Youth council asks lawmakers to repeal its sunset, consider local voting for 16- and 17-year-olds and back expansions to youth health and juvenile-age bills

Elizabeth Daley, a member of the youth voice committee, told the Senate Government Operations Committee that the council’s top civic recommendations are the repeal of the council’s sunset provision, a resolution supporting municipal authority to extend local voting to 16- and 17-year-olds, and a student survey requirement for teacher feedback.

“Repeal of the Act 109 sunset would ensure the continuation of the important role that the state youth council plays,” Daley said, urging the governor to sign the repeal included in the FY26 budget. Earlier in the meeting the committee chair noted the Senate had approved the FY26 budget conference committee report and that the governor had indicated support, leaving one remaining vote before the package would become law.

The youth council also recommended a resolution to encourage municipalities to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in local elections and town meetings, and proposed legislation directing the Vermont Agency of Education to create student surveys for grades 6–12 to provide midpoint and endpoint feedback to teachers for professional development.

On existing legislation, the council supported S.8 to expand eligibility for Dr. Dynasaur coverage to residents up to age 26 at up to 312% of the federal poverty level and said it supported H.2’s goal of raising the minimum age for juvenile delinquency proceedings from 10 to 12, though it opposed an amendment that delayed implementation of the change.

The committee invited the council to return with slides and to continue coordinating with lawmakers on advocacy and bill drafting; no committee votes on those specific proposals occurred at the hearing.