Senate adopts H.790 conference report with six targeted budget tweaks, including Meals on Wheels increase
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Summary
The Vermont Senate accepted the conference committee report on H.790 (fiscal 2026 budget adjustments), approving six limited amendments that shift modest sums (including a $25,000 net change for Meals on Wheels), add conditions for housing-authority allocations, and move reporting dates for certain programs.
The Vermont Senate on Feb. 25 accepted and adopted the conference committee report on H.790, a bill adjusting parts of the FY2026 budget, approving six discrete amendments identified by the conference committee. The motion to suspend rules and take up H.790 passed by voice vote, and the report was adopted by the Senate.
Senator Birchlik explained the changes on the floor, saying "There are 6 instances of amendments," and walking lawmakers through the particulars. Two linked amendments alter the Meals on Wheels and related totals by a net $25,000: the conference compromise allocates $55,000 for the Meals on Wheels line and increases funding for Vermonters Feeding Vermonters to bring the program totals toward previously appropriated amounts. Birchlik described the shift as "additional money" that adjusts prior House and Senate positions on those line items.
Another amendment redirects roughly $50,000 tied to Agency of Agriculture appropriations to food-bank supports rather than the agency budget line. A separate amendment cleans up language affecting housing-authority funding (the bill references a $50 million pot for FY26), clarifies application timing so money would be available before the Legislature adjourns, and requires housing authorities to "provide written approval from HUD" showing the proposed use is allowed under federal rules before funds would be distributed. Birchlik said that requirement is intended to avoid "a clawback from HUD later on." The report also contains technical corrections and several date changes for implementation and reporting; for example, updated reporting deadlines were added for the Department for Children and Families and for committees of jurisdiction.
On the Senate floor the question to accept the conference committee report was put and "the ayes have it." After adoption the Senate voted to message H.790 to the House forthwith.
The record on H.790 in the conference report lists the six specific amended sections and the staff-provided section-by-section language that the conference committee produced; the changes are narrow and largely technical or timing-related, according to Birchlik. The Senate did not record a roll-call tally in the floor transcript; the floor action was taken by voice vote and the presiding officer announced the adoption and the ensuing message to the House.