[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6117172,"mediaKeyId","2730755-30e693be3372b529ef6b12704092f388","parentId",2730755,"title","Committee signals support to explore assistant attorney generals’ right to organize; AG’s office asks for draft language","audioSeconds",1106,"startMs",3657830,"endMs",4764000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730755-30e693be3372b529ef6b12704092f388&start=3657&end=4764","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730755-30e693be3372b529ef6b12704092f388/thumbnail_3657830.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6117172/Vermont/Committee-signals-support-to-explore-assistant-attorney-generals-right-to-organize-AGs-office-asks-for-draft-language","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117172-78eda8662714e8d21607239da44daa03/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138480&Signature=SI9GTYgvWgJ3MQY~Tlsv7kLp0VI1k8yVQ-B9MvE0IvmZtByp7BtJdqpNGbzWbwv1EX2ai0R5QYq4zzdDuGfhRmHdra5S3eCoAc4makVC-OcoSRcwTtTJ2dznt904plKm5xsBJCKddterHJDtdRKj2m11xxJR~n~OKIs~C7J4TmKFVH1-lwF6D0XQJZfQsFyFeRW3Epzg42xnFKy9N0ehKoYulXpAXx0fGUB2KqmcYzPebiTw3vSa5fQGFWjUvR4OGJ~u365pwHNREG-uMKSrczTQ5IaGb2E0I~Ejr3~UWLYUOhrP8hMH7JkRXWytW32Pp2ZNU-K3llB9HYf2StsymA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-22T00:29:26.807Z","article","The committee debated whether to include a one‑sentence provision recognizing assistant attorney generals’ right to organize and heard the attorney general’s office describe legal and operational complications that merit negotiated language.

Sarah London, chief assistant attorney general, told the committee the AG’s office was willing to work with legislators and stakeholders to produce draft language but underscored that the subject is complex and that other states have taken differing approaches. \"Other states that have collective bargaining of AAGs is collective bargaining of all state lawyers,\" London said, summarizing examples such as California and New Jersey and noting the potential for constitutional and administrative issues.

Members said they wanted to signal support for assistant attorney generals’ ability to organize while acknowledging the AG’s request for time to review specifics. Several senators suggested following the approach used for deputy state’s attorneys — a multi‑draft, collaborative statutory drafting process that resolves employer unit definitions and exclusions by statute rather than leaving them to the labor board.

The committee did not adopt final statutory language at the meeting. Members asked the AG’s office and interested parties (including VSEA and labor representatives) to work with committee staff to draft language for consideration later in the session and signaled they would support continued negotiation that could lead to a fuller bill before the House takes further action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Economic Development - 2025-03-20-8:30 AM","oneSentenceSummary","Members discussed draft language to give assistant attorney generals the right to organize, and the attorney general’s office signaled willingness to engage in drafting but requested a concrete proposal to review and negotiate before the end of session.","taxTitle","Economic Development, Housing & General Affairs, SENATE, Committees, Legislative , Vermont","taxId",37662,"location","Vermont","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6117176,"Committee debates certified‑payroll language tied to prevailing wage; members propose delay and clarification",463,3310750,3774300,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730755-30e693be3372b529ef6b12704092f388&start=3310&end=3774","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730755-30e693be3372b529ef6b12704092f388/thumbnail_3310750.jpg","/articles/6117176/Vermont/Committee-debates-certifiedpayroll-language-tied-to-prevailing-wage-members-propose-delay-and-clarification","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117176-edf1edb243103eac7586257f2ecac4aa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138480&Signature=ESeete2ClnZu4s-CVmTtjqd1WJCqr8ueTYxZ4uGYfJlGx7UVaO9g7RETzyaH2Tf-NyptkLRMQiv0cYgUn4vQlMgBwERViI9FDKaWAhzQz6SFZNMl9MRsYVjpjx1EHpgzfM9-wLwRTM1PVwsydEvj2vYPstrEIg0wUY67IrrOdG48GZ0o78aLPU32sudpvKWg1uwYIA48LXJGuQ4KQ-rKWaHjN8GekDDb1SEHQg1u4OoDmrsqsfkFzFAfrWrbzzoPF0~36fEXxvefmrOiIBacAElAeW3BVdQ~el3O1kMcLB940mk211s7-rjOw8sifKDG21LJAwubrFuyMi~-u47SIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Committee members debated a proposed certified‑payroll requirement tied to prevailing wage and Davis‑Bacon sections and heard questions about who would receive the data and how small contractors would be affected.

