Vermont State Youth Council urges repeal or long extension of Act 109 sunset; committee signals support

Members of the Vermont State Youth Council and their advocates told the Senate Government Operations Committee on Thursday, Jan. 30, that the panel should repeal or extend the statutory sunset for Act 109, the law that created the council, which now expires Feb. 1, 2026. The council asked that the sunset be repealed or extended to Oct. 1, 2032, and committee members signaled bipartisan support and a plan to pursue legislative action.

Nicole Miller, executive director of Vermont After School, said the council is supported administratively by her organization and reminded the committee that Act 109 currently sets the council to sunset on Feb. 1, 2026. "The state youth council is here today to speak about their current sunset, which is set, in Act 109 as February 1, 2026," Miller said. She and council members asked the committee to consider a longer timeline so youth can focus on making recommendations rather than frequently advocating to keep the council in existence.

Harmony Beldevo, chair of the Vermont State Youth…