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Committee requests fiscal note on proposed equine amendment to current-use rules
Summary
The committee heard from the Vermont Equine Industry Advocacy Group and the fiscal office on a proposed amendment to allow eligible equine businesses into the current-use program; the fiscal office will prepare an analysis of potential revenue and eligibility impacts.
The Senate Agriculture Committee on April 23 considered a proposed amendment to expand current-use protections to modified equine businesses that meet specified activity and income thresholds and asked the Joint Fiscal Office to prepare a fiscal note.
Maggie Lens of the Vermont Equine Industry Advocacy Group told the committee her group surveyed roughly 190 farms (63 responses) and estimated the petition represents more than 7,000 acres, about half already enrolled in current use. Lens said the amendment focuses on farm structures and professional equine operations rather than broad carve-outs. "We want this to be there. We're not looking to bring everybody into this universe," she said, stressing the group wants clarity on definitions and eligibility.
Scott Moore of the fiscal office told the committee an initial fiscal review is feasible but recommended coordinating with the tax department and the House Finance Committee to define the parameters the fiscal office should analyze. Moore said the draft language ties into existing thresholds — for example, the Act 250 threshold of four or more equines and a proposed 50% income test — and suggested the committee clarify whether activities such as boarding, breeding or riding lessons would be included when determining eligibility.
Lawmakers and witnesses discussed possible scope and unintended consequences — for example, whether small leather goods vendors or riding-lesson operations would qualify — and agreed the committee should request a fiscal note before advancing the amendment. Moore said he could reassign workload to provide staff support and will follow up on requested scope and data needs.
Next steps: the committee will request a fiscal note, share the advocacy group's survey with fiscal staff, consult with the tax department and legislative counsel on definitions (including any Act 250 interactions), and continue drafting language before the end of the session.
