House Appropriations panel approves H.91 to redesign emergency temporary shelter program, reports bill to House

Montpelier — The House Appropriations Committee voted to report Bill H.91, an act to create an Emergency Temporary Shelter Program and redesign the state’s emergency housing response, after a committee discussion and a fiscal briefing. The committee recorded an 8–3 vote to send the bill to the full House for consideration.

Nolan Langwell of the Joint Fiscal Office summarized the bill’s fiscal provisions and said, “These are one‑time funds from the general fund.” The bill as presented includes a $10,000,000 one‑time appropriation in section 7: $6.5 million for distribution to community action agencies and statewide organizations serving households impacted by domestic violence (identified in testimony as “the Network”), $500,000 for contractual and system‑transformation assistance, and $3 million for continued development of shelter capacity.

The bill would also create an implementation advisory committee under section 4. Langwell said the language permits per diems for up to 12 meetings annually and estimated per diems for the committee would total about $7,000; the advisory committee is written to cease on July 1, 2029. Section 8 contains intent language describing the redesignation of certain one‑time funds currently used for GA emergency housing and HOP grants, but that language does not…