Kristi Morris - Representative

Legislative Week in Review
April 3, 2026

Of the legislative work last week, I will focus on two bills that are in process and have legislation to clarify or delay proposed action. In addition, we did pass the 2027 Capitals Budget Adjustment. This bill came out of Corrections & Institutions that Alice Emmons chairs. Her article may report more on this bill, so I will not speak to it widely. It did pass out of her committee with all voting to favor its passage. The Ways & Means and Appropriations Committees also voted it out unanimously. Nearly all the budget adjustments mirror the Governor’s request and the fact it had bipartisan support is a credit to her committee for their review and work to get it passed. It was voted out on the House floor on a unanimous voice vote.

One previous bill, that passed into law, has been the subject of much criticism and my Environment Committee continues to take testimony on a correction bill. S.325 proposes to make temporary corrections to Act 181 that was passed in 2024. That Act provides for housing incentives that would eliminate duplication of Act 250 development permits should a municipality have their won permitting process. This incentive applies to Tier 1 areas that are split into Tier 1A and Tier 1B. These areas generally have water and/or wastewater infrastructure and the municipality has zoning and the staff has the capability to issue the permits necessary. The proposed areas are withing the village centers and neighborhood development areas. Additionally, the areas have existing development or has properties available for in-fill development.

Where the controversy enters is with the Tier 3 areas. These are considered to be ecologically sensitive areas. Specifically, areas where housing would be difficult to build. These could include very steep slopes, wetlands and swamps, wildlife refuge areas and their connectivity to similar areas. Tier 3 areas are being mapped by regional planning commissions and involve public hearings and local government input. Tier 2 areas, which is most of Vermont’s lands would remain unchanged and would go thru the Act 250 permitting process. Hopefully, you can start to see that this is a planning tool for where we want to develop, where we don’t want development with the remainder still going thru Act 250. In all areas, a person can go thru Act 250 for acquiring a development permit.

Why is Act 250 a good idea? Because without it, properties could be developed without regard to neighboring properties or their owners. A septic leach field of one property could affect the neighboring properties drinking water without rules. Act 250 was started in the early 1970’s and signed into law by then Governor Dean Davis. Its goal was to prevent sprawl development all over Vermont. It just does not pertain to housing, but all development. Ski areas were expanding all over the state without regard to the effects to neighbors or municipalities. Secondly, the Interstate highways made travel to Vermont, from other states, more accessible which was bringing in development activities. Act 250 has 10 criteria categories with some divided into sub-criteria totaling 32 criteria. Also included in Act 181, is a restriction on the length of a new development road. They are currently restricted to 800 feet with road plus driveways totaling 2,000 feet. Finally, Act 181 stood up the new Land Use Review Board with four commissioners and a director. Previously, there was a single director under the former Natural Resource Board. Most permits are handled at the local district commissioner level. The following link provides a brief review and is relatively easy to read.https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Workgroups/House%20Environment/Bills/S.325/Witness%20Testimony/S.325~Kirsten%20Sultan~Act%20181%20and%20Act%20250%20Presentation%20~4-1-2026.pdf

S.325 is proposing to delay the road rule until 2030 and the Tier 3 rules until 2028. The LURB has requested these proposals because the board was staffed late in 2025 and they are not ready to propose nor adopt the rules. Unfortunately, the LURB released a preliminary Tier 3 map that incorrectly defined Tier 3 areas. This caused much confusion and is the basis most critics are using for their opinions. I would ask for patience and respect for the board as they work thru the regional planning commission maps and actual Tier 3 properties are defined. To rescind Act 181 would put development back under Act 250 control, which has been voiced as too restrictive.

The second bill that was voted out of the Education Committee is H.955. This bill is also headed to the Ways & Means Committee for their review. This bill has a long way to go before it is voted on the House floor. As it stands right now, I haven’t spoken to many people that are happy with this bill proposing to transform our educational system. A preliminary redistricting map has been released dividing the state into seven districts. We have long heard that property taxpayers can no longer afford the ever-increasing taxes. However, transformation is going to change how our districts are managed and if we are going to reduce education costs, consolidation and/or closings will be part of the conversations. No one wants their historical schools to change. Continuing on the existing system will only cost more and more. It will be several months before this bill passes and in-depth explanations can occur. I’m an optimist, but have some doubts we can achieve our goal.

As spring approaches, I continue to advocate for proper disposal of litter. I’m sure you have seen the trash alongside our roadways, parking lots and ditches. These areas are not appropriate for discarding your waste materials. Please take pride in your community and do your part to keep Springfield and Vermont cleaner than what you found it.

If you have any questions, comments, concerns or need further information, please do not hesitate to contact me. I can be reached at home by calling 802-885-2949. My legislative email is [email protected] or my personal email is [email protected]

Representative Kristi Morris

legislature.vermont.gov