Committee inserts pilot-fund language to route surplus revenues toward town highway aid

The committee agreed to include revised language in the local-options pilot fund provision that would add amounts appropriated from the pilot special fund to the set of deductions the pilot revenues must exceed before half of any remainder is dedicated to Town Highway Aid.

Staff member (speaker 2) explained the change: the draft now counts amounts appropriated from the pilot special fund to the Department of Taxes for grand-list and appraisal assistance—this year about $3,400,000—when calculating the base that pilot revenues must exceed before the statute triggers a half-share for Town Highway Aid. Based on staff projections, that change would mean roughly $1,700,000 could be available next year (half of the excess) if revenues match current estimates.

The Chair (speaker 1) said she prefers a full allocation to towns but acknowledged the political trade-offs, saying, “I don't like it.” Several members said the revised language reflects political realities and improves the bill’s chances of advancing through Appropriations. A motion by a committee member (speaker 3) to include the suggested drafting language was put to a thumbs-up consent and staff said they would insert the language into the version the committee will review later that day.

Why it matters: the drafting change alters the calculation that determines whether towns receive additional highway aid from the local-options pilot fund. Including appropriations for grand-list and appraisal assistance raises the threshold the pilot revenue must exceed before additional money flows to towns, which could reduce or delay payouts in years where those appropriations are large.

Next steps: staff will insert the agreed language into the bill draft for later review and the committee will continue markup when it reconvenes.