Vermont state lawmakers adjourned just before 2:00am Saturday morning to close out the 2024 Biennium. The day consisted of getting those last few bills across the finish line. One of those was the annual yield bill that plays a major role for Vermonters as they continue to face staggering property tax increases. Just days ago, the Senate made their changes to the bill that made the average property tax increase 12.5% across the state, in part to some extra found revenue, a 3% tax on short-term rentals, and a cloud software tax.But Friday morning, the house moved some money around to help income-sensitized Vermonters, and the average rate increased to up to 13.8%.The Senate will concur with those changes, so the average property tax increase statewide will be roughly 13.8%. Either way, the Scott administration isn’t happy with the direction that number is going, and a veto is expected. Another key priority for many was housing, and the House and Senate are at odds over multiple aspects of the bill.In its most recent form, roughly 27 designated downtowns will be able to receive some type of full or interim exemption from Act 250, the exemptions also expand to a half mile outside of the designated downtown.The bill includes a three tier system, tier 1A and 1B include those exemptions, tier 2 area’s will not see much change with the way Act 250 works now, and tier 3 automatically triggers act 250 but is mostly wetlands, mountainous areas or locations that lawmakers say bring serious environmental or flooding concerns. The House and Senate agreed to terms on the bill late Friday night, and it will head to the governor’s desk. However, his decision on a veto is still unclear. Some other bills that have not made it to the finish line include a bill that would have put more power of the VT Fish and Wildlife Board into the hands of the legislature and outlawed coyote hunting with bait or dogs.
Vermont state lawmakers adjourned just before 2:00am Saturday morning to close out the 2024 Biennium. The day consisted of getting those last few bills across the finish line.
One of those was the annual yield bill that plays a major role for Vermonters as they continue to face staggering property tax increases.
Advertisement
Just days ago, the Senate made their changes to the bill that made the average property tax increase 12.5% across the state, in part to some extra found revenue, a 3% tax on short-term rentals, and a cloud software tax.
But Friday morning, the house moved some money around to help income-sensitized Vermonters, and the average rate increased to up to 13.8%.
The Senate will concur with those changes, so the average property tax increase statewide will be roughly 13.8%. Either way, the Scott administration isn’t happy with the direction that number is going, and a veto is expected.
Another key priority for many was housing, and the House and Senate are at odds over multiple aspects of the bill.
In its most recent form, roughly 27 designated downtowns will be able to receive some type of full or interim exemption from Act 250, the exemptions also expand to a half mile outside of the designated downtown.
The bill includes a three tier system, tier 1A and 1B include those exemptions, tier 2 area’s will not see much change with the way Act 250 works now, and tier 3 automatically triggers act 250 but is mostly wetlands, mountainous areas or locations that lawmakers say bring serious environmental or flooding concerns.
The House and Senate agreed to terms on the bill late Friday night, and it will head to the governor’s desk. However, his decision on a veto is still unclear.
Some other bills that have not made it to the finish line include a bill that would have put more power of the VT Fish and Wildlife Board into the hands of the legislature and outlawed coyote hunting with bait or dogs.
