Committee hears RPCs press for more small-scale transportation funding, speed‑limit guidance and NEPA review changes

At a Feb. 19, 2026 meeting of the House Transportation Committee, members heard regional planning commissions say small, local grants and administrative support are helping towns maintain sidewalks, bike and pedestrian projects and other local transportation needs — but that more money and clearer processes are necessary.

Committee members asked staff to prepare a presentation next week outlining six scenarios for changing speed limits on different roadway types, who decides in each scenario and what the appeal options are. "Please get us the scenarios outlined, please and explain where we could be," Speaker 1 said, asking for a clear process that the committee can review before considering policy changes.

Why it matters: RPCs told the committee that modest programs such as downtown transportation funds and Better Connections produce high leverage and quick local benefits, but municipalities lack money to maintain culverts, bridges and sidewalks. Several RPCs said state review processes are lengthening timelines and increasing costs for walking and biking projects, which can discourage municipalities from moving projects forward.

What the committee heard: Speaker 2 described RPCs as "boots on the ground" who provide technical support and continuity when small towns lose staff; Speaker 3 highlighted mapping work — noting Rutland RPC has mapped sidewalks countywide — and said RPCs often administer grant-writing and right-of-way tasks for towns. Speaker 1 recalled a downtown program that received a one-time $5,000,000 ARPA allocation that was spent out this year.

On statewide review rules, Speaker 3 said RPCs repeatedly raised that "the NEPA rules are making everything harder, slower, more expensive" and suggested the committee obtain testimony on whether Vermont's reviews could be aligned with federal baseline rules to speed implementation of walking and biking projects. The committee agreed to pursue additional testimony rather than adopt immediate changes.

Budget and program details discussed included a referenced $200,000 figure for the Better Connections program in draft legislation (H863) and FY27 totals for a related policy line cited in the meeting as about $325,000 and $190,000; staff said those numbers will be confirmed and that some program funds flow through ACCD and FHWA and are managed in embedded 'policy and planning' accounts rather than as separate line items.

RPCs raised recurring needs for traffic calming, the ability to set lower local speed zones, increased funding for bike/ped projects and relief from historic‑preservation review for some bike path projects. Committee members noted municipalities also report abandoning infrastructure they cannot afford to maintain, and emphasized that small, rapidly deployable grants can produce tangible local improvements.

Next steps: The committee directed staff to prepare the speed‑limit scenarios presentation for the next meeting, to follow up with confirmed program and funding figures (including Better Connections and downtown transportation funds), and to review the Bennington County RPC letter on scoping barriers for bike/ped projects. Items carried to future meetings include a Burlington Airport request, Caledonia Airport sign‑off, a GMT request and an e‑bike update from the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation. The meeting was then adjourned.

Ending: The committee scheduled additional discussion and review of draft language and testimony at the next meeting when the requested presentations and clarifications will be available.