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Appropriations committee advances S.56 to form study committee on Office of New Americans
Summary
The Senate Appropriations Committee on March 18 voted to report S.56 favorably, creating an eight‑member study committee chaired by Tracy Dolan to develop recommendations on standing up an Office of New Americans; the committee is limited to 10 meetings and must file a report by Sept. 1, 2026.
The Vermont Senate Appropriations Committee voted on March 18 to report S.56 favorably to create a study committee to recommend how the state could stand up an Office of New Americans.
The bill as discussed appoints an eight‑member study committee, chaired by Tracy Dolan, limited to no more than 10 meetings. The committee’s report is due to the legislature by Sept. 1, 2026. The bill names several community organizations to participate or be consulted, including the Brattleboro Credit Corporation, World Education Services, AALV and the Vermont Afghan Alliance.
Committee members discussed stipend language and fiscal impacts. Staff reported a fiscal note indicating modest costs: the committee discussed a $50 stipend for non‑employee appointees plus mileage and expenses and noted legislators would be eligible for the applicable legislative per diem if appointed. A staff member told the committee the fiscal office had posted a fiscal note about an hour before the hearing.
Committee members also clarified the composition and limits of the panel. The sponsor said earlier drafts had included up to 15 members and named legislators, but the bill as written reduces the panel to eight and does not currently include legislators, although a legislator could be named under the bill’s appointment language.
The committee moved the bill “to be favorably reported.” The clerk called members to record their votes; senators who recorded votes in the transcript include Westman, Wallace, Watson, Lyons, Brennan and Perchley (recorded as voting yes). The motion passed and the bill will proceed for further consideration.
Supporters described the study as a way to coordinate services and address licensing, workforce and culturally relevant supports for immigrants and refugees, tasks that some said fall outside existing programs. Washington‑area and statewide refugee service providers were cited as partners in the work the committee will examine.
