topic for further discussion.

Committee staff said the budget documents retain the spending condition language requiring plans before money is released for the education transformation dollars associated with childcare-related initiatives. Byrne said the Senate's move to put certain education-transformation dollars into the base was partly intended to make hiring and program administration easier.

Why it matters: the Senate change affects how state childcare programs are funded in FY2026 and how those revenues are classified for future budgets. Committee members pressed staff for a spreadsheet showing the net effects across the governor, House and Senate proposals; Byrne said she would provide it.

The committee also heard that the Senate added small targeted increases tied to childcare administration and workforce supports, including the infant/toddler reimbursement increase; costs and implementation details will be subject to later agency budget and policy discussions.

The committee paused the discussion to request a clearer spreadsheet from JFO and said it would revisit the issue during conference negotiations between the chambers.","The Senate budget restores a $19 million general-fund allocation tied to childcare rather than reducing general-fund support and relying on special-fund revenue, and raises infant/toddler reimbursement rates; committee staff flagged concerns about whether the special-fund transfer could be used for non-childcare purposes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate budget adds transport deputy funding, moves urban search-and-rescue to base; committee questions positions and equipment costs

Senate budget adds Green Mountain Care Board positions to implement S126; Medicare savings eligibility raised to 150% FPL

Committee examines Senate's cash-fund shifts and one-time appropriations, including $6 million treasurer reversion and PCB remediation increase

Senate restores $19 million to general fund, shifting Child Care Contribution Special Fund revenue into base budget