House approves opioid abatement appropriations amid debate over safe injection site funding

The Vermont House on March 31 approved H.218, an act relating to fiscal year 2026 appropriations from the opioid abatement special fund, after a roll‑call vote of 119–24.

Supporters, including the member from Waterbury, told colleagues that the bill reflects recommendations from the opioid abatement advisory committee and the Department of Health and maintains funding for prevention, treatment, and recovery services. "This maintains our commitment to funding opioid prevention, treatment, and recovery services for those impacted by opioid use disorder," the member from Waterbury said.

Floor debate included several members who explained their votes. Some legislators voiced support for the bill’s mix of programs and called for urgency and compassion. Others said they could not support specific line items in the bill—most commonly the appropriation for a safe injection site—and urged that money would be better spent on recovery beds and transitional housing.

The bill was put to a roll‑call vote at the request of the member from Milton; the clerk recorded 119 yes and 24 no. Members who explained their no votes cited opposition to safe injection site funding and said they would prefer funds be redirected to recovery treatment capacity.

The House report of the vote showed votes in the affirmative across a broad cross‑section of members; multiple members who explained their votes said they supported most programs financed by the settlement fund but objected to the safe injection site line.

H.218 implements recommendations from the opioid abatement special fund advisory committee and the Vermont Department of Health as described on the floor; the transcript did not include a dollar‑by‑dollar breakdown of every appropriation in this reading.

The bill passed the House and will proceed according to the legislative process.