By PPC Co-Chairs, Jesse Beck and John Alden

Your PPC (Public policy Committee) is poised and ready for the 2022 legation session to ramp up. The legislators' remote work has begun with hopes to meet in person next month. Our committee will follow several of the same bills as last year as some did not make it all the way through the session. The legislative priorities that we will focus on include: Climate Action, Transportation Modernization, Affordable Housing, Workforce, and Act 250 issues.

PPC was pleased to see these topics being called out in the Governor's proposed budget, and issued a statement of support for these funding initiatives.

The bills that we will be tracking this session include:

• H.157 Contractor Registry AIAVT Issue Brief
• H.84 Downtown and village center tax credit programs
• H.120 Act 250 streamlining
• H.319 Good Samaritan bill
• H.347 Tiny House regulations
• S.19 Climate Change response plans
• S.34 Affordable housing acts and funding mechanisms
• H. 594 New this session, this legislation proposes to change the name of the Department of Fire Safety and assign as AHJ for RBES and CBES, for which PPC has released a statement of support.

In addition to the bills above, we will also be tracking any action on Executive Order No. 04-21 for Permit Modernization Plans. The session has started with initial activity on H.157 Contractor Registry, which was passed, with amendments, by the House and Senate, although there are reports that the Governor is likely to veto the bill.

AIAVT tracks important legislative issues each session and will encourage members to get involved by reaching out to their representatives on specific bills, and occasionally requesting members to testify. All members are encouraged to get to know their local representatives- your voice is important to help create a thriving, sustainable Vermont.

PPC now has a “Resources” page under the Resources tab of AIAVT’s website, where you will find links to all of our position statements, info on how to contact your representatives, and additional resources which will be added to.

We are always looking for others to join our action team to give testimony on issues of importance to you. Please contact Sarah, or Co-Chairs, Jesse Beck, or John Alden if you would like to participate.