David McMurray, representing Work in Vermont, said the provision was intended to align state prevailing‑wage compliance with established practice and noted that prevailing‑wage thresholds typically apply to larger public projects. He said the federal Davis‑Bacon rules are distinct but the proposed state language seeks comparable reporting for state prevailing‑wage work.

Several members expressed concern about language that would automatically send certified‑payroll records to the attorney general’s office. The attorney general’s staff can request such records now, but members worried that automatic reporting could deter small contractors from bidding on public work. One committee member proposed removing the automatic transmission and instead preserving the AG’s ability to request records.

Members discussed a proposed effective delay: making certified‑payroll reporting effective one year after enactment to allow outreach and training for small contractors and municipal employers. Committee members also noted that prevailing‑wage rules only apply above a monetary threshold; a figure mentioned in discussion was $100,000 as a typical threshold for prevailing wage applicability.

The committee agreed to revisit the certified‑payroll proposal at the next meeting and to invite the Vermont Agency of Transportation to provide testimony and implementation details. No vote was recorded at the meeting; members asked staff to prepare a draft amendment and to clarify which projects would be subject to the provision.","Lawmakers discussed proposed certified‑payroll reporting tied to prevailing wage/Davis‑Bacon sections, concerns about automatic transmission to the attorney general’s office, and a suggested one‑year delayed effective date to allow outreach and training.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6117181,"VHFA explains rental revolving loan fund, supports small change to 3% rent‑cap to allow waivers",224,1840950,2065230,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730755-30e693be3372b529ef6b12704092f388&start=1840&end=2065","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730755-30e693be3372b529ef6b12704092f388/thumbnail_1840950.jpg","/articles/6117181/Vermont/VHFA-explains-rental-revolving-loan-fund-supports-small-change-to-3-rentcap-to-allow-waivers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117181-13333765673408b45b952a823dad5b9f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138480&Signature=l-cAGvLkBHFX4zrS4AaFvmziyyTLMXGt9Dl7bFO1ODky2Fu3DODYQ4gl7y-0cUbJFYzwEIQMzVSgsM9NOoG7bGqHxy8K6ol0kf4-7R6kynApntqX6om7K9TAiWyglZuZD1-awYcvKXoY6jhwES6FZgjn8EpxdPUeRIBiQRPGhR3TUyUxuaG20cQ3b80eK2si6sOjx13CGZW-QMAJIPETCYs1q1YNCjBPvBlbjs7k7hvm6tRb8HOyfSyXuoOYbTrF1sTySAAgUNwNtICl3dHpccq4QHCgydpcz6ys7kGTIot2kxhubv7k8dKfEIxUtnYPXRsq7H06FSfiXsIOh6llDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Laura Collins, executive director of the Vermont Housing Finance Agency, updated the committee on a $10 million rental revolving loan fund VHFA administers and asked the committee to preserve a modest statutory change passed in the BAA that allows VHFA to approve rent increases above the 3% cap when owners document higher costs.

\"What we put in statute was we would only allow rents to increase by 3% a year,\" Collins said, describing how unexpected insurance and property‑tax increases have driven operating costs higher than the 3% threshold for some projects.

Collins said the revolving loan program, which was set up to fill gaps for moderate‑income rental developments, has already been awarded and will finance roughly 265 apartments now in development. The $10 million appropriation was designed to be a subordinated loan making up to 35% of total development cost; VHFA described median subsidy per unit in the low‑to‑mid‑thirties of thousands of dollars and said the revolving structure returns capital to the state for future projects.

The language the committee reviewed adds the phrase that rent increases \"do not exceed 3% or an amount otherwise authorized by VHFA,\" allowing VHFA to approve higher increases on a project‑by‑project basis if owners demonstrate cost increases. Collins said she wants to keep the 3% target in statute and to require owners to document cost pressures to secure a waiver.

Committee members asked for figures on how many projects will request waivers and for data on the program’s geographic distribution; Collins said she would provide project counts and noted the program prioritized projects outside Chittenden County. The committee discussed whether the BAA language should be preserved in the housing bill if the BAA does not ultimately carry it through; members supported having draft amendment language available for the floor and for finance to review.

