Senate passes transportation bill H.488 in concurrence with amendments

The Vermont Senate on April 30 passed H.488, the fiscal year 2026 transportation program and related statutory changes, in concurrence with the Senate’s proposed amendments.

Senators took a brief floor report before a voice vote. A floor reporter explained that apparent year-to-year shifts in particular accounts reflected large, time-limited federal earmarks and project phasing rather than base reductions. The reporter also noted a change moving the JTOC transfer into the general fund, which reduced certain public-safety–related line items in the transportation section.

The motion on the floor asked, “Shall the bill pass in concurrence with proposal of amendment?” The Senate approved the motion by voice vote and the chair announced the bill had passed in concurrence with the proposed amendment.

What this means: H.488 establishes the FY26 transportation program and makes miscellaneous changes to transportation-related law; the Senate’s concurrence directs that the bill proceed with the Senate’s amendments to the House version. The Senate recorded an informal voice vote and no roll-call tally appeared in the transcript.

Next steps: With Senate concurrence, the bill proceeds according to legislative process; if the House accepts the Senate’s amendments, the bill advances toward enrollment and final passage; if the two chambers disagree, a conference committee could be required.