MONTPELIER – As we approach the finish line of this year’s legislative session, I’m feeling hopeful, energized and proud of the progress we’ve made together. From labor rights to healthcare, housing and environmental protections, it’s been a season of meaningful work, and we’re not done yet. Here’s a peek at what’s been happening under the Golden Dome.
Between caucus meetings, select boards, school visits and local Democratic gatherings, I’ve been connecting with Vermonters across the state. It’s been inspiring to listen, learn and share space with community members passionate about building a better Vermont. Your stories and perspectives are shaping the work we’re doing.
From the Labor and Housing Committee Room, we’ve been laser-focused on labor rights. Testimony continues on bills that protect the right to organize, demand fair wages, ensure safe working conditions and preserve the right to strike. On Housing, we’re working on policies that support development, improve infrastructure, expand access and strengthen tenant protections. S.127 is looking like our vehicle for a housing omnibus bill this session.
On the House Floor, Proposal 3: Collective Bargaining Rights Enshrined in the Constitution, made history on May Day, International Workers Day. The House passed Proposal 3, a constitutional amendment to protect the right of workers to organize and bargain collectively. Thank you to everyone who showed up and testified. Your voices mattered. Next stop: your ballot in November, 2026.
S.18, Licensure for Freestanding Birth Centers, would create a clear, safe path to license community-based birth centers in Vermont, an important step for reproductive freedom and maternal health care access. This legislation helps ensure Vermonters have more choices for safe, cost-effective maternity care, especially in rural areas. It’s currently back in the Senate for review of House amendments.
The House passed S.27, Tackling Medical Debt, which forgives qualifying medical debt, keeps medical debt off credit reports, strengthens consumer protections and supports economic equity and healthcare affordability. This bill offers much-needed financial relief and dignity for Vermonters facing medical hardship.
H.91, Emergency Housing Reform, reimagines emergency shelter programs in Vermont by creating a new, more responsive system to better serve our unhoused neighbors. It passed the House and is now in the Senate Health and Welfare Committee.
H.130, Expands the Advisory Council on Harassment.
We’ve been hearing powerful testimony from students on school safety, equity, and reform in relation to H.454, a comprehensive education reform bill.
S.36, Support for Substance Use Treatment, passed by the House on April 29, strengthens Medicaid support for residential substance use disorder treatment. This is a vital step for individuals navigating both addiction and mental health challenges.
H.15, Room and Board Assistance for Foster Youth, is still in committee. It would provide vital support to students from foster or kinship care attending Vermont colleges. It’s about opportunity, equity and care beyond childhood.
Our Environment Committee has been hard at work on legislation that promotes accountability, resiliency and long-term sustainability. H.230 updates wildlife conservation rules and streamlines hunting and fishing regulations; H.86 launches a Chloride Contamination Reduction Program to reduce road salt pollution in water systems and DR 25-0991 modernizes our bottle redemption program, aiming to raise recovery rates from 71% to over 90%. We’re also monitoring federal overreach into state environmental law, particularly recent actions challenging Vermont’s climate efforts. We remain committed to bold local leadership on climate.
Whether you testified at a hearing, sent an email, or simply stayed informed, thank you for being engaged. Democracy is a team sport and I’m honored to be on this team with you.
Rep. Saudia LaMont
Saudia LaMont represents the Lamoille-Washington District (Morrisville, Elmore, Woodbury, Worcester and northern Stowe) in the Vermont House of Representatives.