No formal vote to change statute occurred at the meeting; members asked VHFA for the program data to inform future amendment drafting.","VHFA described a $10 million revolving loan program that funded 265 rental units and recommended retaining a 3% statutory rent‑increase cap with an administrative waiver process when verified costs exceed that threshold.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6117187,"VHFA urges funded study of off‑site housing, says off‑site construction alone won’t cut costs",3169,32640,3202565,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730755-30e693be3372b529ef6b12704092f388&start=32&end=3202","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730755-30e693be3372b529ef6b12704092f388/thumbnail_32640.jpg","/articles/6117187/Vermont/VHFA-urges-funded-study-of-offsite-housing-says-offsite-construction-alone-wont-cut-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117187-411d5f1ff3d815851334e4a45ba266ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138480&Signature=ZGoGVEJqkEyrgZI1tt6ZtO9dIAhtTZLE7BP4Smjbw48PqaOri4MYFGGPpId38jnsQ-Kw2sfFtUPvDqQYyxv9y7RV~rFQZGlxQan9cxmeDaQB1V83NL2paTMiSuEGR3e32~q2w1vmFgtX2DtvUrn1sjbHef0QtDp4TJaoGgLBwged8eUIim-Q7ovEs5dKqRjJ71uS~KNpWzSNkqyDRRthBo4zAxqGjY-RM1IlcgXA3cGJQ7lZakUpcR3kR1h0okAL1U~K8P90Nhe0-1U~qloVXsiVDE2hfls7QQ5KKv~0pfjhnRvD7lfkiuDTFazGj07m6tVCRjmPagZJn-wUS~MZ4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Laura Collins, executive director of the Vermont Housing Finance Agency, told the Senate Economic Development, Housing & General Affairs committee that the state needs funded time and staff to determine whether an off‑site housing program can actually lower costs before committing public dollars.

\"Just because something is built off‑site does not make it cheaper,\" Collins said, urging the committee to back a staffed study to narrow the policy choices and test whether bulk purchase, standardized codes and site readiness could produce savings.

The committee has identical language in its draft Senate and House bills (section 23 in draft 3.1) to create a study of off‑site housing options. Collins summarized a VHFA‑commissioned report by Jeff Lubell that examined manufactured, panelized and modular housing and concluded that only certain conditions — for example bulk purchasing and site standardization — are likely to yield meaningful cost reductions.

Collins told members the working proposal included a roughly $250,000 appropriation to cover one FTE to project‑manage the work and to hire consultants and do regional outreach. She and other committee members discussed specific questions that must be answered before any program: ownership versus rental, number of bedrooms, who carries carrying costs, whether units must be customized to local codes, and where prepared sites would be located.

Committee members raised immediate concerns about disaster response, citing last session’s difficulty placing FEMA trailers after floods and urging clarity about siting in emergencies. Collins said some work is already proceeding: the town of Fairhaven received funding through a community development block grant to study restarting a plant, and VHFA has fielded interest from manufacturers. But she said VHFA lacks capacity to pursue the full set of questions without additional staff and funding.

Members debated whether to create a study committee or to direct existing agencies to act. Some expressed impatience with additional studies and urged DHCD or the state housing authority to move faster on practical permitting and lot‑size guidance; others said answering the many questions requires coordinated, funded work. Committee members agreed to hold the proposal as a potential amendment to the housing bill and asked for draft language and progress figures to present to the finance/appropriations process.

The committee chair said members could either attach a modest amendment to the housing bill now or carry the conversation forward with the House and other agencies after crossover. No final appropriation was passed at the meeting; members asked VHFA and staff to prepare draft amendment language and program figures for the next consideration cycle.","Laura Collins of the Vermont Housing Finance Agency told the Senate committee that the state should fund a study committee and staffing to answer practical questions — about bulk purchase, siting, codes and financing — before launching a program to scale off‑site housing in Vermont.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee signals support to explore assistant attorney generals’ right to organize; AG’s office asks for draft language

Committee debates certified‑payroll language tied to prevailing wage; members propose delay and clarification

VHFA explains rental revolving loan fund, supports small change to 3% rent‑cap to allow waivers

VHFA urges funded study of off‑site housing, says off‑site construction alone won’t cut costs